Toxic Agents-Induced Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Drugs Toxicity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 3687

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: biochemical and molecular mechanisms of toxicity of xenobiotics and natural compounds; antioxidant activity; influence of compounds at the cell level; interaction of enzymes with reversible inhibitors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Interest related to the origin of free radicals and the role of antioxidants has arisen owing to the fact that free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules with a significant impact on the human biological system. Extensive research has classified different types of free radicals within three main categories: reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive sulfur species (RSS). The origin of radicals can be endogenous sources such as multifaction in mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, phagocytic cells, etc., while exogenous sources may be air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, alcohol, smoking, heavy metals, pesticides and certain drugs. Oxidative stress has been associated with more than one hundred pathologies (atherosclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pancreatic and liver diseases, joint disorders, cardiac fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurological diseases, aging, cancer, etc.). Therefore, supplementation of exogenous antioxidants or boosting endogenous antioxidant defenses of the body is a promising way of combating the undesirable effects of reactive species-induced oxidative damage. Besides playing a vital role in health maintenance and prevention of chronic degenerative diseases, medicinal plants can also protect the body from oxidative damage. This is likely due to their innate ability to synthesize non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and glutathione, as well as secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds. Antioxidant evaluation techniques or mechanisms via which medicinal plants act as antioxidants may be added value to the optimization of antioxidant ranks. Here, it is necessary to emphasize the need for the correct interpretation of the findings of plant therapeutic potential assessment studies based on in vitro and in vivo assays, as well as from the evidence in humans.

In this context, we encourage the submission of manuscripts, both original research and review papers, presenting novel findings of natural products’ role in the management of oxidative stress-related disorders.

Dr. Suzana Žunec
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioactive molecules
  • health maintenance
  • longevity
  • oxidative stress-related disorders
  • treatment
  • prevention
  • antioxidative activity

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 4287 KiB  
Article
Efficacy of Thymoquinone and Hesperidin in Attenuating Cardiotoxicity from 5-Fluorouracil: Insights from In Vivo and In Silico Studies
by Juveriya Farooq, Rokeya Sultana, Jainey P. James, Zakiya Fathima C, Ali F. Almutairy and Abubakar Siddique Mustafa Hussain
Toxics 2024, 12(9), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12090688 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1127
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in chemotherapy but poses serious risks of cardiotoxicity, which can significantly affect treatment outcomes. Identifying interventions that can prevent these adverse effects without undermining anticancer efficacy is crucial. This study investigates the efficacy of Thymoquinone (TQ) and Hesperidin [...] Read more.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in chemotherapy but poses serious risks of cardiotoxicity, which can significantly affect treatment outcomes. Identifying interventions that can prevent these adverse effects without undermining anticancer efficacy is crucial. This study investigates the efficacy of Thymoquinone (TQ) and Hesperidin (HESP) in preventing cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU in Wistar rats and elucidates the molecular interactions through docking studies. We employed an experimental design involving multiple groups of Wistar rats exposed to 5-FU, with and without the concurrent administration of TQ and HESP. Cardiac function markers, oxidative stress indicators, and inflammatory markers were assessed. Additionally, molecular docking was used to analyze the interaction of TQ and HESP with key inflammatory proteins. Treatment with TQ and HESP not only lowered levels of cardiac enzymes but also improved antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation in cardiac tissues. Notably, the combination of TQ and HESP provided more significant protective effects than either agent alone. Molecular docking supported these findings, showing effective binding of TQ and HESP to inflammatory targets. TQ and HESP demonstrate potential as protective agents against cardiotoxicity in 5-FU-treated rats, with their combined use offering enhanced protection. These findings suggest a viable strategy for reducing cardiac risks associated with 5-FU chemotherapy. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4027 KiB  
Article
Effects of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Aqueous Leaf Extract and Arbutin on PK-15 and HepG2 Cells
by Vesna Benković, Ines Tkalčec, Anica Knežević, Karlo Jurica, Fabijan Knežević, Irena Brčić Karačonji and Nevenka Kopjar
Toxics 2024, 12(9), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12090628 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1121
Abstract
The antioxidant properties of the leaves of the Mediterranean strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) are mainly attributed to the main bioactive compound, the phenolic glycoside arbutin. In this study, the safety profile of strawberry tree aqueous leaf extract (STE) and arbutin at [...] Read more.
The antioxidant properties of the leaves of the Mediterranean strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) are mainly attributed to the main bioactive compound, the phenolic glycoside arbutin. In this study, the safety profile of strawberry tree aqueous leaf extract (STE) and arbutin at the DNA level was assessed in vitro using porcine PK-15 kidney cells and HepG2 cells derived from human hepatomas. To examine the effects on cell viability and DNA damage, cells were treated for 24 h with STE or arbutin at three concentrations presumed to be non-toxic (400, 200, and 11.4 µg/mL). Assessments were performed using the MTS viability assay, dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide fluorescent staining, and alkaline comet assay. Results showed that the highest concentration (400 µg/mL) of both tested compounds had no significant cytotoxic effects on either PK-15 or HepG2 cells. Apoptosis was the predominant type of cell death and the total amount of DNA damage in treated cells was within acceptable limits. These results on the in vitro cytocompatibility of arbutin and STE with PK-15 and HepG2 cells could serve to make more reliable judgements about safe levels of arbutin in cosmetic products and functional foods, given the increased popularity of the compound in recent years. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1761 KiB  
Article
Effects of Strawberry Tree Water Leaf Extract and Arbutin on Biochemical Markers and DNA Integrity in Brain Cells of Lewis Rats
by Vesna Benković, Dora Vuković, Iva Đelatić, Vanja Popović, Karlo Jurica, Fabijan Knežević, Irena Brčić Karačonji, Ana Lucić Vrdoljak and Nevenka Kopjar
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080595 - 16 Aug 2024
Viewed by 974
Abstract
There is growing evidence that arbutin and plant extracts rich in arbutin, such as extracts of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), exert a range of beneficial effects, including cyto- and genoprotective properties. This study evaluated the effects of strawberry tree water [...] Read more.
There is growing evidence that arbutin and plant extracts rich in arbutin, such as extracts of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), exert a range of beneficial effects, including cyto- and genoprotective properties. This study evaluated the effects of strawberry tree water leaf extract (STE) and arbutin in the brain tissue of Lewis rats. STE or arbutin were administered per os to male and female rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight/day for 14 or 28 days. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using biochemical markers (lipid peroxidation and the activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase). The effects of the tested substances on DNA integrity in brain cells were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay. The results suggest a high biocompatibility of both tested substances with rat brain tissue. No significant harmful disturbances were observed in the oxidative/antioxidative status or impairments of DNA integrity in the rat brain cells. Nearly all post-treatment values were within tolerable limits as compared to the matched control rats. Such encouraging findings support further research using other subtle biomarkers to clarify the safety aspects of arbutin and STE prior to the development of specific nutraceutical products. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop