ABSTRACT
Hydroquinone [HQ] is a myelotoxin that is found in many foods and is also formed through the metabolism of benzene. HQ is genotoxic in several in vitro and in vivo test systems, inducing micronuclei [MN], sister-chromatid exchange [SCE], and chromosomal aberrations. The aim of the current study was to explore the protective effect of Zizyphus jujuba and Origanum majorana extracts against HQ-induce genotoxicity and histological changes in male mice. Six groups of mice included the control group, HQ-treated group [125 mg/kg b.w] and the groups treated with the extracts alone[0.5g/kg b.w] or in combination with HQ. The results indicated that treatment with HQ resulted in significant clastogenetic effects and histological changes typical to those reported in the literature. Both extracts exhibited a protection against HQ-induced cytogenesis and histological changes. Moreover, Z. jujuba extract was effective than O. majorana extract. It could be concluded that both extracts may be useful for people especially those who occupationally exposed to benzene or its metabolites
ABSTRACT
Zearalenone [ZEN] is a potent estrogenic metabolite mycotoxin produced by some Fusarium species. Few studies have been successfully employed to get rid of the ZEN contamination in foods. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of hydrated sodium calcium aluminsilicate [HSCAS] to protect Balb/c mice against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by ZEN. Mice were divided into nine experimental groups [12 mice/group] included the control group, the olive oil group, the groups treated orally with a single dose of HSCAS at doses level of 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg b.w, the group treated orally with a single dose of ZEN [40 mg/kg b.w], the group treated with ZEN plus HSCAS [400 mg/kg b.w], the group received Colchicin [4 mg/kg bw] as a positive control for micronucleus assay and the group treated with mitomycin C [1 mg/kg bw] as a positive control for chromosome aberrations assay. Forty eight hours after treatment, the femur and tibia were dissected out and bone marrow was obtained for different assays. The results showed that ZEN was cytotoxic and genotoxic to Balb/c mice as indicated by the increase in frequencies of polychromatic erythrocytes micronucleated [PCEMN] and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells. The simultaneous administration of HSCAS with ZEN resulted in a decrease of PCEMN number and chromosomal aberrations frequency and increased the polychromatic erythrocytes [PCE] in bone marrow cells compared with the ZEN alone group. It could be concluded that HSCAS itself was safe at different tested doses and efficient in the prevention of ZEN induced clastogenicity in mice at a dose level as low as 400 mg/kg b.w
ABSTRACT
In the present study, the antigcidant effects of parsley oil and panax ginseng have been evaluated against the clastogenecity of ZEN. One hundred and eight mature male mice were distributed into nine treatment groups, including the control group and the groups treated with parsley oil [0.6 ml/kg b.w], panax ginseng extract [40 mg/kg b.w] or parsley oil plus panax ginseng extract with or without ZEN [10 micro g/kg b.w]. Animals within different treatment groups were divided into two subgroups [A and B]. Subgroup A were used for the determination of serum testosterone levels and chromosomal aberrations and received their respective doses for two weeks whereas, subgroup B were used for sperm abnormality and received their respective doses twice a day for one week and sacrificed after 30 days. The results indicated that ZEN treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone concentration, sperm count and sperm motility. Whereas it caused a significant increase in abnormal sperms counts and total chromosomal aberrations in germ cells. Animals treated with parsley oil or panax ginseng extract alone or in combination were comparable to the controls regarding all the tested parameters. The combined treatment with ZEN and parsley oil, panax ginseng or parsley oil plus panax ginseng extract resulted in a significant improvement in all tested parameters. Moreover, parsley oil was found to be effective than panax ginseng extract and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that both parsley oil and panax ginseng extract induced a protective action against ZEN-induced alteration in the reproductive performance and the combined treatment may be useful than the single treatment
ABSTRACT
Polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] are environmental contaminants that have been widely used for various industrial purposes. Human and animals are exposed to PCBs via oral ingestion of contaminated food. PCBs were found to induce reproductive toxicity, immune suppression, birth defects, cancer, developmental and behavioral changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective role of fennel oil against PCBs toxicity. Forty male Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into four groups, control group, group treated with PCBs [250 micro g/kg b.w] and the groups treated with fennel oil [5mg/kg b.w.] alone or in combination with PCBs for 15 days. The results indicated that treatment with PCBs resulted in a significant increase in ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, TNFa., LPO, NO and CEA, whereas it significantly decreased GPX and SOD. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney and testis showed severe histological changes. Animals treated with fennel oil alone or plus PCBs were comparable to the controls regarding the biochemical parameters or the histological picture of liver, kidney and testis. It could be concluded that fennel oil has a protective effect against PCBs toxicity. Moreover, the oil was safe and may be used pharmaceutically to protect against the hazardous effects of PCBs