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Therapeutic effects of single-clove garlic extract on nicotine-induced inflammation and histopathological changes in
Maya Nurwartanti Yunita1,2, Hani Plumeriastuti3, Wiwiek Tyasningsih4
1Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FIKKIA), Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Background:
Nicotine exposure causes cellular damage by generating reactive oxygen species, leading to inflammation. DNA damage, and diseases such as atherosclerosis. Single-clove garlic extract (SCGE) contains antioxidants such as allicin and flavonoids that may counteract nicotine's harmful effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting SCGE's potential as a natural therapeutic intervention to support good health.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of SCGE against nicotine-induced pneumotoxicity in rats by assessing its impact on TNF-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and structural integrity tracheal, pulmonary, and coronary artery tissues.
Methods:
The subjects of this study were 30 male rats which were divided into the following 5 treatment groups: T1 (negative control), T2 (3 mg/ml of nicotine), and T3 (3 mg/ml of nicotine and 3.6 mg/day vitamin C), T4; T5; T6 groups (3 mg/ml nicotine and 75; 100; 125 kg/mg body weight of SCGE). A nicotine exposure followed by oral SCGE was administered twice a day consecutively for 14 days. The TNF-α and IL-6 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. Histopathology of the tracheal and pulmonary organs and coronary arteries was performed using H&E staining.
Results:
The T4, T5, and T6 groups revealed that TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly lower than in T2 (2.90 and 4.72), reducing ciliary damage, epithelial height, and mucosal thickness. The T6 group exhibited significant differences in the coronary arteries (14.97 µm) compared with the T2 (121.36 µm). The mean lumen diameter of the coronary artery of the T4, T5, and T6 groups was increased compared with T2 (49.71 µm). Significant decreases (42,65%) were observed in hemorrhage, alveolar septal thickening, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the T6 compared to T2.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, SCGE treatment can potentially mitigate pneumotoxicity caused by nicotine, as evidenced by improvements in TNF-α, IL-6, and histopathological damage of the tracheal, pulmonary, and coronary arteries. These findings suggest that SCGE could be explored as a potential natural therapeutic intervention for preventing or treating nicotine-induced lung damage. These findings suggest that SCGE could be explored as a potential natural therapeutic intervention to prevent or treat nicotine-induced lung damage. Further studies could explore the mechanisms underlying SCGE's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Insights
Single-clove garlic extract (SCGE) mitigates nicotine-induced lung damage in rats by reducing inflammation and improving tissue integrity. This natural intervention shows promise for preventing or treating nicotine-related respiratory issues.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Research
Background:
- Nicotine exposure induces cellular damage via reactive oxygen species, leading to inflammation, DNA damage, and diseases like atherosclerosis.
- Single-clove garlic extract (SCGE) possesses antioxidant properties (allicin, flavonoids) that may counteract nicotine's detrimental effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of SCGE against nicotine-induced pneumotoxicity in rats.
- To assess SCGE's impact on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the structural integrity of tracheal, pulmonary, and coronary artery tissues.
Main Methods:
- 30 male rats were divided into five groups: control, nicotine-only, nicotine with vitamin C, and nicotine with three different doses of SCGE.
- Nicotine exposure followed by oral SCGE administration occurred twice daily for 14 days.
- TNF-α and IL-6 expression were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining, and histopathology of respiratory and cardiovascular tissues was performed using H&E staining.
Main Results:
- SCGE treatment significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels, ciliary damage, epithelial height, and mucosal thickness compared to nicotine-only exposure.
- The highest SCGE dose group showed significant improvements in coronary artery structure, with increased lumen diameter and reduced inflammatory markers.
- Histopathological analysis revealed significant decreases in hemorrhage, alveolar septal thickening, and inflammatory cell infiltration in SCGE-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- SCGE treatment effectively mitigates nicotine-induced pneumotoxicity, evidenced by reduced inflammation and improved histopathological damage in respiratory and coronary artery tissues.
- These findings highlight SCGE's potential as a natural therapeutic intervention for preventing or treating nicotine-induced lung damage.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms of SCGE.
