Anti-oxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of Zygophyllum album

The present study was carried out to explore the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and anti-oxidant effect as well as content of phenolic compounds of various extracts from Zygophyllum album. It was observed that dichloromethane and ethanol extracts were endowed with a powerful anti-acetylcholinesterase activity with IC50 values of 40 and 58 µg/mL, respectively. These two extracts exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50=0.2 mg/mL), the highest total anti-oxidant capacity (185.2 and 222.4 mg vitamin E/mg extract, respectively), the highest reducing power effect, and the highest ?-carotene bleaching capacity. The findings showed that the extents of anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of Z. album extracts as well as their anti-oxidant capacity are in accordance with their phenolic contents. Hence, Z. album leaves would be useful against Alzheimer's disease. Video Clip of Methodology: Determination of flavonoids content:  2 min 50 sec   Full Screen   Alternat

Investigation of the Renal Protective Effect of Combined Dietary Polyphenols in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Aged Rats

Natural polyphenols are widely reported to have a large range of pharmacological properties, especially antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging capacities. In this study, we investigate the effects of naringin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin mixtures (NCQ) on renal fibrosis in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic aged rats and its underlying mechanisms for ten consecutive weeks. The oxidative defense system in the kidneys of treated rats was found to be improved. Several biomarkers were investigated including the blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid. Moreover, antioxidant parameters were evaluated and we found that superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, Na+-K+-ATPase activities, the nitric oxide production, the protein carbonyl, the advanced oxidation protein products, lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione levels were all significantly balanced and close to control values. In addition, NCQ restored renal injuries and fibrosis as assessed by histological method and molecular biology investigation of the matrix metalloproteinase, the transforming growth factor-beta TGF-β, the tumor necrosis factor TNFα, and p53 expression. Our study proposes the NCQ combination as potential plant-derived bioactive compounds to prevent diabetic nephropathy

The diagnosis of tuberculosis in dialysis patients

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is high in patients undergoing chronic dialysis than it is in the general population. The diagnosis of TB is often difficult and extrapulmonary involvement is predominant. This study investigates the spectrum of clinical presentations and outcome in dialysis patients during a nine-year period. TB was diagnosed in 41 patients. Anti-TB drugs, adverse effects of therapy, and outcome were noted. Thirty-eight patients (92.6%) were on hemodialysis and three were on peritoneal dialysis (7.3%). The mean age at diagnosis was 50.8 years and the male/female ratio was 1.16. Four patients had a history of pulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary involvement was observed in 32 (78 %) patients. The bacteriological confirmation was made in 41.46% and histological confirmation was made in 26.83%, and in the rest, the diagnosis was retained on the criterion presumption. Nineteen patients (46.34%) developed adverse effects of antitubercular drugs. Eight patients (19.51%) died during the study from TB or adverse effects of treatment. Low urea reduction ratio and female sex were associated with poor prognosis in our study. The clinical manifestations of TB in patients on dialysis are quite nonspecific, making timely diagnosis difficult, and delaying the initiation of curative treatment, which is a major determinant of the outcome