Background: In this era, worldwide interest has been directed towards using natural antioxidants to guard against drug side effects. Saussurea lappa is a famous medicinal plant with many biologically active compounds. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is an extensively used glucocorticoid. Hence, this study explored, for the first time, the possible beneficial effects of S. lappa ethanolic extract on TA-induced oxidative damage in the lung and spleen of rats. Methods: Five experimental groups were used: control group, S. lappa-treated group (600 mg/kg/day, orally), TA-treated group (40 mg/kg/twice/week I/P), S. lappa + TA co-treated group, and S. lappa/TA prophylactic group. Results: TA exposure significantly induced leukocytosis and neutrophilia. In addition, TA significantly reduced the levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor α, and immunoglobulins. Lung Caspase-3 overexpression and splenic CD8⁺ downregulation were also noted in the TA group. TA treatment significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration but reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. S. lappa counteracted the TA oxidative and apoptotic effects. The best results were recorded in the prophylactic group. Conclusions: S. lappa has a remarkable protective effect via its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant capacity. Thus, it could be a candidate as a natural antioxidant to face glucocorticoid’s harmful side effects.

Cynanchum acutum L. is a climbing vine that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. Using different chromatographic techniques, seven compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract of the plant. The isolated compounds include six flavonoid compounds identified as rutin (1), quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside (2), quercetin-3-O-β-galactoside (3), isoquercitrin (4), quercetin (5), and kaempferol 3-O-β-glucoside (6), in addition to a coumarin, scopoletin (7). The structures of the compounds were elucidated based on 1D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The first five compounds were selected for in vivo investigation of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. All tested compounds significantly reduced oxidative stress and increased erythrocyte lysate levels of antioxidant enzymes, along with the amelioration of the serum levels of inflammatory markers. Upregulation of miR-146a expression and downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression were detected in the liver and adipose tissue of rats treated with the isolated flavonoids. Results from the biological investigation and those from the validated molecular modeling approach on two biological targets of the NF-κB pathway managed to highlight the superior anti-inflammatory activity of quercetin-3-O-galactoside (3) and quercetin (5), as compared to other bioactive metabolites.

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are unique subpopulations of B cells with immune-regulating or immune-suppressing properties and play a role in peripheral tolerance. Due to the current limitations of human Breg studies among periodontal diseases, in the present study, we tried to analyze the change in circulating Bregs, pro-inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with periodontitis. Peripheral blood from 55 patients with stage 2 periodontitis and 20 healthy controls was analyzed using flow cytometry to evaluate the frequency of CD19⁺CD24⁺CD38⁺ Breg cells. ELISA was used to assess the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-10, IL-35, and TGF-β. Increased proportions of Breg cells were observed in patients with stage 2 periodontitis compared to controls. Serum levels of cytokines were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis compared to controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the frequencies of Breg cells and IL35 levels, IL10 levels, and TGF-β. In conclusion, our results suggest that the increase in peripheral Breg cells and serum cytokine levels among periodontitis patients seems to be closely associated with disease progression, a possible link between periodontitis, and systemic inflammatory process.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is described as a loss of oocytes and the absence of folliculogenesis and is considered an adverse effect of chemotherapeutic drugs, which leads to infertility. Subsequently, the existing inquiry was achieved by exploring the potential suspicious influences of lemon peel extract (LPE), and resveratrol (RES) on cyclophosphamide (CPA) induced-POF. The results showed that CPA-induced POF significantly decreased serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels, along with a considerable rise in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Moreover, CPA administration to rats significantly increased the serum level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly lowered the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); in addition, it increased nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) with the spread expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels and caspase-3 (Casp3) levels in ovarian tissues versus the control rats. However, treatment with LPE and RES suppressed the triggering of NF- κB pathways, evidenced by a considerable reduction in Casp3 & iNOS mRNA expression level and significant ameliorative effects in all evaluated parameters, as confirmed by the histological and immunohistochemical investigation when comparing the model group. In overall findings, both lemon peel extract and resveratrol can mitigate the adverse effects of CPA-induced POF. Most crucially, its combination therapy is a promising pharmacological agent for this disease.