Prevention of renal dysfunction by nutraceuticals prepared from oil rich plant foods

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of extracts prepared from avocado, walnut, flaxseed and Eruca sativa seeds in a rat model of kidney dysfunction induced by intraperitoneal cisplatin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts mixture was prepared from each plant. Six groups of rats were conducted; control healthy, cisplatin group and four test groups where rats were given daily oral dose of each extract mixture before cisplatin injection. Different biochemical and cytogenetic parameters and kidney histopathology were determined. Acute toxicity was tested for the nutraceuticals. Total phenolic contents, fatty acids (FA) and unsaponifiable matter were assessed in the extracts.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Walnut ethanol extract showed the highest content of total phenolic. FA analysis revealed that all the studied plants were rich in unsaturated FA. Gas-liquid chromatographic investigation of the unsaponifiable matter showed the presence of campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in all the studied plants. Cisplatin treatment induced significant increase in plasma urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde along with significant reduction of plasma albumin, total protein, catalase and total antioxidant as well as reduction in creatinine clearance. Histopathological examination proved the induction of kidney dysfunction. Some sorts of chromosomal aberration and sperm-shape abnormalities were noticed after cisplatin treatment. Administration of extracts mixtures produced improvements in biochemical, histopathological and cytogenetic parameters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Administration of the studied nutraceuticals proved to possess protective role against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, chromosomal aberration and abnormal sperms. All studied nutraceuticals showed complete safety.</p>

Prevention of renal dysfunction by nutraceuticals prepared from oil rich plant foods

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of extracts prepared from avocado, walnut, flaxseed and Eruca sativa seeds in a rat model of kidney dysfunction induced by intraperitoneal cisplatin. Methods: Ethanol and petroleum ether extracts mixture was prepared from each plant. Six groups of rats were conducted; control healthy, cisplatin group and four test groups where rats were given daily oral dose of each extract mixture before cisplatin injection. Different biochemical and cytogenetic parameters and kidney histopathology were determined. Acute toxicity was tested for the nutraceuticals. Total phenolic contents, fatty acids (FA) and unsaponifiable matter were assessed in the extracts. Results: Walnut ethanol extract showed the highest content of total phenolic. FA analysis revealed that all the studied plants were rich in unsaturated FA. Gas-liquid chromatographic investigation of the unsaponifiable matter showed the presence of campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in all the studied plants. Cisplatin treatment induced significant increase in plasma urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde along with significant reduction of plasma albumin, total protein, catalase and total antioxidant as well as reduction in creatinine clearance. Histopathological examination proved the induction of kidney dysfunction. Some sorts of chromosomal aberration and sperm-shape abnormalities were noticed after cisplatin treatment. Administration of extracts mixtures produced improvements in biochemical, histopathological and cytogenetic parameters. Conclusions: Administration of the studied nutraceuticals proved to possess protective role against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, chromosomal aberration and abnormal sperms. All studied nutraceuticals showed complete safety.

Phytochemical and biological studies of butea frondosa roxb. Leaves growing in Egypt

This study aimed to the discovery of new biologically active natural products with hormonelike activity from Butea frondosa Roxb., Family Leguminosae growing in Egypt. The investigation of estrogenlike activity showed that both the successive non-polar and methanolic extracts showed a significant estrogen-like activity in immature female rats. GLC analysis the non-polar bioactive revealed the presence of eicosane [22.5%] and beta -amyrin [20.5%] as the major components in the unsaponifiable matter, while palmitic [24.9%] and linoleic [36.8%] acids were the main saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The successive bioactive methanolic extract was subjected to chromatographic separation to yield five flavonoids identified as vicenin II, vitexin, chrysoeriol 7-o- beta -D-glucuronic acid, 6,8-di-C-rhamnosyl apigenin and luteolin

Phytochemical study and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of some medicinal plants growing in Egypt

The anti-inflammatory activity of different extracts of five plants abundantly growing in Egypt, namely Ipomoea palmate Forsk. [Convolvulaceae], Alstonia scholaris R.Br. [Apocynaceae], Salix subserrata Willd., Salix tetrasperma Roxb, and Populus nigra Linn. [Salicaceae] has been studied. Phytochemical study on selected bioactive extracts was carried out as well as their possible mechanism of action. The results revealed a significant anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts under investigation to different degrees. A chromatographic study of the bioactive lipoidal extracts of A. scholaris and I. palmate was carried out and the results revealed the presence of unsaturated fatty acids [linoleic and linoleic]. Beta-sitosterol and campesterol were present in A. scholaris and I. palmate, respectively. Chromatographic and spectral investigation of the flavonoids in the bioactive aqueous extract of I. palmate revealed the presence of luteolin, quercetin 7-glycosie and apigenin. The anti-inflammatory activity may be due to the presence of these phytochemical constituents

Impact of intake of plant foods iron on the recovery from iron deficiency in rats

In the present research, two iron concentrates prepared from fruit and vegetable juices in addition to other plant foods products expected to be rich in iron and nutrients that enhance iron absorption have been chemically and biologically evaluated, Iron and Zn and other mineral and phytochemicals that have been claimed to reduce iron absorption [Ca, polyphenols and lannins] and micronutrients that reported to enhance iron absorption [Vitamin C, toccopherols and carotenoids] have been determined. The efficiency and safety of iron concentrates were evaluated in iron deficiency model of rats. The iron concentrates have been shown to contain variable levels of Fe, Zn, Ca, polyphenols. tannins, vitamin C, toccopherols and carotenoids. The sum of promoters and inhibitors in mixture 1 was higher than that in mixture 2. The two iron concentrates showed improvements of iron status, however mixture 2 [3.5 strawberry: 3.5 pomegranate: 1 blackstrap: 0.5 carrot: 0.5 pumpkin: 1 orange in, addition to 10% lettuce juice] was more efficient than mixture l [4.7 .strawberry 2.7 beetroot: L3carrot: 1.7 guava in addition of 1.3%wheat germ oil and 3.3%lettuce juice]. Iron deficiency anemia induced oxidative stress which was reduced on supplementation of the iron concentrates. Both iron concentrates .showed safety concerning liver and kidney functions

Preparation and evaluation of two special foods in rats with liver cirrhosis

Two special diets for liver cirrhosis have been formulated [I and II], prepared in bakery form and evaluated in liver cirrhotic rats. Both diets contain protein of high Fisher ratio and oil rich in medium chain triglycerides. Proximate analysis of both formulas and their contents of amino acids and fatty acids were assessed. Special diets were evaluated in cirrhotic rats. Liver cirrhosis was induced in rats by intra-peritoneal injection of CCL[4] [at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg rat body weight/day for 3 consecutive days per week] for 10 weeks. Proximate analysis showed that% fat, protein and carbohydrates in formula I was 29.48, 19.3 and 35.2 and in formula II was 28.73, 19.1 and 38.1. Amino acids profile revealed that branched chain amino acids [BCAA] were 126.2 and 120 mg/g protein in formula I and II respectively. The Fisher ratio of formula I and II was 1.912 and 1.632 respectively. GLC analysis of fatty acids showed that the contents of medium chain fatty acids were 42 and 55.2% of total fatty acids in formula I and II respectively. Feeding cirrhotic rats on either of the special formula showed improved liver function reflected by significant reduction of the activity of transaminases [ALT and AST] and total bilirubin and the significant increase in total protein and albumin in plasma. There was also significant decrease in plasma level of malondialdehyde [MDA] indicating reduction in oxidative stress compared to control cirrhotic rats. Both formulas produced increase in body weight gain compared to control cirrhotic rats. In conclusion, both special formulas in the present study improved liver function and reduced oxidative stress in cirrhotic rats reflecting their potential beneficial use in patients with liver cirrhosis

Rehabilitation diet using local food resources for elderly

Dietary factors other than the traditional nutrients are found in the so-called functional foods. They are becoming increasingly recognized as potentially important for maintaining good health for older. The aim of this work was to prepare and evaluate rehabilitation diet for elder by using functional ingredients [whey protein, skimmed milk, soy bean, germinated wheat, yeast, carrot and corn starch] which are locally available, inexpensive and can be easily prepared. The assessment was accomplished by feeding and comparing two groups of albino rats, one group fed with new product and the other group with the local market diet [Ensure] that is manufactured in Holland by Abbott laboratories. Protein content of the new diet was 15.2%. This percent equal to 24.1% for the daily requirement of men and 30.3% of women. Calcium provides 33.9% of the RDA for both sexes. Vitamin A and C covered the daily requirement while vitamin E was below. The fat in this new product was vegetable oil and therefore it has a more convenient fatty acid profile. The sulfur amino acids were first limited. Furthermore, the effect of the new product on food intake and body weight gain of albino rats and its effects on plasma lipids, vitamins and minerals of rats were investigated and compared these results with local market powder called [Ensure] which was used as control. The level of plasma zinc, iron and calcium were significantly increased. Plasma level of vitamin A, E and C showed non-significant increased when compared with the initial level of the experiment. Plasma lipid profile showed significant decrease in total cholesterol level at the end of the experiment. The rehabilitation new diet provide to be comparable to [Ensure] diet, meeting the requirements of the elderly people, besides being made from the local food ingredients

Biochemical, nutritional and pharmacological evaluation of the antiarthritic activity of some Egyptian plants

The antiarthritic activity of some bioactive extracts of fenugreek seeds and Liquorice roots and the whole coriander fruit powder were tested in rats in which adjuvant arthitis was induced in comparison with two synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs. The results of the tested natural agents showed a significant inhibition of the inflammed regions with different degrees. The highest inhibition was due to the petroleum ether extract of fenugreek [67%] followed by the aqueous methanolic extract of liquorice [65%]. Biochemically administration of the natural agents or reference drugs to arthritic rats produced pronounced improvement of the level of certain biochemical parameters reflecting the arthritic state in rate; such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum seromucoids, copper, fibrinogen, albumin and albumin: globulin ratio. Nutritionally arthritic rats lost weight significantly if compared with control normal ones. Administration of urbason retard to arthritic rats produced a significant reduction in body weight and food efficiency ratio if compared to control arthritic, while aqueous methanolic extract of fenugreek produced a significant increase in body weight. No significant changes in total food intake were noticed among the different groups receiving the tested agents