Quercetin-Ameliorated, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Induced Immunotoxic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Effects in Mice

Abstract

The expanding uses of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industry and medicine have raised concerns about their toxicity on human and animal health. CNTs, including multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs), have been reported to induce immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid present in many vegetables and fruits and has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Herein, we investigated the protective effects of quercetin on pristine MWCNTs-induced immunotoxicity in mice. In comparison with two doses of MWCNTs, high doses [0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW), once intraperitoneally (IP)] caused higher immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects than low doses (0.25 mg/kg BW, once IP). Administration of quercetin (30 mg/kg BW, IP for 2 weeks) relieved these deleterious effects as evidenced by (1) reduced spleen weight, (2) increased number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, (3) elevated serum levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA, (4) decreased lipid peroxide malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of antioxidant markers reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the spleen, (5) decreased concentrations and mRNA levels of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL1ß), and IL6 in the spleen, (6) downregulated expression of immunomodulatory genes transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß), cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), and IL10, and (7) regenerative histological changes as indicated by decreased mononuclear cell infiltration, minimized degenerative changes and restored lymphocytes depletion in the spleen. These results infer that quercetin can ameliorate MWCNTs-induced immunotoxic, inflammatory, and oxidative effects.

An Examination of the Effects of Propolis and Quercetin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

“…Kanbur et al (2009) reported that propolis reduces oxidative stress by suppressing MDA levels in plasma and various organs while exhibiting a partial effect on antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px [11]. Scientific studies have also confirmed the reported biological advantages of quercetin, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, and analgesic properties [45][46][47]. One of the most potent antioxidant flavonoids, quercetin, exhibits its effect either directly through ROS inhibition or through the induction of the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the endogenous defense system [37,47].…”

Evaluation of Four Herbicides Cytotoxicity on Normal Liver THLE2 Cells

“…THLE2 cells (86% confluence) were treated with each of the herbicides at IC 50 value and were incubated for one day before the addition of 10 µM DCF-DA for 1 h. The fluorescence was measured (at 485 nm for excitation and 535 nm for emission) using a fluorescent microplate reader. The level of lipid peroxide malondialdehyde (MDA) marker and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were measured in THLE2 cells using commercially available kits (Biodiagnostic, Cairo, Egypt) and as previously described [44][45][46][47]. Determining the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) is necessary for measuring MDA.…”

A network toxicology approach for mechanistic modelling of nanomaterial hazard and adverse outcomes

“…Here, we evaluated the reconstructed mechanism of pristine MWCNTs in the mouse lung using as an input the co-expression network derived from exposure data. Our novel network-based framework reported a response mechanism mostly centred on inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which has been largely discussed in the field [29][30][31][32][33][34]. The enrichment of "frustrated phagocytosis" is a relevant event that plays a pivotal role in responses to high aspect ratio materials.…”