Effect of Allium cepa extract on total and differential WBC, TP level, oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers, and lung pathology in ovalbumin-sensitized rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that Allium cepa (A. cepa) has relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this research, A. cepa extract was examined for its prophylactic effect on lung inflammation and oxidative stress in sensitized rats. METHODS: Total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count in the blood, serum levels of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers, total protein (TP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung pathology were investigated in control group (C), sensitized group (S), and sensitized groups treated with A. cepa and dexamethasone. RESULTS: Total and most differential WBC count, TP, NO2, NO3, MDA (malondialdehyde), and lung pathological scores were increased while lymphocytes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thiol were decreased in sensitized animals compared to controls (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Treatment with all concentrations of extract significantly improved total WBC, TP, NO2, NO3, interstitial fibrosis, and emphysema compared to the S group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Two higher concentrations of the extract significantly decreased neutrophil and monocyte count, malondialdehyde, bleeding and epithelial damage but increased lymphocyte, CAT, and thiol compared to the S group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Dexamethasone treatment also substantially improved most measured parameters (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), but it did not change eosinophil percentage. It was proposed that A. cepa extract could affect lung inflammation and oxidative stress in sensitized rats.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates memory deficits and hippocampal inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized juvenile rats.

The behavioral changes, including spatial learning and memory impairment as well as depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in an animal model of asthma were demonstrated previously. On the other hand, there is increasing evidence that the anti-inflammatory actions of exercise are related to their neuroprotective properties against different insults in the brain. This study was aimed to explore the effects of moderate treadmill exercise on cognitive deficits and possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rats. The exercise groups were trained to run on the treadmill 30 min/day with an intensity of 12 m/min, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Animals in the OVA groups were sensitized by two intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of OVA (10 µg/injection) and challenged with OVA by inhalation during the treadmill running exercise period. Passive avoidance (PA) memory, levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the hippocampus, total and differential white blood cell (WBC) count in the blood as well as pathological changes of the lung were then evaluated. OVA-sensitization was resulted in cognitive deficits in the PA task, along with increased total and differential WBC in blood and TNF-α in the hippocampus. However, exercise ameliorated these changes and increased the IL-10 level in the hippocampus, suggesting that moderate treadmill exercise can improve memory impairment in OVA-sensitized rats due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

The protective effect of Nigella sativa extract on lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oxidative stress during inflammation can increase inflammation and damage tissue. Nigella sativa L. (NS) showed many pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the preventive effect of NS on lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the rats was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were assigned to: Control, LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.), LPS + NS (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, i.p.), (10 per group). Saline (1 ml/kg) was intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injected instead of LPS in the rats of the control group. LPS dissolved in saline and injected i.p. daily for 14 days. Treatment with NS extracts started two days before LPS administration and treatment continued during LPS administration. White blood cells (WBC), total and differential as well as oxidative stress index in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) and serum, TGF-ß1, IFN-γ, PGE2, and IL-4 levels in the BALF and lung histopathology were examined. RESULTS: LPS administration increased total WBC, eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes counts as well as oxidative stress markers in the BALF and serum as well as TGF-ß1, IFN-γ, PGE2, IL-4 levels in the BALF and pathological changes of the lung tissue. All of these effects were reduced by NS extract treatment dose-dependently. CONCLUSION: These results suggested the protective effects of NS extract on lung inflammation and oxidative stress as well as its effect on lung pathology induced by LPS dose-dependently.

Safety evaluation of auraptene in rats in acute and subacute toxicity studies.

Auraptene (AUR) is a natural, bioactive, monoterpene coumarin ether. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-bacterial, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of oral administration of AUR in rats by evaluating clinical signs, haematology, biochemical factors, pathological changes and immune-toxicity. Acute administration of AUR in doses of 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight had no mortality or clinical signs in a period of two days. To evaluate subacute toxicity, AUR was administrated for 28 days by oral gavage in doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg. There were significant differences in the haematological and biochemical data of the treated and untreated groups. However, almost all haematological differences were within normal reference ranges. Subacute administration of AUR showed no toxic histopathological effects on organ tissue. Evaluation of immune-toxicity also revealed no significant differences between treatment and untreated groups.

Effect of Nigella sativa on ischemia-reperfusion induced rat kidney damage.

OBJECTIVES: There are a few previously reported studies about the effect of Nigella sativa oil on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether pre- or post-treatment with N. sativa hydroalcoholic extract (NSE) would reduce tissue injury and oxidative damages in a clinically relevant rat model of renal IRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IRI was induced by clamping of bilateral renal arteries for 40 min fallowed by reperfusion for 180 min. NSE was prepared in a Soxhlet extractor and administrated with doses of 150 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg at 1 hr before ischemia induction (P-150 and 300) or at the beginning of reperfusion phase (T-150 and 300), via jugular catheter intravenously. The kidneys were then removed and subjected to biochemical analysis, comet assay or histopathological examination. RESULTS: The kidneys of untreated IRI rats had a higher histopathological score (P<0.001), while in P-150, as well as T-150 and T-300 groups tubular lesions significantly decreased (P<0.001). Pre- and post-treatment with NSE also resulted in a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P<0.001) and DNA damage (P<0.001) that were increased by renal I/R injury. NSE treatment also significantly restore (P<0.01) the decrease in renal thiol content caused by IRI. CONCLUSION: The present study shows N. sativa extract has marked protective action against renal IRI, which may be partly due to its antioxidant effects.