Effect of Kombucha tea on rat liver histopathological alterations due to thioacetamide

Kombucha [fungal] tea is a sugar sweetened black tea obtained through a fermentation process containing symbiotic culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeasts. This study was done to determine the effect of Kombucha tea on rat liver histopathological alterations due to Thioacetamide [TAA]. In this experimental study, 20 adult male Wistar rats randomly allocated into four groups as follow: 1] control, 2] TAA group, treated with [TAA], [400 mg/kg/bw] for two weeks, 3] treated with [TAA], [400 mg/kg/bw] and then with Kombucha tea [50 mg/kg] and finally 4] preventive, treated with Kombucha tea, [50 mg/kg] and then [TAA], [400 mg/kg] for three weeks. The serum level of aminotransferase [AST], Alanine transaminase [ALT], Alkaline phosphatase [ALP], Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and total bilirubin were meseared and liver tissue samples were stained by hematoxilin and eosin. Serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and total bilirubin significantly increased in TAA group compare to control group [P<0.05]. Serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and total bilirubin significantly reduced in treated and protective groups in comparision with TAA group [P<0.05]. Mitosis and apptosis increased in TAA group. These liver histopathological alterations reduced in terated and protective groups. Kombucha tea contains theraputic and protective effects on enzyms and liver histophatological damage due to Thioacetamide in rat

[Effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l on inflammation markers level in hypercholesterolemic rabbits]

Elevated levels of inflammation markers including white blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP are associated with prognosis in patients with coronary artery diseases. This study was done to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l on Inflammation markers level in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits. In this experimental study, 20 male Rabbits were allocated into four groups of five each: Group I Normal diet[75 days]; Group II Hypercholesterolemic diet [75 days]; Group III and IV Hypercholesterolemic diet [45 days] followed by Normal diet and Normal diet with hydroalcoholic extracts Amaranthus caudatus l., respectively for an additional 30 days[Regression period]. Blood samples were collected from rabbits before and after 45 days and 75 days of respective diet regimen. The level of White Blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP were measured. Data analyzed by using SPSS-13 and one-way ANOVA test. CRP in treatment group reduced from 8.14 +/- 4.5 mg/l to 17.8 +/- 4.6 mg/l in hypercholesterolemic animals [group II] [P<0.05]. WBC count was 20820 +/- 8692 and 42366 +/- 17048 in treatment and hypercholesterolemic animals, respectively [P<0.05]. Platelet and fibrinogen concentration was reduced in treatment group 502600 +/- 35725 and 208 +/- 24 mg/dl, respectively in comparison with hypercholesterolemic animals 638000 +/- 59774 and 299 +/- 46 mg/dl, respectively. These differences were significant [P<0.05]. This study showed that hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l reduces inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

[Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of carthamus tinctorius on activity of hepatic transaminases in alloxan-induced diabetic rats]

Safflower [Carthamus tinctorius L.] flowers, mostly used for coloring and flavoring food, are attributed with anti-rheumatic and anti-diabetic effects in traditional medicine. The purpose of this research was to experimentally assess the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius on the level of AST and ALT in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, 18 male Wistar rats, of body wt. 180-220 g were randomly allocated into three groups with six rats per group: first group, non-diabetic rats; second group, diabetic rats; third group, diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius [200 mgkg [-1] BW, i.p.]. Rats were fasted for 16h and then fasting blood samples were collected in heparinated tubes. Sampling was performed from the orbital sinus. ANOVA was used for data analysis. Our results indicated a significant difference in AST and ALT levels in the diabetic group compared with the other groups [P<0.05]. Histomorphological studies of the liver of these animals, demonstrated the same results. Hydroalcoholic extract of Carthamus tinctorius can inhibit liver failure-induced by diabetes and is suggested as an antidiabetic drug. Further biochemical and pharmacological investigations should be performed to elucidate its mechanism of action in detail

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Hypericum perforatum and Amaranthus caudatus on rabbits with hypercholesterolemia]

Atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of death throughout the world. In this study, anti-atherosclerotic effect of combination extracts of Hypericum and Amaranth on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin. Twenty adult male Newzeland rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: basic diet, high cholesterol, high cholesterol along with combination Hypericum and Amaranth [HA] extract [75 mg/kg] and high cholesterol along with lovastatin [10 mg/kg]. Blood samples were taken at the beginning, one month later and at the end of the study in order to measure their serum factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Danken tests. The extract and lovastatin decreased the levels malondialdehyde [MDA] and apolipoprotein B [apoB], apoB/apoA and increased the levels apolipoprotein A [apoA] in rabbits compared to high cholesterol group [P<0.05]. The extract by decreasing cardiovascular risk factors especially apoB that is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, prevent progression of atherosclerosis. The extract is more effective in decreasing the level of cardiovascular risk factors than Lovastatin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits