Antimicrobial and toxicity profiles evaluation of the Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) essential oil combination with standard antimicrobial agents

In this present study, commercial Pharmacopeia (PhEur) grade chamomile essential oil (Mairicariae aetheroleurn) was combined with different antimicrobial agents including ampicillin sodium, cefuroxime acetyl, tetracycline hydrochloride, fluconazole and nystatin. All combinations were evaluated in vitro against pathogenic standard and clinical resistant Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial isolates as well as against Candida albicans for their broad antimicrobial effectiveness. Furthermore, the essential oil was fractioned by column chromatography using n-hexane, diethyl ether, dichloromethane and methanol, respectively. Additionally, all fractions of essential oil were tested in combinations for their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as well as for their fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC) against the resistant microbial pathogens. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated by microdilution method and antimicrobial interactions were assayed using the checkerboard method. Cytotoxicity of compounds were evaluated using Cytotox-XTT-1 1:rameter Kit in WS1 cells and Aliivibrio fischeri bioluminescence toxicity assay. The analyses proved that alpha-bisabolol oxide A (47.7%), (E)-beta-famesene (21.5%), alpha-bisabolol oxide B (6.2%), alpha-bisabolone oxide A (5.8%), chamazulene (4.1%) and alpha-bisabolol (2.2%), respectively were the major compounds and in compliance with PhEur. The essential oil combination of fluconazole and nystatin showed "synergic and additive inhibitory effects" against the clinical Candida strain. According to the IC50 values obtained, the inhibitory concentrations of combinations against the clinical Candida strain can be considered to be selective when compared with its effect on WS1 cells. Additionally, the essential oil combination of fluconazole and nystatin showed low toxicity against A. fischeri

Assessment of Hepatotoxic Effects of Quetiapıne at Repeated Doses in Rats

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for treatments of patients with schizophrenia. Although hepatotoxic effects related to quetiapine treatment were reported in a few studies, potential hepatotoxicity of this drug was not identified clearly. Therefore, it was aimed to evaluate possible hepatotoxic effects of quetiapine by oral administration of this drug at 10 and 20 mg/kg doses to rats for 30 days in our study. For this purpose, plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels as markers of hepatotoxicity were determined and histopathological examination was performed in liver tissues. According to our results, serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly increased in quetiapine-administered groups, whereas total and direct bilirubin levels were significantly increased in high dose group. Histopathological examination of liver tissue indicated that necrotic areas were observed in 10 mg/kg quetiapine-administered group whereas necrotic areas were present and sinusoidal dilatation was observed in 20 mg/kg quetiapine-administered group. According to these results, we concluded that quetiapine may induced hepatotoxic effects in rats, dose-dependently

Acute and Subchronic Toxic Effects of the Fruits of Physalis peruviana L

The fruit of Physalis peruviana L. (PPL) has been traditionally used as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic all over the world. We aimed to perform qualitative content analysis of the fruits of PPL and to clarify the in vitro genotoxicity and in vivo acute and subchronic toxicity of the fruit. Lyophilized fruit juice does not induce genetic damage. In the acute toxicity studies, LD50 value of the fruit was found to be more than 5000 mg kg −1 for both sexes. According to the subchronic toxicity studies, hepatic, renal, and hematological toxic effects were not induced in both sexes. Plasma troponin I (only in the group treated with 5000 mg kg −1 of lyophilized fruit juice) and troponin T levels were significantly increased in male groups treated with lyophilized fruit juice compared to the control group. Furthermore, potassium level was significantly increased in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg −1 of lyophilized fruit juice. These findings were considered to indicate the myocardial damage particularly in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg −1 of lyophilized fruit juice. In conclusion, lyophilized fruit juice of PPL is shown to induce cardiac toxicity only at high doses and in male gender

Acute and Subchronic Toxic Effects of the Fruits of Physalis peruviana L.

The fruit of Physalis peruviana L. (PPL) has been traditionally used as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic all over the world. We aimed to perform qualitative content analysis of the fruits of PPL and to clarify the in vitro genotoxicity and in vivo acute and subchronic toxicity of the fruit. Lyophilized fruit juice does not induce genetic damage. In the acute toxicity studies, LD50 value of the fruit was found to be more than 5000 mg kg−1 for both sexes. According to the subchronic toxicity studies, hepatic, renal, and hematological toxic effects were not induced in both sexes. Plasma troponin I (only in the group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice) and troponin T levels were significantly increased in male groups treated with lyophilized fruit juice compared to the control group. Furthermore, potassium level was significantly increased in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice. These findings were considered to indicate the myocardial damage particularly in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1 of lyophilized fruit juice. In conclusion, lyophilized fruit juice of PPL is shown to induce cardiac toxicity only at high doses and in male gender

The Relationship Between Blood Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha, Fetuin-A, Fibrinogen, Homocysteine, and Amputation Level

WOS: 000563664100001PubMed: 32856516Reduced life expectancy has resulted from an increased incidence of chronic complications in patients with diabetes. the diabetic foot is one of these complications and generally presents together with diabetic neuropathy and vascular insufficiency. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is important in developing the adaptation response to hypoxia and facilitates healing through regulation of keratinocyte migration and epithelium restoration in wounds. Fetuin-A is a transporter protein that is synthesized in the liver and inhibits vascular and ectopic calcifications. It has been observed that altered fetuin-A is associated with peripheral artery disease through vascular calcification and is associated with inflammation and metabolic syndrome occurrence in diabetic patients. Fibrinogen is an acute-phase reactant and has a major role in homeostasis, tissue repair, and wound healing. Increased fibrinogen blood level is one of the factors that facilitates the hypercoagulability in diabetics. Homocysteine has atherogenic features and causes vascular toxicity by enhancing low-density lipoprotein oxidation. We evaluated the association of serum HIF-1 alpha, fetuin-A, fibrinogen, and homocysteine levels with amputation in 31 patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. According to our evaluation, a negative correlation was determined between fetuin-A and amputation level (P= .012,r= -0.450), which was statistically significant. Unfortunately, there was no significant correlation between HIF-1 alpha, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and amputation level (P> .05). As a result, it was suggested that vascular calcification due to fetuin-A deficiency may be important in the diabetic foot pathogenesis and that fetuin-A levels may be a predictor for amputation level.Ege University Scientific Research Project CommissionEge University [16-TIP-011]The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Ege University Scientific Research Project Commission (Project No. 16-TIP-011)

Reproductive toxicity after levetiracetam administration in male rats: Evidence for role of hormonal status and oxidative stress.

Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy because of its excellent safety profile in all age groups. It is remarkable that there are no studies evaluating the toxic effects of this drug on the male reproductive system, as it is commonly used in male patients of reproductive age. From this point of view, our aim was to evaluate the possible toxic effects of LEV on the male reproductive system. Therefore, LEV was administered to male rats orally at 50, 150, and 300 mg/kg for 70 consecutive days. At the end of this period, alterations to body and organ weights were calculated, and sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were investigated by a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. Sperm DNA damage was determined by comet assay and histopathological examination of the testes was carried out. Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured by ELISAs to determine the effects of hormonal status, while glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels in the testes were measured by colorimetric assay kits to determine the role of oxidative status in potential toxicity. According to the results, sperm quality was decreased by LEV treatment in a dose-dependent manner. LEV induced significant DNA damage in the 150 and 300 mg/kg LEV-administered groups. Histopathology of the testes showed that LEV resulted in testicular injury in the 300 mg/kg LEV-administered group. Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels were significantly decreased in the 300 mg/kg LEV-administered group. Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were significantly decreased in all experimental groups while malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in 150 and 300 mg/kg LEV-administered groups. According to these results, it was determined that LEV administration decreased sperm quality and it was alleged that hormonal alteration and oxidative stress are potential contributors to reproductive toxicity

Sertraline-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats: evaluation of possible underlying mechanisms

This study was conducted to clarify the toxic effects of sertraline (SRT) on the reproductive system of male rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Rats were treated orally with SRT at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg kg−1 for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were investigated by computer-assisted sperm analysis system whereas sperm DNA damage was detected by comet assay. The oxidative status of the testes was investigated, and a histopathological examination was conducted. Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured to determine the effects of SRT on the spermatogenesis process. One-way ANOVA, post-hoc Dunnett′s T3 test for the sperm comet assay, and post-hoc Tukey′s test for the others were performed for statistical analysis. The results showed that SRT caused an increase in sperm DNA damage and induced histopathological lesions in all groups treated with SRT. There was abnormal sperm morphology and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in the 10 mg kg−1 treatment group. More dramatic changes were observed in the 20 mg kg−1 treatment group. Decreased sperm count was accompanied by a significant increase in abnormal sperm morphology, DNA damage, and degeneration in cellular-tubular structures. Serum LH and testosterone levels were elevated in the 20 mg kg−1 treatment group. Decreased glutathione (GSH) and increased MDA were signs of enhanced oxidative stress (OS). In conclusion, SRT induced testicular toxicity in a dose-dependent manner and OS is suggested as a crucial mechanism