The effect of ethanolic extract of Ferula szowitsiana on cognitive deficits and lipid peroxidation induced by ethidium bromide in experimental model of MS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term microinjection of Ferula szowitsiana extract on the process of spatial memory and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus in an experimental model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Each group has 7 rats. These groups were included control, sham, model of MS and MS groups with plant extract treatments. In the experimental model of MS groups, induction of MS was carried out by single injection of ethidium bromide (EB) into the hippocampus. One week after MS induction by EB (0.01 %), the MS groups were treated by Ferula szowitsiana extract (5 and 10 μg/rat) for 3 consecutive days. Finally following the treatment period, for measuring spatial memory, Morris Water Maze test was carried out and the hippocampus of both sides were dissected and used for measurement of Malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: The results showed that in the experimental model of MS group travelled distance (1022.44±53.29) and escape latency (41.30±3.29) increased compared to travelled distance (885.94±29.56) and escape latency (36.26±0.65) in the control group (p<0.001). Short-term treatment by Ferula szowitsiana extract in this models decreased the travelled distance (838.39±24.16) and escape latency (39.87±1.24) (P<0.001). MDA increased in the experimental model of MS group (3.8±0.51) compared to the control group (0.68±0.13) (p<0.001) and in the Ferula treated group (0.34±0.04) decreased compared to the MS animals (P<0.001). Conclusion: Treatment with Ferula szowitsiana extract is able to prevent memory and learning reduction, through inhibition of lipid peroxidation in an experimental model of MS

Induction of mammary gland tumor in female Sprague-Dawley rats with LA7 cells

The current methods for tumor induction in breast cancer research animal models are time-consuming, hazardous, expensive, sometimes irreproducible and inconvenient. We successfully developed a new, simple and cost-effective method in developing solid mammary gland tumor in female Sprague-Dawley rat using LA7 rat mammary tumor cells. Tumors developed in 7- 8 weeks old rats within 6 to 8 days of subcutaneous injection of LA7 cells into the mammary gland pad. Tumor size increased exponentially for four weeks. Histopathology examination confirmed that the induced tumors were adenocarcinomas. Evaluation of blood enzymes showed significantly higher (P < 0.005) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in tumor-bearing than in normal rats. This LA7 cell-induced rat mammary gland tumor model may be useful for studies in breast cancer drug or nutraceutical research and development

Spectroscopic investigation on the interaction of DNA with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles doped with chromene via dopamine as cross linker

Objective(s): The interaction of DNA with iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) was studied to find out the interaction mechanism and design new drug delivery systems. Materials and Methods: The interaction of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) with SPIONs doped with 2H-chromene via dopamine as cross linker (SPIONs@DA-Chr) was studied using the UV absorption spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, circular dichroism, fluorescence and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Results: UV absorption study showed hyperchromic effect in the spectra of DNA. Few changes were observed in the viscosity of ctDNA in the presence of different concentration of SPIONs@DA-Chr. The result of circular dichroism (CD) suggested that SPIONs@DA-Chr can change the secondary structure of DNA. Further, fluorescence quenching reaction of ctDNA with SPIONs@DA-Chr and competitive fluorescence spectroscopy studied by using methylene blue, have shown that the SPIONs@DA-Chr can bind to ctDNA through non-intercalative mode. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the binding of SPIONs@DA-Chr and ctDNA. Conclusion: These results suggested that SPIONs@DA-Chr binds to DNA via groove binding mode

Association of leukocyte telomere length with obesity-related traits in Asian children with early-onset obesity

10.1111/ijpo.12771PEDIATRIC OBESITY16