Phytochemicals of Periploca aphylla Dcne. ameliorated streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rat

BACKGROUND@#Periploca aphylla is used by local population and indigenous medicine practitioners as stomachic, tonic, antitumor, antiulcer, and for treatment of inflammatory disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate antidiabetic effect of the extract of P. aphylla and to investigate antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#The present research was conducted to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of methanol extract of P. aphylla (PAM) and subfractions n-hexane (PAH), chloroform (PAC), ethyl acetate (PAE), n-butanol (PAB), and aqueous (PAA) in glucose-overloaded hyperglycemic Sprague-Dawley rats. Based on the efficacy, PAB (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was tested for its antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg) in rat. Blood glucose values were taken weekly. HPLC-DAD analysis of PAB was carried out for the presence of various polyphenols.@*RESULTS@#HPLC-DAD analysis of PAB recorded the presence of rutin, catechin, caffeic acid, and myricetin. Oral administration of PAB at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for 21 days significantly restored (P < 0.01) body weight (%) and relative liver and relative kidney weight of diabetic rats. Diabetic control rats showed significant elevation (P < 0.01) of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, creatinine, total bilirubin, and BUN while reduced (P < 0.01) level of glucose, total protein, albumin, insulin, and HDL in serum. Count of blood cells and hematological parameters were altered in diabetic rats. Further, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and total soluble protein concentration decreased while concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and percent DNA damages increased (P < 0.01) in liver and renal tissues of diabetic rats. Histopathological damage scores increased in liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats. Intake of PAB (400 mg/kg) resulted in significant improvement (P < 0.01) of above parameters, and results were comparable to that of standard drug glibenclamide.@*CONCLUSION@#The result suggests the antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of PAB treatment in STZ-compelled diabetic rat. PAB might be used as new therapeutic agent in diabetic patients to manage diabetes and decrease the complications.

Pilea umbrosa ameliorate CCl induced hepatic injuries by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress, pro-inflammatory and fibrosis genes in rat

BACKGROUND@#Pilea umbrosa (Urticaceae) is used by local communities (district Abbotabad) for liver disorders, as anticancer, in rheumatism and in skin disorders.@*METHODS@#Methanol extract of P. umbrosa (PUM) was investigated for the presence of polyphenolic constituents by HPLC-DAD analysis. PUM (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) was administered on alternate days for eight weeks in rats exposed with carbon tetrachloride (CCl). Serum analysis was performed for liver function tests while in liver tissues level of antioxidant enzymes and biochemical markers were also studied. In addition, semi quantitative estimation of antioxidant genes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induced stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis related genes were carried out on liver tissues by RT-PCR analysis. Liver tissues were also studied for histopathological injuries.@*RESULTS@#Level of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione (GSH) decreased (p < 0.05) whereas level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), HO and nitrite increased in liver tissues of CCl treated rat. Likewise increase in the level of serum markers; alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin was observed. Moreover, CCl caused many fold increase in expression of ER stress markers; glucose regulated protein (GRP-78), x-box binding protein1-total (XBP-1 t), x-box binding protein1-unspliced (XBP-1 u) and x-box binding protein1-spliced (XBP-1 s). The level of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was aggregated whereas suppressed the level of antioxidant enzymes; γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLC), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf-2). Additionally, level of fibrosis markers; transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Smad-3 and collagen type 1 (Col1-α) increased with CCl induced liver toxicity. Histopathological scrutiny depicted damaged liver cells, neutrophils infiltration and dilated sinusoids in CCl intoxicated rats. PUM was enriched with rutin, catechin, caffeic acid and apigenin as evidenced by HPLC analysis. Simultaneous administration of PUM and CCl in rats retrieved the normal expression of these markers and prevented hepatic injuries.@*CONCLUSION@#Collectively these results suggest that PUM constituted of strong antioxidant chemicals and could be a potential therapeutic agent for stress related liver disorders.

Pistacia chinensis: Strong antioxidant and potent testicular toxicity amelioration agent

Objectives To evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potency of Pistacia chinensis (P. chinensis) bark and leaves extracts along with its protective role against CCl

Pistacia chinensis: Strong antioxidant and potent testicular toxicity amelioration agent

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potency of Pistacia chinensis (P. chinensis) bark and leaves extracts along with its protective role against CCl induced toxicity in testis of the rat.@*METHODS@#Various in vitro models such as DPPH, ABTS, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, hydroxyl and nitric oxide scavenging activities, anti-lipid peroxidation activity, phospho-molybdenum activity, β carotene bleaching assay was used for analysis of antioxidant potential. Experimental groups for in vivo study were: Group Ⅰ (control) untreated, Group Ⅱ (Vehicle control), Group Ⅲ (1 mL/kg b.w 30% CCl), Group Ⅳ (1 mL/kg b.w CCl + Silymarin), Group Ⅴ (200 mg/kg b.w PCBE + CCl), Group Ⅵ (400 mg/kg b.w PCBE + CCl) and Group Ⅶ (400 mg/kg b.w PCBE alone).@*RESULTS@#In vitro antioxidant assays displayed significant results and the highest activity was not specified to a specific extract. However, ethyl acetate extract of bark (PCBE) showed highest results in most of the antioxidant assays i.e. beta-carotene bleaching, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ABTS, lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical scavenging activity. On this base, this fraction was selected for in vivo antioxidant experiment. Testis tissues were analyzed to observe the protective effects of PCBE on antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and quinone reductase activities and glutathione (GSH) as well as nitrite content. Profile of plasma testosterone was also compared to various treatments. Observation suggests a protective role of P. chinensis against CCl induced toxicity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is concluded that some bioactive antioxidants of P. chinensis bark might be a good source to isolate the potent antioxidant components.

Prevention of CCl[4] induced hypogonadism with Raphanus sativus seeds in rat

Raphanus sativus seeds are used as condiment and to treat hypogonadism, various ailments of liver and kidneys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effects of methanol extract of R. sativus seeds [RSME] against hypogonadism induced with carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Thirty six rats were divided in to six groups with six animals in each. Animals of Group I were control and treated with saline, Group II, III and IV were given orally CCl[4] [1 ml/kg bw; 10% in corn oil]. Rats of Group III and IV were also simultaneously given RSME at 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw respectively. However, Group V and VI received RSME [100; 200 mg/kg bw, respectively] alone. All treatments were given at alternate days for 15 days. Treatment of CCl[4] to rats decreased [P < 0.001] the level of CAT, POD, SOD, GST, GSH-Px and GSR antioxidant enzymes in testes of rat. Concentration of lipid peroxides [TBARS] was increased [P < 0.001] whereas concentration of GSH was decreased [P < 0.001] in testes of CCl[4] treated animals. Concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH in serum was decreased [P < 0.001] while the level of estradiol and prolactin was increased [P < 0.001] in CCl[4] treated rats. Injuries in seminiferous tubules were determined in histopathology of testes. Administration of RSME, dose dependently, markedly ameliorated the oxidative stress of CCl[4] thereby restoring the level of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione, male hormones and alterations in histopathology

Protective effect of Cucurbita pepo fruit peel against CCl[4] induced neurotoxicity in rat

Cucurbita pepo is a common vegetable used all over the world. In folk medicine it is used in gastroenteritis, hepatorenal and in brain anomalies. In the present study, protective effect of Cucurbita pepo fruit peel against CCl[4]- induced neurotoxicity in rats was investigated. In this study, 36 Sprague-Dawley female rats [190 +/- 15 g] were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Group I was given 1 ml/kg bw [body weight] of corn oil intraperotoneally [i.p]; Group II, III and IV were treated with 20% CCl[4] in corn oil [1 ml/kg bw i.p.]. However, animals of Group III and IV were also treated with CPME [methanol extract of C. pepo fruit peel] at 200 and 400 mg/kg bw respectively. Animals of Group V and VI were administered only with CPME at 200 and 400 mg/kg bw respectively. These treatments were administered 3 days a week for two weeks. Administration of CCl[4] cause acute neurotoxicity as depicted by significant depletion [P<0.05] in the activities of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, quinone reductase, while enhanced the gamma-glutamyl transferase level in brain samples. CCl[4] intoxication decreased the reduced glutathione [GSH] level whereas markedly [P<0.05] enhanced lipid peroxidation in brain samples. Co-treatment of CPME significantly [P<0.05] protected the brain tissues against CCl[4] constituted injuries by restoring activities of antioxidant enzymes and ameliorated lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent fashion. These neuroprotective effects might be due to the presence of antioxidant constituents

Protective effects of Sonchus asper [L.] against KBrO[3]-induced oxidative stress in rat testis

Sonchus asper is used traditionally in the treatment of kidney inflammation, hormonal imbalance and impotency. Sonchus asper methanolic extract [SAME] was investigated for its possible preventive effect against potassium bromate [KBrO[3]] induced oxidative damages in male rats using biochemical, molecular and histopathological markers in this study. 5 groups, each group of 6 rats were taken kept under standard conditions. Group 1 remained untreated while Group II was given 20 mg/kg KBrO[3] orally [in aqueous saline] and Group III, and IV were treated with 100; 200 mg/kg b.w., of SAME after 48 h of KBrO[3] treatment. KBrO[3] administration in rats significantly altered [P<0.01] the serum level of reproductive hormones, activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione contents [GSH], which was significantly reversed P<0.001] by co-treatment of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w., SAME. Administration of SAME in rats also significantly P<0.001] reversed the lipid peroxidation induced by KBrO[3] in rats, which could be due to the presence of some plant bioactive constituents

Prevention of CCL[4]-induced oxidative damage in adrenal gland by digera murica ta extract in rat

Digera muricata [L.] Mart, is a weed and commonly found in waste places, road sides and in maize fields during the summer season. It possesses antioxidant capacity and is locally used for various disorders such as inflammation, urination, as refrigerant, aperient and in sexual anomalies. In this study antioxidant potential of Digera muricata methanol extract [DMME] and n-hexane extract [DMHE] was evaluated against CCl[4]-induced oxidative stress in adrenal gland of Sprague-Dawley male rats. 42 rats were equally divided into 7 groups of 6 rats in each. Group I remained untreated, while Group II treated with vehicles. Group III received only CC1[4] [1 ml/kg b.w., 10% in olive oil] once a week for 16 weeks. Group IV and VI received DMME and DMHE at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. along with CC1[4]. Animals of Group V and VII administered with DMME and DMHE alone at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. once a week for 16 weeks. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased while activities of antioxidant enzymes [CAT, SOD, GST, GSR and GSH-Px] were reduced in adrenal gland samples by the administration of CC14. Glutathione [GSH] concentration was significantly decreased whereas DNA fragmentation% and AgNORs count was increased in adrenal gland by CC1[4] administration. Treatment of rat by both the extracts [DMME, DMHE] and CC1[4] increased the glutathione level and activities of antioxidant enzymes while reduced the lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation percent and AgNORs count in adrenal gland. These results indicate that Digera muricata extract is able to ameliorate oxidative stress in adrenal gland induced by CC1[4] in rat