Effect of maternal diabetes and quercetin exposure on the oxidative stress and kidney damage in rat's fetus

Purpose: To investigate the prophylactic effects of quercetin on oxidative stress and damage to kidney in rat's fetus harvested from diabetic mothers.Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided to into four experimental groups: control, quercetin, diabetic, and quercetin-treated diabetic groups (6 rats in each group). Experimental diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and the female rats were mated with male rats. Thereafter, quercetin was orally administered by oral gavage (75 mg/kg), on 0, 7, 14 and 20 days of gestation. Foetuses were harvested on the 20th day of gestation and their kidneys, removed and the tissues examined biochemically and histopathologically. Subsequently, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured in the renal tissue.Results: Maternal diabetes delayed fetal kidney development and renal tubular necrosis, and reduced the number of renal glomeruli, while quercetin decreased the level of these changes. Accordingly, the MDA level increased while catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in diabetic fetal kidney. These biochemical changes were corrected by quercetin.Conclusion: Quercetin has a protective effect on some biochemical and pathological changes in the kidney of foetuses exposed to maternal diabetes.Keywords: Maternal diabetes, Streptozotocin, Quercetin, Renal teratogenicity, Fetu

L-Carnitine Protect against Cyclophosphamide Induced Skeletal and Neural Tube Malformations in Rat Fetuses

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a mustard alkylating agent used in the treatment of a number of neoplastic diseases and as an immunosuppressant for the prevention of xenograft rejection. There are many reports that the teratogenic effects of cyclophosphamide can be prevented by application of antioxidant drugs and stimulation of the maternal immune system. Also, there is some evidence that L-carnitine is antioxidant. Therefore, in this study, the prophylactic effect of L-carnitine on teratogenic effects of CP was evaluated. This study was performed on 31 pregnant rats divided into 5 groups. Control group received normal saline and test groups received L-carnitine (500 mg/kg), CP (15 mg/kg), CP (15 mg/kg) plus L-carnitine (250 mg/kg) and CP (15 mg/kg) plus L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 9th day of gestation. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length; they were stained by Alizarin red-Alcian blue method. Cleft palate, spina bifida, and exencephaly incidence were 55.55%, 33.34% and 27.77% in fetuses of mice that received only CP. Cleft palate, spina bifida, exencephaly incidence were 21.42%, 4.76% and 9.52% in the group which received CP plus L-carnitine (250 mg/kg), respectively. However, cleft palate, spina bifida, and exencephaly incidence were 8%, 0% and 8% range in the group received CP plus L-carnitine (500 mg/kg), respectively. In addition, skeletal anomalies incidence including limbs, vertebrae, and sternum defects were decreased by L-carnitine. The mean of weight and length of animals' fetuses received L-carnitine were significantly greater than those received only CP. In conclusion, L-carnitine significantly decreased teratogenicity induced by CP; but this subject needs more detailed evaluation

Comparative Effect of Bromelain and Vitamin E on Bisphenol A-induced Skeletal Anomalies in the Rat Fetus

Background & Objective: The teratogenic and embryotoxic potential of Bisphenol A (BPA) has been identified in recent years. Bromelain is a natural compound of pineapple that contains different beneficial effects on the fetus. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of bromelain against BPA-induced skeletal anomalies in the rat fetuses. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 36 pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups including control, BPA (300 mg/kg), Bromelain (40 mg/kg), BPA + Bromelain (10 mg/kg), BPA + Bromelain (40 mg/kg) and BPA + Vitamin E (100 mg/kg). The treatment period was at the 6-15th days of gestation. Fetuses were collected at the 20th day of gestation and after clarification, the skeletal system was stained by Alizarin red and Alcian blue method. Then, skeletal anomalies were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Results: The BPA increased anomalies percentage of cleft palate, spina bifida, non-ossification of the sternum, non-ossification of the last rib, delayed ossification of the forelimb, non-ossification of forepaw, delayed ossification of hindlimb, and non-ossification of the hind paw. Administration of bromelain, as same as vitamin E, reduced the percentage of these anomalies. However, the higher dose of bromelain had a better effect than its lower dose and vitamin E. Conclusion: Bromelain is dose-dependent and even better than vitamin E, can reduce skeletal anomalies induced by bisphenol A in the rat fetus

A case of conjoined twins (thoraco-omphalopygopagus tribrachius tetrapus) in lamb

Sheep conjoined twins have been reported less than cow. An apparently female conjoined twin lambs was examined based on external and internal features. In radiology, two vertebral columns and two pairs of the ribs were seen. Only two heads and two necks were separated (thoraco-omphalopygopagus). There were three forelimbs (tribrachius), one of which grew on dorsal region as a notomelus. Teat buds of the monsters differed in number. Only one lamb had umbilicus, including one umbilical vein, and two umbilical arteries locating besides one urinary bladder. This lamb had also one uterus. Two-separated alimentary tracts were observed in a common abdomen. Common thorax and abdominal cavities were separated by a diaphragm. There were two esophageal hiatuses, and two caval foramina but only one aortic hiatus. Two pairs of lungs and two unequal and connected hearts in a common pericardium were observed. Abnormality of the circulatory system might have caused the death of the twins

Artemisia species as a new candidate for diabetes therapy: a comprehensive review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease and a threatening problem for world health. Allopathic medications are not efficient enough in controlling DM and its complications. Therefore, much attention has been directed towards the traditional medicine system. Plant derived-natural compounds with medicinal properties play an essential role in DM management and treatment. Artemisia is a varied and widespread genus of the family Asteraceae, which has more than 500 species with beneficial economic and therapeutic significance. Electronic databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, medRixv, and Wiley were used to search scientific literature. In folklore medicine, Artemisia species have been widely utilized for diabetes management. Molecular investigations have revealed that the NF-κB suppression, Notch 1 inhibition, cell cycle stop at S+G2/M-phase, enhanced Bax protein concentrations, mitochondrial membrane potential attenuation, activation of p53 and caspase, Bcl-2 regulation, and ROS formation are crucial mechanisms that could be targeted via various Artemisia species. Anti-diabetic effects of single or multiple doses of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Artemisia species are due to the presence of bioactive compounds, and they are completely efficient in lowering levels of blood glucose in experimental examinations. In spite of the available anti-diabetic drugs, therapeutic agents obtained from the mentioned plants have been used for the treatment of this disease and its complications with less adverse impacts. Taken together, multiple lines of evidence indicated that Artemisia species could be introduced as a potential therapeutic candidate in the treatment and management of diabetes

Curcumin and its derivatives in cancer therapy: potentiating antitumor activity of cisplatin and reducing side effects

Curcumin is a phytochemical isolated from Curcuma longa with potent tumor-suppressor activity, which has shown significant efficacy in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Curcumin stimulates cell death, triggers cycle arrest, and suppresses oncogenic pathways, thereby suppressing cancer progression. Cisplatin (CP) stimulates DNA damage and apoptosis in cancer chemotherapy. However, CP has adverse effects on several organs of the body, and drug resistance is frequently observed. The purpose of the present review is to show the function of curcumin in decreasing CP's adverse impacts and improving its antitumor activity. Curcumin administration reduces ROS levels to prevent apoptosis in normal cells. Furthermore, curcumin can inhibit inflammation via down-regulation of NF-κB to maintain the normal function of organs. Curcumin and its nanoformulations can reduce the hepatoxicity, neurotoxicity, renal toxicity, ototoxicity, and cardiotoxicity caused by CP. Notably, curcumin potentiates CP cytotoxicity via mediating cell death and cycle arrest. Besides, curcumin suppresses the STAT3 and NF-ĸB as tumor-promoting pathways, to enhance CP sensitivity and prevent drug resistance. The targeted delivery of curcumin and CP to tumor cells can be mediated nanostructures. In addition, curcumin derivatives are also able to reduce CP-mediated side effects, and increase CP cytotoxicity against various cancer types

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target genes and molecular pathways in glioblastoma therapy: Current status with an emphasis on delivery systems

10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119368Life Sciences275119368-11936