Effects of black seed oil on resolution of hepato-renal toxicity induced bybromobenzene in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Volatile halocarbon, bromobenzene (BB), is frequently encountered in table-ready foods as contaminants residues. The objective of this study was to investigate whether black seed oil could attenuate hepato-renal injury induced by BB exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The evaluation was done through measuring liver oxidative stress markers: reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatic succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) were estimated. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT) and alkaline phosphatase were also evaluated. Kidney function indices; blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, serum protein, nitric oxide (NO), Na-K-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) and phospholipids were done. Liver and kidney histopathological analysis and collagen content were analyzed for results confirmation. RESULTS: Treatment with black seed oil (BSO) alleviated the elevation of GSH, SDH, LDH, G-6-Pase, serum protein, NO, Na+-K+-ATPase, phospholipids levels and attenuated MDA, SOD, AST, ALT and ALP. Diminution of collagen content and improvement in liver and kidney architectures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: BSO enhanced the hepato-renal protection mechanism, reduced disease complications and delayed its progression. Further studies are needed to identify the molecules responsible for its pharmacological effect.  

Malachite green induces genotoxic effect and biochemical disturbances in mice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Malachite green (MG) is a triarylaminmethane dye used in the fish industry as an anti-fungal agent. Concern over MG is due to the potential for consumer exposure, suggestive evidence of tumor promotion in rodent liver, and suspicion of carcinogenicity based on structure-activity relationships. In order to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to MG, we examined the mutagenicity and biochemical effect of MG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For genotoxic effect we use the doses 27, 91, 272 and 543 mg/kg b.wt. for different period of time (7, 14, 21 and 28 days) to evaluate chromosomal aberrations in mouse somatic and germ cells as well as sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells. For DNA fragmentation assay from mouse liver the same doses of MG were used for 28 days. For measuring biochemical parameters such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis enzyme pathways, antioxidant indices, hepatic marker enzymes, total protein, glucose, glycogen levels and liver function enzyme activities were evaluated. Mice were treated orally up to 28 days with the two high doses of MG 272 and 543 mg/kg b.wt. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that MG induce elevation in the percentage of SCE's and chromosomal aberrations (p < 0.01) after treatment with the high doses for long period of time. MG also induces DNA damage in mice liver in a dose dependent manner. Beside, MG treatment either in low or high doses causes biochemical disturbances in the major glucolytic-gluconeogenic pathways, hepatic marker enzymes, depleted glutathione and increased free radical as determined by increasing lipid peroxide. Histopathological observations revealed that MG induced sinusoidal, congestion, focal necrosis and degenerating in hepatic cells, hypertrophy and vacuolization followed by necrosis and cirrhosis.

Comparative in vivo antioxidant levels in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice treated with praziquantel or the essential oil of Melaleuca armillaris leaves.

Plant extracts are continuously investigated for their extensive inclusion of biologically active constituents that exert therapeutic activities against many diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant/anti-schistosomal activities of the essential oil of the fresh leaves of Melaleuca armillaris (M. armillaris) compared to Praziquantel (PZQ) on normal and Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil was rich in 1,8-cineole (33.93%), terpinen-4-ol (18.79%), limonene (10.37%) and B-pinene (6.59%). M. armillaris oil (150 mg kg(-1), orally) was administered from the second week post infection twice per week for six weeks. PZQ (500 mg kg(-1), orally) was administered for two successive days 8 weeks post infection and mice sacrificed one week later. Total protein, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), vitamins C and E, the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as liver weights and liver/body weight were determined in the liver tissues. Results showed that, both treatments significantly ameliorated the disturbed levels ofGSH and MDA in infected mice. Both vitamins were significantly elevated after treatment with the oil while a significant increase in catalase accompanied by a pronounced decrease in SOD were obtained after treatment with PZQ. Both treatments markedly improved liver and body weights in infected mice compared to the infected-untreated ones. In conclusion, natural plant sources may be used as promising alternative agents to chemical drugs for schistosomiasis treatment, since the latter may result in drug-induced resistance arising from repeated use.