Mangifera indica leaves extract modulates serum leptin, asymmetric dimethylarginine and endothelin-1 levels in experimental diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is relatively common throughout the world. The present study was carried out in an attempt to investigate the possible antidiabetic activity of Mangifera indica [mango] leaves extract in streptozotocin [STZ]-diabetic rats. In addition, the effect of extract on diabetes complications as cardio, vascular and.endothelial dysfunction was also studied. 30 male adult albino rats were divided to three groups [10 rats each] and were studied as following scheme for 42 days, group [1] normal control, group [2] diabetic control rats were given distilled water daily by gastric incubation, and group [3] diabetic rats were treated orally with Mangifera indica leaves aqueous extract. Blood samples were collected at 21[st] and 42[nd] day for different biochemical parameters estimations. The Mangifera indica extract administration to diabetic rats significantly decreased the level of blood glucose, leptin, asymmetric dimethylarginine and endothelin-1 as well as lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. The levels of insulin, C-peptide and nitric oxide were significantly increased. Further, the extract showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity. These findings demonstrated that Mangifera indica leaves extract possess antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties thus suggesting its beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetes mellitus associated with hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular complications

effects of dietary Egyptian propolis and bee pollen supplementation against toxicity of sodium fluoride in rats

Propolis and bee pollen are substances produced by honey bees. Its components are strong antioxidants and free radical scavengers. The present study aimed to study the protective effects of propolis and bee pollen supplementation against toxicity of sodium fluoride [F] in rats. Rats were divided into six groups each 10 rats and treated for 6 weeks: group 1 as control group; group 2 fed on standard diet with F; groups [3-6] fed on standard diet with F and supplemented with different concentration of propolis or bee pollen at 0.1%, 0.2% and 1%, 2% respectively. After the end of experimental period, the rats were sacrified and biochemical analyses were carried out. The results showed that the administration of fluoride alone caused a significant increase of malondialdehyde [MDA] level and a significant decrease of antioxidant system as measured by erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity and reduced glutathione [GSH] levels in blood and brain. Also F caused a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium levels.Moreover, a significant decrease in total protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels as compared to control group [P < 0.05] was recorded. The administration of propolis or bee pollen with F led to a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in SOD activity, GSH levels in blood and brain.As well as significant decrease in ALP activity, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium levels in serum was also observed. The propolis or bee pollen supplementation enhanced total protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels in serum as compared to F group alone. supplementation of natural antioxidants [propolis or beepollen] during Fluoride administration, facilitates reduction of the toxic effects and enhanced both the antioxidant system, as well as the levels of minerals in the serum

Biochemical and biological studies on the interaction of some food colorants and preservatives

This study aims to investigate the effect of some food colorants and preservatives on Sprague-Dawley albino rats. The study was conducted on six equal groups fed on either basal control diet [group 1] or experimental diets [groups 2-6] as following: groups 2, 3 and 4 received a standard diet containing beta-carotene, tartrazine or benzoic acid, respectively at a dose of 200 mg/kg diet, while groups Sand 6 received a standard diet containing benzoic acid [200mg/ kg diet] incorporated with beta-carotene or tartrazine [200mg/ kg diet], respectively. Animals were fed ad libitum for 45 days. Body weight, food intake, feed efficiency and some biochemical analyses were measured, also histopathological examination of liver was performed. Our results showed a significant increase in blood urea, serum creatinine, ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin in all groups except that received beta-carotene. Liver glycogen showed a significant decrease in rats fed on tartrazine alone or in combination with beuzoic acid. The histopathological results showed no significant toxic effects of beta-carotene alone while when combined with benzoic acid, moderate congestion and necrotic degeneration occurred. Tartrazine also induced slight mononuclear infiltration and benzoic alone showed marked vaculation, while in combination showed marked congestion, vascular infiltration and vaculation. In conclusion, the present study showed that even the permitted doses of colorants [e.g. beta-carotene and tartrazine] and food preservatives [e.g. benzoic acid] when taken together or if taken in excessive quantity may be harmful

protective effect of soybean and thyme on iron deficiency anemia in rats

The present study is carried out to investigate the protective effect and antioxidant activity of soybean and thyme on iron deficiency anemia. Thirty five male albino rats were divided into five groups [rats each]. The first group fed on basal diet, iron sufficient [35 mg Fe / kg], and served as control. Rats of other groups [second - fifth] were induced anemic by placing them on diet containing 3mg Fe / kg for 21 days, then divided to four dietary groups. The second group [anemic] stayed on basal diet with Fe-deficiency. The third group fed on basal diet with sufficient iron in the form of ferrous sulphate. The fourth group fed modified basal diet free from iron and supplemented with soybean. The fifth group fed basal diet free from iron and supplemented with thyme. All three iron sources provide 35 mg iron/kg diet. At the end of experiment [49 days], rats were anesthetized,' whole blood was used for determination of hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [HCt] and reduced glutathione [GSH] levels. Serum was used for determination of iron and lipid profile as well as lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde [MDA]. The liver was used for determination of iron and copper concentrations. The present results indicated that Fe-deficiency caused many adverse effects reflected the significant decrease of Hb, HCt, serum iron, liver iron, GSH and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]. Fe-deficiency also caused significant increase in total iron binding capacity [TIBC], liver copper, MDA, triacylglycerols [TG] and total cholesterol [TC]. In contrary, administration of ferrous sulphate [FeSO[4]], soybean or thyme induced a significant increase of serum and liver iron profile. Soybean and thyme could able to provide iron to correct dietary iron-deficiency anemia and powerful antioxidant effect of soybean or thyme was reflected on marked decrease of MDA and increase of GSH and HDL-C

Protective effect of vitamin C and beta-carotene against nickel-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of nickel sulphate [25 mg/kg diet] and to evaluate the protective effect of vitamin C and beta-carotene [200mg/kg diet] on the liver of male albino rats. Serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities, lipids peroxidation as malondialdehyde [MDA] and hemoglobin concentration [Hb] were determined. The results showed that nickel sulphate administration for eight weeks induced highly significant [P<0.01] increase of ALT, AST activities and MDA level, highly significant decrease in the activity of SOD and significant [P<0.05] decrease in Hb concentration in rats. The supplementation of vitamin C simultaneously with nickel sulphate showed insignificant reduction in ALT and AST activities, highly significant increase in SOD activity and significant decrease in MDA level, while supplementation of [Beta-carotene with nickel sulphate induced a significant reduction in ALT, AST activities and MDA level with highly significant increase in SOD activity as compared with nickel sulphate treated rats. Supplementation of vitamin C or beta-carotene induced an insignificant increase in Hb concentration in rats comparing with nickel sulphate treated group