The cardiovascular protective effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract on diesel exhaust particles induced inflammation and oxidative stress involve NF-κB- and Nrf2-dependent pathways modulation
Akeem O. Lawal,
Dare M. Oluyede,
Monsurat O. Adebimpe,
Lateefat T. Olumegbon,
Olamide O. Awolaja,
Olusola O. Elekofehinti,
Olamide O. Crown
Affiliations
Akeem O. Lawal
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Corresponding author.
Dare M. Oluyede
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Monsurat O. Adebimpe
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Lateefat T. Olumegbon
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Olamide O. Awolaja
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Olusola O. Elekofehinti
Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Olamide O. Crown
Biochemical Pharmacology and Phytomedicine Unit, Department of Biochemistry, School of Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Studies have shown that diesel exhaust particles (DEP) induced oxidative stress and inflammation. This present study examined the molecular effects of aqueous rooibos extract (RE) on the cardiovascular toxic effect of methanol extract of DEP in exposed Wistar rats. The results showed that DEP caused significant (p < 0.001) increase in MDA and CDs levels in the aorta and heart but this increase was significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated by rooibos extract. DEP induced IL-8, TNFα, IL-1β and decreased IL-10 gene expressions, all of which were reversed in the presence of rooibos extract. The expression of NF-κB, and IκKB genes were also significantly (p < 0.001) induced by DEP in both tissues, but pre-treatment with RE attenuated these effects. In contrast, DEP repressed IκB mRNA level, which was significantly (p < 0.001) reversed by rooibos extract pre-treatment. In addition, pre-treatment with rooibos extract attenuated the increased Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA levels caused by DEP. This indicates the potential of rooibos extract to protect against DEP-induced cardiovascular toxicity.
