Effects of Cinnamomum cassia extract on oxidative stress, immunreactivity of iNOS and impaired thoracic aortic reactivity induced by type II diabetes in rats

Type II diabetes is known to cause neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. However, cardiovascular disorders associated with diabetes have been ignored. In traditional medicine, cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) bark has been used for its abilities to relieve fever, inflammation and chronic bronchitis. In the present study, the effect of Cinnamomum cassia extract (CN) on the thoracic aorta in an experimental type II diabetes model was investigated. In rats administered with nicotinamide + streptozotocin, significant endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress were characterised by increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and decreased insulin/proinsulin levels. This impairment was prevented by administering 1000 mg/kg metformin or 500-1000-1500 mg/kg CN. CN administration attenuated the inflammatory response by decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO) and increasing Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH). In addition, CN administration was shown to cause down-regulating effects on iNOS in thoracic aorta. These findings reveal that CN could prevent chronic complications of experimentally induced type II diabetes by attenuating inflammation, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and normalised contraction and relaxion responses in the thoracic aorta.

The protective effect of rutin and quercetin on 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of quercetin (Q) and rutin on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods The control group was corn oil. The 5-FU group rats were corn oil and injected intraperitoneal 5-FU 50 mg/kg. Groups rutin 50 + 5-FU and rutin 100 + 5-FU were respectively 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg rutin. These groups were given 5-FU (50 mg/kg) in the 18th day. The group rutin 100 was rutin (100 mg/kg i.g.). Groups Q50 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU were respectively 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg quercetin. These groups were given 5-FU (50 mg/kg) in the 18th day of quercetin application. The group Q100 was quercetin (100 mg/kg i.g.). In the end of experimental applications, blood was collected from anesthetized rats. Results The MDA level was significantly higher in the 5-FU group compared with control group, and determined to be decreased in other groups. GPx and GSH levels were significantly decreased in the 5-FU group compared to the control, rutin 100 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU groups. AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels in the serum were significantly increased in the 5-FU group compared with the other groups. The results from this analysis show that while the caspase-3 level increases in the 5-FU group, it decreases in the Q50 + 5-FU, Q100 + 5-FU, rutin 50 + 5-FU and rutin 100 + 5-FU groups. Bcl-2 level decreased in the 5-FU group compared to the control group, but increased in the rutin 100 + 5-FU, Q50 + 5-FU and Q100 + 5-FU groups. Conclusions In this study it was determined that the rutin and Q have protective effects on 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity.