Echinops Asteraceae extract guards against malathion-induced liver damage via minimizing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Malathion (MAL) is one of the highly toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds that induces hepatotoxicity. Echinops. ritro leaves extract (ERLE) is traditionally used in the treatment of bacterial/fungal infections. This study's goal was to investigate the potential of extracts from ERLE against hepatotoxicity induced by MAL in male albino rats. Four equal groups of forty mature male albino rats were created: The rats in the first group used as a control. The second group of rats received ERLE orally. The third group received MAL. ERLE and MAL were administered to the fourth group of rats. Six-week treatment groups were conducted. Using lipid peroxidation indicators [malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], oxidative stress markers [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], apoptotic markers [Bcl-2 & caspase-3] and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Rats treated with MAL underwent a significant increase on MDA, ALT, AST, caspase-3 and TNF-α marker with a significant decrease in antioxidant markers [CAT, SOD, GPx] and Bcl-2. Histologically, MAL-treated group's liver sections displayed damaged hepatocytes with collapsed portions, pyknotic nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm, and congested central veins. Ultra structurally, rat livers treated with MAL showed dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae, nuclei with disrupted chromatin content, multiple lysosomes, multiple vacuolations and a disrupted blood sinusoid. With rats treated with ERLE, these alterations were essentially non-existent. It is possible to conclude that ERLE protects against MAL hepatotoxicity, and that this protection is related, at least in part, to its antioxidant activities.

Protective efficacy of luteolin against aflatoxinB1-induced toxicity, oxidative damage, and apoptosis in the rat liver.

One particularly harmful mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), usually triggers liver toxicity and oxidative stress in both humans and other mammals. Luteolin (LUTN), a popular active phytochemical molecule, exhibits a strong antioxidant potential. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the potential molecular mechanism in rats and determine if LUTN exhibits protective benefits against AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity. Random selection was used to determine the four treatment groups, each consisting of 24 rats (n = 6). Physiological saline was administered to group 1 (CONT); group 2 received LUTN for a dosage of 50-mg/kg BW. AFB1 was administered to group 3 for a dosage of 0.75-mg/kg BW, and AFB1 with LUTN was given to group 4 at the same dosages mentioned in the previous groups. Rats intoxicated with AFB1 alterations of hepatic transaminases, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), displayed periportal mononuclear cell infiltrations, disorganized lobular architecture, and dispersed necrotic cells in their liver tissues. By reducing serum biochemical levels of the hepatic transaminases ALT and AST brought on by AFB1 exposure, our results demonstrated that LUTN treatment considerably restored liver injury. Through lowering the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as by boosting the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), LUTN mitigated the oxidative stress brought on by AFB1. Our findings showed that LUTN significantly reversed the liver damage caused by AFB1. When considered as a whole, LUTN may protect the liver from damage brought on by AFB1 by acting as a potential mitigator and may aid in the creation of cutting-edge therapies to treat liver illnesses in humans and/or animals.

The antioxidant effects of coenzyme Q10 on albino rat testicular toxicity and apoptosis triggered by bisphenol A.

Polycarbonate plastics for packaging and epoxy resins are both made with the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA). This investigation looked at the histological structure, antioxidant enzymes, and albino rats' testis to determine how coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) impacts BPA toxicity. For the experiments, three sets of 18 male adult rats were created: group 1 received no therapy, group 2 acquired BPA, and group 3 got the daily BPA treatment accompanied by coenzyme Q10, 1 h apart. The experimental period ran for 14 days. The biochemical biomarkers catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were altered as a result of BPA exposure. The testicular histological architecture, which is made up of apoptosis, was also exaggerated. Furthermore, rats given BPA and CoQ10 treatment may experience a diminution in these negative BPA effects. These protective properties of CoQ10 may be correlated with the ability to eliminate oxidizing substances that can harm living species. The outcomes might support the hypothesis that CoQ10 prevented oxidative damage and boosted rats' stress responses when BPA was introduced. Thus, by shielding mammals from oxidative stress, CoQ10 aids in the growth and development of the animals. BPA is extremely hazardous to humans and can persist in tissues. Human reproductive functions are a worry due to human exposure to BPA, especially for occupational workers who are typically exposed to higher doses of BPA. As a result, in order to reduce the health risks, BPA usage must be minimized across a diverse range of industries, and improper plastic container handling must be prohibited. By giving CoQ10 to patients, BPA's harmful effects on reproductive structures and functions may be avoided.

COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Medical Students' Learning Process and Assaults Their Psychological Wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are living within a milieu of stress, anxiety, and fear. Medical students are susceptible to these emotional injuries, but their psychological wellbeing and learning may further be assaulted by future uncertainties and altered teaching and training programs. Our objective was to find the extent of the psychological impact of the pandemic and the learning difficulties they are experiencing; Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 418 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students from all over the world. A questionnaire was uploaded in Google survey form. It included background characteristics, questions for psychiatric impact like PHQ-9, GAD-7, ZF-OCS, and questions for learning difficulties perceived in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. RESULTS: Among participants, 34.9% of students were male and 65.1% female. Around 46.4% belonged to the WHO, Eastern Mediterranean region, 26.8% from South East Asia region, 17.5% from the region of America, 5.5% from the European region,2.2%from the Western Pacific region, and 1.7% from the African region. Symptoms due to psychiatric illness were noticed in 393 (93.1%); depression in 386 (92.3%), anxiety in 158 (37.8%), obsessive compulsion disorder in 225 (53.8%), and post-traumatic stress syndrome in 129 (39.9%). Female gender, geographical region, and history of previous psychiatric illness were significantly related to almost all the psychiatric illnesses. Regarding learning difficulty, 96% of students faced problems: trouble with memorizing in 54.0%, concentration problems in 67.0%, about 55.5% of students made more mistakes, while 44.5% noted an increase in reaction time for solving questions. In addition, 90% experienced greater difficulty in overall learning during the pandemic in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. CONCLUSION: Assault on psychological wellbeing, struggling to memorize, inattention and difficulty in concentration on studies, along with perceived overall trouble with learning, have emerged as collateral damage from the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to medical students.