Hesperidin alleviates cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats without inhibiting its antitumor activity.

BACKGROUND: Hesperidin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, exerts many clinically appreciable effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory actions. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of multiple doses of hesperidin against cisplatin-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Hesperidin (100 or 200mg/kg po) was given to rats one day before cisplatin (7.5mg/kg, ip) injection. All animals were sacrificed 5 days after cisplatin injection and blood samples were collected for determination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol levels. Liver samples were used for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total nitrate and nitrite contents. Western blot analysis was used for the assessment of NF-κB and p-Akt expression and histopathological examination was also performed. RESULTS: Results showed that hesperidin significantly reduced cisplatin-induced elevations in serum ALT and AST activities, TG and total cholesterol levels. It also reduced cisplatin-induced oxidative stress by significant reduction in liver MDA and NO content and elevation of GSH content. In addition, hesperidin significantly counteracted cisplatin-induced increased NF-κB expression and decreased p-Akt expression. Histopathological examination revealed that hesperidin greatly protected liver against cisplatin-induced injury. Moreover hesperidin did not inhibit the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on cancer cells as determined by MTT assay. CONCLUSION: Hesperidin decreased cisplatin-induced functional and histopathological liver damage in a dose-dependent manner without affecting its potential cytotoxic effect.

The potential effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan in regulating OVA-induced airway remodeling in experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a true ascending clinical problem. Angiotensin II is now accused to be potentially implicated in its pathogenesis, being a potent pro-inflammatory mediator with remodeling effects. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the possible protective effect of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, on experimentally-induced bronchial asthma. METHODS: Animals were divided into 5 groups; a normal control group, an asthma control group, a reference treatment group, receiving dexamethasone, and two treatment groups, receiving telmisartan in two dose levels. Bronchial asthma was induced by intraperitoneal sensitization followed by intranasal challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). Test agents were administered prior to each intranasal OVA challenge. Lung function tests, namely tidal volume (TV) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were assessed 1h after the last challenge. One day after the last challenge, absolute eosinophil counts (AEC) in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were assessed. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) as well as BALF total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) were assessed. Oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers, namely lung tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-5 (IL-5), were also assessed, in addition to histopathological study. RESULTS: Telmisartan administration in both doses significantly improved TV, PEF, AEC, IgE, NOx, GSH, SOD, TNF-α and IL-5 values compared to asthma control values. Histopathological study strongly supported the results of biochemical estimations, particularly regarding airway remodeling. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that telmisartan may have potential protecting effects against experimental bronchial asthma, probably due to its bronchodilator, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Protective effects of ginger and marshmallow extracts on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats.

BACKGROUND: Gastric ulcer is one of the most serious diseases. Most classic treatment lines produce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of two natural extracts, namely ginger and marshmallow extracts, on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into five groups; a normal control group, an ulcer control group, and three treatment groups receiving famotidine (20 mg/kg), ginger (100 mg/kg), and marshmallow (100 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally on a daily basis for 14 days prior to a single intra-peritoneal administration of indomethacin (20 mg/kg). RESULTS: Indomethacin administration resulted in significant ulcerogenic effect evidenced by significant elevations in ulcer number, ulcer index, and blood superoxide dismutase activity accompanied by significant decreases in gastric mucosal nitric oxide and glutathione levels. In addition, elevations in gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and histamine content were observed. Alternatively, pretreatment with famotidine, ginger or marshmallow significantly corrected macroscopic and biochemical findings, supported microscopically by results of histopathological study. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that administration of either ginger or marshmallow extract could protect against indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats presumably via their antioxidant properties and inhibition of histamine release.