Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Cardiac and Hepatic Toxicity Induced by Azithromycin-Etoricoxib Drug Interaction.

The complexity of prescribing safe and effective drug therapy is still challenging. Due to the increased number of medications taken by patients, the potential for drug-drug interactions has clinically important consequences. This study focuses on the potential drug-drug interaction between azithromycin and etoricoxib and the possibility of counteracting this adverse reaction by giving ascorbic acid intraperitoneally to male albino rats. Sixty adult male albino rats weighing 150-180 g were used. The rats were allocated into six equal groups. One group was a control, and the others were given azithromycin, etoricoxib, either alone or combination, with one group treated with ascorbic acid and the last group treated with the drug combination and ascorbic acid. Blood samples were collected for measuring AST, ALT, LDH, CK-MB, and troponin alongside antioxidant enzymes and histopathological examination for both liver and heart tissue. The results showed both hepatic and cardiac damage in azithromycin and etoricoxib groups represented by increasing levels of heaptoc enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH, CK-MB, and troponin) with declining antioxidant enzymes and elevation of malondialdehyde and the appearance of hepatic and cardiac toxicities. Upon administration, ascorbic acid ameliorated all the mentioned biochemical parameters. In conclusion, ascorbic acid has great antioxidant capacities and hepatic and cardiac ameliorative effects and can alleviate drug interaction toxicity.

Effect of fangchinoline on oxidant status in male albino rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by defects in insulin production and activity. During disease progression, changes in lipid peroxidation cause structural modifications via production of free radicals. Fangchinoline is a well-known alkaloid present in Stephaniae tetrandrine S. Moore, which has demonstrated antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. RESULTS The present study analyzed the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of fangchinoline in male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Rats were divided into the following groups: normal control, diabetic, diabetic + fangchinoline 100 mg/kg, diabetic + fangchinoline 200 mg/kg and diabetic + glibencla mide 600 mg/kg. The treatment was administered orally for 45 consecutive days. Lipid peroxidation was substantially increased by >50% in the serum, as well as the liver, kidney, and heart tissues of diabetic rats. However, fangchinoline supplementation significantly reduced lipid peroxidation to near normal levels. Reactive oxygen species levels were substantially increased by >500% in the serum, as well as the liver, kidney, and heart tissues of diabetic rats. Fangchinoline supplementation reduced reactive oxygen species to near normal levels. Fangchinoline supplementation significantly improved superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels in diabetic rats. Total hexoses, sialic acid, hexosamines, and fucose were increased in diabetic rats, whereas fangchinoline supplementation significantly reduced these total hexoses, sialic acid, hexosamines, and fucose to near normal levels CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with fangchinoline led to significant attenuation of the levels of lipid peroxidation, ROS, and glycoprotein components such as total hexoses, hexosamines, sialic acid, and fucose, while improving antioxidant marker levels

Effect of Nigella sativa, atorvastatin, or L-Carnitine on high fat diet-induced obesity in adult male Albino rats.

Obesity is increasing rapidly across the globe. It is widely accepted that natural products with a long safety background may modulate obesity. The current work aimed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa, atorvastatin, or L-Carnitine on high-fat diet-induced obesity in white male albino rats. A regular basal diet was fed to 7 rats, and a high-fat diet (HFD) was fed to 24 rats throughout the study for 12 weeks. The HFD group was split equally into four subgroups, each containing six rats. The first group fed on HFD with no medication, the second group received HFD+ Nigella sativa, the third group received HFD+ atorvastatin, and the fourth group received HFD+L-carnitine. At the beginning of the seventh week (the start of the treatment regimen), Nigella sativa, atorvastatin, or L-Carnitine were administered for six weeks. Glucose, body weight, serum atherogenic index (AI), ALT, and AST activities were analyzed. The pathological alterations in the hepatic tissues were examined microscopically and scored. The results revealed that the HFD diet significantly increased the final body weight, serum AI, and serum levels of liver enzymes. Treatment with L-carnitine or Nigella sativa significantly normalized the lipid profile and decreased the final body weight, serum AI, and Serum ALT. Histopathological examination of the liver of HFD received rats showed features of steatosis, which were mitigated by the administration of Nigella sativa or L-Carnitine, while atorvastatin had no significant effect on the improvement of hepatic lesions. Collectively, study findings showed that Nigella sativa or L-Carnitine has mitigated effects on metabolic and histopathological changes in the liver tissues of rats fed with HFD.

Melatonin improves the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or melatonin (MT) for improvement of ß-cell functions in STZ diabetic rats. Male albino rats (130-150 g) were divided into six groups. CONTROL GROUP: received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); melatonin group received melatonin (10 mg/kg b.wt./day for 2 months by oral gavage); diabetic untreated group; diabetic group treated with melatonin; diabetic group treated with MSCs (a single intravenous injection of 3 × 106 cell in PBS); and diabetic group co-treated with stem cells and melatonin. The results showed significant improvement in glucose, insulin, total antioxidant, and malondialdehyde level in diabetic rats treated with either MSCs alone or in combination with melatonin. The imumuno-histochemical analysis showed that MSCs and/or melatonin treatment reduced the rate of inflammation and apoptosis of the islet cells as well as increased the rate of pancreatic cell division. Such results were indicated by a significant improvement in the level of TNF-α, IL-10, PCNA, and caspase-3 to levels very close to the control. Co-treatment of MSCs and MT resulted in an improvement in the tissue of the pancreas and reduced number of damaged ß-cells. It can be concluded that co-treatment of stem cells and melatonin has a significant role in restoring the structural and functional efficiency of ß-cells in the pancreas more than stem cells alone. Such results may be due to the role of melatonin as an antioxidant in increasing the efficiency and vitality of stem cells.

Zinc sulphate and vitamin E alleviate reproductive toxicity caused by aluminium sulphate in male albino rats.

This study was designed to investigate the reproductive toxicity of aluminium sulphate and the therapeutic effects of administration of zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination against the toxic effect caused by aluminium (Al) in male albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups: group 1 received distilled water and served as control; group 2 received only aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)); group 3 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) plus zinc sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.); group 4 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) and vitamin E (15 mg/kg b.w.); group 5 received aluminium sulphate plus a combination of zinc sulphate and vitamin E in similar doses as above. Doses were administered orally once daily for 45 consecutive days. The results revealed that aluminium sulphate induced significant decrease in body weight gain and testis weight and significant increase in Al level in both serum and testes of male rats. Biochemical analysis showed significant decrease in serum total protein and phospholipids levels, while serum total lipid was significantly elevated post Al treatment. In addition, significant decrease in total protein, phospholipids and cholesterol levels in the testes of Al-treated rats was recorded. The data also showed significant decrease in the levels of serum testosterone, leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and significant increase in the level of serum prolactin in Al-intoxicated rats. Moreover, histological examination showed that aluminium sulphate caused apparent alterations in the testicular structure of the treated animals. Treatment with zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination ameliorated the harmful effects of Al, which was proved histopathologically by the noticeable improvement in the testicular tissues. We can conclude that the tested dose of aluminium sulphate induced toxic effect on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the treatment with zinc sulphate and/or vitamin E alleviated these toxic effects. In some cases, vitamin E exerted a more potent effect, while in other cases, the more potent effect is related to zinc sulphate and the combination of both at most of the recorded data.

An electron microscopic study of the antifertility potential of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L) in male albino rats / Estudio de microscopía electrónica del potencial antifertilidad del Romero (Rosmarinus officinalis L) en ratas macho albinas

The present work was aimed at studying the antifertility potential of the commonly used herb, rosemary in the male albino rats using electron microscopy as the method of investigation. Ethanolic extract of the rosmary prepared and administered orally in two different doses for a period of three months to the animals. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and testes removed. Sections for the electrone microscopy prepared and changes were observed. The present results showed evident microscopic changes in the testis of the animals received higher dose of the drug. Most of the seminiferous tubules were compressed, having irregular basement membrane and devoid of any spermatogenic cells. The present work revealed a clear morphological evidence of the dose dependent antifertility potential of the rosemary in the male albino rats.

El trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el potencial anti-fertilidad de la hierba de uso común, el romero, en ratas albinas macho utilizando microscopía electrónica como método de investigación. El extracto etanólico del romero se preparó y administró por vía oral a los animales en dos dosis diferentes durante un período de tres meses. Los animales experimentales se sacrificaron y se retiraron sus testículos. Se prepararon secciones para microscopía electrónica y se observaron los cambios. Los resultados mostraron cambios microscópicos evidentes en los testículos de los animales que recibieron una dosis mayor del medicamento. La mayoría de los túbulos seminíferos se observaron comprimidos, con una membrana basal irregular y carente de células espermatogénicas. El presente trabajo revela una clara evidencia morfológica de una posible anti-fertilidad dependiente de la dosis del romero administrada en las ratas albinas macho.

Hypoglyceamic effects of aqueous extract of Aframomum Melegueta leaf on alloxan-induced diabetic male albino rats

Aframomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae) seeds are used in West Africa, as a remedy for variety of ailments such as stomach ache, snakebite, diarrhea and anti-inflammatory properties. The hypoglycaemic effects of crude leaf extract of Aframomum melegueta on the treatment of alloxan induced diabetes in male rats and non-diabetic rats (control) were examined in this study. Results obtained from the experiment showed that the elevated blood glucose level caused by oral administration of 250 mg / kg body weight of alloxan was reduced significantly (p < 0.01) by oral administration of Aframomum melegueta leaf extract doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg with the exception of 20 mg/kg when compared to control groups. The non-diabetic groups that received the extract showed reduction in blood sugar level as the dose increases when compared to their control group. There was a final weight gain and organ restoration for both the diabetic and non-diabetic rats after treatment when compared with their controls. This study showed that the extract have hypoglycemic and prophylactic effects.

Diuretic activity of root extracts of dalbergia spinosa roxb.

The benzene, alcoholic and aqueous root extracts (75mg/kg each)of Dalbergia spinosa Roxb were studied for its diuretic activity by using male albino rats by adopting the method of Tipschitz. The alcoholic extract increased the urine volume and electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride, which is similar to the standard drug Furosemide (100mg/ kg) by inhibiting sodium, potassium, and chloride ion co-transport at thick ascending loop of henle. The present study showed that the alcoholic extract has significant diuretic activity comparable with standard drug Furosemide in producing urinary output and excretion of sodium,potassium and chloride in mEq/ lit/ 6 hrs.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium against lead induced toxicity in rats.

The present study was carried out to understand the antioxidant and protective effect of Semecarpus anacardium against lead acetate induced toxicity. This was done by analyzing the phytochemicals (Flavanoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins, etc.) present in the plant and by assessing the hepatoprotective efficacy of the plant against lead acetate induced albino rats. Histopathological examination was also carried out to have a supporting evidence for the study. It was observed that the nut milk extract contains flavanoids, phenols and carbohydrates and the drug was effective against lead acetate induced toxicity. The levels of the marker enzymes were increased in the lead acetate induced rats and after the treatment of Semecarpus anacardium the liver damage decreased.