Inhibitory Effect of Hemiscorpius lepturus Scorpion Venom Fractions on Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii.

Background: The present study determined the effect of the fractions obtained from Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom on the tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii. Methods: The fractions of dried venom of He. lepturus scorpion of Khuzestan Province, southern Iran in 2019 were isolated through gel filtration chromatography, and then tachyzoites were exposed to fractions of venom at different concentrations. Trypan blue counting and MTT were applied to assay tachyzoite viability, and the inhibition of the cellular growth of fractions in Vero cells was evaluated. Results: The maximum effect on tachyzoite was observed in fraction 5 of venom. To further separate the protein, fraction 5 was used in high-performance liquid chromatography assay to purify its proteins. Based on the results of HPLC of fraction 5, among which the second peak, a peptide with <10 KDa representing a more potent effect in eliminating the tachyzoite of T. gondii. Conclusion: The scorpion venom-purified fractions possess anti-parasitic activity against the tachyzoite of T. gondii and can be used in parasite-controlling studies.

Comparative evaluation of therapeutic effects of silymarin and hydrocortisone on clinical and hematological alterations, and organ injury (liver and heart) in a low-dose canine lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis model.

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of silymarin compared to hydrocortisone on clinical and hematological alterations and organ injury (liver and heart) in a low-dose canine lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis model. Fifteen clinically healthy dogs were randomly categorized into three equal groups: Two dogs in group A, LPS (0.10 µg kg-1, IV) was injected (control, n = 5); Group B was similar to group A, with the difference that silymarin bolus (10.00 mg kg-1, IV, once) was injected 40 min after LPS injection. Group C was similar to group B with the difference that hydrocortisone bolus (2.00 mg kg-1, IV, once) was administrated instead of silymarin. Five mL of blood was collected at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 hr of the study. Septic control dogs experienced a significant reduction in red blood cells count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) and a significant elevation in serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), and plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration. We noticed a significant increase in RBCs, Hb, and HCT, and a significant decrease in AST, ALP, LDH, CK-MB, and cTnI in the silymarin group in comparison with hydrocortisone and control group. Our results suggested that silymarin had a positive influence on sepsis due to protecting RBCs, and decreasing organ (heart and liver) injury. These findings supported the hypothesis that silymarin could be more effective than routine corticosteroid therapy in sepsis.

Neurobehavioral and biochemical modulation following administration of MgO and ZnO nanoparticles in the presence and absence of acute stress.

In this work, the effects of MgO and ZnO nanoparticles were investigated on some behavioral, hormonal and biochemical changes following acute stress. Wistar male rats were divided into groups of control, different times of restraint stress (90, 180 and 360 min), nano-MgO or nano-ZnO alone and with acute restraint stress. Anxiety-like behaviors and pain perception were evaluated by elevated plus maze and hot plate apparatus respectively. Levels of corticosterone hormone, malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase activity, Mg, Zn, Fe and Ca were evaluated in the serum and hippocampus. The results showed that nano-MgO and nano-ZnO improved anxiety induced by restraint stress and reduced locomotor activity significantly at high doses, while at low doses could induce analgesia in the non-restraint group. Corticosterone level increased temporarily in the presence of 360 min stress while it was reduced in the stress of 90 min just 2 h after stress induction. The highest dose of nano-MgO increased the corticosterone level in non-restraint animals while nano-ZnO reduced it in all the groups. The 90 min stress was increased MDA level and nanoparticles decreased catalase activity in the hippocampus significantly. Influences of both nanoparticles on levels of Mg, Zn, Fe and Ca in the serum and hippocampus seem to be more visible than the other measured biochemical factors. Accordingly, in acute stress conditions, low doses of nano-MgO and nano-ZnO had suitable effects on behavioral responses. It seems that these effects were mostly through the central and peripheral changes of mentioned element's content and acute stress could increase nanoparticles toxicity.

Protective effect of quercetin on histomorphometric changes in kidney of retinoid acid-treated rat fetuses / Efecto protector de la quercetina sobre los cambios histomorfométricos en el riñón de fetos de rata tratados con ácido retinoico

SUMMARY: Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays essential signaling roles in mammalian embryogenesis. Prenatal rat fetuse exposure to retinoid induces some malformations in various organs, the most active and teratogenic metablolite is all-transretinoic acid (atRA). The teratogenic effects of some drugs can be prevented by the application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Also, quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid has excellent antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was assess the protective effects of quercetin against atRA in fetuses of rat's kidney tissue. This study was performed on 40 pregnant rats that were divided into seven groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received DMSO, quercetin (75 mg/kg), quercetin (200 mg/kg), atRA (25 mg/kg), atRA (25 mg/kg) plus quercetin (75 mg/kg) and atRA (25 mg/kg) plus quercetin (200 mg/kg), intraperitoneally at 8-10th days of gestation. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation. Kidneys were collected and placed in 10 % buffered formalin solution. Then, kidneys were sectioned by routine method and stained by H&E and examined histologically. On histomorphomertrical examination, it was observed the priglomerular space and diameter of renal corpuscle in group which received only atRA were significantly (p≤0.05) greater than those received normal saline, dimethyl sulfoxide and quercetin, while these two indexes in group which received atRA plus quercetin significantly (p≤0.05) decreased by quercetin as dose dependent manner. Number of renal corpuscles were significantly (p≤0.05) decreased by atRA, but the quercetin could not affect the glomerular numbers. It is concluded that quercetin can protect fetuses against atRA damages and prevent their incidence probably via its antioxidant effect.

RESUMEN: El ácido retinoico, un metabolito activo de la vitamina A, desempeña un papel esencial de señalización en la embriogénesis de mamíferos. La exposición al ácido retinoico en fetos de ratas prenatales induce malformaciones en varios órganos, siendo el metabolito más activo y teratogénico el ácido transretinoico (ATRA). Los efectos teratogénicos de algunos medicamentos se pueden prevenir mediante la aplicación de medicamentos antioxidantes y la estimulación del sistema inmune materno. Además, la quercetina, un flavonoide de origen natural, tiene excelentes propiedades antioxidantes. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos protectores de quercetina contra ATRA en fetos de tejido de riñón de rata. Este estudio se realizó en 40 ratas preñadas que se dividieron en siete grupos. El grupo control recibió solución salina normal y los grupos de prueba recibieron DMSO, quercetina (75 mg / kg), quercetina (200 mg / kg), ATRA (25 mg / kg), ATRA (25 mg / kg) más quercetina (75 mg / kg) y ATRA (25 mg / kg) más quercetina (200 mg / kg), por vía intraperitoneal a los 8-10 días de gestación. Los fetos se recolectaron a los 20 días de gestación. Los riñones se recogieron y se colocaron en solución de formalina tamponada al 10 %. Luego, los riñones se seccionaron por método de rutina y se tiñeron con H & E y se examinaron histológicamente. En el examen histomorfométrico, se observó que el espacio periglomerular y el diámetro del corpúsculo renal en el grupo que recibió solo ATRA fueron significativamente (p≤0.05) mayores que los que recibieron solución salina normal, dimetilsulfóxido y quercetina, mientras que estos dos índices, en el grupo que recibió ATRA más quercetina, disminuyó significativamente (p≤0.05) en forma dependiente de la dosis. El número de corpúsculos renales disminuyó significativamente (p≤0.05) por el ATRA, pero la quercetina no pudo afectar el número de glomérulos. Se concluye que la quercetina puede proteger a los fetos contra daños de ATRA y prevenir su incidencia, probablemente, a través de su efecto antioxidante.

Florfenicol pharmacokinetics following intravenous and oral administrations and its elimination after oral and bath administrations in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic profiles of florfenicol after a single dose of intravenous (5.00 mg kg-1 body weight) and oral (40.00 mg kg-1 body weight) administrations in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The residue depletion of florfenicol was also investigated after oral administration (10.00 mg kg-1 body weight) and bath treatment (5.00 mg L-1) for 10 consecutive days. Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in plasma after a single dose administration, at 10 time points (0.50, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 72, 120 and 168 hr) and florfenicol concentrations in tissues (plasma, liver and muscle) at three time points (1, 7 and 14 days) after 10 consecutive days, were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The peak concentration of florfenicol was 137.02 ng mL-1 and the time to reach peak concentration in plasma was two hr. The elimination half-lives, the volume of distribution at steady state and total body clearance were estimated as 21.40 hr, 0.30 and 0.03 L hr-1, respectively. After drug administration for 10 days, it's concentration in plasma and muscle in oral treatment was significantly more than bath treatment in all days. Drug concentrations in the liver after bath treatment were significantly higher for a shorter period than the concentration in the oral treatment, indicating that higher levels of florfenicol for a longer period can be achieved in the tissues after oral drug administration. According to pharmacokinetic results, florfenicol may be a suitable candidate for the treatment of common bacterial infections in common carp farming.

Protective effect of quercetin on skeletal and neural tube teratogenicity induced by cyclophosphamide in rat fetuses.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a drug commonly used to treat neoplastic disease and some autoimmune diseases. It is also a well-known and well-studied teratogen causing a variety of birth defects in fetuses of pregnant women treated with the drug. There are many reports that show the adverse effects of CP can be decreased by use of antioxidant drugs. It appears that, quercetin has antioxidant effect. The aim of this study was prevention or decrease of teratogenicity of CP in fetuses of rats by quercetin. This study was performed on 35 pregnant rats divided into six groups. Control group was received normal saline (5 mL kg(-1), intraperitoneally) and 2-6 groups received a single dose of CP (15 mg kg(-1)), a single dose of quercetin (75 or 200 mg kg(-1)), CP plus quercetin (75 or 200 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally at 9(th) day of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were collected at 20(th) day of gestation and after determination of weight and crown rump length were stained by alizarin red - alcian blue method and skeletal system were examined by stereomicroscope. The results showed that the cleft palate, exencephaly, spina bifida and omphalocele incidence were 55.56%, 27.77%, 33.34% and 11.11%, in fetuses of rat that received only CP, respectively. However, it decreased to 16.00%, 16.00%, 16.00% and 8.00% by quercetin (75 mg kg(-1)) and so to 12.90%, 12.90%, 6.45% and 3.28% by quercetin (200 mg kg(-1)), respectively. On the basis of results, quercetin significantly can decrease teratogenicity induced by CP.

Comparative evaluation between hypericin (hypiran) and fluoxetine in treatment of companion dogs with tail chasing.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of hypericin and fluoxetine in the treatment of companion dogs with tail chasing in Ahvaz district. In the present survey, eighteen dogs with tail chasing were assigned into three equal groups for a three-year period. The dogs were randomly classified based on different treatment groups. During 15 weeks, dogs of group A were given 0.05 mg kg(-1) hypericin orally and dogs of group B received 1 mg kg(-1) fluoxetine, orally. The group C was the control group. Changes in signs of tail chasing were weekly reported by the owners or a veterinarian. Treatment periods were assessed in five intervals: weeks 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and weeks 13-15, respectively. Hypericin (group A) was significantly more effective in the treatment of tail chasing compared with fluoxetine (group B), (p = 0.043). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in each group between weeks 1-3 (X(2) = 8.8, p = 0.01), 4-6 (X(2) = 9.1, p = 0.01), 7-9 (X(2) = 7.4, p = 0.03), 10-12 (X(2) = 10.4, p = 0.005) and 13-15 (X(2) = 12.5, p = 0.002). Improvement of behavior in the dogs of group A was significant compared with group B, between weeks 10-12 (X(2) = 5.4, p = 0.02) and 13-15 (X(2) = 7.2, p = 0.007). In conclusion, our survey showed that hypericin was more effective than fluoxetine in controlling signs of tail chasing.

L-Carnitine Protect against Cyclophosphamide Induced Skeletal and Neural Tube Malformations in Rat Fetuses.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a mustard alkylating agent used in the treatment of a number of neoplastic diseases and as an immunosuppressant for the prevention of xenograft rejection. There are many reports that the teratogenic effects of cyclophosphamide can be prevented by application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Also, there is some evidence that L-carnitine is antioxidant. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effect of L-carnitine on teratogenic effects of CP was evaluated. This study was performed on 31 pregnant rats divided into 5 groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received L-carnitine (500 mg/kg), CP (15 mg/kg), CP (15 mg/kg) plus L-carnitine (250 mg/kg) and CP (15 mg/kg) plus L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 9th day of gestation. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red-Alcian blue method. Cleft palate, spina bifida, and exencephaly incidence were 55.55%, 33.34% and 27.77% in fetuses of mice that received only CP. Cleft palate, spina bifida, exencephaly incidence were 21.42%, 4.76% and 9.52% in the group which received CP plus L-carnitine (250 mg/kg), respectively. However, cleft palate, spina bifida, and exencephaly incidence were 8%, 0% and 8% range in the group received CP plus L-carnitine (500 mg/kg), respectively. In addition, skeletal anomalies incidence including limbs, vertebrae, and sternum defects were decreased by L-carnitine. The mean of weight and length of animals' fetuses received L-carnitine were significantly greater than those received only CP. In conclusion, L-carnitine significantly decreased teratogenicity induced by CP; but this subject needs more detailed evaluation.

Quercetin preventive effects on theophylline-induced anomalies in rat embryo.

BACKGROUND: Theophylline has been shown to cause heart anomaly in animal and human fetus. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of quercetin on theophylline-induced heart disorders in rat embryo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Theophylline-induced teratogenicity in rats was used as the animal model. Pregnant rats were administered theophylline (259 mg/kg, po) or theophylline plus quercetin (259 mg/kg, po and 100 mg/kg, ip, respectively) on 9th and 10th days of pregnancy. On day 19, cardiac changes were assessed, measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity levels in blood samples and also the fetus heart weight. Histopathological examination was also performed on all specimens. RESULTS: Theophylline-treated rats showed MDA level elevation and GPx activity reduction. Quercetin treatment improved heart conditions and resulted in a significant reduction in MDA levels and elevation in GPx activity. Moreover, co-administration of quercetin and theophylline increased the heart weight significantly. Furthermore, histophatological study showed no changes in the treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that quercetin have beneficial effects on theophylline-induced-anomalies in rat embryo.

Improvement of hydrolysis and fermentation of sugarcane bagasse by soaking in aqueous ammonia and methanolic ammonia.

Sugarcane bagasse was pretreated by soaking it in aqueous ammonia (SAA) and methanolic aqueous ammonia (SMAA) at 70 °C for 12 h. Then the pretreated as well as untreated bagasse was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at 50 °C for 72 h by 15 FPU cellulase and 30 CBU cellobiase per g of substrate. The hydrolysis of SAA-pretreated bagasse with a solid to liquid (S:L) ratio of 1:10 resulted in 95.9% of the maximum theoretical yield. The production yield for SMAA at an S:L ratio of 1:6 with 15% methanol was 88.6%, while it was only 21.3% for the untreated bagasse. Ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation was conducted at 37 °C for 72 h. The results revealed that the ethanol production yield was improved from 12.7% for the untreated bagasse to 92.45% and 90.8% for the SAA and the SMAA pretreated bagasse, respectively. The compositional and chemical structural analysis suggested that lignin removal and crystallinity reduction were responsible for the hydrolysis and SSF improvements.

Prophylactic Effects of Levamisole and Vitamin E on Phenobarbital-induced Cleft Palate and Spina Bifida in Rat Embryos.

There are many reports that show the teratogenic effects of phenobarbital can be decreased by stimulation of maternal immune system. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effects of levamisole and vitamin E on teratogenic effects of phenobarbital were compared. This study was performed on 20 pregnant rats that were divided into four groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received phenobarbital (120 mg/kg), phenobarbital (120 mg/kg) plus levamisole (10 mg/kg) and phenobarbital (120 mg/kg) plus vitamin E (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 9-11th days of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red - Alcian blue method. Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 66.66% and 69.44% in fetuses of rats that had received only phenobarbital. Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 65.45% and 38.18% had in the group which had received phenobarbital plus levamisole. However, Cleft palate and spina bifida incidence were 54.54% and 27.27% in the group which had received phenobarbital plus vitamin E. The arithmetic means of the weight and length of fetuses the rats that had received levamisole and vitamin E were significantly greater than that of those that had received only phenobarbital. Vitamin E had a greater prophylactic effect than levamisole on the incidence of phenobarbital-induced cleft palate and spina bifida. However, the difference was not significant.