Evaluation of gastroprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of Peperomia pellucida (L) Kunth

This work was carried out to investigate the anti-ulcerogenic activity of Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth in necrotizing agent ie (ethanol, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid) and indomethacin-induced models in rats. The 70% of ethanolic extract of aerial part of Peperomia pellucida (PPE) was prepared. Four doses ie 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg were selected for further study. Ulcer effects were determined by counting the total surface area of lesion in mm2. Results showed that PPE provided significant protection in various experimental models used. Pretreatment with the PPE at all doses (10,30,100 and 300 mg/kg) has produced significant inhibition of gastric mucosal damage induced by 80% EtOH, 25% NaCl, 0.6 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH and 30 mg/kg indomethacin. The result suggests that PPE possesses anti-ulcer properties

Effect of vitamin E (Tri E®) on antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in rats following eight weeks exercise

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exercise is beneficial to health, but during exercise the body generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are known to result in oxidative stress. The present study analysed the effects of vitamin E (Tri E^®) on antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (Cat) activity and DNA damage in rats undergoing eight weeks exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty four <it>Sprague-Dawley </it>rats (weighing 320-370 gm) were divided into four groups; a control group of sedentary rats which were given a normal diet, second group of sedentary rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®, third group comprised of exercised rats on a normal diet, and the fourth group of exercised rats with oral supplementation of 30 mg/kg/d of Tri E^®. The exercising rats were trained on a treadmill for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after 8 weeks of the study to determine SOD, GPx, Cat activities and DNA damage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SOD activity decreased significantly in all the groups compared to baseline, however both exercised groups showed significant reduction in SOD activity as compared to the sedentary groups. Sedentary control groups showed significantly higher GPx and Cat activity compared to baseline and exercised groups. The supplemented groups, both exercised and non exercised groups, showed significant decrease in Cat activity as compared to their control groups with normal diet. DNA damage was significantly higher in exercising rats as compared to sedentary control. However in exercising groups, the DNA damage in supplemented group is significantly lower as compared to the non-supplemented group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, antioxidant enzymes activity were generally reduced in rats supplemented with Tri E^®probably due to its synergistic anti-oxidative defence, as evidenced by the decrease in DNA damage in Tri E^®supplemented exercise group.</p

Evaluation of Topical Tocopherol Cream on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is a common cause of delayed wound healing. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of topical administration of tocopherol cream on the wound healing process in diabetic rats. The study was conducted using 18 male Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into three groups: (I) diabetic rats receiving control cream , (II) diabetic rats receiving 0.06% tocopherol cream , and (III) diabetic rats receiving 0.29% tocopherol cream . Four cutaneous wounds were created at the dorsal region of the rats. Wound healing was assessed by total protein content, rate of wound closure estimation, and histological studies on the tenth day after wounding. Tocopherol treatment enhanced the wound healing process by increasing rate of wound closure and total protein content significantly compared to the control group. Histological observation also showed better organized epithelium and more collagen fibers in the tocopherol treated groups. Application of tocopherol cream enhances wound healing process in diabetic condition which is known to cause delay in wound healing

Effects of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on antioxidant status of hepatocarcinoma induced rats

Abstract Ginger or Zingiber officinale which is used in traditional medicine has been found to possess antioxidant effect that can control the generation of free radicals. Free radical level has been reported to be high in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of ginger extract on antioxidant status in rats induced with liver cancer. Twenty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: 2 control groups were fed with normal rat chow and olive oil respectively. Treatment groups consisted of rats fed with ginger extract at 100 mg/kg body weight (ginger group), rats induced with liver cancer by choline deficient diet plus ethionine in drinking water (CDE group) and rats with CDE diet plus ginger extract (CDE + ginger group) . Blood samples were taken from the orbital sinus at 0 and 8 weeks of experiment for the determination of antioxidant enzyme activities and MDA level. Comparison between the control group and the CDE group showed significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in SOD activity at 8 week of experiment, whereas no significant differences were observed in the activities of GPx, catalase and the MDA level. Antioxidant effect of ginger extract was observed by the significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in SOD activity and the level of MDA in CDE group after treatment with ginger when compared to CDE group alone and with the control group. Catalase activity increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in CDE group after supplementation with ginger at week 8 of experiment when compared to CDE group alone, while there were no significant changes observed for GPx. From this study, it can be concluded that free radicals are increased in liver carcinogenesis (as evidenced by an increase in SOD activity) and ginger extract exhibits anticancer effect by scavenging the free radicals (decrease in SOD activity)