Protective effect of carvacrol on ketamine induced testicular damage in mouse model of schizophrenia

Introduction: Ketamine is applied to induce symptoms of schizophrenia in animal models. Besides the nervous system, ketamine also affects male lower genitourinary tracts. The present study evaluated the effects of carvacrol on antioxidant enzymes and examined the histopathologic changes in the testes of ketamine induced schizophrenic mice.Methods: A total of 48 male mice were treated with 25 mg/kg ketamine or saline for a period of 14 days. Between the 8th and 14th days, the animals received carvacrol (25 and 50 mg/kg) or saline. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to measure luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone; the testes were also collected for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Results: The results indicated that induction of schizophrenia by ketamine led to an oxidative stress by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P < 0.05). Treatment with 50 mg/kg carvacrol resulted in significant decrease in oxidative injury by decreasing MDA level and increasing antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05). Testosterone, FSH and LH levels showed no significant difference between treatment groups and control groups except for testosterone which increased in mice treated with 50 mg/kg carvacrol (P < 0.05). Administration of carvacrol reduced the deleterious histopathologic changes caused by ketamine.Conclusion: The present study showed that ketamine causes oxidative stress and damage in testicular tissues and co-administration with carvacrol prevents the harmful effects of ketamine

Performance, immunity, and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with Zataria multiflora essential oil

Background and aims: Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM) is a thyme-like plant reported to have immunomodulatory properties. This study was aimed to examine effects of ZM essential oil on performance, biochemical and immunological parameters in broilers. Methods: Two hundred and forty, broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups. CON considered as control group received basal diet, T100, T200 and T400 treated by basal diet supplemented with ZM 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg feed, respectively. Body weight and feed intake were recorded at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. At the end of experiment, eight broilers per group were slaughtered and carcass portion yield was calculated. Humoral immune response efficacy by injection of 5 sheep red blood cell into the pectoral muscle of birds was evaluated. Results: This study showed that supplementation of ZM promoted the weight gain in T200 as compared to other groups (P<0.05). Also, the best food conversion ratio was achieved in the same group. On the other hand, ZM supplementation in all of the doses used, did not cause significant increase in carcass portion yield (P<0.05), except for liver weight, which was significantly increased in T400. Serum biochemical analysis showed that levels of total protein, albumin and globulin were highest in T200 while the lowest were in T400; addition of ZM especially at the dose of 200 mg/kg improved immune responses in broilers (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of present study, supplementing broilers diet with ZM could have favorable impact on performance and immunity

Ameliorative action of farnesol on cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in mice

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent with antineoplastic and immunosuppressive effects. Acrolein, one of its metabolites, is responsible for different toxic side effects such as oxidative stress, and cell death. The present study aimed to evaluate protective effects of farnesol, a natural terpenoid with antioxidant effects, on cyclophosphamide induced side effects. Methods: For this purpose, mice received 200 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide plus 5 or 10 mg/kg of farnesol as pretreatment for 7 days. At the end of the study, samples from blood and different organs were collected. Histopathological and biochemical analyses including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) content as well as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were done to determine the toxic effects of cyclophosphamide and probable protective effect of farnesol. Results: Application of farnesol as a pretreatment could reduce tissue damages induced by cyclophosphamide particularly in testis, liver and spleen. The kidney did not show any relapse in tissue damages induced by cyclophosphamide. The testis demonstrated the most improvement by administration of farnesol, and the anti-oxidant enzymes increased in testicular tissues. Conclusion: This study indicated the protective effect of farnesol against oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamide in the tissues, especially at the dose of 10 mg/kg on the testicular tissue. Hence, it might be beneficial in patients who are using cyclophosphamide

In vitro and in vivo evaluations of Pelargonium roseum essential oil activity against Trichomonas gallinae

Objective: Pelargonium roseum Willd.(Geraniaceae) is widely grown as an ornamental plant due to its strong pleasant rose-like odor. The present study evaluates the antitrichomonal effect of P. roseum essential oil (EO) against Trichomonas gallinae both in vitro and in vivo and compares it to that of metronidazole (MTZ) as a standard antitrichomonal drug. Materials and Methods: In vitro assays were accomplished in multi-well plates containing MTZ and EO at final concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μg/mL. In vivo assay was carried out on 40 experimentally infected pigeons receiving MTZ and EO at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. Results: The 24-hr MIC of MTZ was 10 µg/mL, while for EO it was 20 µg/mL. Treatment with MTZ 50 mg/kg after 4 days led to full recovery of infected pigeons however EO 50 mg/kg resulted in the same outcome after 5 days. No mortality or clinical side effects were seen in treated birds. Conclusion: The present study introduced P. roseum EO as a potent natural antitrichomonal agent effective against T. gallinae. Bioactive components of P. roseum can be used as potential therapeutic compounds in development of novel antitrichomonal drugs

Antileashmanial activity of Artemisia sieberi essential oil against Leishmania infantum in vitro

Background and aims: VL (Viseral Leishmaniosis) the second- most dreaded parasitic disease after malaria is currently endemic in 88 countries. Artemisia sieberi is native medicinal plants in Iran and their effects are scientifically proven to be effective on leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to investigate antileishmanial effects of A.sieberi essential oil on Leishmania infantum in vitro. This is the first application of A. sieberi for treatment of L.infantum. Methods: Promastigotes of L. infantum were treated by A. sieberi in 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/ml concentration. MTT test ([3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] was done in 48h after treatment to determine the effect on promastigote viability. The data were analyzed by SPSS, and using one-way ANOVA and Mann Whitney tests. Results: Fewer than 15 μg /ml concentrations of A. sieberi essential oil were no appreciable effect on the parasite. A dose of 15, 20 μg/ml showed growth inhibitory on L. infantum in 24h/48h compared to control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The A. sieberi essential oil had antileishmanial effects against L.infantum in vitro. Therefore, they might be a reliable source for preparation of new drugs. More in vivo investigations are required to clarify details of effects of A.sieberi on leishmania spp and analysis of its natural components

Toxic and repellent activity of selected monoterpenoids (thymol, carvacrol and linalool) against the castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, is a species of medical and veterinary importance. The use of synthetic acaricides for tick control has led to development of resistance, residue in the environment and animal products, and public health concerns. In this regard, plant essential oils and their main constituents represent an appealing alternative strategy to combat ticks. The phenols thymol and carvacrol and the alcohol linalool are monoterpenoids occurring in essential oils of several aromatic and medicinal plants, such as thyme, oregano, savory, lavender and coriander. Recent studies have shown toxicity of these monoterpenoids against several mosquito vectors and other arthropod pests. However, information on their bioactivity on I. ricinus is not available. On this basis, here we evaluated the ovicidal, larvicidal and repellency effects of these compounds against I. ricinus. Concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5% were sprayed on the egg masses, then hatching rates were noted. Larvicidal assays were conducted on unengorged larvae, following the larval packet technique. The repellency was determined by measuring the vertical migration behavior of ticks. Carvacrol and thymol at all concentrations tested led to a significant hatching decrease, showing an efficacy higher than permethrin (P &lt; 0.01), whereas linalool did not cause any significant effect. In the larvae treated with carvacrol and thymol (1, 2 and 5%), mortality rates reached 100% after 24 h, showing a larvicidal efficacy higher than permethrin, whereas no effect was seen in the larval groups treated with linalool. Carvacrol and thymol at all concentrations tested showed &gt;90% repellency on I. ricinus. Linalool was scarcely effective (50.24% repellency) only at the concentration of 5%. Overall, based on these results, the phenols carvacrol and thymol can be considered as candidate ingredients for the development of novel acaricidal formulations to control the spread of I. ricinus and related tick-borne diseases

Efficacy of Two Monoterpenoids, Carvacrol and Thymol, and Their Combinations against Eggs and Larvae of the West Nile Vector <i>Culex pipiens</i>

Background: Insect vector control is facing the challenges of resistance development and environmental hazards caused by synthetic pesticides. This has led to a considerable market opportunity for botanical insecticides. In this scenario, our study investigated the potential of selected bioactive monoterpenoids, carvacrol and thymol, as safe and effective tools to control the West Nile vector Culex pipiens. Furthermore, the combined effect of thymol-carvacrol mixtures and their possible interactions were assessed. Methods: For determining larvicidal and ovicidal 50% lethal concentration (LC50), each monoterpenoid was tested at different concentrations (5&#8211;500 mg/L). Then, the fixed ratio method was used for evaluating their combinational efficacy. Results: Carvacrol was more toxic against larvae of Cx. pipiens, with a LC50 value of 14 mg/L, whereas thymol exhibited a LC50 value of 49 mg/L. Comparable trends of efficacy were observed when toxicity on Cx. pipiens eggs was investigated, with LC50 values of 7 and 13 mg/L for carvacrol and thymol, respectively. In combinational toxicity assays, the mixture thymol-carvacrol at 1:4 ratio achieved a synergistic effect against larvae of Cx. pipiens, whereas an additive effect was observed on eggs. Other ratios showed antagonistic effects. Conclusions: Overall, our findings pointed out that the 1:4 ratio of thymol-carvacrol blend can enhance the insecticidal efficacy on Cx. pipiens young instars and can be considered further as active ingredient for developing botanical insecticides to be used in mosquito control operations

Dietary Supplementation with Eugenol Nanoemulsion Alleviates the Negative Effects of Experimental Coccidiosis on Broiler Chicken’s Health and Growth Performance

The present study investigated the protective efficacy of dietary supplementation with clove essential oil (CEO), its main constituent eugenol (EUG), and their nanoformulated emulsions (Nano-CEO and Nano-EUG) against experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens. To this aim, various parameters (oocyst number per gram of excreta (OPG), daily weight gain (DWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), serum concentrations of total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), globulins (GLB), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHO) and glucose (GLU), serum activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were compared among groups receiving CEO supplemented feed (CEO), Nano-CEO supplemented feed (Nano-CEO), EUG supplemented feed (EUG), Nano-EUG supplemented feed (Nano-EUG), diclazuril supplemented feed (standard treatment, ST), or basal diet [diseased control (d-CON) and healthy control (h-CON)), from days 1–42. Chickens of all groups, except h-CON, were challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. at 14 days of age. Coccidiosis development in d-CON was associated with impaired productivity (lower DWG and higher DFI and FCR relative to h-CON; p &lt; 0.05) and altered serum biochemistry (decreased TP, ALB, and GLB concentrations and SOD, GST, and GPx activities relative to h-CON; p &lt; 0.05). ST effectively controlled coccidiosis infection by significantly decreasing OPG values compared with d-CON (p &lt; 0.05) and maintaining zootechnical and serum biochemical parameters at levels close to (DWG, FCR; p &lt; 0.05) or not different from (DFI, TP, ALB, GLB, SOD, GST, and GPx) those of h-CON. Among the phytogenic supplemented (PS) groups, all showed decreased OPG values compared with d-CON (p &lt; 0.05), with the lowest value being measured in Nano-EUG. All PS groups showed better values of DFI and FCR than d-CON (p &lt; 0.05), but only in Nano-EUG were these parameters, along with DWG, not different from those of ST. Furthermore, Nano-EUG was the only PS group having all serum biochemical values not different (or even slightly improved) relative to ST and h-CON. In conclusion, the tested PS diets, especially Nano-EUG, can limit the deleterious effects of coccidiosis in broiler chickens, due to anticoccidial activity and possibly their reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby representing a potential green alternative to synthetic anticoccidials