Regeneration effect of Saffron on the liver damaged with paraquat in male mice

Background and Objective: Paraquat is a common agricultural herbicide that is a strong stimulus in superoxide anions foundation. Due to the adverse effects of the free radicals, the anti oxidant compounds such as Saffron seem necessary as antioxidants and removing the free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regeneration effect of Saffron on the liver damaged with paraquat in male mice

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male mice were randomly allocated into 6 groups. Animals in group one were received normal food, water and corn oil. Secound and third groups of mice were treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw paraquat, respectively. Animals in the fourth group were received Saffron at a dose of 80 mg/kg/bw. Animals in fifth and sixth two groups were treated with paraquat treated at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron [80 mg/kg/bw], orally, per day. At the end of 30 days the mice were anesthesia and blood samples were prepared for measurement of AST and ALT in sera and livers were removed for measurment of MDA, FRAP, katalaze concentration and half of liver was transfer to formaline for histopathological study

Results: Cell necrosis and inflammation was found in the liver of mice treated with paraquat, also the level of AST, ALT and MDA was significantly increased in compared to controls [P<0.05]. Also the level of AST, ALT and MDA and histopathological alterations of liver in animals treated with paraquat at a dose of 20, 40 mg/kg/bw and Saffron [80mg/kg/bw] were significantly reduced in compared to paraquat group

Conclusion: Saffron [80 mg/kg/bw, orally] improves liver dysfunction in mice exposed with paraquat

Protection against Cyclosporine-Induced reprotoxicity by Satureja khuzestanica essential oil in male rats

Background: The effects of cyclosporine [Cs], a fungal cyclic polypeptide with potent immunosuppressive activity, on fertility have assumed greater signi.cance with the in-creasing numbers of transplantations being performed all over the world. Current study was undertaken to investigate the potential of Satureja khuzestanica Essential Oil [SEO] as an antioxidant to mitigate Cs-induced reprotoxicity

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study [April-July 2012], thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 animals each. Two groups of rats were administered Cs [40 mg/kg/day, per oral [p.o.]] for 45 days. One of these groups received SEO [225 mg/kg/day, p.o.] four hours after Cs administration. A vehicle-treated control group and a SEO control group were also included. Epididymal sperm characteristics, in vitro fertilizing capacity as well as embryo development were evaluated. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were used, and the value of P<0.05 was considered as the criterion for statistical significance

Results: Sperm count and viability along with fertilization and blastocyst development rates were significantly decreased by Cs treatment. Moreover, Cs-treated group showed significant increases in DNA damage, protamine deficiency of the sperm cells and proportion of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplet. Notably, aforementioned parameters were improved to near normal level by SEO co-administration

Conclusion: These results suggest that SEO has a protective action against Cs-induced reprotoxicity in a rat model

Attenuation of methotrexate-induced embryotoxicity and oxidative stress by ethyl pyruvate

Background: Methotrexate [MTX], as an anti-folate agent, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and malignant tumors, however it damages reproductive sys- tem in mice. The aim of this research was to study the effects of ethyl pyruvate [EP] on embryo development and oxidative stress changes in the testis of mice treated with MTX

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two adult male Naval Medical Research Institute mice, with average weight of 26 +/- 2 g, were divided into four groups. The first group [control] received distilled water [0.1 ml/mice/day], while the second group was intraperitoneally [IP] treated with 20 mg/kg MTX once per week. The third group was IP treated with 40 mg/kg/day EP, and the fourth group was IP treated with both 20 mg/kg MTX and 40 mg/kg/day EP for 30 days. At the end of treatment fertilization rate and embryonic development were evaluated. Differences between these groups were assessed by ANOVA using the SPSS software package for Windows with a Tukey-Kramer multiple post-hoc comparison test

Results: MTX treatment caused significant [P<0.05] increase in malondialdehyde [MDA] and reduced catalase [CAT], as well as leading to in vitro fertilization [IVF] and embryonic development. The improved effects of EP on the IVF were determined by the reduced level of MDA [index of oxidative stress] and significant increased level of CAT [a key antioxidant]. We observed significant increase in fertilization rate and embryonic development in the treated group with both MTX and EP

Conclusion: It is suggested that EP can be useful in ameliorating testicular damages and embryotoxicity induced by MTX. These effects could be attributed to its antioxidant properties

[ effects of vitamin E and exogenous testosterone co-administration on biochemical serum parameters of varicocele rats]

Because of impairment of testosterone production and occurrence of oxidant disorders in testis of varicocele [VCL] patients, these patients are treated with testosterone and various antioxidant. This study was performed with the objective of determining the effect of co-administration of these two drugs on the serum biochemical parameters of rats. In this study, 30 male rats were divided into 5 groups [n=6, each] of control-sham and test groups. In the control-sham group, only simple laparotomy was performed. In the test groups, experimental VCL was induced in all test groups. No treatment was performed for the first test group. The second test group was treated with testosterone [44microg/kg, ip], the third group with vitamin E [150mg/kg, orally] and the fourth group with co-administration of testosterone and vitamin E. After the end of treatment period, anesthesia and heart blood sampling were performed, and after serum separation, serum levels of glucose, creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. The data were analyzed using two-way variance analysis. The significance level was considered to be p < 0.05. In this study, the serum levels of the glucose, creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, and triglyceride significantly increased following VCL induction, as compared to control group [p < 0.05]. This was while single administration of testosterone and co-administration with vitamin E significantly reduced the serum levels of mentioned parameters [p < 0.05]. The results showed that co-administration of testosterone and vitamin E, in comparison with separate administration of each compound, improved the serum biochemical parameters in VCL-induced animals

[Assessment of the amount of hepatohistopatological and enzymatic changes after chronic lead intoxication in utero and throughout life in rat]

In order to evaluate the functional changes of liver after lead intoxication, activity of enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP], as well as pathological changes of the liver were assessed in the present study. Male and female Albino Rats [40 in total] in five 8-rat groups were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15, and 40mg lead acetate dissolved in 1 liter drinking water, from the onset of embryonic life to 16[th] week of life. At the end of 16[th] week, the animals were anesthetized with chloroform, and blood sampling from heart was performed. After serum separation for biochemical analysis, liver was taken out and fixed in 15% formalin for histopathological studies. Activity of ALT, AST, and ALP, as well as lead concentration of the serum samples were measured using spectrophotometrical method and graphite furnace atomic absorption, respectively. The tissue sections were histologically studied under light microscopy after staining by hematoxylin/eosin. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's test, and p<0.05 was considered significant. In this study, liver enzymes activities had direct relation with the serum lead concentration, and showed a significant increase compared to the control groups. Histological changes were observed as inflammation, lymphocyte infiltration to liver tissue, and liver cells necrosis. According to the results of this study, long-time exposure to lead results in dose- and time-dependent liver injury

Attenuation of cyclosporine-induced sperm impairment and embryotoxicity by crataegus monogyna fruit aqueous extract

Cyclosporine [Cs], a cyclic undecapeptide with potent immunosuppressive activity, causes several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity. This study aims to examine the ability of Crataegus monogyna aqueous fruit extract as an antioxidant to protect against Cs-induced reproductive toxicity. In this experimental study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. Rats in two groups received 40 mg/kg/day Cs for 45 days by oral gavage. In addition, one of the two groups received Crataegus monogyna aqueous extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day orally four hours after Cs administration. The remaining two groups consisted of a vehicle treated control [Cont] group and a Crataegus monogyna control [Cr] group. Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance [ANOVA] using the SPSS software package for Windows. Cs treatment caused a significant decrease in sperm count and viability with an increase in DNA damage and protamine deficiency of the sperm cells. We observed significant decreases in fertilization rate and embryonic development, in addition to an increased rate of embryo arrest in Cs-treated rats. Crataegus monogyna co-administration attenuated all Cs-induced negative changes in the above-mentioned parameters. Supplementation with Crataegus monogyna a queous fruit extract could be useful against reproductive toxicity during Cs treatment in a rat model

Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on epididymal sperm characteristics, oxidative stress and testosterone level in methotrexate treated mice

Methotrexate [MTX] is an anti-metabolite drug widely used in treatment of neoplastic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The ester derivative, ethyl pyruvate [EP] is stable in solution and should function as an antioxidant and energy precursor. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of EP on sperm parameters, testosterone level and malondialdehyde [MDA] production in mice treated with MTX.32 adult male NMRI mice weighing 26 +/- 2 g were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received 0.1 ml/mice/day of distilled water intraperitoneally for 30 days [ip]. Group 2 was treated with methotrexate at a dose of 20 mg/kg once a week [ip] for 30 days. Group 3 was treated with ethyl pyruvate at a dose of 40 mg/kg/daily [ip] for 30 days. Group 4 was treated with methotrexate [20 mg/kg] once a week simultaneously with ethyl pyruvate 40 mg/kg for 30 days. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered to be significant. The results showed significant [p<0.05] decrease in sperm count and sperm motility as well as testosterone concentration while sperm with damaged DNA and MDA concentration in mice treated with MTX in comparison with control and MX+EP groups increased significantly [p<0.05]. Instead, MTX+EP group caused partial amelioration in all parameters mentioned above. Based on the present study, it can be concluded that MTX induced toxicity in sperm parameters and serum level of testosterone and increased MDA level. EP with its antioxidant properties could be administrated during treatment with MTX due to its protective effects on sperm parameters, plasma testosterone levels and lipid peroxidation

[ best time of cytotoxicity for extracted cell wall from Lactobacillus casei and paracasei in K562 cell line]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracted cell walls from Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei as probiotic bacteria [isolated from common carp intestine] on K562 and the role of cell concentration on the results of MTT [3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5- Diphenyl tetrazolium Bromide] test

Methods: For this purpose, bacteria were cultured in specific medium [MRS broth] at anaerobic condition for 24-48 hour. After incubation period culture medium was centri-fuged, then the cells were washed twice with PBS buffer to remove additional medium. Finally, collected bacterial cell disrupted by Sonication and cell walls were separated from other components by centrifugation. After that, different concentrations of cell walls [500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 micro g/ml] were prepared in RPMI medium for each bacteria, separately. Then anticancer properties of the cell walls were determined in vitro at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, also the effect of K562 concentration was assayed with MTT technique

Results: The results showed extracted cell wall from both probiotic statistically [P=0.098] have anti turmeric properties in K562 and their properties will arise in relation with concentration. As well as, we found that the number of cell had not any affect on the result of MTT assay

Conclusion: We conclude that the cytotoxicity property of extracted cell wall is related in the type of bacteria, but this anticancer property would warrant further study on the clinical application of extracted cell wall

Hydro-alcoholic extract of the root of Prangos ferulacea [L.] Lindl can improve serum glucose and lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus manifests itself in a wide variety of complications and the symptoms of this disease are multifactorial. Previous studies proved that this disease is directly related to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Prangos frulacea [L.] Lindl in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Forty female Wistar rats with body weight of 200 +/- 20 g were randomly divided into five groups with eight rats per group. Diabetes was induced in rats by alloxan monohydrate at dose of 120 mg/kg body weight [BW] injected intraperitoneally. Hydro-alcoholic extract of the root and leaves with stems of P. frulacea at 100 mg/kg BW were given orally to diabetic rats daily for 4 weeks. Diabetic rats [D] exhibited a significant [p<0.05] increase in the levels of the serum glucose, Total Cholesterol [TC], Triglycerides [TG], and LDL in comparison with the control group whereas their BW and serum HDL levels were decreased. In diabetic rats treated by root extract of P. frulacea, these parameters were reversed to the normal levels compared with diabetic group. According to the results obtained, it was concluded that Root's hydro-alcoholic extract of P. frulacea can be used in diabetics for the purpose of glucose and lipid profile reduction

Effect of natural honey from Ilam and metformin for improving glycemic control in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem and one of the five leading causes of death globally. In the present study, the effect of Metformin with natural honey was investigated on glycemia in the Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six groups including C: non diabetic rats received distilled water, CH: non diabetic rats received honey, CD: diabetic rats administered with distilled water, DM: Metformin treated diabetic rats, DH: honey treated diabetic rats, and DMH: diabetic rats treated with a combination of Metformin and natural honey. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of Streptozotocin [65 mg/kg; i.p.]. The animals were treated by oral gavage once daily for four weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and their blood samples collected. Amount of glucose, triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, total bilirubin, and albumin were determined in serum. Group CD: showed hyperglycemia [252.2 +/- 4.1 mg/dl], while level of blood glucose was significantly [p<0.01] reduced in groups DH [124.2 +/- 2.7 mg/dl], DM [108.0 +/- 3.4 mg/dl], and DMH [115.4 +/- 2.1 mg/dl]. Honey in combination with Metformin significantly [p<0.01] reduced level of bilirubin but Metformin alone did not reduce bilirubin. Honey alone and in combination with Metformin also significantly reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and increased HDL, but Metformin did not reduced triglycerides and increased HDL. The results of the present study demonstrated that consuming natural honey with Metformin improves glycemic control and is more useful than consuming Metformin alone. The higher therapeutic effect of Ilam honey on lipid abnormalities than Tualang honey was also evident

Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Prangos ferulacea [L.] Lindle on histopathology of pancreas and diabetes treatment in STZ- induced diabetic rats

This study investigates the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Prangos ferulacea [L.] Lindle [P.f] on rats' pancreas structure changes and diabetic treatment after streptozotocin injection. In this research forty male Wistar rats with body weights of 100 +/- 20 gram, were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 rats per each group. Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin at a dose of 75 mg/kg body weight [B.W] injected intraperitoneally. Root and leaves with stems hydroalcoholic extract of P.f at a dose of 100 mg/kg B.W have been injected orally in diabetic rats, daily for a month. Significant decrease in blood glucose, WBC and HbA1c and increase in body weight were observed in treated diabetic rats. Histopathologic results of diabetic rats revealed reduction in number of pancreatic islets as well as their number of beta-cells and insulitis with lymphocytes infiltration. Regeneration of pancreatic islets and beta-cells, along with a reduction in the number of infiltrated lymphocytes were present in plant extract -treated diabetic rats. The roots´ hydro-alcoholic extract of P.f seems to be capable to regenerate the islets of Langerhans in the treated rats in comparison with the untreated diabetic rats. This property can be due to some components of the plant that can increase insulin secretion

Preventive effects of Prangos ferulacea [L.] Lindle on liver damage of diabetic rats induced by alloxan

Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical, physiological and pathological alterations in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Prangos ferulacea [L.] Lindle [P.f] on changes in rats´ liver structure and serum activities of alanin and aspartate aminotransferases after alloxan injection. In this study, forty female Wistar rats with body weight of 200 +/- 20 g were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 rats per group. Diabetes was induced in rats by alloxan monohydrate at dose of 120 mg/kg body weight [BW] injected intraperitoneally. Root and leaves with stems hydroalcoholic extract of P.f at dose of 100 mg/kg BW were given orally in diabetic rats daily for a month. In diabetic rats [D] the serum allanin aminotransferases [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferases [AST] were significantly increased [p<0.05] in comparison with the other groups. Moreover, in this group, necrosis of hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and lymphocytic inflammation were observed. Diabetic rats treated by root extract of P.f compared with diabetic group showed a significant decrease in these enzymes. In addition, in this group all of previous signs were improved. Root hydroalcoholic extract of P.f found to influence changes of aminotransferases and prevent the histopathological changes of liver associated with alloxan diabetes in rats

Effects of fibroblasts conditioned media on differentiation of programmable cells of monocytic origin to insulin-producing cells

The characteristic of stem cells in self renewal and differentiation to different types of cells has stimulated the interests for using stem cells as a starting material for generating insulin secreting cells. We've evaluated the differentiation potential of Programmable cells of monocytic origin [PCMOs] into insulin producing cells effected from the growth factors and fibroblasts conditioned media [FCM]. Peripheral blood monocytes of rat were cultured for 6 days in RPMI with 15% FBS, beta- mercaptoethanol, MCSF and interleukin-3. Then, these cells were incubated in differentiation media with HGF, EGF, Nicotinamide, 15% fibroblasts conditioned media and glucose for 15days. Morphological differences of cells were studied by invert microscope. In several stages, the amounts of insulin in supernatant of cells were measured by radioimmunoassay kit. Also productions of insulin from differentiated cells were studied with DTZ special staining. In response to MCSF and IL-3, monocytes dedifferentiated. These programmable cells of monocytic origin [PCMOs] were capable of differentiating into insulin producing cells in differentiation media. The morphology of differentiated cells was similar to Beta cells and the amount of insulin in supernatant of differentiated cells was much higher than PCMOs [P<0.05]. HGF, EGF, Nicotinamide and fibroblasts conditioned media are differentiation factors of PCMOs into insulin producing cells. According to the results insulin producing cells can be differentiated from programmable cells of monocytic origin in presence of fibroblasts conditioned media

Inducing maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells on human epithelial cell feeder layer

Nowadays, dendritic cells [DCs] have a special place in cancer treatment strategies and they have been used for tumor immunotherapy as they can induce immune response against tumor cells. Researchers have been trying to generate efficient dendritic cells in vitro; therefore, this research was done to generate them for use in research and tumor immunotherapy. This study took place at Urmia University in 2010-2011 years. In this study plastic adherent monocytes were incubated with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF] and interleukin-4 [IL-4] for five days. Finally, fully matured and stable DCs were generated by 48 hours of incubation in a monocyte conditioned medium [MCM] containing tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and epithelial cells. Phenotypic and functional analysis were carried out by using anti-CD 14, anti-CD80, anti-CD86, and anti-CD83 monoclonal antibodies, and by determining their phagocytic activity, mixed lymphocyte reaction [MLR] and cytokine production, respectively. Dendritic cells were produced with high levels of surface molecule, i.e. of CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR, expression and low levels of CD14 expression. Dendritic cells showed efficient phagocytosis and ability to stimulate T-lymphocytes. Moreover, dendritic cells could secrete high levels of interleukin-12 [IL-12] cytokine which was depictive of their full maturation. Measurement of the produced cytokines showed the generation of type-1 dendritic cells [DC1]. Our study showed that skin epithelial cells could induce maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells [DCs]. This feeder layer led to the production of efficient dendritic cells with the ability to be used for tumor immunotherapy

[In-vitro differentiation of rat peripheral blood monocytes into insulinproducing cells by rat pancreatic extract]

Cell-therapy provides a promising alternative for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Monocytes which have a reprogramming or differentiation potential and are more available than any other types of stem cells, have been recognized as candidates for such investigations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differentiation potential of rat peripheral blood monocytes into insulin-producing cells by the use of rat pancreatic extract [2 days after a 60% pancreatectomy]. Rat peripheral blood monocytes were isolated and cultured. Adherent monocytes were induced to differentiate into programmable cells in RPMI supplemented by 10% FCS, beta-mercaptoetanol, M-CSF and IL-3 for six days. The dedifferentiated cells were analyzed by invert microscopy. Cultures of Programmable Cells of Monocytic Origin [PCMOs] were continued in RPMI, containing 10% FBS, pancreatic extract and 5 mmol/L glucose for 15 days. The medium was replaced every three days. At the end of the protocol, insulin and c-peptide excreted by the differentiated cells were tested by radioimmunoassay on days 6, 14, and 21. In order to verify insulin production in the cells, dithizone-staining, which is a method for insulin identification, was employed. The results showed that the cells cultured in rat pancreatic extract secreted insulin and c-peptide relative to the control group. Dithizone-staining was positive in the aforesaid cells [P<0/05]. The results of the current study showed that pancreatic extract treatment can differentiate rat peripheral blood monocytes into insulin-producing cells which can be regarded as a potential source for the treatment of diabetes

[Effect of aspirin on learning and memory impaired by pentylenetetrazole kindling in male rat]

In recent years many studies have reported that aspirin could have beneficial effect on learning and memory in different diseases of central nervous system. The objective of present study was to explore the effect of aspirin on learning and memory of Rats in pentylenetetrazole kindling model. In this experimental study Rats were divided randomly into six groups [n=8]. Animals in three groups received aspirin [15 and 30 mg/kg, orally] and saline, one week before and during induction of kindling, respectivley. Kindling was induced in these groups by administration of pentylenetetrazole [PTZ: 40 mg/kg, ip]. Two groups of animals received only aspirin 25 and 30 microg/kg orally. Other group received only saline throughout the study and served as health control group. After induction of kindling the learning and memory of Rats was tested in shuttle box. Study was divided to three stages of adaptation, acquisition and retention test. Initial Latency [IL] time before electrical shock and Step through latency [STL] time, 20 min or 24h after acquisition was evaluated as learning and memory index. Locomotor activity was also evaluated in open filed test. PTZ kindling significantly decreased Initial Latency and Step through latency time, 20 min or also 24h after acquisition, and aspirin significantly increased these times in kindled animals [p<0.05]. Aspirin also had no significant effect on locomotor activity of animals. This study showed that the administration of aspirin to kindled Rats improved learning and memory impairments induced by pentylenetetrazole kindling