Evaluation of the protective effect of aqueous extract of fenugreek against cisplatin-induced toxicity in Vero cells

Cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug that may induce serious toxicity in normal tissues including the kidneys. In recent times, there has been a surge in the popularity of herbal/traditional medicine. Vero cells, derived from kidney cells of green monkeys, have been used to study cell growth, differentiation, and cytotoxicity induced by different agents or conditions. This study aimed at elucidating the protective effect of the aqueous extract of fenugreek on cisplatin-induced toxicity in the Vero cell line. Cultured Vero cells were divided into four groups. In group I untreated Vero cells were taken as controls; in group II Vero cells were incubated with 25 microg/ml cisplatin; in group III the cells were incubated with an aqueous extract of fenugreek [20 microg/ml] and in group IV both cisplatin and fenugreek were added simultaneously to Vero cells. The cultured cells of all groups were incubated for 24 and 48 h. Morphological, morphometric, and cytotoxic studies were conducted. On Coomassie staining, cells of group II were seen to be enlarged with the appearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles. A highly significant increase in their nuclear and cytoplasmic areas was observed after 48 h. Compared with group I, the cells from group III revealed a highly significant decrease in nuclear area after 24 h with no significant difference after 48 h. Compared with group II, the cells from group IV showed a decrease in cytoplasmic vacuolization and a highly significant decrease in the nuclear and cytoplasmic areas after 48 h. The mean absorbance using the sulforhodamine B assay was decreased in group II but increased in groups III and IV in a time-dependent manner. Fenugreek alone did not enhance cell viability; yet, the combined therapy decreased the toxic effects of cisplatin on Vero cells. Hence, fenugreek might represent an advisable adjuvant therapy for the protection of tissues sensitive to cisplatin toxicity. Further studies on the effects of fenugreek on the cellular structure are also recommended

Effect of Lepidium sativum on the structure of the urinary bladder in experimentally menopaused albino rats

Lower urinary tract dysfunction with increased frequency and urgency of urination as well as incontinence is a major cause of reduced quality of life in postmenopausal women. Using hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen alone may subject these women to increased risk for endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of the aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum on the structure of urinary bladder of albino rats to test whether hormonal therapy in postmenopausal women could be replaced with natural compounds with possibly similar effects. Thirty adult virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Rats in group I were subjected to a sham operation, given plain water, and served as controls. Rats in group II were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy [menopausal group]. In group III, the ovariectomized rats were treated with aqueous extract of L. sativum [dose of 20 mg/kg body weight] by gastric gavage for 3 weeks. Histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical studies were conducted. H and E-stained sections of group II revealed detachment and disruption of the urothelium. Signs of apoptosis and widening of intercellular spaces were also detected. Pale staining muscle fibers with significant decrease in the area percentage of immunohistochemically stained desmin was noticed. Moreover, significant increase in the area percentage of collagen fibers, together with perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration, was observed. In comparison to group II, group III showed partial improvement of the urothelium. Masson's trichrome-stained sections revealed decrease in collagen fiber area in comparison with group II. The immunohistochemically stained desmin revealed significant increase in intensity and area percentage compared with group II. L. sativum seeds have promising effects on partial improvement of the altered structure of the mucosa and smooth muscle of the urinary bladder in ovariectomized rats. Further ultrastructural and physiological studies on the contractile ability of detrusor muscles under the effect of other doses of L. sativum are recommended. In addition, the use of other doses of L. sativum may lead to further improvement in the results

effect of Nigella sativa on the thymus of young and adult rats: Histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric study

The thymic microenvironment plays a central role in T-cell differentiation. Involution of the thymus begins relatively early in life, resulting in decreased immunity. Nigella sativa is known for its immunopotentiating effects. The aim of the study was to elucidate the effect of N. sativa on the structure of the thymus in young and mature adult rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: group I and group II. Group I was further divided into subgroup Ia and subgroup Ib. Subgroup Ia included seven 1-month-old young rats weighing 50-60 g that received plain water by gavage for 15 days. Subgroup Ib included seven young rats that received 2 ml/kg body weight of 1% petroleum ether extract of N. sativa by gavage for 15 days. Group II was further divided into subgroup IIa and subgroup IIb. Subgroup IIa included seven mature 12-month-old adult rats weighing 600-650 g that received plain water by gavage for 15 days. Subgroup IIb included seven mature adult rats that received 2 ml/kg body weight of 1% petroleum ether extract of N. sativa by gavage for 15 days. Thymi from different subgroups were processed for histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies. In subgroup Ib, the thymus of N. sativa-treated rats revealed a significant increase in the number of CD3-positive cells in the cortex. Some CD3-positive cells were seen in the medulla. In subgroup IIa, signs of thymic involution in the form of expansion of perivascular spaces containing adipocytes and stromal cells with a significant decrease in the number of CD3-positive cells were noticed. In addition, CI cells non reticular thymulin secreting cells along the capillaries were detected. In N. sativa-treated adult rats [subgroup IIb], restoration of the normal stroma and parenchyma occurred. Moreover, a significant increase in the number of CD3-positive cells in the cortex and medulla with an increase in the secretory activity of reticuloepithelial cells was noticed. Oral administration of the petroleum ether extract of N. sativa for 15 days to young and mature adult rats results in enhanced proliferation of thymocytes and increased activity of reticuloepithelial cells

Does commercial aloe vera protects the structure of the gastric mucosa against acute nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug [diclofenac sodium]-induced damage?

Aloe plants have been used medicinally for centuries. Recent widespread importance of commercial aloe vera has encouraged scientists to scientifically assess these products. The aim of this study was to assess the possible protective role of oral commercial aloe vera on gastric mucosal acute damage induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac sodium. Seventy adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups: group I [control], group II animals were given 200 mg/kg body weight of aloe vera once daily orally for 2 weeks, group III animals were administered a single oral dose of diclofenac sodium [80 mg/kg body weight] to induce acute gastric damage, group IV animals were given the same dose of aloe vera for 2 weeks followed by induction of acute gastric damage. Stomachs of animals of the four groups were studied macroscopically and microscopically. Morphometrical and statistical analyses were also carried out for determination of the percentage of area and depth of the mucosal lesion. This study showed that the percentage of area and depth of the mucosal lesions were significantly decreased in group IV in comparison with other groups. Microscopically, group IV and group III showed exfoliation of the surface epithelium, necrosis of some cells of the upper part of the gland, and loss of architecture of the basal part of the gland. Moreover, in group IV, periodic acid Schiff-Alcian blue-positive mucoussecreting cells appeared along the pits, neck, and isthmus with a thick periodic acid Schiff-Alcian blue-positive stained surface mucous film compared with a thin interrupted mucous film on the surface epithelium of the fundic mucosa in group III. Ultrathin sections showed predominance of mucous secretory cells with various types of mucoid granules in group IV. Commercial aloe vera provides a degree of protection against acute gastric mucosal damage mainly by increasing mucin secretion

Anatomical study of the inferomedial orbital strut [IOS]: clinical correlate

Although the inferomedial orbital strut [IOS] has attained a great surgical importance, its detailed anatomic relations was found to be lacking especially in ophthalmic literature. So, it was the aim of the present work to study the anatomic and radiographic features and relations of this region within the scope of its clinical correlation. For this purpose ten macerated skulls and fourteen cadaveric specimens were dissected to study the anatomy of the IOS. Moreover unoperated patients with Graves disease were subjected to axial and coronal CT scanning to confirm the deep anatomic relationship. The study revealed that, the anterior part of the IOS provided bony support to the orbit and the lateral wall of nasolacrimal duct, while the support of the midportion of the IOS was relatively weaker than the anterior counterpart, mainly because of the thin wall of the ethmoid bone, the aeration of the ethmoidal bulla and the presence of the hiatus semilunaris. There was also a close anatomic relation to the maxillary sinus drainage area, which should be considered during surgery. The posterior part of the IOS consists of two components: the orbital process of the palatine bone and ethmoidal air cells, that extended inferior and posterior to the IOS. In conclusion, it could be assumed that the posterior part of the IOS offers the safest and largest space available for orbital decompression [reconstructive] surgery in Graves orbitopathy

Cod liver oil and liquid paraffin oil induced exogenous lipoid pneumonia in albino rats

This work was carried out on 30 adult albino rats of both sexes, divided into 3 numerically equal groups, 10 animals per each. The study aimed to highlighten the pathological features of cod liver oil and liquid paraffin induced exogenous lipoid pneumonia and increase the awareness of pediatricians and physicians about it to be kept in consideration in the differential diagnosis of various lung conditions, especially if there is history of chronic constipation and chronic intake of oil based laxatives. Cod liver oil group [Group II] received 0.5 ml/kg/day oral cod liver oil and liquid paraffin group [Group III] received 0.66 ml/kg/day oral liquid paraffin in a single daily dose for 12 successive weeks. Pathological specimens were taken from both lungs and examined, by hematoxylin and eosin, wilder silver, orcein and Prussian blue stains. Results revealed extensive pulmonary parenchymal damage and disturbed lung architecture in the form of consolidation, granulomatous formation, fibrosis, lymphocytic and foam cells infiltration. Group II showed more extensive and diffuse consolidation while Group III showed more extensive fibrosis and more abundant granulomatous masses

Ergonomic assessment of three computer keyboard in correlation with wrist and forearm kinesiology

The use of the standard [flat] keyboard design for long periods without sufficient recovery periods may result in cumulative trauma disorders [CTD]. Accordingly, many ergonomic [alternative] keyboards have been produced. So, the present study aimed to perform a sort of comparative ergonomic assessment among 3 commercially available keyboard in correlation with the kinesiology of the wrist and forearm; they are the standard, the natural and the split designs. Ten professional computer operators were subjected to video recording while typing on the 3 designs. Chosen snap shots were printed and the different angles were measured by a goniometery; namely, pronation/supination of forearm, extension/flexion, ulnar/radial deviation angles of the wrist. The present results showed statistically significant differences of the angles among the 3 designs tested. Both ergonomic keyboards placed the forearm and wrist closer to the neutral position than did the standard ones; while, the split keyboard markedly reduced pronation, the natural keyboard kept the forearm in moderate pronation. No significant difference in preference [questionnaire] was found between the standard and natural designs, both of which were preferred over the split. So, it could be concluded that of the 3 keyboard designs evaluated, the natural design incorporated moderate changes to the standard ones. These changes promoted a more natural hand position while typing, thereby reducing the potential for CTD