EFFECT OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA) ON RENAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY IN RAT

Objective: Use of herbal medicines has increased in recent years and many researches show their values in the treatment and prevention of diseases. In several studies, antioxidant properties of purslane (PO) were demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of PO (EEPO) on the renal function and antioxidant status after induction of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat kidney.Methods: 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6): sham operated+ vehicle (sham), sham operated+ EEPO 300mg/kg (control), I/R, I/R+ EEPO 150 and 300 mg/kg. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed in all animals, 20 days before the experiment. PO extract or vehicle was administered for 5 days, So that the last dose was administered a half hour before induction of the left kidney I/R (45 min ischemia /24 h reperfusion). At the end of reperfusion period, blood and renal tissue samples were obtained for the serum urea and creatinine (Scr) measurements as well as the tissue antioxidant assays.Results: Induction of I/R and pretreatment with PO extract, increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). There were no significant changes in the levels of MDA, GSH and FRAP among different groups. On the other hand the Scr and serum urea of the I/R and treated groups were elevated compared to the sham group.Conclusion: Purslane did not strongly affect the renal antioxidant status and could not prevent the renal injury following I/R. Probable reason might be the stimulation of immune system by the PO extract

Comparison of three methods of intermittent fasting in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice

Purpose: Intermittent fasting (IF), describes a variety of diets that the individual is exposed to intermittent periods of fasting and refeeding. The present study was designed to compare the three most popular intermittent fasting methods in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Methods: 50 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into Normal Control (CN), High-Fat Control (CH), IF1 (Alternate Day Fasting), IF2 (Time-Restricted Feeding), IF3 (5:2 Diet) diets. In the first phase of the study, the mice were fed ad libitum either with a 54% Calorie high-fat (CH, IF1, IF2, IF3) or standard CHOW (CN) for 8 weeks. Then, in the intervention phase, the IF groups were fasted for four weeks based on their fasting protocol. At the end of the study, the mice fasting blood, liver and fat tissue samples were biochemically and pathologically assessed. Results: The weight loss during the fasting period in IF1 and IF2 groups was significantly greater than CH. The epididymal fat pad weight was significantly lower in IF2 and IF3 compared to CH. The serum Triglyceride was significantly greater in CH than in the CN group. The tissue injury scores of the high-fat-diet groups were significantly greater than CN. Also, the tissue injury score was greater in IF1 group compared to the high-fat control group. Conclusion: All of the fasting protocols can prompt acceptable energy restriction and the ADF and TRF protocols can significantly cause weight loss. Also, the TRF and 5:2 Diets can lower the visceral adiposity. However further human studies focusing on dietary adherence seem necessary

The effect of aqueous extract of Rosa damascena on formaldehyde-induced toxicity in mice testes

Context: Rosa damascena L. (Rosaceae) (RD) essential oil and extracts are commonly used as a flavour in herbal medicine which increase libido. Previous studies have shown inhalation of RD flower’s oil increases libido and causes protective effects in formaldehyde (FA)-induced testicular damage. Objective: The protective effects of aqueous extract of RD on the male reproductive system of mice were examined following FA-induced damage. Materials and methods: Forty-eight adult NMRI male mice were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8): control (normal saline, 10 mg/kg); RD40 (40 mg/kg, p.o.); FA treated (10 mg/kg of 10%, i.p.) and FA + RD treated at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg (FA + RD10), (FA + RD20) and (FA + RD40), respectively, for 40 days. At the end of treatment regimes, serum testosterone (T) level and the reproductive activity, viz. body/organ weights, testicular structure and sperm characteristics were studied. Results: Formaldehyde administration significantly decreased serum T level (p < 0.001), testicular weight/volume, tubular diameter and sperm characteristics compared to the control group (p < 0.05). RD (40 mg/kg) administration in FA-treated mice significantly improved serum T level, testicular weight/histological structure, tubular diameter, Leydig cell number and epididymal sperm characteristics in comparison to its lower doses and the control group (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusions: We may conclude that RD flower extract can withstand effects of FA in the male reproductive system of mice possibly due to its antioxidative properties