Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapeutic agent that causes pulmonary damage by generating free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pulmonary damage has a high mortality rate due to the severe inflammation and edema occurred in lung. PPARγ/Sirt 1 signaling has been shown to be cytoprotective effect against cellular inflammatory stress and oxidative injury. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a potent Sirt1 activator and exhibits antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. The current study aims to investigate the therapeutic impacts of PCA against CP-induced pulmonary damage in rats. Rats were assigned randomly into 4 experimental groups. The control group was injected with a single i.p injection of saline. CP group was injected with a single i.p injection of CP (200 mg/kg). PCA groups were administered orally with PCA (50 and 100 mg/kg; p.o.) once daily for 10 consecutive days after CP injection. PCA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the protein levels of MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, NO and MPO along with a significant increase in GSH and catalase protein levels. Moreover, PCA downregulated anti-inflammatory markers as IL-17, NF-κB, IKBKB, COX-2, TNF-α, and PKC and upregulated cytoprotective defenses as PPARγ, and SIRT1. In addition, PCA administration ameliorated FoxO-1 elevation, increased Nrf2 gene expression, and reduced air alveoli emphysema, bronchiolar epithelium hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration induced by CP. PCA might represent a promising adjuvant to prevent pulmonary damage in patients receiving CP due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects with cytoprotective defenses.
The present study was conducted during 2012 and 2013 seasons on Zaghloul date palm fruits. Spathes were sprayed three times at growth start, after fruit setting and at one month later with four substances namely Amino acids enriched with micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, B and Mo), Sugar alcohol enriched with micronutrients (B, Fe, Mn, Zn and N), Algae extract formulation containing (potassium oxide, phosphorus oxide , N, Zn, Fe and Mn) in concentration of 0.2% and Licorice root extraction (Glycyrrhiza Glabra L.) in concentration of 0.7%. Sprayed fruits were harvested at khalal stage in order to study the effect of all treatments on fruit quality of Zaghloul date palm. All treatments increasing (fruit weight, fruit dimensions, fruit volume, total soluble solids (ºBrix), total sugars and total anthocyanin) as compared with control treatment. The best results with regard to fruit quality of Zaghloul date palms were obtained with spraying licorice root extract at three times.
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