Biochemical and histological impacts of high doses of local and imported Nigella sativa administered to female rats

This study was conducted to compare between Syrian and Egyptian Nigella sativa [NS] seeds for some chemical characteristics, total phenolic contents; the percentage of the antioxidant activity and to evaluate the effect of high doses of NS crushed seeds or their extracted oils on some blood biochemical parameters as well as the architecture of liver and kidney tissues. The following results [on a dry- weight basis] were obtained for Syrian and Egyptian variety respectively, ash 3.21 and 4.57%, protein 22.3 and 22.4%, fixed oil 35.0 and 36.0%, carbohydrates 32.8 and 34.05% and essential oil 0.3 and 0.9%. The major unsaturated acids in the crude fixed oil extract of NS seeds were linoleic acid followed by oleic acid while palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid. The compositions of the essential oils, of the two examined samples contain the same constituents with different concentrations. Thymoquinone is more abundant in the Egyptian variety meanwhile, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, carvacrol, alpha- terpineol, eugenol, beta-caryophillene and cavone are more abundant in the Syrian variety. The blood biochemical results revealed that the supplementation of NS crushed seeds of the two varieties or their extracted oils, with high doses showed some changes on liver functions [ which evaluated by the hepatic enzymes activity assay of ALT and AST], lowering cholesterol and triglycerides levels and displayed no effect on albumin, total protein and urea levels. A significant increase in ALP enzymatic activity was obtained that could be attributed to the effect of progesterone hormone, whereas female rats were employed to conduct the biochemical study. Meanwhile, the histological examinations for liver and kidney tissues revealed pathological changes that could be attributed to the presence of high amount of thymoquinone, this finding could explain the significant increase in lipid proxidative index as evaluated in the term of plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] especially after the administration of the Egyptian variety of NS

Modulation the oxidant - antioxidant imbalance induced by thioacetamide in liver of albino rats

The effect of free radicals on human beings has come to attract considerable attention due t their close relation to toxicity and disease. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of fresh garlic extract [FGE], aged garlic extract [AGE] and ginger ethanolic extract [GEE] against the oxidative stress induced by thioacetamide administration. Silymarin and Hipamax plus [HP] were employed in the current study as reference materials used in the treatment of liver diseases. Intraperitoneal [ip] administration of thioacetamide [200 mg/kg b.wt., three times a week for four weeks] induced oxidative stress that confirmed by the significant elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation], nitric oxide [NO], myeloperoxidase activity [MPO] with the decline in glutathione content [GSH] and the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx], glutathione S-transferase [GST] in liver tissue. Meanwhile, there was no change in protein carbonyl. The pre and co-administration of fresh garlic extract, aged garlic extract and ginger ethanolic extract with thioacetamide significantly reduced MDA, NO, MPO activity and enhanced the activity of SOD, GSHPx, GST and markedly increase GSH content in liver tissue. In conclusion, the test materials employed in the current study displayed well marked antioxidant potency and more pronounced antioxidant potency was exerted by AGE

Molecular survey of Babesia microti, a causative agent of human babesiosis, in rodents in Egypt

In Egypt, to date and to the best of our knowledge, two cases of human babesiosis have been reported; at the same time, very few surveys for detection of B. microti in rodents have been published. These studies were solely relied on microscopic examination of stained blood smears; hence, the molecular confirmative evidence for the presence of B. microti is not revealed. In addition, the epidemiology of human babesiosis, such as competent vectors and reservoirs is still unclear. The present study is a molecular survey of B. microti in wild Egyptian rodents. A total of 30 rodents [26 Rattus norvegicus and 4 Rattus rattus] were collected from different areas in Giza Governorate and tested for Babesia-specific DNA. Nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene marker was used to detect the agent in rodents blood. Positive amplification of 154-bp fragment was detected in 8 [30.8%] R. norvegicus and 1 [25%] R. rattus with a total prevalence rate of 30%. Unidentified Babesia was detected in 3 rodents [2 R. norvegicus and 1 R. rattus] when tested using standard PCR with genus-specific primers. These 3 rodents yielded negative for B. microti. Significant correlation [P<0.05] between positivity to B. microti and splenomegaly was found. The difference between the positive rates for B. microti in R. norvegicus and in R. rattus was also revealed to be significant [P<0.05]. This study is considered to be the first molecular survey of B. microti in Egyptian rodents. These findings confirm the presence of one of the causative agents of human babesiosis in the country with a relative high prevalence among the suspected reservoir host that warrants more risk for human infections

prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa L. On CCI[4]-treated rats

This study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa L. on lipid peroxidaton, antioxidant systems and liver function in carbon tetrachloridetreated rats. The rats were divided into five experimental groups: Control non-treated group, CCl[-4] intoxicated group, Nigella sativa oil+ CCl[4] group, Nigella sativa seeds + CCl[4] group and Antox + CCl[4] group. Antox was used as a reference antioxidant. All groups received CCl[4] [4 ml/Kg b.wt. in sunflower oil [1:1] Sc] as a first initial dose, then every 15 days [half dose of CCl[4]]. Nigella sativa oil [2ml/Kg b.wt./day by gavage], Nigella sativa crushed seeds [2g/100g diet] and Antox [45.22mg/Kg b.wt./day by gavage] were administered 14 days before Cd4 treatment and continued till the end of the experimental period [45 days].The CCl[4] treatment significantly increased lipid peroxide products [as measured by the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde, MDA,] erythrocyte Giutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] and liver transaminases [ALT and AST] coupled with significant decrease in whole blood Glutathione level [GSH], erythrocyte Superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn SOD] activity, total protein and albumin levels. The positive protective effect of the test plant or Antox against the deleterious effects of CCl[4] was indicated by a well marked inhibition in malondialdehyde production, regulation of the antioxidant system, decrease in liver transaminases and increase in total protein and albumin levels. The obtained data revealed that Nigella sativa crushed seeds displayed a potent antioxidant effect that super exceeds those recorded by either Antox or Nigella sativa oil

Oxidative stress in rat's liver following the exposure with pyridostigmine bromide alone or in combination with BEET and/or permethrin

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of exposure to Pyridostigmine bromide [PB] alone or in combination with Permethrin [Per] and/or N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide [DEET] at three different doses in production of oxidative stress in male Sprague-Dawely rats. Animals were treated with a daily dermal dose of Permethrin and/or DEET for 60 days and/or PB [gavage] during the last 15 days. Hepatic lipid peroxidation, total Superoxide dismutase activity [SOD], Glutathione peroxidase activity and Glutathione [GSH] were analyzed as a biomarker for oxidative stress. The obtained results revealed marked elevations in the level of lipid peroxide product [MDA], SOD, GSHPx and a significant decrease in glutathione content. This study concluded that, the exposure to PB alone or in combination with Permethrin and/or DEET may result in induction of free radicals generation causing lipid peroxidation and disturbance in the antioxidant scavenging system. The hazardous effect of exposure to the three tested compounds combination [PB, Permethrin and DEET] proved to be much more serious than that of PB when administered alone