Possible protective effect of nigella sativa oil against piroxicam-induced gastric mucosat damage in adult male albino rats [light and scanning electron microscopic study]

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] Piroxicam is widely used especially in treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has many side effects; the most common of them is gastrointestinal intolerance and ulceration. The Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO] was reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To investigate the histopathological effects of piroxicam on the gastric mucosa of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO]. Fourty adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups [n=10]. They received 2 ml of the following oral treatments through an orogastric tube: Group I [Control] received a single dose of saline, Group II [1450] received a single dose of NSO; 10 ml and g BW, Group III [Piroxicam] received piroxicam 20 mg/kg BW and Group IV [NSO/ piroxicam] received NSO one hour before administration of piroxicam. The gastric mucosa from the body of the stomach was processed for histological stains [H and E and PAS] and for examination with scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Piroxicam produced erosions, congestion, extravasated RBCs and inflammatory cell infiltration. It also led to increase in the gastric mucus. The SEM results revealed marked damage of the gastric mucosal surface and complete loss of the normal architecture. In NSO prior to piroxicam group, the structure of the mucosa was nearly similar to control by both light and SEM however, there was marked increase in mucus secretion. NSO can partly protect the gastric mucosa against piroxicam induced damage

Primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint histological and histochemical study

Primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint was studied in 15 patients aged 55 - 65 years, one control specimen was obtained from a 35 years old man presented with comminuted intercondylar Femoral fracture. Specimens were taken from the medial femoral condyle during an operation in which five big holes were created in femoral, tibial condyles and the patella, Synovial biopsies were obtained from the vicinity of the affected medial condyles. Specimens were prepared for histological and histochemical studies. The results showed that mild changes of the articular cartilage were associated with slight necrosis of osteocytes in subchondral bone, moderate and severe articular cartilage changes were associated with extensive necrosis of osteocytes, signs of regeneration and decreased alkaline phosphatase activity in the blood vessels of the subchondral bone. Synovial membrane showed cellular hyperplasia and degeneration, intimal proliferation in blood vessels, fibrosis and minor inflammatory changes. The results supported the vascular theory as a cause of primary osteoarthritis

Histopathological changes induced by praziquantel on the cochlea of guinea pigs

Praziquantel is a widely-used broad spectrum anti-helminthic drug that has totally replaced the antimonial compounds in the treatment of schistosomiasis. Histological abnormalities in the cochlea acknowledged as a side effect due to the use of the same age and weight were used to determine the effect of praziquantel on the cochlea. Thirty six animals were divided into two groups: Group I receiving therapeutic doses of praziquantel [75 mg/kg body weight] for one, two or four days, whereas animals in Group II received an experimental dose [150 mg/kg body weight] in the same way as Group I. A third group of four animals served as the control cluster. Animals were sacrificed after one, tow or four days after administration of praziquantel and their cochlea were processed for paraffin sections and with HX and E and silver staining. A spectrum of histologic abnormalities was seen in the two experimental groups but in none of the control animals. Abnormalities ranged form vacuolar degeneration, restricted to the supporting cells, to marked destruction of the hair cells in Group I. Vast abnormalities were evident in Group II: the organ of Corti was profoundly atrophied and disorganized. It is concluded that praziquantel could have detrimental effects on the organ of hearing particularly when given in large or repeated doses