Neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone, the nigella sativa bioactive compound, in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced hemi-parkinsonian rat model

Parkinson disease [PD] is the most common movement disorder with progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons for which current treatments afford symptomatic relief with no-prevention of disease progression. Due to the neuroprotective property of the Nigella sativa bioactive compound thymoquinone [TQ], this study was undertaken to evaluate whether TQ could improve behavioral and cellular abnormalities and markers of oxidative stress in an experimental model of early PD in rat. Unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine [6-OHDA]-lesioned rats were daily pretreated p.o. with TQ at doses of 5 and/or 10 mg/Kg three times at an interval of 24 h. After 1 week, apomorphine caused contralateral rotations, a reduction in the number of neurons on the left side of the substantia nigra pars compacta [SNC] was observed, malondialdehyde [MDA] and nitrite level in midbrain homogenate increased and activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD] reduced in the 6-OHDA lesion group. TQ pretreatment significantly improved turning behavior, prevented loss of SNC neurons,and lowered level of MDA. These results suggest that TQ could afford neuroprotection against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity that is partly due to the attenuation of lipid peroxidation and this may provide benefits, along with other therapies, in neurodegenerative disorders including PD

Mycotic keratitis, a study on etiologic agents, predisposing factors and the result of treatment among 44 patients

Mycotic Keratitis is a suppurative, usually ulcerative, and sight threatening infection of cornea that sometimes leads to loss of vision. The peak of incidence is observed in the tropical and subtropical regions. To investigate the etiological agent, predisposing factors and treatment follow up of mycotic keratitis; this study was undertaken over a period of 2 years in Mashhad. In this prospective, cross sectional study, among 466 individuals suffering from keratitis,65 patients, highly suspected to mycotic keratitis were examined by direct fresh smear [KOH 10%] and culture in Mycology Media. The results were analyzed by SPSS method. Among 65 clinically suspected individuals, the results of direct smear and culture of 44 patients were positive, of patients, 21 were male [47.1%] and 24 were female [52.3%]. The patients were between 8 to 84 years old. More than 40% of them were farmers. Trauma was the most common predisposing factor in more than 47% of cases due to vegetable materials. Molds and Yeasts were isolated from 86.4% and 13.6% of the samples respectively. Fusarium spp. were the most frequent isolates [44.4%].Others included Aspergillus spp. [21.8%], Acremonium spp. [8.3%], Penicillium spp. [5.6%] and Candida albicam [13.9%]. Tearing and redness were the most common symptoms observed [93.2%]. Amphotricin B was used in patients with Aspergillus and Candida Keratitis., but for Fusarium and other molds keratitis, Natamycin was used for 6 to 12 weeks. In one patient with Fusarium Keratitis, medical therapy was failed and therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Six months follow up showed that prognosis was good in all of the patients. In relation to the last decade, the incidence of Mycotic Keratitis is increased in Mashhad. Keratitis due to the molds is more prevalent than yeast keratitis. Entrance of foreign body [Plant particles] is the most common predisposing factor. However, it needs long term therapy but the prognosis is good

effect of MS14 on body weight, spleen index and structures of kidney, liver, spleen, lung, lymph node and bone marrow histology in Balb/c mice

MS 14 is an Herbal-marine preparation that has been used in experimental studies for the management of Multiple sclerosis, [MS]. In this study the effect of MS 14 on body weight, spleen index and the histological picture of various organs was evaluated. Female Balb/C mice of 6-8 weeks age were divided into control and test groups. MS 14 was orally administrated at a dose of 100 mg/kg for five days to the experimental group and normal saline given to the control group. After euthanasia on day six, the body weight was measured, spleen index was calculated and representative pieces of tissues including kidney, liver, spleen, lung, lymph node and bone marrow were collected in 10% formalin solution and processed through a standard paraffin embedding method. Sections of 5 micrometer thickness were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. MS 14 at 100 mg/kg did not affect body weight and spleen index, but in the test group, at least 50% of spleen and 90% of lymph node micro sections showed lymphoid hyperplasia: no reactive changes were observed in controls. In both groups, histological evaluation of kidney, liver, spleen, lung, lymph node and bone marrow micro sections showed no significant histological alterations in the normal architecture. According to result of this study, it seems that although MS 14 has no effect on body weight and spleen index, it may induce hyperplastic changes in spleen and lymph nodes, thus signaling activation of the immune system