Protective effects of onion oil and selenium against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats

Nephrotoxicity is an inherent of certain anticancer drugs. This study aimed to assess the protective effect of onion oil and selenium against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Cisplatin [5 mg/kg, i.p.] caused significant increases in serum sodium, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total sodium and potassium excreted in urine, urine volume and lipid peroxides measured as the malondialdehyde content of kidney, with significant decreases in serum total protein, creatinine clearance, reduced glutathione content of kidney and kidney superoxide dismutase activity as compared to the control group. On the other hand, administration of onion oil [100 mg/kg, p.o.] or selenium [1 mg/kg, p.o.] for 14 days with a single cisplatin dose on the 10[th] day ameliorated the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity as indicated by the restoration of kidney function and oxidative stress biomarkers. Onion oil and selenium showed protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Comparative study between the effects of yohimbine and sildenafil on erectile dysfunction in stressed male rats

The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases as a result of stressful conditions such as industrialized lifestyles. Both physical and psychological stress may interfere with the reproductive capacity of several species. In this work stress was induced by immersion of rats in cold water [15 minutes/day] for 14 consecutive days. The effects of yohimbine [0.2mg/Kg, i.p.] and sildenafil [20mg/Kg, i.p] on erectile dysfunction of stressed rats were assessed in comparison with control group. Furthermore the levels of testosterone, LH and FSH in blood were evaluated. Results revealed that, immersion of rats in cold water significantly increased mount, intromission, ejaculation latencies and intercopulatory interval indicating a decrease in sexual arousal and motivation, and also decreased ejaculation frequency indicating a decrease in copulatory performance and potency. In addition immersion of rats in cold water for prolonged period could decrease the copulatory activity as evidenced by mating test and decreased testosterone, LH and FSH levels. Results revealed that treatment with yohimbine or sildenafil significantly increased the sexual arousal and potency and corrected the effects induced by stress on the mating behavior of male rats. On the contrary they did not significantly alter testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH] levels

Amelioration of carbendazim-induced testicular dysfunction by vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil in rats

Carbendazim, a carbamate fungicide, is one of the most widespread environmental contaminant of major concern to human and animal reproductive health. The present study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorating effect of vitamin E and Pumpkin seed oil on carbendazim-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. Safety profile of vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil was firstly examined on normal rats and found to be safe on all the examined parameters. Adult Sprague dawley male rats were used in this study. Carbendazim [100 mg/ kg] was administered alone or combined with either vitamin E [200 mg/ kg] or pumpkin seed oil [40 mg/ kg] for 48 successive days. Carbendazim exposure significantly reduced the weights of testes, prostates and seminal vesicles. Also, serum testosterone, sperm count, motility and viability were diminished. The incidence of sperm abnormalities and testicular cholesterol content, were markedly elevated. In addition, carbendazim caused oxidative stress as observed by elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA] and lactate dehydrogense [LDH]. The antioxidant system including superoxide dismutase [-SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPX] and glutathione [GSH] were also reduced. Carbendazim also produced marked histopathological changes including degeneration of most seminiferous tubules with absence of spermatogenic series in tubular lumen in the testis. Co-administration of either vitamin E or pumpkin seed oil with carbendazim significantly ameliorated most of these deleterious effects where weights of testes, prostates and seminal vesicles were regained. They also elevated serum testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability. Furthermore, administration of vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil with carbendazim reduced the incidence of sperm abnormalities and nearly normalized the testicular cholesterol content, They also reduced the oxidative stress caused by carbendazim which was associated with normal histopathological features of the testis

Potential antihypertensive and antioxidative effects of Nigella sativa seeds or biomass and Syzygium aromaticum extracts on L-NAME- induced hypertensive rats

Plant tissue culture techniques had captured the attention of researchers in a wide range of scientific areas. The aim of the present investigation is to assess the potential antihypertensive and antioxidative effects of Nigella sativa seeds or biomass and Syzigium aromaticum buds extracts on L-NAME - induced hypertension in rats. In the present study, rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups, all groups except the normal control one were administered N[omega] -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L.NAME][50 mg/kg/day p.o] for two weeks. The treatment started after the first week of L-NAME administration; Nigella sativa seeds and biomass extracts were used in a dose of 400 mg/kg and Syzygium aromaticum extract was used in a dose of 100 mg/kg. Blood pressure [systolic, mean and diastolic] and oxidative stress biomarkers: serum LDH activity and nitric oxide level were measured. A significant increase in systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure was observed by administration of L-NAME, in addition to a significant increase in serum LDH activity and a significant decrease in serum nitric oxide level. Nigella sativa seeds or biomass and Syzigium aromaticum buds extracts normalized the increment in systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure [p<0.05]. Furthermore, all the test agents reversed the elevated serum LDH level and increased serum nitric oxide level up to three fold. It could be concluded that Nigella sativa seeds and Syzigium aromaticum might have antihypertensive effect which may be mediated through antioxidant action and that the biomass of Nigella sativa may possess an active constituent possessing antihypertensive activity similar to that of the original plant

Contribution of nitric oxide, monoaminergic and opioidergic systems to the antinociceptive effects of tramadol and clonidine in rats and mice

In this study, thermal and chemical stimuli using hot plate and acetic acid tests were used. Tramadol hydrochloride produced antinociception in both hot plate test in rats and acetic acid analysis in mouse. The antinociceptive activity of tramadol was abolished by naloxone. Administration of yohimbine also reduced antinociception produced by administration of tramadol. These results suggested that tramadol- induced antinociception might be mediated by opioid and non-opioid mechanisms. Clonidine produced dose dependent antinociception using hot plate test. It was concluded that opioid receptors, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and nitric oxide might play a role in pain transmission

Behavioural and mdocrine response to melatonin and bromazepam in normal and ovariectommized rats

The behavioral and hormonal effects of melatonin [0.3 mg/kg] and bromazepam [0.3 mg/kg] were determined in normal and ovariectomized rats. The drugs were given orally twice daily for two weeks. Behavioral study was assessed using the open field test. Prolactin [Prl.], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH] plasma levels were determined

Amelioration of brain ischemia / reperfusion injury by diazepam in rats

There is an evidence that the loss of gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] inhibition, followed by excitotoxic glutamate release is linked to ischemia/reperfusion injury of brain cells. Therefore, a GABA mimetic drug, such as diazepam, might attenuate this injury. Ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery clamping for 60 minutes, followed by 40 minutes reperfusion. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that diazepam might protect the brain cells against stroke as that occurs after ischemia, followed by reperfusion of rat brain