Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a widely used food ingredient, although excessive concentrations can pose potential health risks. In the present study, we evaluated the deterioration effects of NaNO2 additives on hematology, metabolic profile, liver function, and kidney function of male Wistar rats. We further explored the therapeutic potential of supplementation with S. costus root ethanolic extract (SCREE) to improve NaNO2-induced hepatorenal toxicity. In this regard, 65 adult male rats were divided into eight groups; Group 1: control, Groups 2, 3, and 4 received SCREE in 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively, Group 5: NaNO2 (6.5 mg/kg body weight), Groups 6, 7 and 8 received NaNO2 (6.5 mg/kg body weight) in combination with SCREE (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight), respectively. Our results revealed that the NaNO2-treated group shows a significant change in deterioration in body and organ weights, hematological parameters, lipid profile, and hepatorenal dysfunction, as well as immunohistochemical and histopathological alterations. Furthermore, the NaNO2-treated group demonstrated a considerable increase in the expression of TNF-α cytokine and tumor suppressor gene P53 in the kidney and liver, while a significant reduction was detected in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and the apoptosis suppressor gene BCL-2, compared to the control group. Interestingly, SCREE administration demonstrated the ability to significantly alleviate the toxic effects of NaNO2 and improve liver function in a dose-dependent manner, including hematological parameters, lipid profile, and modulation of histopathological architecture. Additionally, SCREE exhibited the ability to modulate the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic genes in the liver and kidney. The phytochemical analysis revealed a wide set of primary metabolites in SCREE, including phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins, alkaloids, saponins and tannins, while the untargeted UPLC/T-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 183 metabolites in both positive and negative ionization modes. Together, our findings establish the potential of SCREE in mitigating the toxic effects of NaNO2 by modulating metabolic, inflammatory, and apoptosis. Together, this study underscores the promise of SCREE as a potential natural food detoxifying additive to counteract the harmful impacts of sodium nitrite.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) have been documented to have severe impact on pancreatic function. Frequent incidence of AP can result in chronic pancreatitis and thereby it can increase the probability of pancreatic cancers. This study intended to examine the effect of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) synthesized from Coleus forskohlii leaf extract on pancreatic function and AP in rat. Primarily, Se-NPs was fabricated using the C. forskohlii leaf extract. The synthesized nanomaterial was characterized through UV-visible, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopies. Notably, the zeta potential of Se-NPs was found to be -32.8 mV with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.18. Morphological analysis on SEM unveiled the spherical shape of Se-NP with an average particle size of 12.69 nm. Strikingly, cytotoxicity analysis on pancreatic cancer and normal cells unveiled the concentration-dependent toxicity profile. However, IC 50 value is lower in normal pancreatic cell lines in comparison to pancreatic cancer cells lines. Assessment of Se-NPs on AP rats revealed the positive impact of Se-NPs. It effectively decreased the amount of lipase, amylase, IL-1β, MDA, NO, and Bcl-2 while increased the glucose, insulin, HOMA-β and antioxidant potential in AP rats. In addition, an evaluation of Se-NPs in the pancreatic functions revealed the non-harmful effect of Se-NPs.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial ghost cells (BGCs) are cells were drained of their genetic and cytoplasmic components. This work aimed to develop vaccine candidates against the Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri) 2b serotype using the BGCs approach. For the first time, (S. flexneri) 2b serotype BGCs vaccine was prepared by incubation with Triton X-100 (TX100) for only 12 h. Its safety and immunogenicity were compared to another vaccine produced using a previously used surfactant, namely Tween 80 (TW80). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cellular DNA, protein contents measurements, and ghost cell re-cultivation were used to confirm the successful generation of the BGCs. Immunogenicity was assessed through mice\'s intraperitoneal (IP) immunization followed by infection with S. flexneri ATCC 12022. Finally, histopathological examination was carried out.
RESULTS: Viable colony forming units (CFUs) of S. flexneri were counted from stool samples as well as homogenized colon tissues of the non-immunized challenged group. Immunized mice sera showed a significant increase in serum bactericidal activity of both preparations (TX100 = 40% and TW80 = 56%) compared to the non-immunized challenged group (positive control). The IgG levels of the bacterial ghost-vaccinated groups were four and three times greater for the TX100 and TW80 ghost vaccines, respectively, compared to that of the positive control; both bacterial ghost vaccines (BGVs) were safe and effective, according to the results of the safety check tests and histopathological analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: When comparing the BGVs prepared using TX100 and TW80 methods, the use of TX100 as a new chemical treating agent for BGC production attained robust results in terms of shorter incubation time with the targeted cells and a strong immune response against S. flexneri 2b serotype ATCC 12022 in the IP challenge test. However, a clinical study is needed to confirm the efficacy and total safety of this novel vaccine.