Effect of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles on glutathione peroxidase enzyme in PC12 and N2a cell lines

Today, special attention is paid to the use of zirconium dioxide nanoparticle [nano-ZrO[2]], a neutral bioceramic metal, particularly for drug and gene delivery in medicine. However, there are some reports implying that use of nano-ZrO[2] is associated with cytotoxic effects like inhibiting the cell proliferation, DNA damage and apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether nano-ZrO[2] alters cell viability and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity in two neuronal cell lines. The PC12 and N2a cells were cultured in the absence or presence of varying concentrations [31.25-2000 micro g/mL] of nano-ZrO[2] for 12, 24 or 48 h. The cell viability was evaluated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-5-[3-carboxymethoxyphenyl]-2-[4-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium [MTS] assay and GPx activity was determined by quantifying the rate of oxidation of the reduced glutathione to the oxidized glutathione. Nano-ZrO[2] caused a significant reduction in cell viability and GPx activity after 12, 24 and 48 h, as compared with control group. These effects were concentration dependent and started from 250 micro g/mL. The present study demonstrated that nano-ZrO[2], at concentrations of > 250 micro g/mL, has antiproliferative effects via reducing the cell defense mechanism against oxidative stress

Protective effect of pomegranate seed oil against acute toxicity of diazinon in rat kidney

Diazinon is an organophosphate which is extensively used in trade and agriculture. Due to its widespread application, its toxicity is common. Several studies have shown that organophosphates are able to induce oxidative stress by generating free radicals and depletion of endogenous antioxidants. Pomegranate seed oil [PSO] possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, the effect of PSO was evaluated on diazinon-induced nephrotoxicity in rat. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into four groups, 6 each. Group one received saline, 1 mL/kg, group 2 received diazinon 100 mg/kg. Groups 3 and 4 received PSO, 0.32 and 0.64 mg/kg, one hour before diazinon 100 mg/kg respectively. After 24 h, animals were anesthetized. Blood samples were taken out by cardiac puncture for measuring the level of serum urea and creatinine. 24 h urine samples were also collected for measuring glucose and protein concentration. The right kidney was removed and homogenized for measuring malondialdehyde and thiol content. Compare to control group, DIZ increased urea and serum creatinine, urinary glucose, and malondialdehyde, but did not modify significantly urinary protein and thiol content. In groups received PSO+ DIZ, serum creatinine, urinary glucose and MDA were significantly decreased. DIZ induced acute nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. Probably, increasing of serum creatinine and urinary glucose are appropriate markers for diagnosis of kidney damage. In addition increasing of MDA level emphasizes that DIZ plays role in pathogenesis of kidney via oxidative stress mechanism. PSO reduced DIZ toxicity by antioxidant activity

Effect of commercial [vimang] and hydroalcoholic extract of Mangifera indica [mango] on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat

Mangifera indica [Mango] is used in folk medicine for treatment of different types of diseases, and its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities have been demonstrated. The present study evaluated the effects of commercial [vimang] and hydroalcoholic extract of Mango on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat. Female Wistar rats were treated with vimang [50 and 100 mg/kg] for 18 days, or hydroalcoholic extract [200 and 400 mg/kg] for 18 days as preventive groups and others with vimang [100 mg/kg] for 8 days, or hydroalcoholic extract [400 mg/kg] for 8 days as treatment groups and also gentamicin [GM] was used at 80 mg/kg/day for eight days, starting from day 10. At the end of treatment, blood and urine samples were taken for measurement of creatinine [Cr] and BUN. The kidney was prepared for histological evaluation. Serum Cr and urea concentrations as well as renal tissue injury increased significantly in GM group compared with the control group. Hydroalcoholic extract of Mango at 200mg/kg was able to reduce plasma Cr and urea concentrations significantly as well as kidney tissue necrosis. Vimang [50 and 100 mg/kg] and hydroalcoholic extract of Mango [200mg/kg] also prevented kidney tissue damage compared with the control group. Mango products were able to improve kidney function in an established model of GMinduced nephrotoxicity in the rat. The beneficial effects of Mango on the rat kidney seem to be dose and time-dependent. However, more investigations are needed to elucidate Mango action on GMinduced renal toxicity

Antitussive effect of Portulaca oleracea L. in guinea pigs

Several therapeutic effects including diuretic, anti-pyretic and anti-scurvy have been reported for Portulaca oleracea. In previous studies the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-oxidant, muscle relaxant effects and neuropharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea have been demonstrated on experimental animals. In the present study the antitussive effect of this plant was evaluated. The antitussive effects of aerosols of two different concentrations of boiled extract, codeine, and saline were tested by counting the number of coughs induced by citric acid aerosol 10 min following exposure of animals. The effective concentration of extract causing 50% reduction of cough number [EC50] was also determined. The results showed significant reduction [p<0.001] in cough numbers following the use of both concentrations of the boiled extract [10.7 0.16 and 6.7 0.33 for%2.5 and%5 extracts respectively] compared to saline [14.8 0.30]. In addition there was a significant difference [p<0.01] between the cough numbers of the 5% extract with that of codeine [10.2 0.38]. In this study, EC50 of the plant extract was 4.5%. These results showed that the antitussive effect of Portulaca oleracea L. was comparable to codeine