Allium sativum garlic and its significance for the protection against lead-induced toxicity in albino rats: a chromosomal study

A total of 140 rats was grouped into 14 groups [five females and five males for each group]: Positive control group given only 0.18 mg/kg garlic extract orally; six groups treated by 20, 40, 75, 155, 350 and 550 mg/kg lead acetate ip, respectively; another six groups given the same above-mentioned doses of lead acetate simultaneously with the same dose of garlic extract and a negative control group. The dosing regimen was given daily, five successive days/week for four consecutive weeks. The results showed no significant difference between garlic-treated rats and negative control group. On the other hand, significant increases in both total structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations were observed after treatment with either lead acetate or lead acetate and garlic extract when compared with the control group. However, animals treated with garlic extract simultaneously with lead acetate showed marked reductions in both total structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations when compared with lead treated animals

Effect of azithromycin "Zithromax[R]" on the chromosomal pattern of bone marrow and liver cells in albino rats

Three groups of adult albino rats of both sexes were dosed in the following way. Group-I, distilled water-vehicle [n=8], Group-II, 45 mg/kg azithromycin [n=10]; and Group-III, 90 mg/kg azithromycin [n=10] Doses were given once daily orally for 3 successive day. The dose given for Group-II animals was equivalent to the human therapeutic dose. On day 11, all animals were sacrificed, and both the liver and bone narrow were taken for subsequent cytogenetic studies. Azithromycin induced a significant increase in the total structural as well as numerical chromosomal aberrations in both groups-II and III-when compared to the control group-I. However, there was no significant difference between group-II and group-III as regards polyploidy in the liver cells when compared with the control group-I. Furthermore, azithromycin induced a significant increase in the total structural chromosomal aberrations among females, except in the bone marrow cells of group-III animals. On the other hand, the mean percentage of the numerical chromosomal aberrations, in bone marrow cells, showed a significant increase only in females of group-II but not in group-III animals. However, in liver cells, the mean percentage of the numerical chromosomal aberrations showed a significant increase only in males of group-II but not in group-III animals. All results obtained may indicate the unfavorable influence of azithromycin on the chromosomal pattern of albino rats. Therefore, the genotoxicity of this reparation should be considered during its development as an antimicrobial agent

role of Nigella sativa [L] oil in cadmium - induced toxicity in albino rats

Four groups of adult albino rats of both sexes were dosed in the following way: Group-I, distilled water-vehicle [n=8]; Group-II, 0.3 ml Nigella oil orally [n=10]; Group-III, 3 mg/kg cadmium chloride ip [n=10] and Group-IV, 0.3 ml Nigella oil orally + 3 mg/kg cadmium chloride ip [n=10]. Doses were given once daily 5 days/week for 4 consecutive weeks. All animals were sacrificed and blood [2ml] was collected for the assessment of kidney and liver functions. Kidneys, livers and testis were taken for the histological examination. While, the bone marrow of femur bones was taken for subsequent cytogenetic studies. Cadmium treatment [Group-III] induced a significant renal, hepatic as well as testicular injury as proved by the chemical alterations in kidney and liver functions as well as the histological changes occurred in the kidney, liver and testis. Furthermore, it induced a significant increase in the total structural as well as numerical chromosomal aberrations. On the other hand, rats treated simultaneously with Nigella oil and cadmium [Group-IV] showed a significant improvement of renal, hepatic and genetic damages induced by cadmium. However, Nigella provides no satisfactory protection against the cadmium-induced testicular damage. Therefore, Nigella sativa [L.] oil effective against cadmium-induced toxicity in albino rats