PREVENTION OF FALL IN PLATELET COUNT BY CARICA PAPAYA LEAF JUICE IN CARBOPLATIN INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPAENIA IN MICE

ABSTRACT Background: There are no effective methods to treat thrombocytopenia once it occurs. Transfusions, growth factor injections and bone marrow transplant have their limitations. So there is increased need for research of drugs that could prevent and treat thrombocytopenia. The objective the study to determine the effect of different doses of male and female papaya leaf juice on prevention of carboplatin induced thrombocytopenia in mice. Methods: A total of 55 Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into five groups (C, M10, M5, F10 and F5). Thrombocytopaenia was induced in all groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin. Male papaya leaf juice was given to prevent of thrombocytopaenia to groups M10 and M5 and female papaya leaf juice was given to F10 and F5. On days 0, 7, 14 and 21 blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for platelet count. Significance of difference was calculated by one way ANOVA. Results: After carboplatin injection, platelet count decreased. Papaya leaf juice prevented fall in platelet count throughout the study period with p-value < 0.001. Difference between male and female papaya leaf juice was not significant while higher dose (10 ml/kg) produced significantly higher responses as compared to low dose (5 ml/kg). Conclusion: Papaya leaf juice prevents reversible thrombocytopaenia induced by carboplatin in a dose dependent manner. There is no difference between male and female plants in this respect

EFFECT OF PIOGLITAZONE AND GEMFIBROZIL ADMINISTRATION ON C-REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVELS IN NON-DIABETIC HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare anti-inflammatory effect of pioglitazone and gemfibrozil by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in high fat fed non-diabetic rats. METHODS: A comparative animal study was conducted at the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan in which 27, adult healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups. Hyperlipidemia was induced in all three groups by giving hyperlipidemic diet containing cholesterol 1.5%, coconut oil 8.0% and sodium cholate 1.0%. After four weeks, Group A (control) was given distilled water, Group B was given pioglitazone 10mg/kg body weight and Group C was given gemfibrozil 10mg/kg body weight as single morning dose by oral route for four weeks. CRP was estimated at zero, 4th and 8th week. RESULTS: There was significant increase in the level of CRP after giving high lipid diet from mean±SD of 2.59±0.28mg/L, 2.63±0.32mg/L and 2.67±0.23mg/L at 0 week to 3.55±0.44mg/L, 3.59±0.34mg/L and 3.6±0.32mg/L at 4th week in groups A, B and C respectively. Multiple comparisons by ANOVA revealed significant difference between groups at 8th week only. Post hoc analysis disclosed that CRP level was significantly low in pioglitazone treated group having mean±SD of 2.93±0.33mg/L compared to control group’s 4.42±0.30mg/L and gemfibrozil group’s 4.28±0.39mg/L. The p-value in each case was <0.001, while difference between control and gemfibrozil was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Pioglitazone is effective in reducing hyperlipidemia associated inflammation, evidenced by decreased CRP level while gemfibrozil is not effective

Effect of Losartan in Comparison with Pioglitazone on Lipid Profile in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To evaluate the effect of losartan in comparison with pioglitazone on lipid profile in a type 2 diabetic rat mode. Materials and Methods: This case control study was conducted in Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore from June to August 2011. Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats of 5 weeks of age were randomized into three groups. All the rats were fed a high fat and sucrose diet. Pioglitazone or Losartan were given along with this diet to the rats in groups HFDPIO and HFD-LOS respectively, while group HFD was kept as control. At the end of 12 weeks, serum samples were obtained from all the animals and total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were obtained using kit method. LDL-cholesterol was determined using the Friedewald formula. Results: At the end of study period, lipid profile parameters were statistically improved between HFD-PIO and the control HFD group. The difference in the lipid profile parameters between the HFD-LOS and the control HFD group as well as between the HFD-PIO and HFD-LOS groups was not significant. Conclusion: The ARB losartan has a small but insignificant effect on lipid profile.&nbsp

Ajwa date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is hepatoprotective against toxicity by antituberculosis drugs - an experimental study

Background and Objective: Hepatotoxicity induced by antituberculosis drugs is quite common and often linked with oxidative stress. Ajwa dates are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids; therefore, these may be protective against the oxidative stress to liver. This study was designed to determine the hepatoprotective effects of Ajwa dates on hepatotoxicity induced by antituberculous drugs in an experimental model.Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 30 male rabbits were divided into 5 groups, with 6 animals in each group. Group A and B were fed on normal diet. Group C, D, and E were fed on a diet supplemented with whole Ajwa dates, flesh, and seed powder, respectively. Group B, C, D, and E were given isoniazid 50 mg/kg and rifampicin 100 mg/kg orally for 14 days. After the rabbits were sacrificed, hepatotoxic changes were examined histologically in all groups according to standard criteria.Results: Liver to body weight ratio was higher in disease group (B) as compared to the healthy control group A (p-value = 0.03), Ajwa flesh group D (p-value = 0.02) and Ajwa seed powder group E (p-value = 0.07). Differences between experimental groups were not statistically significant for both liver weight, and liver weight to body weight ratio. On histological examination, degeneration, necrosis, steatosis, triaditis, and fibrosis were seen in the disease group B while no such changes were observed in group C, D, and E.Conclusion: Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has a protective role against isoniazid and rifampicin-induced hepatocellular injury and fibrosis.</p

Pretreatment with Ajwa dates (Phoenix dactylifera Linn) Prevents Development of Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Rats

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: A global increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress is a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of DM Ajwa dates are known to have a high antioxidant content, especially in their seeds. Hence this study was designed to determine the preventive effects of Ajwa date fruit on alloxan-induced diabetes in an experimental rat model. Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups with eight animals in each. Rats in group A were normal control, whereas rats in group B were induced with intraperitoneal alloxan (160 mg/kg body weight) to develop diabetes. Groups C, D, and E rats were fed on a diet supplemented with Ajwa flesh, seed, and whole Ajwa respectively for 1 week. Blood and urine glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7 (pre-alloxan) and 11, 14, 19 (post-alloxan). Serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) for &beta;-cell function (HOMA-&beta;), and insulin resistance (HOMA[1]IR) were estimated terminally. Results: Diabetes was induced successfully in animals of all experimental groups except the normal control group. Rats of the Ajwa-seed group (D) showed relative resistance to diabetes induction with three non-diabetic rats on day 19. In group E, rats had lower blood sugar levels than rats in group C (p = 0.010). Serum insulin, HOMA-&beta; and HOMA-IR, revealed partial beta cells restoration in the experimental animals of groups D and C. Insulin resistance was significantly higher, despite the highest insulin level (3.77 &micro;IU/ml; p value &lt;0.001) in group C. Conclusion: Ajwa date seed powder appears to provide relative protection against the development of diabetes in rats induced by alloxan.</p

Effects of Dried Aloe Vera Gel and Diclofenac on Sodium and Potassium Homeostasis: An Experimental Study on Hypertensive Rats

Background: Anti-inflammatory role of Aloe vera gel is well established. Diclofenac is extensively used for acute and chronic inflammation. The present study was conducted to compare dried Aloe vera gel and diclofenac effects on sodium and potassium balance in hypertensive rats. Material and Methods: This experimental study was conducted at Sargodha Medical College from May to November 2016. Twenty-four healthy male Sprague Dawley rats 7-8 weeks of age were included in study. Any unhealthy-looking rat was excluded from the study. Rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups Normal control (group A), Model control (group B), Aloe vera (group C) &amp; Diclofenac (group D). Hypertension was induced by a 20 % sucrose diet in all groups except group A in 8 weeks’ time. Group B, C &amp; D received distilled water and Aloe vera dried gel 400 mg/kg &amp; diclofenac powder 12 mg/kg body weight respectively orally between 8 to 10 weeks. Serum and urine analysis was performed for hematocrit, sodium, and potassium concentrations at zero, eight and ten weeks. Twenty-four-hour urinary sodium excretion was calculated. Data was analyzed using Graph Pad Prism version 6. Result: After 2-week administration of aloe vera and diclofenac powder, serum potassium significantly decreased in Group C (p &lt;0.001) while increased in Group B and D (p &lt;0.001) as compared to group A. Urinary sodium concentration and excretion increased significantly in Group C (p &lt;0.01) as compared to Group A whereas result of Group D was insignificant. No significant change in serum sodium and hematocrit of any group was observed. Conclusion: Aloe vera causes less sodium retention than diclofenac but decreases serum potassium contrary to the effect of diclofenac in hypertensive rats

Effect of Ajwa date seed powder on visceral fat depots and inflammatory response in high fat fed Sprague Dawley female rats.

Background: Central obesity a worldwide metabolic and cosmetic problem poses significant health risk. Ajwa date seed has antioxidant property and its high fiber content may prevent fat absorption and reduce fat deposition. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Ajwa date seed powder on visceral fat depots and inflammatory response in high fat fed Sprague Dawley female rats. Methodology: Thirty-six healthy rats of four weeks age were divided into three groups and followed for 12 weeks. Group A (normal control) received regular diet. Group B (HFD control) received high fat diet, while group C (HFD+Ajwa group) received high fat diet along with 2% Ajwa date seed powder. Body weight was measured weekly. Blood samples were drawn for the estimation of serum IL-6 and leptin levels by ELISA method at 12th week, after which, rats were euthanized; perinephric fat was removed and weighed in grams. Results: HFD+Ajwa group gained less body weight as compared to HFD control group (p value = 0.012). There was a remarkable reduction in perinephric fat weight (p value ≤ 0.001) and level of IL-6 in HFD+Ajwa group (p value ≤ 0.001) as compared to HFD control. There was no significant difference in serum leptin level of the rats of all groups (p value = 0.567). Conclusion: Ajwa date seed can prevent visceral adiposity and gain in body weight. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory effect; but no significant effect on satiety hormone