Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction

Protective effects of p-coumaric acid against oxidant and hyperlipidemia-an in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Summary
Coumaric acid is a hydroxy derivative of cinnamic acid and naturally occurs in three isomers (ortho-, meta- and para-); p-coumaric acid is one of the most commonly occurring isomer in nature. p-coumaric acid, classified as a phytochemical and nutraceutical, is found in various edible plants, such as carrots, tomatoes and cereals. p-coumaric acid (4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid) occurs widely in the cell walls of graminaceous plants. It decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) peroxidation, shows antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and plays an important role in human health. It is found in the endosperm of kernels at a limited level; however, the amount of p-coumaric acid increases significantly in peripheral tissues. In terms of cereal types, it appears that pericarp fractions in barley, wheat, oat and corn are the fractions richest in p-coumaric acid. It is both a good antioxidant and a good antimicrobial; therefore, it is natural alternative instead of synthetic additives, nowadays.

p-Coumaric acid in cereals: presence, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects

Aronia melanocarpa berries (chokeberries) constitute a very rich source of numerous substances exerting a beneficial impact on health, including mainly polyphenols (proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids), possessing antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, antiplatelet, and antidiabetic properties. Thus, the consumption of products made from chokeberries is of vital importance for health maintenance and protection. Nowadays, due to the growing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and ubiquitous human exposure to numerous man-made and naturally occurring toxic substances, some of which are dangerous even at low amounts, it is very important to look for effective means of health protection. An important role in this regard may be played by A. melanocarpa berries; however, up to now the attention of scientists, nutritionists, and health practitioners has been focused mainly on the effectiveness of chokeberry products in the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases, while only little attention has been paid to the possibility of their use to counteract the adverse health effects of exposure to xenobiotics. That is why in this review article the main interest has been focused on the possibility of using chokeberries in the protection against unfavorable health effects caused by the action of substances to which humans may be exposed environmentally and/or occupationally. The available experimental data indicate that not only the fruit but also the leaves of A. melanocarpa and their products may be effective means for prevention and treatment of the effects of toxic action of some xenobiotics in humans; however, further studies on this subject are necessary.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1541-4337.12221

Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) and Their Products as a Possible Means for the Prevention and Treatment of Noncommunicable Diseases and Unfavorable Health Effects Due to Exposure to Xenobiotics.

Phenylpropanoids and their derivatives are plant secondary metabolites widely present in fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, beverages, spices and herbs. They are known to have multifaceted effects which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer activities and as well as exhibits renoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects. Owing to their antioxidant, antimicrobial and photoprotective properties, these compounds have wide application in the food (preservation, packaging films and edible coating), pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other industries such as textile (colorant), biofuel (antioxidant additive) and sensors (sensing biologically relevant molecules). Phenylpropanoids are present in commercially available dietary supplements and skin care products. In this review, we have presented the current knowledge on the biosynthesis, occurrence, biological activities of phenylpropanoids and their derivatives, along with the mechanism of action and their potential applications in various industries.

Phenylpropanoids and its derivatives: biological activities and its role in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Withania somnifera against Paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats. Methods: In the present study, the protective effect of Withania somnifera was investigated against Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and compared with Silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective reference drug. The rats received a single dose of paracetamol (900 mg/kg body weight, i.p.); Withania somnifera (500 mg/kg body weight and 1000mg/kg body weight, p.o.) and Silymarin (25 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) were administered 30 min after the injection of paracetamol. Liver marker enzymes (Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase), Total Protein content, Bilirubin, Antioxidant status (Reduced Glutathione, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase) were evaluated and histopathological analysis was done for the control and experimental rats. Results: Paracetamol treatment leads to elevated levels of liver marker enzymes and bilirubin and there was deterioration in total protein content, histological observations and antioxidant status. However, treatment with Withania somnifera significantly reversed (p < 0.05) the above changes compared to the control group as observed in the paracetamol-challenged rats. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrate that Withania somnifera possesses promising hepatoprotective effects through its antioxidant activity and hence suggests its use as a potential therapeutic agent for protection from paracetamol overdose.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of withania somnifera against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats

The present study was conducted to elucidate the protective role of p-coumaric acid, a common dietary polyphenol against cadmium induced nephrotoxicity in rats. For the purpose of comparison, a standard reference drug silymarin (50 mg/kg b. wt) was used. In this experiment, the animals were divided into four groups, with each consisting of six animals. The animals in Group I animals received saline and served as a control group and those in Group II received cadmium chloride (3 mg/kg b. wt) subcutaneously once daily for 3 weeks, but Group III and IV animals received cadmium chloride followed by p-coumaric acid (100 mg/kg b. wt, oral) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b. wt, oral), respectively, daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and the blood and kidney samples were collected. The results obtained in this study revealed the fact that the levels of lipid peroxidation, lysosomal enzymes, glycoprotein, cadmium and metallothionein were increased in the cadmium chloride ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3109/0886022X.2013.835268

p-Coumaric acid, a common dietary polyphenol, protects cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Cadmium, a well-known environmental pollutant and a toxic transitional metal causes severe damage to many organs, such as liver, kidney, lungs, heart, etc. The current study has been designed to assess the impact of p-coumaric acid, a common dietary polyphenol on cadmium chloride-induced renal toxicity in rats. Therefore, the activities of membrane bound ATPases, mitochondrial TCA cycle and electron transport chain enzymes, gluconeogenic and glycolytic enzymes, and glycogen content were estimated in kidney tissue homogenates of control and experimental rats. In addition, the serum levels of glucose and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β were also estimated. The cadmium chloride administered rats (3 mg per kg per b. wt per s.c.) showed significant decrease in the levels of membrane bound ATPases, mitochondrial TCA cycle and electron transport chain enzymes, glycolytic enzymes, and glycogen content as compared with controls. Conversely, the levels of glucose, gluconeogenic enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-1β) were found to be increased. However, the administration of p-coumaric acid (100 mg per kg per b. wt per s.c.) along with the cadmium chloride significantly modulated these biochemical and immunological changes to near normal, as compared to cadmium chloride treated rats. Thus, the results provide strong evidence that p-coumaric acid has a protective action against cadmium-induced renal toxicity in rats.

Dhanalakshmi Navaneethan

Papers

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of withania somnifera against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats

p-Coumaric acid, a common dietary polyphenol, protects cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

An experimental study to investigate the impact of p-coumaric acid, a common dietary polyphenol, on cadmium chloride-induced renal toxicity