Effects of aqueous artichoke (cynara scolymus) leaf extract on hepatic damage generated by alpha-amanitine

Approximately 90% of mushroom poisoning deaths in the world is caused by types of Amanita phalloides. Alpha-amanitine has a bicyclic octapeptide structure, which is the main structure responsible for these poisoning cases. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate effects of leaf extracts with artichoke extract on this toxicity. In the study, 28 male rats of Sprague-Dawley species were randomized to 4 groups. The groups were designed as control; receiving serum physiological solution of 0.1 mL intraperitoneally (ip), alpha-amanitine; receiving 3 mg/kg single dose ip, artichoke leaf extract; receiving 1.5 g/kg orally for 14 d, and treatment group¸ receiving alpha-amanitine 3 mg/kg single dose ip+artichoke leaf extract 1.5 g/kg orally for 14 d. It was determined that alpha-amanitine increased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decrease superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities with decreasing glutathione (GSH) levels. The supplementation with extract with artichoke, decreased MDA levels, it improved antioxidant parameters, and histopathological findings, so it was decided that extract with artichoke juice might be beneficial in alpha-amanitine related hepatic damage

Can taraxacum officinale (dandelion) extract be an alternative of paracetamol in inflammatory and painful cases? an evaluation with regard to biochemical and reproductive parameters

The aim of this study was to investigate the usage of Taraxacum officinale extract (TOE) in inflammatory and painful cases as an alternative to paracetamol (PRC) through the assessment of biochemical and reproductive parameters. Totally, 30 male Sprague Dawley rats aged eight weeks old, were used in this study. The animals were obtained from Atatürk University Experimental Research and Application Centre and kept under standard laboratory conditions. Commercial pellet chow and fresh drinking water were available ad libitum. Rats were divided into five groups: Group I (n= 6); referred as control. Group II (n=6); referred as TOE150 (150 mg/kg). Group III (n=6); referred as TOE200 (200 mg/kg). Group IV (n=6); referred as TOE250 (250 mg/kg). Group V (n=6); referred as Paracetamol (PRC) (2 g/kg). The treatment was performed for consecutive 8 days. The animals were tranquilized and sacrificed on 9th day of study. Blood samples, cauda epididymal semen samples and testes tissues were collected. Routine semen examinations were performed and oxidative stress levels of testicular tissues were assayed. Reproductive organ weights [total testes weight (TTW) and total cauda epididymal weights (TCEW)] were recorded. Motility in TOE250 group was significantly higher when compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Velocity of sperm cells in PRC group was significantly lower when compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Dead sperm rate in control group was significantly higher when compared to the other groups (P<0.001). On the other hand, the lowest TCEW was in TOE150 group (P<0.05). There were no differences in terms of TTW among all groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level of PRC group was significantly higher than the treatment groups (P<0.05). Besides, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels of PRC group were lower than the other groups (P<0.001). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level of PRC group was significantly lower than the treatment groups (P<0.001). The lowest catalase (CAT) level was in PRC group and the highest glutathione (GSH) level was in T200 group (P<0.001). In conclusion, it was observed that TOE could use as alternative of PRC and hence can be avoided from negative effects of PRC on biochemical and reproductive parameters

Relationship between seminal plasma arginase activity and semen quality in Saanen bucks

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between seminal plasma arginase activity and spermatological parameters in bucks. In this study, 5 ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina from each of 5 Saanen bucks of proven fertility. Spermatological parameters (semen volume, semen pH, mass sperm activity, sperm motility and concentration and percentage abnormal sperm) were evaluated immediately after collection in each ejaculate. After semen collection, samples were centrifuged and stored at −20 ◦C for analysis of the arginase activity. The mean level seminal plasma arginase activity recorded was 0.87±0.12 units/mg protein. There existed a positive correlation between the seminal plasma arginase activity and sperm mass activity (r = 0.548, p < 0.01), sperm motility (r = 0.408, p < 0.05) and sperm concentration (r = 0.793, p < 0.01); However, a negative correlationwasrecorded between seminal plasma arginase activity and the percentage abnormal sperm (r =−0.427, p < 0.05). This study suggests that a significant correlation exists between seminal plasma arginase activity and certain spermatological parameters. Therefore, seminal plasma arginase activity may be used as a biochemical criterion to determine sperm quality in bucks