Piperine regulates the circadian rhythms of hepatic clock gene expressions and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

The interplay between the host circadian clock and microbiota has significant influences on host metabolism processes,and circadian desynchrony triggered by high-fat diet(HFD)is closely related to metabolic disorders.In this study,the modulatory effects of piperine(PIP)on lipid metabolism homeostasis,gut microbiota community and circadian rhythm of hepatic clock gene expressions in obese rats were investigated.The Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were fed with normal diet(ND),HFD and HFD supplemented with PIP,respectively.After 9 weeks,rats were sacrificed with tissue and fecal samples collected for circadian analysis.Results showed that chronic PIP administration ameliorated the obesity-induced alterations in lipid metabolism and dysregulation of hepatic clock gene expressions in obese rats.The gut microbial communities studied through 16S rRNA sequencing showed that PIP ameliorated the imbalanced nicrobiota and recovered the circadian rhythm of Lactobacillaceae,Desulfovibrionaceae,Paraprevotellaceae,and Lachnospiraceae.The fecal metabolic profiles indicated that 3-dehydroshikimate,cytidine and lithocholyltaurine were altered,which were involved in the amino acid and fatty acid metabolism process.These findings could provide theoretical basis for PIP to work as functional food to alleviate the lipid metabolism disorder,circadian rhythm misalignment,and gut microbiota dysbiosis with wide applications in the food and pharmaceutic industries.

Combinatorial effect of diclofenac with piperine and D-limonene on inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of breast cancer cells

Objective:To investigate the potential synergistic activity of diclofenac with piperine and D-limonene in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Methods:Molecular docking study was conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of diclofenac with piperine and D-limonene against p53,Bax,and Bcl-2.The MTT assay was used to determine IC50,and the Chou-Talay method was used to determine the synergistic concentration of the combination treatment of diclofenac plus piperine and diclofenac plus D-limonene.Apoptosis detection,cell cycle arrest,reactive oxygen species production,and mitochondrial membrane potential were also investigated.Results:Diclofenac,piperine,and D-limonene showed potent binding affinity for p53,Bax,and Bcl-2.Diclofenac plus piperine and diclofenac plus D-limonene enhanced the formation of reactive oxygen species,which also had an effect on the mitochondrial membrane’s integrity and caused DNA fragmentation.Diclofenac plus piperine and diclofenac plus D-limonene arrested the cells in the sub-G0phase while drastically lowering the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase.Furthermore,the elevated apoptosis in the combined therapy was confirmed by annexin V/propidium iodide staining.Conclusions:The combined therapy prominently enhanced the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells compared with treatment with diclofenac,piperine,and D-limonene alone.

Evaluation of the Mutagenicity Potential of Trace-Rutinosidase Variety of Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) Using the Ames Test

To ensure the safety of “Manten-Kirari”, a non-bitter and trace-rutinosidase variety of Tartary buckwheat, we evaluated its mutagenic activity in a bacterial reverse mutagenicity assay, the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA1535, TA98, TA153, and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA were employed as test bacteria. The flour of “Manten-Kirari” was dissolved at 12 - 50,000 μg/mL in DMSO and investigated. The number of revertants did not differ compared to the negative control for all concentrations tested, whereas that in the positive control, the number of revertants was increased with or without metabolic activation for each bacterial strain tested. These results suggested that the flour of the Tartary buckwheat “Manten-Kirari” was not genotoxic.

Simultaneous Determination of Clonidine Hydrochloride,Hydrochlorothiazide, and Rutin in Zhenju Jiangya Tablet by Capillary Electrophoresis

Aim To develop a method for the determination of three drug components： clonidine hydrochloride, hydrochlorothiazide and rutin in Zhenju Jiangya tablet. Methods An uncoated capillary tube was used to analyze under 20 kV voltage at 20 ℃. The samples were introduced into the capillary tube by hydrodynamic mode applying 50 kPa for 5 s and detected at 210 nm. Results The linear ranges of clonidine hydrochlofide, hydrochlorothiazide, and rutin were 10 μg· mL^-1 - 100μg· mL^-1, 30μg· mL^-1 - 300 μg· mL^- 1, and 30μg · mL^-1 - 300μg · mL^-1, respectively. Inter-day and intra-day RSD were all below 10.5%. The recoveries were 94.96% for clonidine hydrochloride, 84.45% for hydroehlorothiazide, and 89.88 % for rutin. Conclusion Clonidine hydrochloride, hydrochlorothiazide, and rutin are baseline separated. The method is simple and rapid for simultaneous determination of the three drug components in Zhenju Jiangya tablet.

Microwave-assisted Extraction of Rutin and Quercetin from Flos Sophorae

Three microwave-assisted extraction(MAE) procedures were studied. The first procedure was household microwave oven dynamic extraction(HMODE). The second procedure was special microwave oven bath extraction(SMOBE). The third procedure was microwave resonant cavity dynamic extraction(MRCDE). The results obtained by the three microwave-assisted extraction procedures were compared with those obtained by using traditional Soxhlet extraction. The results indicate that the MAE not only took a shorter time, but also simplified the procedure, and made the extraction a higher yield. At the same time the results obtained by the three MAE procedures were also compared with each other.

Preparation and characterization of curcumin-piperine dual drug loaded nanoparticles

Objective:To prepare curcumin-piperine(Cu-Pi) nanoparticles by various methods and to study the effect of various manufacturing parameters on Cu-Pi nanoparticles and to identify a suitable method for the preparation of Cu-Pi nanoparticles to overcome oral bioavailability and cancer cell targeting limitations in the treatment of cancer.Methods:Cu-Pi nanoparticles were prepared by thin film hydration method,solid dispersion method,emulsion polymerization method and Fessi method.Optimization was carried out to study the effect of various manufacturing parameter on the Cu-Pi nanoparticles.Results:Out of four methods,Fessi method produced a minimum average particle size of 85.43 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.183 and zeta potential of 29.7 mV.Change of organic solvent(acetone or ethanol) did not have any significant effect on Cu-Pi nanoparticles.However,increase in sonication time,stirring speed,viscosity,use of 1:10:10 ratio of drag/polymer/surfactant,and use of anionic surfactant or combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymer or combination of non-ionic surfactant with cationic polymer had a significant effect on Cu-Pi nanoparticles.Conclusions:Cu-Pi nanoparticles coated with PEC containing copolymer produced by Fessi method had a minimum average particle size,excellent polydispersity index and optimal zeta potential which fall within the acceptable limits of the study.This dual nanoparticulate drug delivery system appears to be promising to overcome oral bioavailability and cancer cell targeting limitations in the treatment of cancer.

The Effect of Administration of Rutin on Plasma Levels of Estrogen, Prolactin, Growth Hormone and Gene Expression of Their Receptors in Mammary Glands in Ovariectomized Rats

The development of mammary glands, endocrine hormone concentrations and the gene expression of related receptors were measured in ovariectomized virgin rats after adminstration of an estrogen-like plant extract, rutin. Thirty-two ovariectomized virgin Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 8 animals each： gastric infusion of 2 mL normal saline per unovariectomized rat per day （Sham）, gastric infusion of 2 mL normal saline per ovariectomized rat per day （Ova）, gastric infusion of 60 mg rutin kg-1 body weight （BW） per ovariectomized rat per day （Ova＋Rut）, or intramuscular injection of 60 ug estradiol kg-1 BW per ovariectomized rat weekly （Ova＋Est）. Samples of blood and mammary glands were harvested to determine the levels of estrogen （E2）, prolactin （PRL） and growth hormone （GH）, and the gene expression of estrogen receptors （ER）, prolactin receptors （PRLR） and growth hormone receptors （GHR） with radioimmunoassy （RIA） and RT-PCR technology, respectively. The E2 concentration in plasma and gland tissues from the rats of Ovx＋Rut or Ovx＋Est was higher than that of Ovx （P〈0.05）, but the plasma E2 concentration from the rats of Ovx＋Rut was lower than that of Sham （P〈0.05）. The order of the PRL concentration in plasma and gland tissues was Ovx〈Ovx＋Rut〈Ovx＋Est 〈Sham, and the difference in each treatment （P〈0.05）. The plasma GH concentration was lower in Ovx than in Ovx＋Rut or Ovx＋Est, and lower in Ovx＋Rut than in Sham （P〈0.05）. The GH concentration in gland tissues was lower in Ovx than in Ovx＋Rut or Ovx＋Est （P〈0.05）, and lower in Ovx＋Rut than in Sham （P〈0.05）. The gene expression of ER in gland tissues was increased in an order as Ovx〈Ovx＋Rut〈Ovx＋Est〈Sham （P〈0.05）, and PRLR, GHR showed the same trend. In conclusion, adminstration of rutin increased the E2 concentration in plasma and mammary glands, promoted pituitary PRL and GH release, up-regulated the gene expression of ER, PRLR and GHR, and stimulated mammary development in ovariectomized virgin rats.

Neuroprotective potential of Quercetin in combination with piperine against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity

1-Methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine（MPTP）is a neurotoxin that selectively damages dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and induces Parkinson＇s like symptoms in rodents.Quercetin（QC）is a natural polyphenolic bioflavonoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but lacks of clinical attraction due to low oral bioavailability.Piperine is a well established bioavailability enhancer used pre-clinically to improve the bioavailability of antioxidants（e.g.,Quercetin）.Therefore,the present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of QC together with piperine against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in rats.MPTP（100μg/μL/rat,bilaterally）was injected intranigrally on days 1,4 and 7 using a digital stereotaxic apparatus.QC（25 and 50 mg/kg,intragastrically）and QC（25 mg/kg,intragastrically）in combination with piperine（2.5 mg/kg,intragastrically）were administered daily for 14 days starting from day 8 after the 3^（rd） injection of MPTP.On day 22,animals were sacrificed and the striatum was isolated for oxidative stress parameter（thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,nitrite and glutathione）,neuroinflammatory cytokine（interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α）and neurotransmitter（dopamine,norepinephrine,serotonin,gamma-aminobutyric acid,glutamate,3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid,homovanillic acid,and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid）evaluations.Bilateral infusion of MPTP into substantia nigra pars compacta led to significant motor deficits as evidenced by impairments in locomotor activity and rotarod performance in open field test and grip strength and narrow beam walk performance.Both QC（25 and 50 mg/kg）and QC（25 mg/kg）in combination with piperine（2.5 mg/kg）,in particular the combination therapy,significantly improved MPTP-induced behavioral abnormalities in rats,reversed the abnormal alterations of neurotransmitters in the striatum,and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the striatum.These findings indicate that piperine can enhance the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of QC,and QC in combination with piperine exhibits strong neuroprotective effects against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity.

Effect of piperine on the epididymis of adult male rats

Aim： To study the effect of piperine on the epididymal antioxidant system of adult male rats. Methods： Adult male rats were orally administered piperine at doses of 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight each day for 30 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the rats were weighed and killed with ether and the epididymis was dissected from the bodies. Sperm collected from the cauda region of the epididymis was used for the assessment of its count, motility and viability. Caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis were separated and homogenized separately to obtain 10 % homogenates. The supernatants were used for the assays of sialic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation. Results： Body weight of the piperine-treated rats remained unchanged. The weights of the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis significantly decreased at dose of 100 mg/kg. Epididymal sperm count and motility decreased at 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, and sperm viability decreased significantly at 100 mg/kg. Sialic acid levels in the epididymis decreased significantly at 100 mg/kg while significant decrease in the cauda region alone was observed at 10 mg/kg. A significant decline in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, along with an increase in hydrogen peroxide generation and lipid peroxidation were observed at 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Conclusion： Piperine caused a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and sialic acid levels in the epididymis and thereby increased reactive oxygen species levels that could damage the epididymal environment and sperm function.

The leaf extract of Mallotus japonicus and its major active constituent, rutin,suppressed on melanin production in murine B16F1 melanoma

Objective: To find anti-melanogenesis materials used in whitening cosmetics.Methods: The ethanolic leaf extract of Mallotus japonicus(M. japonicus) having an anti-melanogenesis activity was separated by a sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Each fraction was measured for its tyrosinase inhibitory activity together with its polyphenol content using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The anti-melanogenesis activity of the active fractions was determined by the melanin content in the murine B16F1 melanoma. The active fractions were put together due to similar constituents, and then separated by high performance liquid chromatography using a C-18 ODS column. The major antimelanogenesis compound was identified using1 H and13C-NMR and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: The ethanolic leaf extract of M. japonicus showed an anti-tyrosinase activity with a high polyphenol content, resulting in suppression of melanin production in the B16F1 melanoma. The extract was separated and the active compound was identical as rutin based on the1 H,13C-NMR and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis data. In addition, the rutin treatment with cells reduced the melanin content in a concentration dependent manner without any cell toxicity. The leaf extract of M. japonicus containing rutin would be useful in whitening cosmetics for protection from UV-light exposure to be limiting the accumulation of melanin in skin.Conclusions: The leaf extract of M. japonicus and/or rutin isolated from the extract as a key whitening agent would be useful as a whitening cosmetic material for protecting against disorder skin due to melanin accumulation.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of rutin for spinal cord injury through anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation and inhibition of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway

Rutin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-tumor and immune regulatory effects. However, the neuroprotective effects of rutin in spinal cord injury are unknown. The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） pathway is the most important member of the MAPK family that controls inflammation. We assumed that the mechanism of rutin in the repair of spinal cord injury is associated with the inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway. Allen’s method was used to establish a rat model of spinal cord injury. The rat model was intraperitoneally injected with rutin （30 mg/kg） for 3 days. After treatment with rutin, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor function scores increased. Water content, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interleukin 6 levels, p38 MAPK protein expression and caspase-3 and -9 activities in T8–9 spinal cord decreased. Oxidative stress related markers superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels increased in peripheral blood. Rutin exerts neuroprotective effect through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway.

Highly sensitive simultaneous electrochemical determination of myricetin and rutin via solid phase extraction on a ternary Pt@r-GO@MWCNTs nanocomposite

The simultaneous electrochemical determination of myricetin and rutin remains a challenge due to their indistinguishable potentials.To solve this problem,we constructed a ternary platinum nanoparticle,reduced graphene oxide,multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt@r-GO@MWCNTs) nanocomposite via a facile one-pot synthetic method.Under the optimized conditions,the ternary Pt@r-GO@MWCNTs nanocomposite exhibited good electrocatalytic activity toward myricetin and rutin via solid phase extraction and excellent performance for the simultaneous determination of myricetin and rutin.The oxidation peak current of myricetin was proportional to its concentrations in the range of 0.05-50μM with a detection limit of 0.01μM (S/N=3).The linear range for rutin was 0.05-50μM with a detection limit of 0.005μM(S/N=3).The ternary nanocomposite sensor also exhibited good reproducibility and stability,and was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of myricetin and rutin in real orange juice samples with recoveries ranging between 100.57% and 108.46%.

Solubility of Piperine in Supercritical and Near Critical Carbon Dioxide

Piperine is a member of the lipids family commonly found in peppercorn, ginger and other natural sources and is grouped as an alkaloid. The solubility of piperine has been determined in carbon dioxide at near critical and supercritical conditions in a dynamic extraction apparatus. The conditions studied were at pressures ranging from 10 to 20 MPa and temperatures at 293, 300, 313, 323 and 333 K. The results showed that piperine solubility increased with increasing pressure at all temperatures studied. The solubility of plperme in near critical conditions was slightly higher than that at supercritical conditions only at the low-pressure range. Two semi-empirical density dependent correlations, namely the Chrastil model and the Dilute Solution model, were also used to estimate the solubility data. Although both models showed good correlation with the solubility data, the Dilute Solution model performed better prediction than the Chrastil model.

Protective Effects of Combined Therapy of Rutin with Silymarin on Experimentally-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy in Rats

The management of diabetic neuropathy (DN) is still a challenge for physicians. Hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress involves in the development of diabetic neuropathy, which could be reversed by supplementation of antioxidants. In the present study, it has targeted the oxidative stress mediated nerve damage in DN by using combined therapy of rutin (RT) and silymarin (SM). Diabetes was induced by single streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg i.p.) injection. The diabetic rats were treated daily with RT (100 mg/kg), SM (60 mg/kg) and RT (50 mg/kg) + SM (30 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive weeks. Pain-related behavior tests were performed including tail flick, paw-pressure analgesia and Rota-rod treadmill performance. Serum glucose, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukine-6 (IL-6) and interleukine-1β (IL-β) levels were estimated. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Diabetic rats that developed neuropathy were revealed by decreased tail-flick latency, paw-withdrawal latency and motor coordination. RT (100 mg/kg/day) and SM (60 mg/kg/day) dosed to diabetic rats, ameliorated hyperalgesia, analgesia and led to improved motor coordination. However, the combined therapy of RT (50 mg/kg/day) with SM (30 mg/kg/day) showed more significant effects in these parameters. STZ significantly increased TBARS and decreased GSH levels in sciatic nerve whereas combined therapy of RT and SM produced higher significant protection compared to individual. Similarly, combined therapy showed more significant amelioration in decreased levels of SOD, CAT, GST, GS and GPx activities in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Present results concluded that the combined therapy of phenolic compounds such as RT and SM had higher protective effects than their individual supplementations against DM.

LC–HRMS determination of piperine on rat dried blood spots: A pharmacokinetic study

A liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry （LC-HRMS） method was developed and validated for the determination of piperine （PPR） on dried blood spots （DBS）. DBS samples were prepared by spiking the whole blood with analyte to produce 30 μL of blood spots on specimen collection cards. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Atlantis dC18 column using acetonitrile and water （0.1% formic acid） （85：15, v/v） as mobile phase in an isocratic mode of elution at a flow rate of 0.75 mL/min. MS detection was carried out in electrospray positive ion mode for the target ions and monitored at m/z 286.1465 for PPR and 272.1303 for the internal standard （IS）. The developed method exhibited a linear dynamic range over 0.01-2000 ng/mL for PPR on DBS. The overall extraction recovery of PPR from DBS was 92.5%. Influence of hematocrit and spot volume on DBS was also evaluated and found to be well within the acceptable limits. The method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of PPR in rats.

Effects of rutin on oxidative stress in mice with kainic acid-induced seizure

Flavonoids are present in foods such as fruits and vegetables. Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods and prevention of human disease, including neurodegenerative disorders. We assessed the effect of rutin （quercetin-3-O-rutinoside） on oxidative stress in kainic acid （KA）-induced seizure. METHODS： Thirty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups. In the control group, saline （intra-peritoneal, i.p.） was administered for 7 d, and on the last day, KA （10 mg/kg, i.p.） was injected 30 min after administration of saline. In rutin groups, mice were pretreated with rutin （100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.） for 7 d, and on the last day, KA （10 mg/kg, i.p.） was injected 30 min after administration of rutin. Subsequently, behavioural changes were observed in mice. Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress were measured respectively in the early and late phases after KA-induced seizures. RESULTS： Seizure scores in the rutin groups were significantly lower than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, rutin dose-dependently inhibited the number of wet-dog shakes （WDS） （P 〈 0.05）. Malondialdehyde level in the hippocampus of the rutin groups was significantly lower than that in the hippocampus of the control group on days 1 and 21 after KA administration. In the rutin groups, the thiol levels observed on day 1 after KA administration were higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： These results indicate that rutin has potential anticonvulsant and antioxidative activities against oxidative stress in KA-induced seizure in mice.

The pharmacokinetic study of rutin in rat plasma based on an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified sensor

An electrochemical method based on a directly electrochemically reduced graphene oxide （ERGO） film coated on a glassy carbon electrode （GCE） was developed for the rapid and convenient determination of rutin in plasma. ERGO was modified on the surface of GCE by one-step electro-deposition method. Electrochemical behavior of rutin on ERGO/GCE indicated that rutin underwent a surface-controlled quasi-reversible process and the electrochemical parameters such as charge transfer coefficient （α）, electron transfer number （n） and electrode reaction standard rate constant （ks） were 0.53, 2 and 3.4 s -1, respectively. The electrochemical sensor for rutin in plasma provided a wide linear response range of 4.70 × 10 ^-7 1.25 × 10^-5 M with the detection limit （s/n=3） of 1.84 × 10^-8 M. The assay was success- fully used to the pharmacokinetic study of rutin. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as elimination rate half-life （t1/2）, area under curve （AUC）, and plasma clearance （CL） were calculated to be 3.345 ± 0.647 rain, 5750 ±656.0 μg min/mL, and 5.891± 0.458 mL/min/kg, respectively. The proposed method utilized a small sample volume of 10 μL and had no complicated sample pretreatment （without deproteinization）, which was simple, eco-friendly, and time- and cost-efficient for rutin pharmacokinetic studies.

The protective effect of rutin and quercetin on 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of quercetin(Q) and rutin on 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods: The control group was corn oil. The 5-FU group rats were corn oil and injected intraperitoneal 5-FU 50 mg/kg. Groups rutin 50 + 5-FU and rutin 100 + 5-FU were respectively 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg rutin. These groups were given 5-FU(50 mg/kg) in the 18th day. The group rutin 100 was rutin(100 mg/kg i.g.). Groups Q50 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU were respectively 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg quercetin. These groups were given 5-FU(50 mg/kg) in the 18th day of quercetin application. The group Q100 was quercetin(100 mg/kg i.g.). In the end of experimental applications, blood was collected from anesthetized rats.Results: The MDA level was significantly higher in the 5-FU group compared with control group, and determined to be decreased in other groups. GPx and GSH levels were significantly decreased in the 5-FU group compared to the control, rutin 100 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU groups. AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels in the serum were significantly increased in the 5-FU group compared with the other groups. The results from this analysis show that while the caspase-3 level increases in the 5-FU group, it decreases in the Q50 + 5-FU, Q100 + 5-FU, rutin 50 + 5-FU and rutin 100 + 5-FU groups. Bcl-2 level decreased in the 5-FU group compared to the control group, but increased in the rutin 100 + 5-FU, Q50 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU groups.Conclusions: In this study it was determined that the rutin and Q have protective effects on 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity.

Rutin pretreatment promotes microglial M1 to M2 phenotype polarization

Microglial cells are important resident innate immune components in the central nervous system that are often activated during neuroinflammation.Activated microglia can display one of two phenotypes,M1 or M2,which each play distinct roles in neuroinflammation.Rutin,a dietary flavonoid,exhibits protective effects against neuroinflammation.However,whether rutin is able to influence the M1/M2 polarization of microglia remains unclear.In this study,in vitro BV-2 cell models of neuroinflammation were established using 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide to investigate the effects of 1-hour rutin pretreatment on microglial polarization.The results revealed that rutin pretreatment reduced the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6 and increased the secretion of interleukin-10.Rutin pretreatment also downregulated the expression of the M1 microglial markers CD86 and inducible nitric oxide synthase and upregulated the expression of the M2 microglial markers arginase 1 and CD206.Rutin pretreatment inhibited the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 and blocked the phosphorylation of I kappa B kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B.These results showed that rutin pretreatment may promote the phenotypic switch of microglia M1 to M2 by inhibiting the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway to alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation.

Antidepressant and cognitive activities of intranasal piperine-encapsulated liposomes

Antidepressant and cognitive effects of piperine -encapsulated liposomes (PL) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Oral piperine (5 mg/kg body weight/day) and intranasal PL (7.2 μg/day) were randomly assigned to daily administer for 14 days to rats which were subjected to forced swimming, Mor-ris water maze and spontaneous motor behavior tests. PL significantly exhibited anti-depression like activity and cognitive enhancing effects, in comparison to the control groups after the first dose (p < 0.01) and the effects could be maintained throughout the period of study. Quantitative analysis of the brain homogenates by HPLC indicated that piperine, delivered either orally or nasally, distributed to the hippocampus at a higher extent than the cortex and that the time to peak concentration of nasal PL was shorter than for the oral piperine. Intranasal PL was, thus, potential in delivery of piperine, at a low dose, to exert its an-tidepressant and cognitive enhancing activities.