Journal of Xenobiotics

Medicinal and edible plants are valuable sources of biologically active compounds whose composition may vary with botanical identity, geographical origin, environmental conditions, and post-harvest processing. In addition to essential mineral constituents, such plants may accumulate non-essential and potentially toxic elements relevant to exogenous chemical exposure and xenobiotic research. This study characterized the phytochemical composition, essential and non-essential elemental profile, and antioxidant activity of rosehip (Rosa spp.) and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruits collected from different locations in Armenia. Soluble sugars and vitamin C were determined by HPLC, elemental composition by ICP-OES, and radical-scavenging activity by the DPPH assay. In fresh rosehip, vitamin C ranged from 130 to 900 mg/100 g, compared with 11.9–40.0 mg/100 g in sea buckthorn. Potassium was predominant in both fruits. In the analyzed samples, the measured Ca and Mg concentrations were numerically higher in rosehip, whereas higher Fe concentrations were observed in sea buckthorn. Potentially toxic elements, including As, Cd, and Pb, were detected at different concentrations among the analyzed samples. In the selected paired rosehip samples, lower DPPH radical-scavenging activity was measured in the shade-dried materials than in the corresponding fresh materials, while the analyzed sea buckthorn samples showed high DPPH radical-scavenging activity under the applied assay conditions. These findings provide a comparative characterization of the phytochemical and elemental profiles of the investigated fruits and highlight the xenobiotic relevance of the detected non-essential elements.

Clams represent an important part of the marine benthic community and are food sources for invertebrates (worms, amphipods), fish, and mammals. The purpose of this study was to examine the contamination and health status of feral Mya arenaria clam populations from the Saint-Lawrence river and Saguenay fjord at sites of anthropogenic pollution (harbors), a high residency beluga whale area and a reference site under no direct contact of pollution. Intertidal clams were collected for nanoplastics (NPs), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), metal contamination and health status assessments. Health status consisted of the evaluation of oxidative stress, protein aggregation, esterase, and carbonic anhydrase at the biochemical level, followed by morphological assessments (shell mass, condition factor, growth index) and resistance to air emersion. The data revealed that clams collected from polluted sites had elevated levels of NPs, DBP, Cd, Ce, Fe, Cu, Sn and Zn compared to the reference site. Surprisingly, the beluga high residency area site was also contaminated by these contaminants (with the exception of Cd), especially for Sn, NPs and DBP. These clams contained elevated levels of peroxidase activity, protein aggregation, esterase, (mantle) carbonic anhydrase and accumulated lipids. The clams displayed at least at one polluted or whale residency site, decreased condition factor, shell mass ratio, air survival time and increased growth index. Cluster analysis revealed that the above contaminants were strongly associated with carbonic anhydrase, esterase, peroxidase and protein aggregation changes but less so with morphological changes. In conclusion, feral clam populations are contaminated by plastic compounds, including the plasticizer DBP and Sn, contributing to reduced shell mass.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis (RM)-induced acute kidney injury (RIAKI) is a common clinical complication with an increasing incidence. Despite optimal care, the mortality rate is almost 15% due to limited pharmacological interventions. Dipyridamole (DPM), a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of DPM against glycerol (GLY)-induced RIAKI, focusing on key AKI-related signaling pathways, including the protein kinase C (PKC)/endothelin-1 (ET-1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, and apoptotic and proliferative responses. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, DPM control, GLY, DPM (10 mg/kg) + GLY, and DPM (20 mg/kg) + GLY. DPM was administered intraperitoneally for 8 days. Notably, the DPM CTRL group received DPM at 20 mg/kg, with no DPM-alone (10 mg/kg) group included. Twenty-four hours later, blood and kidneys were collected. Kidney function, oxidative stress, histopathological changes, and PKC/ET-1/PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling were evaluated. Additionally, apoptotic markers, Bax and P53, and proliferation-related markers, Ki67 and VEGFA, were assessed immunohistochemically. Results: DPM significantly improved kidney function and preserved renal architecture. DPM attenuated oxidative stress, suppressed PKC and ET-1, and modulated the PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling. Moreover, DPM downregulated Bax and P53 and reduced Ki67 and VEGFA, reflecting attenuation of injury-associated signaling rather than impaired renal repair. Conclusions: DPM exerted renoprotective effects against GLY-induced RM-associated AKI through multiple complementary mechanisms.