protective effect of olive leaf and pomegranate peel extracts on oxidative stress and liver injury induced by oxytetracycline in albino rats

The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of olive leaf extract [OLE] and pomegranate peel extract [PPE] against oxytetracycline [OTC]-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The ethanolic extracts of olive leaf and pomegranate peel were screened for evaluating their free radical scavenging properties and total phenolic contents. They have a great antioxidant activity due to phenolic compounds. The protective role of the two examined extracts against OTC-induced alternation in blood biochemical and liver architecture was evaluated in male albino rats. OTC [200 mg/kg b.wt] was intraperitoneally [i.p.] injected for 15 days to assess the changes in biochemical parameters. OLE [80 mg / kg b.wt] or PPE [100 mg / kg b.wt] were administered by oral gavage into rats for 30 days to evaluate the potency of these extracts. The examined extracts were administered 15 days before and 15 days concomitantly with OTC. Blood samples were withdrawn at day 30 for determination of serum aminotransferases activity [ALT and AST], total protein [TP] albumin [Alb], total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], urea, creatinine, plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] and blood reduced glutathione [GSH]. At the end of the experiment, the liver samples were taken for the histopathological examination. The obtained results revealed that the i.p. injection of OTC induced a significant increase in ALT and AST activity as well as TC,TG, urea, creatinine and plasma MDA, meanwhile a significant decrease in the levels of TP, Alb and blood GSH were obtained. These biochemical changes were associated with alternations in the architecture of liver tissue. The obtained results revealed that, the sole administration of OLE or PPE displayed no change in the examined parameters. The results also revealed the improving and protective effect of the pre and co-administration of the test extracts against the undue effects of OTC

prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa L. On CCI[4]-treated rats

This study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa L. on lipid peroxidaton, antioxidant systems and liver function in carbon tetrachloridetreated rats. The rats were divided into five experimental groups: Control non-treated group, CCl[-4] intoxicated group, Nigella sativa oil+ CCl[4] group, Nigella sativa seeds + CCl[4] group and Antox + CCl[4] group. Antox was used as a reference antioxidant. All groups received CCl[4] [4 ml/Kg b.wt. in sunflower oil [1:1] Sc] as a first initial dose, then every 15 days [half dose of CCl[4]]. Nigella sativa oil [2ml/Kg b.wt./day by gavage], Nigella sativa crushed seeds [2g/100g diet] and Antox [45.22mg/Kg b.wt./day by gavage] were administered 14 days before Cd4 treatment and continued till the end of the experimental period [45 days].The CCl[4] treatment significantly increased lipid peroxide products [as measured by the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde, MDA,] erythrocyte Giutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] and liver transaminases [ALT and AST] coupled with significant decrease in whole blood Glutathione level [GSH], erythrocyte Superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn SOD] activity, total protein and albumin levels. The positive protective effect of the test plant or Antox against the deleterious effects of CCl[4] was indicated by a well marked inhibition in malondialdehyde production, regulation of the antioxidant system, decrease in liver transaminases and increase in total protein and albumin levels. The obtained data revealed that Nigella sativa crushed seeds displayed a potent antioxidant effect that super exceeds those recorded by either Antox or Nigella sativa oil

prophylactic and curative effects of Ginkgo biloba extract [EGb] against hyperlipaemia affection in albino rats

Herbal medicines are widely used allover the world. They are often perceived as being natural and therefore harmless. Many herbal remedies individually or in combination with different formulations such as leaf, powder, pastes, decoction, infusion, etc. had been recommended to treat various diseases. Many, if not most of medicinal plants contain flavonoids, such compounds has been associated with several beneficial effects such as antioxidants which consider to be a fundamental property important for life. Many of the chronic diseases that affect human have an uneven geographic distribution. Although the general perception that several diseases, specially the various types of cancer, kidney and liver diseases as well as CHD often result from an exposure to pollutants and toxic environmental such as agricultural chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or even some food additives. The high incidence of CHD is often correlated with high fat, high cholesterol and low fiber diets and also the consumption of fried foods. The environmental and genetic factors play the most critical role in the biological alteration. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic and curative effect of ginkgo biloba against hyperlipaemia as well as hepatorenal function in albino rats

Protective effect of two anti-hepato toxic agents: silymarin and alpha-tocopherol against the subcellular toxicity induced by the hypolipidemic agent etofibrate

Etofibrate, a nicotinoyl derivative of clofibrate which belongs to the family of fibric acids. Both nicotinic acid and clofibrate are known for their hypolipidemic action and are used for the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. In the present study, the effect of three concentration levels of etofibrate on four rat liver lysosomal enzymes [Acid phosphatase, beta-Galactosidase, B, N-Acetyl glucosaminidase and b-Glucuronidase] for three incubation periods [30, 60 and 120 minutes] were studied in vitro, and were then compared with their combined effects together with a single therapeutic dose of each of two anti-hepato toxic agents. Silymarin and alpha-tocopherol [vitamin E] separately on the same enzymes for the same incubation periods. The results obtained showed that the three doses of etofibrate induced a marked releasing effect on the four lysosomal enzymes irrespect of the incubation time. Meanwhile, a considerable stabilization of these enzymes was observed when each of the two single doses for alpha-tocopherol and silymarin were used separately with etofibrate at the lowest concentration level

Effect of the hypolipidemic agent gemfibrozil and its combination with two anti-hepato toxic agents silymarin and alpha-tocopherol on rat liver lysosomal enzymes in vitro

Gemfibrozil, is a potent hypolipidemic agent used for the treatment of elevated levels of plasma triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL]. In this study, the effect of three sole graded concentrations of gemfibrozil on four rat liver lysosomal acid hydrolases [Acid phosphatase, beta-Galactosidase, b.N. Acetyl glucosaminidase and beta-Glucuronidase] were studied for three incubation periods [30, 60 and 120 minutes] in vitro. The effect of the same concentration levels of gemfibrozil, each combined with a single therapeutic dose of two anti-hepatotoxic agents: silymarin and alpha-tocopherol on the same lysosomal enzymes for the same incubation periods were also investigated. The results of this study showed that gemfibrozil displayed a highly significant releasing effect on the four lysosomal enzymes regardless of the dose or the incubation time, and that such effect presists even in the presence of the two membrane protecting agents: silymarin and alpha tocopherol