Effects of Cornus mas L. and Morus rubra L. extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity: an electrophysiological and biochemical study

Traditionally, Morus rubra L. (Moraceae) (red mulberry) and Cornus mas L. (Cornacea) (cornelian cherry) fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in marmalades, juices, jam, natural dyes in Turkey and are believed to have beneficial effects in case of multiple health issues such as antipyretic, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. However, the effects of M. rubra and C. mas on epilepsy has not been known. This study evaluates the effects of M. rubra and C. mas extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity. Sixty Wistar rats randomly divided into ten groups (n=6): control, sham, penicillin, penicillin+M. rubra extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and penicillin+C. mas extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Epileptiform activity was induced by using penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and electrocorticogram records (150 min) were obtained. Also, biochemical analysis in blood samples were evaluated. According to the electrocorticogram analysis, the effective dose was detected as 10 mg/kg for both C. mas and M. rubra. This dose decreased the spike frequencies of convulsions while amplitude wasn't changed by both substances. In erythrocyte studies, there were significant differences regarding nitric oxide in the control, sham and penicillin groups. There were significant differences regarding malondialdehyde in all groups. In the plasma, there were significant differences among groups regarding xanthine oxidase in the penicillin‑C. mas and penicillin‑M. rubra groups. There were differences regarding malondialdehyde in the penicillin‑C. mas and M. rubra‑C. mas groups. Both extracts reduced the frequency of epileptiform activity. After administration of the extracts malondialdehyde levels decreased also in both erythrocytes and plasma

Effects of Cornus mas L. and Morus rubra L. extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity: an electrophysiological and biochemical study

Traditionally, Morus rubra L. (Moraceae) (red mulberry) and Cornus mas L. (Cornacea) (cornelian cherry) fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in marmalades, juices, jam, natural dyes in Turkey and are believed to have beneficial effects in case of multiple health issues such as antipyretic, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. However, the effects of M. rubra and C. mas on epilepsy has not been known. This study evaluates the effects of M. rubra and C. mas extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity. Sixty Wistar rats randomly divided into ten groups (n=6): control, sham, penicillin, penicillin+M. rubra extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and penicillin+C. mas extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Epileptiform activity was induced by using penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and electrocorticogram records (150 min) were obtained. Also, biochemical analysis in blood samples were evaluated. According to the electrocorticogram analysis, the effective dose was detected as 10 mg/kg for both C. mas and M. rubra. This dose decreased the spike frequencies of convulsions while amplitude wasn't changed by both substances. In erythrocyte studies, there were significant differences regarding nitric oxide in the control, sham and penicillin groups. There were significant differences regarding malondialdehyde in all groups. In the plasma, there were significant differences among groups regarding xanthine oxidase in the penicillin‑C. mas and penicillin‑M. rubra groups. There were differences regarding malondialdehyde in the penicillin‑C. mas and M. rubra‑C. mas groups. Both extracts reduced the frequency of epileptiform activity. After administration of the extracts malondialdehyde levels decreased also in both erythrocytes and plasma

Trace metal concentrations in hair and nails from Alzheimer's disease patients: Relations with clinical severity

Background and objectives: Metals, especially transition metals, seem to be important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. This study aims to determine the relationship of trace metal elements to the pathogenesis and/or course of Alzheimer Disease in terms of clinical severity

Changes of total content of magnesium and zinc status in patients with chronic toxoplasmosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Toxoplasma gondii infection on the total content of the essential elements Zn and Mg levels. Plasma zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured in 158 patients whose anti-T gondii IgG antibodies were positive. Scores were obtained for the patients and their age- and sex-matched 82 sero-negative healthy controls. The mean concentration of Mg in blood was significantly lower in sero-positive patients than in their controls both in females (p 0.05). The mean values of the Zn in blood were 1.00+/-0.3 mg/L in seropositive male patients and 0.84+/-0.2 in controls (p > 0.05). No correlation could be demonstrated between age and mean values of Zn and Mg in both sero-positive females/males and controls (p > 0.05). No significant correlation could be found between blood Zn and Mg levels in seropositive female/male patients and controls (p > 0.05). Mg levels were found to be clearly decreased in the patients with chronic toxoplasmosis, whereas no change was observed in Zn levels

Serum cadmium levels of people living in Kayseri-Belsin region, Turkey

Concentrations of cadmium in blood serum of samples of 84 (30 male + 54 female) healthy people living in Belsin-Kayseri, near the great industrial zone of Kayseri named Organize Sanayi Bolgesi, were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The mean concentration of Cd was found to be 5.98+/-0.66 mu g/l. The serum cadmium concentration of persons living in this region are approximately three times higher than the world values