Effect of myrrh and thyme on Trichinella spiralis enteral and parenteral phases with inducible nitric oxide expression in mice

Trichinellosis is a serious disease with no satisfactory treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of myrrh (Commiphora molmol

Monosodium glutamate affects cognitive functions in male albino rats

Abstract Background Monosodium Glutamate is a silent toxin in our food, especially our kids’ food. Some of the products in the market contain MSG in a level exceed the European limit. Method Sixty male albino rats divided into three groups, control group, and treated groups, the first with a low dose of MSG (1/20 LD50) and the second with a high dose of MSG (1/10 LD50). All animals examined for cognitive function, serotonin level. The second part in this study, examination of some commercial food for the presence of MSG and its level by HPLC. Results MSG affected the cognitive function of treated rats in small and high doses of MSG. The weight of the animals in treated group with a high dose of MSG was significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Also, the cognitive function of the rats administered MSG affected significantly either in low dose and in high dose. Some of the studied commercial food in the market like Kapsa and Indomi contains a higher level of MSG more than the European limit. Conclusion MSG has many dangerous effects on health especially kids, so it is so necessary to declare its presence or absence and level on the labels of the products

Effect of myrrh and thyme on Trichinella spiralisenteral and parenteral phases with inducible nitric oxide expression in mice

Trichinellosis is a serious disease with no satisfactory treatment. We aimed to assess the effect of myrrh (Commiphora molmol) and, for the first time, thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) against enteral and encysted (parenteral) phases of Trichinella spiralis in mice compared with albendazole, and detect their effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Oral administration of 500 mg/kg of myrrh and thyme led to adult reduction (90.9%, 79.4%), while 1,000 mg/kg led to larvae reduction (79.6%, 71.3%), respectively. Administration of 50 mg/kg of albendazole resulted in adult and larvae reduction (94.2%, 90.9%). Positive immunostaining of inflammatory cells infiltrating intestinal mucosa and submucosa of all treated groups was detected. Myrrh-treated mice showed the highest iNOS expression followed by albendazole, then thyme. On the other hand, both myrrh and thyme-treated groups showed stronger iNOS expression of inflammatory cells infiltrating and surrounding encapsulated T. spiralis larvae than albendazole treated group. In conclusion, myrrh and thyme extracts are highly effective against both phases of T. spiralis and showed strong iNOS expressions, especially myrrh which could be a promising alternative drug. This experiment provides a basis for further exploration of this plant by isolation and retesting the active principles of both extracts against different stages of T. spiralis

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Polyphenols from Conyza dioscoridis (L.) ameliorate Alzheimer’s disease- like alterations through multi-targeting activities in two animal models

Abstract Background Recent investigations suggested that anticancer agents may inhibit the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Conyza dioscoridis (L.) was demonstrated to have anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of polyphenols from Conyza dioscoridis (L.) extract (PCDE) on AD. Methods Impacts of 3 doses of PCDE and donepezil, a reference drug, on the features of Alzheimer's disease in two animal models were investigated. Results PCDE ameliorated the memory and learning impairment shown in rats following a single dose of scopolamine (scopolamine model) or 17 weeks of high-fat/high-fructose(HF/Hfr) diet coupled with a single dose of streptozotocin, (25 mg/kg) (T2D model). They reduced significantly the high hippocampal cholinesterase activity in the two models of rats. Administration of PCDE for 8 weeks in the T2D model showed a significant reduction in hippocampal GSK-3β, caspase-3 activity and increase in the inhibited glutamate receptor expression (AMPA GluR1 subunit and NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B). A significant reduction of HOMA-insulin resistance and serum hypercholesterolemia was observed. The Tau hyperphosphorylation and Aβ 1–42 generation in the hippocampal of T2D rats were significantly decreased by PCDE. Modulation of the oxidative stress markers, (rise in GH and SOD; decrease in MDA levels) and a significant reduction of TNF-α and IL-1β in the hippocampus of T2D rats treated by PCDE extract were important findings in this study. The highest dose tested was 4% of the highest safe dose. Conclusion Our study suggests that PCDE is multi-targeting agent with multiple beneficial activities in combating features of AD. This study may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for AD treatment that warrants clinical studies

The impact of cyclooxygenase-2 gene polymorphism 899G/C and certain indices on hepatitis C related liver fibrosis

The link between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene polymorphisms and liver diseases has been widely reported. Early and precise estimation and staging of hepatic fibrosis are crucial for prognosis and treatment decisions in those patients. We aimed in this study to clarify role of -899G/C polymorphism of COX-2 gene, alteration of CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels, and plasma protein pattern in staging of liver fibrosis comparing them to METAVIR stages of liver fibrosis. We recruited 103 patients with post-hepatitis C liver fibrosis and 42 healthy controls. COX-2 gene polymorphism was detected by PCR- TaqMan probes, while CA19-9, CA125 levels were estimated using quantitative ELISA. Plasma proteins were detected by the capillary electrophoresis method. The results revealed that the frequency of COX-2 -899G/C genotypes GG, GC, and CC were 68.0%, 28.2% and 3.9% in the fibrotic group; 97.06%, 2.4%, and 0.0% in healthy control group respectively. The percent of COX-2 expression for the fibrotic group and the healthy group were 32% and 2.3% respectively. COX-2 expression scores on mild- vs. sever-fibrosis stages (METAVIR stages 1, 2 vs. stages 3,4) were 18.2 %and 81.8% respectively (OR=48.00, 95%CI). The serum level of tested tumor markers were significantly higher in fibrotic patients than in control group (69.40 ±51.82, 13.41 ± 6.49 respectively for CA 19.9 and 59.16 ± 47.23, 10.90 ± 8.36 for CA 125) and in GC/CC genotypes than GG one (116.96 ± 55.00, 33.64 ± 28.39 respectively for CA 19.9 and 101.62 ± 51.29, 27.89 ± 25.51 respectively for CA 125). In conclusion, COX-2 -899 C allele carriers are more vulnerable to develop hepatitis C- related hepatic fibrosis. The combined estimation of CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels are useful for identifying and staging patients with liver fibrosis.Keywords: COX-2 gene polymorphisms, CA 19-9, CA 125, protein electrophoresis, liver fibrosi

Transmembrane and Tetratricopeptide Repeat Containing 4 Is a Novel Diagnostic Marker for Prostate Cancer with High Specificity and Sensitivity

The histopathologic diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) from biopsies is a current challenge if double or triple staining is needed. Therefore, there is an urgent need for development of a new reliable biomarker to diagnose PCa patients. We aimed to explore and compare the expression of TMTC4 in PCa cells and tissue specimens and evaluate its sensitivity and specificity. The expression of TMTC4 in PCa and normal prostate epithelial cells was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of TMTC4 was performed on tissues collected from PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our results show a high expression of TMTC4 on mRNA and protein levels in PCa versus BPH1 and normal cells (p < 0.05). IHC results show strong cytoplasmic expressions in PCa cases (p < 0.001) as compared to BPH cases. The overall accuracy as measured by the AUC was 1.0 (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the protein were 100% and 96.6%, respectively. Taken together, we report a high TMTC4 expression in PCa cells and tissues and its ability to differentiate between PCa and BPH with high sensitivity and specificity. This finding can be carried over to clinical practice after its confirmation by further studies