Targeting Electronic Cigarette Vapor Induced Genetic and Immune -Biochemical Disturbances using Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizomes, Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and Costus (Saussurea lappa) Roots Extracts in Male Rats

Introduction Electronic cigarettes (E-cigs) vapor inhalation has become increasingly prevalent among youth, asserting the necessity for more research into its probable detrimental effects. Recognizing natural, available, and safe solutions offers a crucial challenge for safeguarding human health. The effective ingredients found in natural fresh extracts of ginger, dandelion, and costus were assessed. The influence of inhaling E-cigs vapor on gene expressions in the lung and liver, hematopoiesis, oxidative-inflammatory status, immune response, and liver-kidney functions was measured. Moreover potential protective strategies employing extracts were examined. Methods Freshly prepared natural extracts active constituents were determined. Fifty male adult Sprague-Dawley strain were segregated into five groups (10 rats each) for six weeks. Rats in group one exposed to fresh air. Rats in group two exposed to E-liquid smoke vapor (1ml/day). Rats in group three, four and five exposed to E-liquid smoke vapor (1ml/day) and supplemented daily with ginger, dandelion and costus extracts (400mg/kg) respectively. RESULTS Tested extracts contain significant amounts of total flavonoids, total polyphenols, showcasing strong antioxidant properties, with costus exhibiting the highest concentrations. Exposure to E-cigs vapor led to genetic changes by reducing(p≤0.05) lung and liver expression levels of antioxidant (Ho-1, Nrf2, SIRT1), and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes, while simultaneously increasing (p≤0.05) expressions of inflammatory (NF-KB), and apoptotic (P53 ,Bax) genes. Additionally, there was an overproduction (p≤0.05) of oxidants and pro-inflammatory markers. Hematopoiesis, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, and immune responses also, liver and kidney functions were impaired (p≤0.05). Contrariwise, supplementation with herbal plants had amelioration responses and favorably affected (p≤0.05) these indices with best records in costus supplemented group. Conclusion Natural active components of tested herbs significant protected (p≤0.05) against genetic alterations, hematopoiesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, immune and liver-kidney functions disturbances that arose from six weeks of inhaling E-cigs vapor. The supplementation with costus showed the most significant (p≤0.05) improvements. E-cigs are not safe smoking cessation tool. It is recommended to raise awareness among young people concerning the negative effects of E-cigs. The use of natural extracts is suggested as a way to counteract these adverse effects and support overall human health.