Methanolic extract of Lupinus termis ameliorates DNA damage in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

UNLABELLED: Diet therapy is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus (DM). The seeds of Lupinus termis are used in the Middle East and Africa as food and in folklore medicine. In traditional medicine, the seeds are reputed to be effective for diabetes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antigenotoxic effect of Lupinus termis methanolic extract (LTE) against DM oxidative stress. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of micronuclei (MN) and chromosomal aberrations are accurate cytogenetic techniques used to show chromosomal damage caused by clastogenic affects. The present study was designed to evaluate: (1) the effects of DM on bone marrow MN frequency and chromosomal aberrations, (2) the effect of oral treatment by gavage of LTE on MN frequency and chromosomal aberrations produced by DM. RESULTS: Frequencies of MN and chromosomal aberrations have been significantly increased in diabetic mice compared with the normal mice (p < 0.05). LTE at a dose 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. for 15 days groups treatment in diabetic mice were significantly decreased MN frequency and chromosomal aberrations in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LTE is a suitable agent for preventing DM-induced DNA damage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on LTE having a potential diabetes-associated DNA damage-protecting activity in vivo.

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.

Design and synthesis of some oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, and thiazolyl derivatives of 1H-pyrazole as anti-inflammatory antimicrobial agents.

Four series of 1H-pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized. The first series was prepared by cyclization of the intermediate 3-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde aroyl-hydrazone 4a-c with acetic anhydride to afford the corresponding oxadiazoline derivatives 5a-c. The other series were prepared by the cyclization of the intermediate 3-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-1-phenyl-4-substituted thiocarbamoylhydrazonomethyl-1H-pyrazole 6a-c with acetic anhydride, ethyl bromoacetate or phenacyl bromide giving rise to 3-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-1-phenyl-4-[3-acetyl-5-(N-substituted acetamido)-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrazoles 7a-c, 3-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-1-phenyl-4-(3-substituted- 4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidenehydrazonomethyl)-1H-pyrazoles 8a-c, or 3-(5-bromo-2-thienyl)-1-phenyl-4-(3-substituted-4- phenyl-2,3-dihydrothiazol-2-ylidenehydrazonomethyl)-1H-pyraz oles 9a-c respectively. Some of these compounds showed anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or antifungal activities comparable to that of Proquazone, Ampicillin, or Clotrimazole respectively.

Determinants of outcome among smokers in a smoking cessation program.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption is now one of the most serious problems in the world and is receiving renewed attention in the current health promotion. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to elucidate the psychosocial and behavioural aspects of smokers associated with participation, attrition and outcome in smoking cessation programs. METHODOLOGY: This prospective cohort design included three hundred and twenty six smokers from the antismoking center - King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Buraydah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The selected patients were subjected to a history taking, the assessment of causes of smoking, motives for quitting and belief problems arising from quitting; then they were made to join the clinic's antismoking program and were followed up after six months to assess the success of the program, which was measured by the rate of recidivism. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE IMPORTANT PSYCHOSOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUCCESS IN QUITTING SMOKING WERE: previous history of an attempt to stop tension, anxiety, anger, health beliefs and attitudes, importance of quitting, duration of smoking, period of last attempt to stop and the method used. These factors can be modified in order to increase the likelihood of success in quitting smoking.