Bone marrow and adipose mesenchymal stem cells modulates methotrexate induced splenotoxicity in male wistar rats

To elucidate the mechanism[s] of splenic toxicity of methotrexate [MTX] and the possible protective effect of bone-marrow-derived MSCs [BM-MSCs] and adipose-derived MSCs [AD-MSCs], male Sprague-Dawley rats were given MTX orally in a dose 14 mg/kg, as a single dose/week for 2 consecutive weeks, control rats received the vehicle only, while groups 3 and 4 were intraperitoneal injected with 2 x 10[6] cells in 500 micro L phosphate buffer saline [PBS]/rat of BM-MSCs and AD-MSCs, respectively, 2 weeks after the last dose of MTX. The last group was treated with Dex [0.5 mg/kg, p.o] for 7 days starting after the last dose of MTX. Methotrexate administration showed a significant increase in spleen lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide [NO] accompanied with a significant decrease in reduced glutathione [GSH]. Microscopically, MTX induced degenerative changes in spleen tissue manifested by lymphocytic necrosis and apoptosis also MTX enhanced the splenic caspase-3 and nuclear factor-kappa B expression. The present study discloses that pretreatment with BM-MSCs or AD-MSCs protected the spleen against the oxidative stress and their splenoprotection is also linked to their anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties

possible effect of ginger against Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis in male rats

Ginger, a herbal product with broad anti inflammatory actions, is used as an alternative medicine in a number of inflammatory conditions. Confirmation of this contribution was sought in this study in Sprague-Dawley rats [140 +/- 30 g] treated with a single injection [0.1 ml of 0.5mg/ml of a commercial preparation of Freund's complete Adjuvant [FCA] to induce mono-arthritis in intra-planters in right hind paw. Before induction of arthritis by one week, each rat [in the prophylactic group] received a daily oral dose of ginger tea with a dose of 500mg/Kg, and after induction of arthritis by two days, each rat [in the treatment group] received a daily oral dose of ginger tea with a dose of 500mg/Kg. This confirmation was done by evaluating RBCs count, WBCs count, platelets count, hemoglobin content, hematocrit%, albumin level, alkaline phosphatase concentration, reduced glutathione concentration [GSH], plasma malondialdehyde concentration [MDA], superoxide dismutase concentration [SOD], body weight change, paw thickness, serum level of immunoglobulin G and Histopathological study of the soft tissue and the hard bony tissue. Within 2 days of FCA injection, the control group produced maximum edematous swelling of the paw that was sustained nearly up to the end of the investigation period. But, ginger, both in prophylactic and treated groups, significantly lower magnitudes of unsustained swelling of the paw during the investigation period. Also in ginger prophylactic and treated groups significant increase in body weight compared to arthritic group. Here, ginger prophylactic and treated groups showed remarkable improvement in the haematolgical parameters compared to arthritic group. There was significant increase in albumin level, significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase concentration, significant increase in reduced glutathione concentration, superoxide dismutase concentration and significant decrease in plasma malondialdehyde concentration in ginger prophylactic and treated groups compared to arthritic group. Histological results showed moderate improvement, against arthritic effect of FCA, either as treatment or as prophylactic. From these results, it is concluded that ginger can protect and reduce the inflammatory and oxidative responses produced in a FCA mono-arthritic model of rats

study of the antibacterial effects of siwak

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity of siwak chewing sticks [Salvadora persica] aqueous extracts at various concentrations both in vivo and in vitro. The study was conducted clinically using volunteers saliva and measuring the effect of miswak extract on bacterial viable count in the oral cavity. Eight subjects aged 25-50 years were included in the study. For the study, miswak extract [1 gm/dl] was used as a mouth wash. Bacterial viable count in saliva was determined in each volunteer before and one hour after the use of miswak extract. In vitro study using extracts of different concentrations of Salvadora persica in agar dilution test against both Gram positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes] and Gram negative bacteria [Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa]. Experimental design to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Salvadora persica extract in skin infection. Twenty four male mice weighing 20-25 gm/animal were divided in three equal groups. Animals of the first group were injected subcutaneous [SC] with 10 micro l of nutrient broth/each. Animals of second group were injected [SC] with 10 micro l of 24 hours growth of Staphylococcus aureus in nutrient broth/each. Animals of the third group were treated as second group, then treated with Salvadora persica extract locally. Skin scoring was determined 48 hours after test. The shaved area was cut and preserved in formalin for histological study. Miswak chewing stick [Salvadora persica] extract significantly reduced the bacterial count in volunteer's oral cavity. The bacterial viable count before test was 4.36x10[7] +/- 1 18 CFU/ml. The count was 2.l9x107 +/- 0.21 CFU/ml one hour after test. The in vitro agar dilution test using Salvadora persica aqueous extract proved to have antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This effect was directly proportional with the concentration of the extract. The skin scoring was 4.57 +/- 0.92 in bacterial infected animals, the scoring was 1.67 +/- 0.53 in bacterial infected-Salvadora persica aqueous extract treated animals. It may be concluded that miswak has an immediate antimicrobial effect. Salvadora persica aqueous extract exhibited significant activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This effect was excellent against bacterial skin infection