EXCLI Journal

The impact of Oats (Avena sativa L.) on oxidative stress and apoptosis against nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity induced by Ehrlich solid tumour in mice

2022-01-19T15:41:14+01:00

Introduction: The popularity of treating disease using alternative and complementary medicines has increased in recent decade; many of these are derived from plants. Oats are of particular interest because of their unique polyphenols that exceed 20 in number. Aim: This study uses the murine model to explore the protective effect of oats against the oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Ehrlich solid tumour (EST) in liver and kidney. Methods: Sixty female mice were randomly allocated to four groups: G1 (control), G2 (oats), G3 (EST), G4 (Oats+EST). Results: Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content and p53 and Bcl2 expression was significantly increased in the kidney and liver tissues of mice with EST. Homogenates of these same samples exhibited reduced levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the profile of all parameters was better in the EST specimens treated with oats (G4). Conclusion: The results indicate that the antioxidative effects of oats have renal and hepatic protective effects in EST-challenged mice. Improving the antioxidative stress defence system minimises the amount of apoptosis and damage that Ehrlich solid tumours cause to kidney and liver tissue.

Comparison of predictive ability of macrocirculation and microcirculation markers on outcomes of patients with septic shock during initial fluid resuscitation: A prospective observational study

2022-01-19T15:08:32+01:00

Adequate reliability and monitoring of perfusion is essential for better recovery and prognosis in patients with septic shock. This study was conducted to compare the predictive ability of the macrocirculation, microcirculation markers and also fluid balance, lactate and clearance lactate on outcomes of patients with septic shock during initial resuscitation. This was a single-center observational study of adult patients with septic shock who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, between December 2019 and September 2021. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore association of macrocirculation (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and central venous pressure), microcirculation (capillary refill time, peripheral perfusion index, and mottling score) and fluid balance, lactate and clearance lactate on the outcomes (ICU length of stay, need of renal replacement therapy, need and number of vasopressors, duration of mechanical ventilator, and mortality) at baseline, 6h and 24h after ICU admission. One hundred ICU patients with septic shock were enrolled in this study. The AUCs for the macrocirculation and microcirculation markers for predicting mortality ranged from 0.517 to 0.770 and 0.695 to 0.993, respectively. Among the macrocirculation markers, the best predictive values for mortality were related to the central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure markers at baseline, with AUCs of 0.770 and 0.753, respectively. The best predictive values for mortality at 24h were related to the peripheral perfusion index and capillary refill time as microcirculation markers with AUC 0.993 and 0.990, respectively. The microcirculation markers had a better predictive accuracy value for mortality in patients with septic shock than macrocirculation markers. We also found that the combination of makers had a greater AUC with higher sensitivity and specificity than the marker alone to predict outcomes.

Erythrina velutina: a botanical review, phitochemical, bioactivity and potential health benefits

2022-01-19T14:21:50+01:00

The species Erytrina velutina, popularly known as mulungu, is commonly used for several purposes ranging from ornamental and wood to medicinal. For the species, some compounds are reported, among them dienoid alkaloids, dienoid alkaloids with some modifications in the basic structure, N-oxide dienoid alkaloids; flavanoids, including flavanones, isoflavanones and pterocarpan. The aim of the study is to highlight the information about the species, through the literature, highlighting its pharmacological importance, its popular use and its notability as a potential candidate for the development of new drugs.

Clinical studies have described several biological properties such as: anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anticholinesterase activity, among others, corroborating the popular indication attributed to the plant. The biological activities described have an impact on human health and these compounds serve as target molecules in the development of new drugs. Therefore, the species of Erythrina velutina represents an interesting and promising field of study.