Cytoprotective Effects of Nigella sativa Seeds on Monosodium Glutamate Induced Seminal Vesicle Damages: Histological and Immunohistochemical Studies

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a worldwide food flavour enhancer commonly used by the food industry. This feed additive may cause male infertility. Nigella sativa seeds (NSS) is a widely used in herbal medicine as it has many biological benefits and could provide a solution. This work was designed to investigate the histological effects of NSS on rats ingesting MSG. To achieve this aim, adult male albino rats (2- 3 months old) were randomly and equally assigned into three experimental groups. For a period of 21 days, control group received no treatment, MSG group received MSG as 30 g/kg feed, and MSG + NSS group received MSG as 30 g/kg feed and NSS as 30 g/kg feed. Seminal vesicle histopathology in MSG group showed mild seminal vesiculitis with degeneration of smooth muscle fibers in tunica muscularis. In addition, there was an increase in the amount of connective tissue and apoptotic cells count. Periodic Acid Schiff stain indicated irregular and interrupted epithelial basement membranes. Glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and caspase-3 immuno-expressions increased in MSG group. It was found that there was an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and dendritic cells in MSG group. However, treatment with NSS ameliorated these disturbances. NSS mitigated MSG-induced seminal vesicle damage by its histoprotective, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic activities

Effect of Autologous Serum Derived from Advanced Platelet-rich Fibrin on the Healing of Experimentally-induced Corneal Ulcer in Donkeys (Equus asinus)

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of serum derived from advanced platelet-rich fibrin on the healing of experimentally-induced corneal ulceration in donkeys. Nine adult apparently healthy donkeys of both sexes were used after being proofed normal after ophthalmological examination. A 6-mm-diameter centric corneal ulceration was induced chemically by using 1N sodium hydroxide solution. The donkeys were then randomly allocated into two main groups; control group (A), in which the corneal ulcer left for the period of the study without application of medicaments, and group (B), in which serum derived from advanced platelet-rich fibrin (s-PRF-drops) was applied to the eye three times/day for 35 days. Evaluation criteria included; clinical and external ophthalmic examinations, fluorescein staining, ulcer healing by analyzing serial digital photographs and histopathology. Results revealed no significant changes in the evaluation criteria between treatment and control groups. Corneal ulcer healing was associated with corneal opacity, vascularization, melanosis, and other complications that likely negate any potential benefit of administration of s-PRF as a treatment for corneal ulcer in donkeys. Histological results of the s-PRF-drops group were similar to the other group in the degree of re-epithelialization and regularity of the collagen bundles, type and maturity of the collagen. However, treatment by s-PRF drops resulted in no epithelial keratinization and slightly less sub-epithelial stromal inflammatory reaction

Histological, immunohistochemical and serological investigations of the ovary during follicular phase of estrous cycle in Saidi sheep

Abstract Background Saidi sheep are the most abundant ruminant livestock species in Upper Egypt, especially in the Assiut governorate. Sheep are one of the most abundant animals raised for food in Egypt. They can convert low-quality roughages into meat and milk in addition to producing fiber and hides therefore; great opportunity exists to enhance their reproduction. Saidi breed is poorly known in terms of reproduction. So this work was done to give more information on some hormonal, oxidative, and blood metabolites parameters in addition to histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical investigations of the ovary during follicular phase of estrous cycle. The present study was conducted on 25 healthy Saidi ewes for serum analysis and 10 healthy ewes for histological assessment aged 2 to 5 years and weighted (38.5 ± 2.03 kg). Results The follicular phase of estrous cycle in Saidi sheep was characterized by the presence of ovarian follicles in different stages of development and atresia in addition to regressed corpus luteum. Interestingly, apoptosis and tissue oxidative markers play a crucial role in follicular and corpus luteum regression. The most prominent features of the follicular phase were the presence of mature antral (Graafian) and preovulatory follicles as well as increased level of some blood metabolites and oxidative markers. Here we give a new schematic sequence of ovarian follicles in Saidi sheep and describing the features of different types. We also clarified that these histological pictures of the ovary was influenced by hormonal, oxidative and blood metabolites factors that characterizes the follicular phase of estrous cycle in Saidi sheep. Conclusion This work helps to understanding the reproduction in Saidi sheep which assist in improving the reproductive outcome of this breed of sheep. These findings are increasingly important for implementation of a genetic improvement program and utilizing the advanced reproductive techniques as estrous synchronization, artificial insemination and embryo transfer

Novel heterocyclic hybrids of pyrazole targeting dihydrofolate reductase: design, biological evaluation and in silico studies

A novel series of pyrazole analogues including hydrazones, pyrazolo[4,3-c]-pyridazines, pyrazolo[3,4-e][1,2,4]triazine and pyrazolo[3,4-d][1,2,3]triazoles was designed, synthesised and screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and DHFR inhibition activity. Compounds bearing benzenesulphonamide moiety incorporated with 3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-pyrazol-4(5H)-ylidene) hydrazine 3a or 6-amino-7-cyano-3-methyl-5H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridazine 6a revealed excellent and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity comparable to ciprofloxacin and amphotericin B as positive antibiotic and antifungal controls, respectively. Furthermore, these derivatives proved to be the most active DHFR inhibitors with IC50 values 0.11 ± 1.05 and 0.09 ± 0.91 µM, in comparison with methotrexate (IC50 = 0.14 ± 1.25 µM). The in silico studies were done to calculate the drug-likeness and toxicity risk parameters of the newly synthesised derivatives. Additionally, the high potency of the pyrazole derivatives bearing sulphonamide against DHFR was confirmed with molecular docking and might be used as an optimum lead for further modification