Unleashing the cardioprotective potential of berberine against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity: Innovative exploitation of the peculiar antipyroptotic/antioxidant/anti-inflammatory capacity via modulation of inflammasome/caspase-1/interleukin pathway in rats.

The anticancer use of doxorubicin (DXR) is limited by its irreversible cardiotoxicity. Berberine (BRB) alkaloid is endowed with peculiar anti-inflammatory/antioxidant/antipyroptotic characteristics. Pyroptosis, the lytic/inflammatory form of programmed cell death, has been implicated in DXR-provoked cardiomyopathy.

Berberine attenuates epithelial mesenchymal transition in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via activating AR and mitigating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling.

Aims: Berberine is endowed with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. This study explored the role of adenosine A receptor (AR) activation and SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling suppression in the protective effects of berberine in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Main Methods: Pulmonary fibrosis was generated in mice by injecting bleomycin (40 U/kg, i.

Apigenin attenuates LPS-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment in mice via promoting mitochondrial fusion/mitophagy: role of SIRT3/PINK1/Parkin pathway.

Rationale: Alteration of the NAD metabolic pathway is proposed to be implicated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neurotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Apigenin, a naturally-occurring flavonoid, has been reported to maintain NAD levels and to preserve various metabolic functions.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effect of apigenin on mitochondrial SIRT3 activity as a mediator through which it could modulate mitochondrial quality control and to protect against intracerebrovascular ICV/LPS-induced neurotoxicity.

Insights into the role of P2X7R/DUSP6/ERK1/2 and SIRT2/MDM2 signaling in the nephroprotective effect of berberine against cisplatin-induced renal fibrosis in rats.

Aims: Several signaling events have been identified for mediating cisplatin-induced chronic inflammation and progressive renal fibrosis, but the majority of them have not yet been established as therapeutic targets. This study investigated the modulatory effects of berberine on purinergic 2X7 receptors (P2X7R) and some potential intracellular profibrogenic signaling as molecular mechanisms that could hinder renal fibrosis associated with cisplatin administration in rats.

Main Methods: For induction of kidney injury, rats were injected with cisplatin (1 mg/kg, i.

Naringenin affords protection against lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure: Role of autophagy.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is considered a fatal clinical disorder and novel therapeutic interventions are mandatory. Naringenin is a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects that have displayed beneficial effects in different animal models of ALF. The current study aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effect and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms of naringenin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-Gal) mouse model of ALF.

Antiulcerogenic effect of melittin via mitigating TLR4/TRAF6 mediated NF-κB and p38MAPK pathways in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease driven primarily by uncontrolled pervasive inflammatory responses affecting the colon and rectum. Currently available medications carry multiple detrimental adverse effects, which have emphasized the mandatory need for safer and more efficient novel therapeutic alternatives. Melittin is the main constituent of bee venom and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties.