Possible protective effect of nigella sativa oil against piroxicam-induced gastric mucosat damage in adult male albino rats [light and scanning electron microscopic study]

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug [NSAID] Piroxicam is widely used especially in treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has many side effects; the most common of them is gastrointestinal intolerance and ulceration. The Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO] was reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To investigate the histopathological effects of piroxicam on the gastric mucosa of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of Nigella Sativa Oil [NSO]. Fourty adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups [n=10]. They received 2 ml of the following oral treatments through an orogastric tube: Group I [Control] received a single dose of saline, Group II [1450] received a single dose of NSO; 10 ml and g BW, Group III [Piroxicam] received piroxicam 20 mg/kg BW and Group IV [NSO/ piroxicam] received NSO one hour before administration of piroxicam. The gastric mucosa from the body of the stomach was processed for histological stains [H and E and PAS] and for examination with scanning electron microscope [SEM]. Piroxicam produced erosions, congestion, extravasated RBCs and inflammatory cell infiltration. It also led to increase in the gastric mucus. The SEM results revealed marked damage of the gastric mucosal surface and complete loss of the normal architecture. In NSO prior to piroxicam group, the structure of the mucosa was nearly similar to control by both light and SEM however, there was marked increase in mucus secretion. NSO can partly protect the gastric mucosa against piroxicam induced damage

Silymarin administration protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats. [histological and immunohistochemical study]

Cisplatin is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutics for cancer treatment, but its use is limited because of its nephrotoxicity Several evidences suggested that cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is partially mediated by reactive oxygen species. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether silymarin administration as an antioxidant before cisplatin could afford protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. This study was performed on 30 adult male albino rats that were divided into 5 groups. Group 1: served as control group. Animals of other groups received a single intraperitoneal [IP] injection of the following treatments: Group II received 0.1ml of normal saline+1% w/v methylcellulose, Group III received silymarin [50 mg/kg BW], Group IV: Received cisplatin [7.5 mg/kg BW] and Group V: Received silymarin 6 h before cisplatin injection. Kidneys were excised 5 days after the end of the experiment biopsies were processed for light microscopic studies. Immunohistoehemical expression of Bak protein was investigated. Renal cortex of group IV showed extensive renal tubularnecrosis, intratubular casts, desquamated renal tubular cells, cytoplasmic degeneration and mononuclear cellular infiltration. The cells of proximal convoluted tubules [PCT] were severely affected. Also, there was a decrease in the PAS +ve material at brush borders of the PCT and a positive cytoplasmic reaction of Bak protein in renal tubular cells. There were statistical significant differences regarding these changes when compared to the other groups. In group V, the renal cortex of examined animals appeared similar to control group. Silymarin pretreatment prevented the histopathological changes caused by cisplatin. Therefore, silymarin can be used as an effective protecting agent against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

protective role of alpha-Lipoic acid against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in male albino rats [a light and transmission electron microscopy study]

Doxorubicin [DOX] is an important anti-neoplastic agent. Cardiotoxicity, which mediated by free radicals, is the main side effect of it, leads to induce left ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the postulated preventive role of alpha-lipoic acid [LA] which is capable of neutralizing a wide variety of free radicals against doxorubicin [DOX]-induced cardiotoxicity. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were randomized into four groups [5 rats! group]. Group I [control] received a single intraperitoneal [IP] injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water. Group II [control LA] received a single IP injection of 3 ml of sterile distilled water and LA [100 mg/kg BW!day] orally for 7 days. Group III [Dox-injected group] received a single IP dose of Dox [1 5mg/kg BW in 3 ml of sterile distilled water]. Group IV received LA as in group II for 5 days before and 2 days after DOX injection. Animals were sacrificed 48 hours after DOX injection. Specimens from the left ventricle of the heart were processed for histological [H and E; Masson's trichrome] and ultra-structural study. Quantitative measurements [cardiomyocyte diameter and color area percentage of collagen] were done using image analyzer [Super eye-Heidi soft]. Group I and II showed no changes. Light microscopic results of group III showed damage and necrosis of cardiomycytes in addition to congestion and mononuclear cellular infiltration. The cardiomyocytic diameter and the surrounding fibrous tissue were significantly increased in this group compared to other studied groups. Ultrastructural results showed loss of cross striation and mitochondrial degeneration. These deleterious changes were significantly improved in group IV. DOX induced cardiotoxicity can be protected by using LA