Positive effects of leaves of Erodium glaucophyllum on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence depletion induced by obesity.

Medicinal plants are sources of natural antioxidants thanks to their secondary metabolites. Previous studies showed that administration of Erodium glaucophyllum (EG) (Geraniaceae family) was found to alleviate the deleterious effects of obesity-induced damage on liver, heart and kidney. This study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, evaluates the inhibitory effects of supplementation with E. glaucophyllum extract on obesity. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Erodium aqueous extract decreased the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels as well as ASAT, ALAT, LDH, PAL levels and TBARS concentration; and increased the (HDL) with the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) in liver, heart and kidney, compared to HFD group. The anti-obesity effects of the Erodium extract in several organs were mainly due to the interaction of these bioactive molecules (polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannin compounds) and the enzyme system which could be determined by phytochemical analysis.

Leaves of Lavender Protect Adult Mice from Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Injury: Evidence fromin vitro and in vivo Tests.

Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites have long been a rich source of biologically active compounds that can prevent many diseases. In this context, we investigated the antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Lavandula officinalis and tested its potency against hepatic and renal toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in adult male mice based on measurements of biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in both organs. We proved a remarkable antioxidant power of this plant (in vitro) by correcting the harmful effects of the prooxidant (in vivo). It can be concluded that lavender is an aromatic plant capable of reducing the stress caused by reactive oxygen species.

Protective effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) against PCB-induced acute hepatotoxicity in male rats.

After absorption by the organism, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) cross cellular membranes and pass into blood vessels and the lymphatic system. It is generally in the liver, adipose tissues, brain and skin that we find the strongest concentrations of PCBs. Herbal medicine remains as a discipline intended to treat and to prevent certain functional disorders and/or pathologies caused by oxidative stress, which can be induced by pesticides, medicines or pollutants. The objective of this study is to verify the toxic and oxidative effects of PCBs and to investigate the protective effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in the liver of male rats of the "Wistar" strain. These rats are divided into 6 groups: a control group (T), two groups treated with PCB at two different concentrations (P1 and P2), a group treated with ginger extract (G), a group pretreated with ginger extract and then injected with the first concentration of PCBs (P1G), and a group pretreated with ginger and then injected with the second concentration of PCBs (P2G). The results showed that the administration of PCBs led to an increase in the relative weight of the liver, and a significant increase in all of the hepatic biomarker levels (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, and LDH) in the serum. Furthermore, an increase in the rate of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were observed under the influence of PCBs in the liver. The histological test showed that the PCBs induced hepatocyte vacuolization, prominent and peripheralized nuclei, hepatocellular hypertrophy and turgor of the vein in the centriacinar regions. Pretreatment with ginger extract restored all of the biochemical and oxidative parameters to the normal values and reduced the injuries caused by the PCBs. In conclusion, in our experimental conditions, ginger effectively protects the liver against the hepatotoxic effects induced by PCBs.

Beneficial effects of Plantago albicans on high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats.

Obesity is a one of the main global public health problems associated with chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer. As a solution to obesity, we suggest Plantago albicans, which is a medicinal plant with several biological effects. This study assesses the possible anti-obesity protective properties of Plantago albicans in high fat diet-fed rats. 28 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups; a group which received normal diet (C), the second group was fed HDF diet (HDF), the third group was given normal diet supplemented with Plantago albicans (P.AL), and the fourth group received HDF supplemented with Plantago albicans (HDF+P.AL) (30mg/kg/day) for 7 weeks. Our results showed an increase in body weight of HDF rats by ∼16% as compared to the control group with an increase in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) as well as LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) in serum. Also, the concentration of TBARS increased in the liver and heart of HDF-fed rats as compared to the control group. The oral gavage of Plantago albicans extract to obese rats induced a reduction in their body weight, lipid accumulation in liver and heart tissue, compared to the high-fat diet control rats. The obtained results proved that the antioxidant potency of Plantago albicans extracts was correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated by DPPH test (as EC50=250±2.12µg/mL) and FRAP tests (as EC50=27.77±0.14µg/mL). These results confirm the phytochemical and antioxidant impact of Plantago albicans extracts. Plantago albicans content was determined using validated HPLC methodology.

Therapeutic effect of apple pectin in obese rats.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder and is associated with significant comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. This pathology is changing worldwide and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, evaluates the inhibitory effects of supplementation with apple pectin molecule on obesity. Under our experimental conditions, administration of pectin molecule decreased 1) the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-ch) and triglycerides (TG) levels as well as ASAT, ALAT, LDH, ALP, UREA and uric acid (UC) levels in blood serum; and 2) increased the creatinine levels (CREA), compared to HFD group. TBARS concentrations decreased in liver, kidney, and serum by 20%, 29% and 19%, respectively, in a group treated with high-fat diet and pectin (HFD+Pec) compared to a HFD-treated group. The same treatment with pectin molecule increased superoxide dismutase, glutathion peroxidase and catalase activities by 39%, 14% and 16% in liver; 5%, 7% and 31% in kidney; and 9%, 32% and 22% in blood serum in the HFD Pec-treated group. The anti-obesity effects of the pectin molecule in several organs are mainly due to the interaction of this molecule with both the polysaccharide and the enzyme system which can be determined by phytochemical analysis.

The protective effect of Citrus limon essential oil on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by aspirin in rats.

Citrus limon is a member of the large Rutaceae family characterized by its therapeutic proprieties and has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. This study investigates the protective effect of Citrus limon essential oil against a high dose of aspirin-induced acute liver and kidney damage in female Wistar albino rats. Twenty-eight adult female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 7 each: (1) a control group; (2) a group of rats which was kept untreated for 56days then treated with aspirin (A) (600mg/kg) for 4 days; (3) a group fed with essential oil of Citrus limon for 56days then (A) for 4 days; and (4) a group of rats receiving essential oil of Citrus limon for 56 days, then given NaCl for 4 days. Estimations of biochemical parameters in blood were determined. Lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidas (GPx) activities in liver and kidney was determined. A histopathological study was done. Under our experimental conditions, aspirin induced an increase of serum biochemical parameters and it resulted in an oxidative stress in both liver and kidney. This was evidenced by significant increase in TBARS in liver and kidney by 108% and 55%, respectively, compared to control. On the other hand, a decrease in the activities of SOD by 78% and 53%, CAT by 53% and 78%, and GPx by 78% and 51% in liver and kidney, respectively. Administration of EOC to rats attenuated the induced an effect of the high dose of aspirin induced in the afore mentioned serum biochemical parameters. In conclusion, our data suggest that treatment with essential oil of Citrus limon prevented the liver and kidney damage induced by aspirin.

Protective Effects of Pinus halepensis L. Essential Oil on Aspirin-induced Acute Liver and Kidney Damage in Female Wistar Albino Rats.

Aromatic and medicinal plants are sources of natural antioxidants thanks to their secondary metabolites. Administration of Pinus halepensis L. (Pinaceae family) in previous studies was found to alleviate deleterious effects of aspirin-induced damage on liver and kidney. The present study, carried out on female rats, evaluates the effects of P. halepensis L. essential oil (EOP) on aspirin (A)-induced damage to liver and kidney. The animals used in this study were rats (n=28) divided into 4 groups of 7 each: (1) a control group (C); (2) a group given NaCl for 56 days then treated with (A) (600 mg/kg) for 4 days (A); (3) a group fed with (EOP) for 56 days then (A) for 4 days; and a group fed with only (EOP) for 56 days and given NaCl for 4 days. Estimations of biochemical parameters in blood were determined using kit methods (Spinreact). Lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined. Histopathological study was done by immersing pieces of both organs in a fixative solution followed by paraffin embeddeding and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Under our experimental conditions, Aspirin at dose 600 mg/kg body weight induced an increase of serum biochemical parameters as well as an oxidative stress in both organs. An increase occurred in TBARS by 108% and 55%, a decrease in SOD by 78% and 53%, CAT by 53% and 78%, and GPx by 78% and 51% in liver and kidney, respectively, compared to control. Administration of EOP given to rats enabled correction in these parameters. It could be concluded that the treatment with P. halepensis L. essential oil inhibited aspirin-induced liver and kidney damage.

Nephroprotective and antioxidant properties of Artemisia arborescens hydroalcoholic extract against oestroprogestative-induced kidney damages in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, medicinal plants are found to have biological and pharmacological activities and are used in various domains. This study, carried out on Wistar rats, evaluates the beneficial effects of Artemisia arborscens extract on oestroprogestative-induced damages in kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six 3-month-old Wistar rats were divided into 4 batches of nine each: a control group, a group of rats receiving oestroprogestative treatment, a group undergoing oestroprogestative treatment after receiving Artemisia arborescens extract in drinking water, and a group that received only Artemisia arborescens. RESULTS: Artemisia arborescens extract was found to optimize many parameters which were shifted to pathological values as a consequence of oestroprogestative toxicity: plasma creatinine and urea levels were decreased, uric acid and proteins were restored to normal values. The alteration of renal architecture was also suppressed. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities that had been reduced in kidney of the treated group were restored by Aretmisia arborscens-based treatments and, therefore, the lipid peroxidation level was reduced in the renal tissue compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The obtained results confirmed that the Artemisia-based treatment allowed efficient protection against oestroprogestative-induced nephrotoxicity by restoring the activities of kidney. The protective effect of Artemisia arborescens was mainly attributed to antioxidant properties as well as the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids detected by means of HPLC.

Hepatoprotective activity of white horehound (Marrubium vulgare) extract against cyclophosphamide toxicity in male rats.

The hepatoprotective activity of Marrubium vulgare against cyclophosphamide toxicity in Wistar rats was evaluated. Adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 each: a control group, a group injected with cyclophosphamide (150 mg·kg(-1)) for 3 days, a group orally given a M. vulgare aqueous extract ((500 mg of dry leaves)·kg(-1)·day(-1)) for 30 days then treated with cyclophosphamide, and a group receiving only M. vulgare for 30 days. After 33 days of treatment, activities of alanine amino transferase (ALAT), aspartate amino transferase (ASAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined in serum. Moreover, lipid peroxidation level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in liver. Alterations of these hepatic biomarkers and increased lipid peroxidation confirmed cyclophosphamide-induced liver toxicity. Cyclophosphamide also decreased the enzymatic defense system against oxidative stress. However, when this drug was administered in rats given M. vulgare extract, all the biological parameters underwent much less alteration. Administration of M. vulgare extract was found to be beneficial by attenuating cyclophosphamide-induced liver damage. The protective effect of the plant is mainly attributed to its antioxidant properties and the existence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, as highlighted by HPLC-based analysis.

Antihypercholesterolemic effect of Cleome arabica L. on high cholesterol diet induced damage in rats.

Dietary cholesterol is known to be one of the main risk factors that accelerate oxidation process leading to hypercholesterolemia and attendant cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of supplementation with aqueous of Cleome arabica leaf extract on hypercholesterolemia. After 3 months of treatment, animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Blood serum was obtained by centrifugation. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Cleome arabica leaf extract decreased the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-chol) and triglycerides (TG) levels by 27 %, 52 %, 37 %, respectively, and reduced SGOT SGPT, LDH and PAL levels in blood serum compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. TBARS concentrations decreased by 21 % in liver, 22 % in heart and 30 % in kidney in a group of rats treated with cholesterol and Cleome arabica (Chol C.ar) compared to a Chol-treated group. The same treatment with Cleome arabica leaf extract increased superoxide dismutase and enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity. Catalase activity was found to increase in liver, heart and kidney by 17 %, 16 % and 23 %, respectively, in the C.ar Chol-treated group. The protective effect of Cleome arabica on hypercholesterolemia inducing oxidative stress in several organs was mainly attributed to antioxidant properties. The latter were due to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids shown by the obtained HPLC profiles.