Aronia Melanocarpa Antioxidant Potential against Chromium VI Induced Morphological Changes in Endocrine Pancreas

AbstractHexavalent chromium is known as strong oxidizing agent, enters the cells easily and generates reactive oxygen species. It was demonstrated that Cr VI is toxic for liver, kidney, skin, nervous system, female and male reproductive systems. However, chromium effects on pancreas are less studied.Aronia melanocarpa fruits are rich in phenolic constituents: anthocyanins, procyanidins and phenolic acids, which demonstrated to have anti-oxidative, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory activities.Considering the aforesaid the present study was carried out in idea to see if Cr VI induces structural changes in pancreas, given it’s property of inducing ROS formation in cells, and if aronia extract can play a protective role.The study was carried out on white Wistar rats divided in 5 groups and exposed as follows: C - control -distilled water, Cr group - potassium dichromate, hexavalent chromium compound, in distilled water, 75 ppm for three months; CrA group - 75 ppm Cr VI + extract of A. melanocarpa for three months; Cr2 group - 75 ppm Cr VI for three months followed by one month of distilled water; CrA2 group 75 ppm Cr VI for three months followed by one month of extract of A. melanocarpa. At the end of exposure period pancreas was collected and prepared for histological analysis.Hexavalent chromium administration induced morphological and functional changes in endocrine pancreas cells. Microscopic examination of histological slides from pancreas revealed the size and number reduction of Langerhans islets and presence of degenerative lesions. Experimental group that received Cr VI combined with aqueous extract of Aronia presented almost normal architecture of endocrine cells, even more vascular changes occurred too, probably responsible for repairing phenomena

Deoxyribonucleic acid interactions specific to biochemical injury induced by some carcinogenic xenobiotics

At the origin of the neoplastic processes in which deoxyribonucleic acid is involved, one can mention as trigger factors a great number of xenobiotics which are present in the air, feedstuffs, foodstuffs and water having harmful effects on animals and humans. Xenobiotics of various sources : chemical (organic and inorganic compounds), physical (ionizing radiations, UV radiation) and biological (oncoviruses) can become carcinogenic agents.Submitted as a review the aim of this paper is to give data on the molecular mechanisms inducing biochemical injuries as a consequence of the interaction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with various chemical compounds. The interactions of DNA with the following organic compunds are discussed : aflatoxins (AF), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aromatic amines and the following inorganic compounds : some metal ions (Mn+) with toxicogene potential; nitrates (NO3 and nitrites (NO These interactions are of interest for comparative medicine due to their pathobiochemical and pathophysiological aspects. All the above mentioned adducts are frequently discussed in pathology being at the origin of the biochemical injury which can evolve to a carcinogen process. Initially the nuclear DNA is damaged and further on the cell. If the pathological process develops the result is the formation and growth of a neoplasm

The Use of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The study emphasize the effect of H. rhamnoides and S. marianum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The rats (200g and 3 months age) were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of H. rhamnoides, S. marianum or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The stronger effect was obtained in case of H. rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) extract administration followed by the S. marianum (Milk thistle) extract. The combination of the two extracts proven to have a stronger effect than the extracts given separately

The Use of Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus L.) and Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The present study emphasize the effect of R. crispus and L. barbarum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The rats were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of R. crispus, L. barbarum or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The better results were obtained in case of L. barbatum (goji) extract administration followed by the R. crispus (yellow dock) extract. The combination of the two extracts proven to have a weaker effect than the extracts given separately