Efficacy of garlic extract on hepatic coccidiosis in infected rabbits [oryctolagus cuniculus]: histological and biochemical studies

The rabbits were divided into three groups, of 12 rabbits each. G1 was the [non-infected non-treated] as control, G2 was the [infected-non treated], and G3 was the [infected and treated] rabbits. Each rabbit in the infected groups were given [10[3]] sporuleted oocysts of Eimeria stiedae per rabbit after forty five days exactly. Faecal sample of rabbits from each group were examined each day post infection till oocysts appeared in faeces. The treatment was given by using suitable dosage of garlic according to body weight. After 15, 21, 28, and 35 days post-treatment faecal oocysts were output. Biochemical parameters as serum liver function [ALT, AST, GGT and ALP] that denoted the he-patic cells injury. The results showed a significant differences in the mean values of oocysts shedding and their mean number in bile ducts between Gs 2 and 3 from the 15[th] day post infection [PI] [mean +/- SD:40.33 +/- 16.72 and 25.17 +/- .56 respectively] till the experimental end on the 35[th] day [55.75 +/- 19.79 and 0.94 +/- 1.43 respectively]. The histopathological alterations were in liver of G2 at the experimental end. Coccidiosis in G2 induced histopathological alterations in liver tissue, marked cytoplasmic vacuolations in hepatocytes with clear signs of karyolysis, and dilatation of sinusoids with increase in Kupffer cells. Leukocytic infiltration around congested blood vessels was noticed. Efficacy of garlic on E. stiedae in infected Gs was resident. The liver of G3 regained almost normal appearance compared to control

Efficacy of oat bran [Avena sativa L.] in comparison with atorvastatin in treatment of hypercholesterolemia in albino rat liver

The present study deals with the effect of oat bran [Avena sativa L.] in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in comparison with a hypocholesterolemic drug, atorvastatin, on hypercholesterolemic liver in male albino rats. For this purpose four groups of rats [each containing 6 rats] were used. The first group was used as a control, the second was cholesterol-fed group with cholesterol [0.5% w/w] for 6 weeks. The third group was oats-fed hypercholesterolemic rats on oat supplemented diet [20% w/w] for 4 weeks and the forth group was atorvastatin-treated hypercholesterolemic rats orally at a dose of 0.18 mg/Kg body weight/day for 4 weeks. The biochemical results revealed a significant increase in serum LDL-C and a significant decrease in HDL-C level. In addition the activity of AST was increased in cholesterol-fed rats. Meanwhile, the treatment with oat soluble fiber or atorvastatin drug improved the above mentioned parameters. The histopathological examination of liver sections of cholesterol-fed group showed accumulation of lipid. Hepatocytes showed ballooning degeneration and manifested clear necrotic signs. Inflammatory cellular infiltration was found around the blood vessels, mild fibrosis near the portal blood vessels. However, liver impairment was reduced markedly in the liver of oat soluble fiber fed rats rather than atorvastatin drug treated rats. The present study, however, confirms that the cereal grain oat may have potent beneficial health effects in reducing LDL cholesterol and should be included in the prudent diet of individuals with hyperlipidemia

Effect of Trifolium alexandrinum extracts on the kidneys of diabetic rats: biochemical and histological study

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common and most devastating complications of diabetes. During the course of diabetic retinopathy, the glomeruli are slowly destroyed, usually with no detectable signs until the later stages of the disease, when the kidneys filtration process can no longer function. Throughout this disease, blood flow through the kidneys increases "hyperfiltration", and the kidneys become enlarged. Damage to the glomeruli becomes evident, as well as a condition known "microalbuminuria", in which a blood protein, albumin, leaks into the urine. This loss of proteins and other nutrients in the blood progresses, as does the damage to the glomeruli. The kidneys progressively lose their ability to filter waste until the final stage, kidney failure, occurs. On the other hand, some species of the plants were reported having remarkable medical importance. Trifolium alexandrinum is a medicinal herb; it has been shown to improve the flow of blood through arteries and veins in diabetic patients. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the possible improvement effects of different extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum [CF] on some biochemical and histopathological changes in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixty adult male albino rats [210 +/- 5 g] were injected [IP] with streptozotocin [STZ] [50 mg/kg b.wt] for induction of diabetes. Animals were classified into five groups. Daily intake of water, hexane and ethanolic extracts of T. alexandrinum in drinking water for 4 weeks after diabetes induction were used. Urine glucose was detected every week. Serum total protein, albumen, urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were tested. Data were expressed statistical to elucidate the differences between treated and control groups. The kidney paraffin sections of control and treated groups were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histological studies. A single dose of STZ induced diabetes produced remarkable effects on both structure and function of the rat kidneys. The kidney exhibited damage of some renal corpuscles revealed glomerular mesangial cells hypertrophy, dilatation of renal tubules together with necrosis of their lining cells. Serum total protein, albumen, urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly increased. Daily urine volume and consequently renal excretion of albumen, urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly increased. However, remarkable improvement of the renal structure and function of diabetic rats was observed after treating with Trifolium alexandrinum extracts especially the group treated with water extract. Extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum improved histological and biochemical alterations of the kidneys noticed in STZ-diabetic rats. These effects may be due to the presence of a high content of flavonoids which acts synergistically as antioxidants