protective effects of ginseng extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue. Panax ginseng is believed to be a general tonic or adaptogen for promoting longevity and as medicinal herb due to their perceived potential health benefits. This work aimed studying the possible protective action of ginseng extract on liver cirrhosis induced by CCI[4]. To this end, 60 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups [n=10 each]: [i] normal control group, [ii] CCI[4] [4ml/kg, i.p., twice a week for 12 weeks, [iii] vitamin E [100 mg/kg daily for 12 weeks], [iv] ginseng extract [0.7 g/kg,p.o., daily dose for 12 weeks], [v] CCI[4] + vitamin E-treated groups, and [vi] CCI[4] + ginseng -treated groups. Twenty four hours later, blood and liver samples were collected for determination of prothrombin time, tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-alpha], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], albumin, total protein, total bilirubin, liver content of reduced glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] and relative liver weight. Histopathological and histochemical examination of rats' livers for glycogen and DNA components were also performed. Results showed that CCI[4] administration induced significant increases in prothrombin time, TNF-a, ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, MDA, relative liver weight and significant decrease levels of serum albumin, total protein and GSH as well as depletion of liver glycogen and fragmented hepatocytes DNA. Co-administration of ginseng extract with CCI[4] significantly increased level of serum albumin, total protein, GSH and reduced level of serum ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-alpha, prothrombin time and relative liver weight compared to CCI[4]-treated group. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed that ginseng extract decreased the cellular changes and cirrhosis induced by CCI[4] alone. Meanwhile, co-administration of ginseng extract with CCI[4] significantly increased liver glycogen and normalized DNA components. These data suggested that ginseng extract induces some protection against liver cirrhosis induced by CCI[4]

Response of mice tissues to intranasal bacterial lysate vaccination: immunohistopathological study

Effective protection against pathogenic bacteria requires both mucosal and systemic immune responses. Intranasal administration of antigens induces these responses. The protective effect of intranasal immunization with different formalin-inactivated bacterial lysates in albino mice was evaluated. This study used formalin inactivated lysate of each of the following Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeroginosa ,Salmonella typhi , Shigella flexeneri , Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis and mixed bacterial lysates. The lysate was administered intranasally [5[micro] l/ nostril] once daily for seven consecutive days. The results of this study recorded some changes in peripheral blood total and differential leucocytic counts, peritoneal fluid and bone marrow lymphocytic percentages . Spleen and thymus weight changes were reported under the effect of Salmonella typhi lysate, Shigella flexeneri lysate and Staph. aureus lysate. The level of immunoglobulin G [Ig G] was assessed in serum, bronchial lavage and nasal bed harvest. The levels of Ig G were significantly elevated in the three determinants, suggesting an efficient immunostimulatory effect of bacterial lysates. Some of these levels were exceeding 2-3 folds of that of the control group. Histopathological studies recorded changes in some reticuloendothelial system organs including the liver, spleen and thymus gland, besides, some changes were also observed in the lung and bronchi under the effect of intranasal vaccination. This study supports the immunoprotective effect of intranasal vaccination, using bacterial lysates

Prospective electron microscopic study of the immune system toxicity on exposure to pyrethroid air pollution

The synthetic pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide was studied for effects on the immune system in seven consecutive days. Sixty adult male Sprague Dawely rats were divided into two main groups. The first animal group was subdivided into normal control group [10 animals], carrageenan [1% v/v] subplanter treated animal group [10 animals] and carrageenan-dexamethasonc [0.5 ml/ml DW] treated animal group [10 animals]. The animals of the main second group [30 animals] were exposed to the vapour of the mosquito killer insecticide in a closed system [20 minutes/day] for 7 consequetive days, then the animals of this group were subdivided into three groups as mentioned before in the first main group. The different groups were studied for mean thymus and spleen weights, rat paw oedema mean weights, total and differential leucocytic counts, bone marrow lymphocytic count and electron microscopic [EM] ultrastructure studies of inflammed and uninflammed tissues. Our results showed that mosquito-cidal air pollution has significantly increased the spleen weight and leg oedema weight, these changes were associated with EM lymphocytic apoptosis, nuclear and cellular deathes, nuclear chromatic condensation and mitochondrial damage. The morphological, histopathological and ultrastructure changes were significantly ameliorated tinder the effect of dexamethasone, but these anti-inflammatory changes of dexamethasone were significantly antagonized by pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide vapour