[Investigation of Securigera Securidaca seeds extract and different fractions on serum glucose, blood factors and liver morphology in diabetic animals]

Introduction: Securigera securidaca seed is used as a hypoglycemic agent in Iranian folk medicine. In this study, potential effect of oral administration of whole seed extract its fractions were investigated on Streptozosin diabetic mice and rats [200 mg/kg, ip]. Materials and Methods: In acute study, diabetic mice were received different doses of whole seed extract, its fractions including chloroform, methanol, or mixture of chloroform and methanol, along with glibenclamide [10 mg/kg] and normal saline, by gavage. Blood glucose levels were assessed at baseline and again during 1, 2 and 4 h after gavage. Diabetic rats were received a mixture of chloroform and methanol fraction [30:70] in a dose 500 mg/kg, along with regular and NPH Insulin [30:70], glibenclamide and normal saline, by gavage, two times a day for two weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured at baseline and again after one and two weeks. Blood biochemical measures and liver histology examination were done after two weeks. Results: Acute study showed that chloroform fraction reduced blood glucose level after 1 h wherease methanol fraction and mixture of fractions decreased blood glucose levels toward a normal range, after 4 h. In sub-acute study, no significant change was not observed in blood glucose and biochemical parameters, after administration of fractions. Compared to rats received mixture of fractions, liver cells destruction was lower in groups receiving insulin and glibenclamide. Conclusion: Acute dose of S. securidaca seed could reduce blood glucose by similar mechanism as insulin

Protective effect of pretreatment with thymoquinone against aflatoxin B1 induced liver toxicity in mice

Thymoquinone [TQ] is one of the active components of Nigella sativa. The plant has been used in herbal medicine for treatment of many diseases including liver complications. The present study aimed to investigate protective effects of TQ on Aflatoxin B1 [AFB1] induced liver toxicity in mice. Animals were divided into six groups and treated intraperitoneally. Group 1 [blank] served as vehicle, group 2 [positive control] received AFB1, Group 3 was treated with 9 mg/kg of TQ, Groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 4.5, 9 and 18 mg/kg of TQ, respectively. After three consecutive days, except for groups 1 and 3, animals were administered with a single dose of AFB1 [2 mg/kg]. All the animals were killed 24 hrs following the AFB1 administration under ether anesthesia. Biochemical parameters including AST, ALT and ALP in serum samples and glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] contents in liver homogenates were determined. Liver sections were collected for histopathological examination. Findings of this study showed that AST, ALT, ALP and MDA levels were significantly lower in the TQ treated animals as compared to AFB1 group [group 2]. Furthermore, TQ was able to recover glutathione content [GSH] of liver tissue. The best response, however, was observed with the dose of 9 mg/kg. Liver sections of AFB1 intoxicated mice showed inflammation, necrosis, hyperplasia of kupffer and infiltration of mononuclear cells, dilation of sinusoids and disruption of hepatocytes, while treatment with TQ helped to normalize liver architecture in accordance to biochemical findings. Taken collectively, TQ has a protective role with optimum dose of 9 mg/kg in AFB1 hepatotoxicity