immunomodulatory effects of nigella sativa oil in protein malnourished mice

The present study aims at evaluating the immunomodulatory effects of Nigella sativa oil [NSO] in protein malnourished mice. Protein malnutrition [PM] was induced by keeping mice at nourishment with standard synthetic diet containing 8% casein content, while normally fed mice received 20% casein diet. NSO was given daily by the oral route, along two weeks in two dose levels [50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg]. It was found to restore the PM reduced relative weights of thymus, liver and spleen, as well as the induced decrease in total leucocytic count [TLC] which was expressed in reductions of lymphocytes and eosinophils count. Moreover, NSO could counteract the PM induced lowering in opsonophagocytic activity as indicated by lowering the phagocytosis percent as well as phagocytic and opsonophagocytic indices. In addition, the PM caused decline in both serum IgG and IgM, where only that of IgG was alleviated under the influence of NSO. The used high dose of NSO could correct the PM induced reduction in bone marrow lymphocytes count. The obtained data indicate that NSO possesses immunomodulatory actions and that it may be regarded as a candidate drug for counteracting the adverse immunological consequences that are induced by PM

protective effect of garlic against the electrocardiographic changes induced by hyperlipidemia in rats

Hyperlipidemia was induced experimentally in adult male rats by feeding synthetic diet along eight weeks. Parallely, a set of animals receiving hyperlipidemic diet was subjected to oral administration of fresh garlic homogenate [0.5 g/Kg daily]. Animals were then evaluated for the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c. In addition, their electrocardiography was conducted and assessed for the different changes. The obtained results showed that hyperlipidemic diet results in increasing serum total cholesterol and LDL-c and, decreasing that of HDL-c. The elecrocardiograhic consequences of hyerlipidemia include the ST segment elevation and lowering of the QTc ratio. Co-administration of fresh garlic homogenate along the first 4 weeks resulted in decreasing serum cholesterol level and improving the levels of LDL-c and HDL-c. These biochemical changes were vanished on the continued administration for the next 4 weeks. On the other hand, co-administration of fresh garlic homogenate resulted in improving the electrocardiograhic performance, as indicated by normalizing the ST segment amplitude and the QTc ratio. In conclusion, fresh garlic homogenate was shown to improve cardiographic performance in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats

Effect of largely wide dosage ranges of acetyl salicylic acid, diclofenac and piroxicam on interleukin-3 [IL-3] production

Interleukin-3 [IL-3] is a multi-lineage cytokine affecting myeloid and lymphoid lineage as well as megakeryocytes. It is regarded as beneficial cytokine in various stages of pregnancy. It plays a key role in contact sensitivity and in delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. The effect of acetyl salicylic acid [ASA] on IL-3 production is a subject of controversy. Some studies demonstrated an ASA inhibiting action on IL-3 production, while others point to an enhancement effect. The present study aims at delineating the possible different effects of ASA on IL-3 production through testing wide range of doses, namely 1 to 500 mg/kg., p. o., in adult male Swiss mice. In addition, the study included testing wide range of doses of two other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], which are diclofenac [0.04 to 20 mg/kg., i. m.] and piroxicam [0.006 to 3 mg/kg., i. m.]. Parallely, changes in each of bone marrow lymphocytes count, total white blood cells count, and thymus and spleen relative weights were evaluated. Animals received each of the three NSAIDs daily for 7 days. Twenty four hours after last dosage, animals were proceeded for the above mentioned assessments. The obtained results revealed that all tested NSAIDs have the tendency to increase IL-3 production. They exhibited different dose-response patterns for elevation of serum IL-3 levels. Same phenomenon was evident regarding all other investigated parameters. The study confirms existence of largely dose-dependent variable effects of ASA and other NSAIDs on ILs-3 production as well as on the other evaluated parameters, in mice