Hepato- and reno-protective effects of thymoquinone, crocin, and carvacrol

Abstract

Medicinal plants are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals which prevent and treat a wide range of ailments. Accumulating experimental studies exhibit that some bioactive ingredients extracted from medicinal plants have suitable therapeutic effects on hepatic and renal injuries. This review focuses on the hepato- and reno-protective effects of thymoquinone, crocin, and carvacrol. The relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from the beginning of 2015 until the end of November 2021. According to the scientific evidence, the considered phytochemicals in this review have been applied with useful therapeutic effects on hepatic and renal damage. These therapeutic effects were mainly mediated through the amelioration of oxidative stress, suppression of inflammatory responses, and inhibition of apoptosis. Intracellular signaling pathways linked to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Toll-like receptors are the most important pathways targeted by these phytochemicals. Up-regulation of transcription factor Nrf2 and down-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 by these natural compounds also contribute to the alleviation of hepatic and renal injuries.

A review of therapeutic impacts of saffron (Crocus sativusL.) and its constituents

“…Abundant scientific findings are conforming that the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in the induction and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, Parkinson's disease, and neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression (Rehman et al, 2022). Medicinal plants extract and its ingredients have been understood to be as modulators of oxidative status and inflammation in the brain (Anaeigoudari, 2022b). Crocin is biochemical compound extracted from saffron extract with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Abdulkareem Aljumaily et al, 2021).…”

Molecular Targets of Thymoquinone Protection Against Cisplatin-Induced Organ Toxicity: A Literature Review

“…Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) essentially serve as easily quantifiable indicators of cisplatininduced toxicity as they are directly expressed in proportion to the severity of the disease [5]. Increased toxicity corresponds to an increase in IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α of at least 20-50%, whereas protection from toxicity corresponds to a reduction in secretion of 50-80%.…”

“…Cisplatin causes toxicity through two pathways, namely the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways. In the intrinsic pathway, cisplatin will cause increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in mitochondria [4,5]. In the extrinsic pathway, cisplatin will cause inflammation on the cell surface.…”

Carvacrol—A Natural Phenolic Compound with Antimicrobial Properties

“…In addition to antimicrobial properties, this compound also exhibits a wide range of other biological activities, including cardio-, reno-, and neuroprotective [20]; immune response-modulating [21]; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory [22]; anticancer [23][24][25]; analgesic [26]; anticonvulsant [27]; antidiabetic; hepatoprotective [28]; and anti-obesity properties [29,30] (Figure 1).…”