ABSTRACT
The study investigated the protective effect of grape seed and skin extract [GSSE] against doxorubicin-induced renal toxicity in healthy rats. Animals were treated with GSSE or not [control], for 8 days, administered with doxorubicin [20mg/kg] in the 4th day, and renal function as well as oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Data showed that doxorubicin induced renal toxicity by affecting renal architecture and plasma creatinine. Doxorubicin also induced an oxidative stress characterized by an increase in malondialdehyde [MDA], calcium and H2O2 and a decrease in catalase [CAT] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]. Unexpectedly doxorubicin increased peroxidase [POD] and decreased carbonyl protein and plasma urea. Treatment with GSSE counteracted almost all adverse effects induced by doxorubicin. Data suggest that doxorubicin induced an oxidative stress into rat kidney and GSSE exerted antioxidant properties, which seem to be mediated by the modulation of intracellular calcium
ABSTRACT
Doxorubicin [Dox] is an anthracycline used in chemotherapy, although it causes toxicity and oxidative stress. Grape seed and skin extract [GSSE] is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. To evaluate the hepato-toxicity of Dox on healthy rats as well as the protective effect of GSSE, rats were treated with GSSE [500mg/kg bw] during 8 days. At the 4[th] day of treatment, they received a single dose of Dox [20 mg/kg bw]. After the treatment [9[th] day], livers were collected and processed for oxidative stress status. Dox increased MDA [+ 900%], decreased catalase [-60%] and increased peroxidase [+90%] and superoxide dismutase [+100%] activities. In this latter case Dox mainly increased the iron isoform. Furthermore Dox altered intracellular mediators as catalytic free iron [-75%], H[2]O[2] [-75%] and calcium [+30%]. Dox also affected liver function by elevating plasma triacylglycerol and transaminases and liver morphology by altering its typical architecture. Importantly all Dox-induced liver disturbances were alleviated upon GSSE treatment. Dox induced liver toxicity and an oxidative stress mainly characterized by increased lipoperoxidation but not protein carbonylation. GSSE efficiently protected the liver from Dox-induced toxicity and appeared as a safe adjuvant that could be incorporated into chemotherapy protocols
ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects of resveratrol. Rats were intraperitoneally administered with resveratrol [25 mg/kg bw] or vehicle [ethanol 10%] for 7 days and their heart subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Isolated hearts were langendorff perfused, left ventricular functions as heart rate and developed pressure, as well as, heart antioxidant status were determined. Data showed that resveratrol improved recovery of post-ischemic ventricular functions when compared to control. Resveratrol also improved myocardial lipoperoxidation, free iron and antioxidant enzyme activities. Resveratrol decreased significantly catalase while it increased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. In this later case, native PAGE analysis of superoxide dismutase isoforms revealed that resveratrol up regulated iron and manganese isoforms. Resveratrol exerted potential cardioprotection partly by its antioxidant properties
ABSTRACT
Garlic has been extensively used as a medicinal plant. Most of its numerous beneficial effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumoral involve sulfur-derived amino acids. In the present work, we reevaluated the acute effects of aqueous extract of garlic on plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in normal rats. Control (vehicle H2O) or garlic extract-treated group at 100-120 mg protein/kg body wt were intraperitoneally injected (IP) and glucose, cholesterol, insulin and nitric oxide metabolites levels were determined after a short-term duration of 6 h. We confirmed that garlic contained an active fraction, exerting both glucose and cholesterol-lowering activity. The glucose-lowering effect was triggered by an increase in insulinemia. Preliminary study indicated that the active agent was different from S-allyl-cysteine-sulfoxide, the active principle implicated in hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of garlic or arginine. The mechanism of action seemed to involve nitric oxide (NO), which increased time and dose-dependently. The garlic effects were abolished by diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI = 1 mg/kg body wt), a specific inhibitor of NO production, suggesting the involvement of constitutive nitric oxide synthase.