ABSTRACT
Toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) can lead to serious liver injury. The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of oregano oil (Origanum minutiflorum extract oil) against CCl4-induced liver injury. Two doses of oregano oil were used in the experiment: a low dose (LD; 20 mg/kg) and a high dose (HD; 60 mg/kg) during 2 weeks. CCl4 caused severe liver damage, nucleolus destruction in hepatocytes and cytogenetic changes in the nucleus. Indirectly, CCl4 causes decreased protein synthesis and significantly high creatinine and urea values. Hematological disorders have been recorded, such as decreased RBC and hemoglobin concentration, increased WBC and deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. Both doses of oregano oil had protective effects. Improved protein synthesis and high globulins level, creatinine and urea were found in both groups. Cytogenetic changes in the nucleus of hepatocytes were reduced. A high dose of oregano oil had maximal protective effects for RBC, but a very weak effect on hemoglobin synthesis. Also, WBC and lymphocyte values were low. Origanum stimulates protein synthesis and recovery of hepatocytes after liver injury, reduces the deformability of the erythrocyte membrane. High doses of oregano oil decreased WBC and lymphocytes which may lead to a weakening of the immune response. However, high doses are more effective against severe platelet aggregation than low doses, suggesting an effective treatment against thrombocytosis.
Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Origanum , Animals , Rats , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Creatinine , Urea , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy , HemoglobinsABSTRACT
In the current study, we assessed the hematological/biochemical alterations, histopathological changes in the liver, and blood cell disorders in Wistar rats exposed to a toxic concentration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) and the potential protective effect of a 30-day oral extract of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, AM). The concentration of AM (3.38 mg/kg) obtained by quantitative purification from AM fruit showed the highest antioxidant activity (AOA) in vitro and was used for oral ingestion. In addition to high AOA, high values of total phenols (85.334 mg/g), total phenolic acid (606.95 mg/g), total flavonids (22.10 mg/g), and total anthocyanins (11.01 mg/g) were recorded in chokeberry extract. CCl4 treatment caused serious liver injury, hepatocyte and blood cell impairment. AM extract given to rats before CCl4 application had a moderate hepatoprotective effect in comparison to after CCl4 application. White blood count and leukocytes were significantly altered by CCl4, however, the protective role of AM in leukocyte disorders was not established. A high number of microcytes, stomatocytes, anisocytes, and hemolyzed erythrocytes during CCl4 exposure was reduced by AM extract. Flower erythrocytes in the AM + CCl4 group were recorded. Supplementation with chokeberry extract without CCl4 caused hyperproteinemia and hyperalbuminemia. Although the results indicate a weak protective role for AM, it is nevertheless important for improved erythropoiesis and regulation of the development of anemia. The hepatoprotective role of AM was moderate, and the immune response was not proven. Daily consumption of chokeberry extract can improve health. However, the results of our study showed that the ingestion of AM extract at this dose with the highest AOA would have more effective effects if the supplementation were significantly increased.
ABSTRACT
A number of studies investigating different aspects of IUCN endangered species, Aulopyge huegelii Heckel, 1843 (Dalmatian barbelgudgeon) biology have been conducted, but data on molecular genetics are lacking. The goal of this survey was to assess the genetic structure of the A. huegelii population from the Busko Blato reservoir, based on four mitochondrial DNA regions and five microsatellite loci. Excluding cytochrome b, more than one haplotype has been detected in all sequenced mtDNA regions, most of which had not been previously described. A total of seven composite haplotypes were detected. Nucleotide diversity was relatively low for all coding genes but slightly higher for the control region. Microsatellite analysis revealed a relatively high value of major allele frequency, lower values of observed and expected heterozygosity, as well as a moderately reduced number of alleles and genotypes in three of the five observed loci. Although with a clear trend of decline, the level of genetic diversity is still sufficient to ensure the subsistence of the population if the stressors are removed. Otherwise, the loss of heterozygosity will continue, possibly to the point of a complete eradication of the Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from the Busko Blato reservoir.
