Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of zolpidem in the rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Introduction: Nephrotoxicity is one of the most important side effects of cisplatin which has limited its use. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of this drug. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of zolpidem on the reduction of nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 adult male rats were divided into 4 groups; 1) healthy group, 2) control group, 3, 4) cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity + different doses of zolpidem. After a certain period of time, the urine, spinal cord and kidney samples of rats were collected. Then, urine levels of functional factors including urea, creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio, antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated. Consequently, histological studies were conducted with the collected samples. Results: Zolpidem reduced levels of urea, creatinine, albumin/creatinine ratio, and MDA. It also increased the amount of antioxidant enzymes of the kidney including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and moderated the tubular damage caused by the use of cisplatin. Conclusion: Zolpidem is able to improve the nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress

A Brief Perspective on Anti-inflammatory Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol

We eagerly read the recent paper published by Gholijani N et al. entitled “The Suppression of Adjuvant-induced Inflammation and the Inhibition of the Serum and Tissue IL-17, TNF-α and IL-1β levels by Thymol and Carvacrol” in "Herb Med J". This study adequately indicated the anti-inflammatory properties of the two mentioned plant-derived compounds. Thus, the authors intend in this letter to point to a few important notes in confirming this study. Inflammation is a defensive mechanism in the body that removes or deactivates pathogens. Although it is beneficial for the body, inflammation can be harmful if it is induced without being controlled properly. Moreover, inflammation plays a role in restoring homeostasis to the body after the onset of the disease and is useful in improving the damages (1). It is documented that cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-17 and IL-1β, play substantial roles in inflammatory responses (2). One of these cytokines is TNF-α which is secreted by mononuclear phagocytes. TNF-α can induce acute phase proteins and is considered as a pyrogenic factor (3). Another cytokine is IL-17 which is produced by Th17, NK cells and neutrophils. It could exacerbate inflammation via increased immune cells proliferation and indirect neutrophil recruitment (4). IL-1β is recognized as a mediator of acute inflammatory response against infections (5). Moreover, adjuvants can be used as exacerbation factors for immune responses in animal models (6). Today, chemical drugs such as corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation. But, important adverse effects of these drugs are well known and unavoidable (7). Today, researchers have shown that herbal medicines with low cost and minimal side effects are good alternatives to synthetic drugs (8). Among these plants, peppers species are widely used as medicinal plants. Carvacrol (2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-phenol) and Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) are the most important active ingredients of these plants especially Zataria multiflora and Satureja hortensis (Figure-1). These compounds are monoterpenoid phenols which are chemically very similar and only the position of their hydroxyl group differs (9). Several researches have documented that carvacrol exhibits various biological activities including but not limited to antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory and chemopreventive activities (10-12). Thymol had also beneficial properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, properties. Numerous investigations have been carried out on the properties of these compounds, among which we now refer to a number of them concerning their anti-inflammatory properties and to confirm this study (13-15). Many researches showed anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol. Carvacrol could inhibit neutrophil elastase and production of E2, F1 and F2 prostaglandins. It also can inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity (16-18). In addition to carvacrol, thymol showed anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of human neutrophil elastase. Another study indicated that carvacrol and thymol, particularly carvacrol, play their anti-inflammatory roles via inhibited inflammatory edema and leukocyte migration (19)

Encapsulation of Satureja khuzistanica extract in alginate hydrogel accelerate wound healing in adult male rats

Abstract Background Finding the best dressing for a specific wound had continued from the past to present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of encapsulated extract of Satureja khuzistanica in hydrogel alginate at wound healing. Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats with a puncture wound in the back of the neck skin were divided randomly into four groups including a control group, Satureja khuzistanica-treated group, hydrogel alginate-treated group, and Satureja khuzistanica encapsulated in hydrogel alginate-treated group. Rats were treated for 22 days. The skin samples were taken on 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 22nd days after treatment for light microscopy. Results were analyzed in accordance with Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman test (for histopathology analysis) by using SPSS v.22 software. Results Macroscopically evaluations and measurement of wound size showed increased wound healing process in the treated groups. The complete improvement was created on the 14th day. The wound site was not observed on the 22nd day. But the wound site was observed on the 22nd day in the control group. Also, comparison of the percentage of wound healing between the treated and control groups on 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 22nd days showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Comparison of the H&E stained sections in the studied groups showed that treated groups were effective on wound healing in comparison with the control group. Conclusions Encapsulated extract of Satureja khuzistanica in hydrogel alginate may accelerate wound improvement and increase the rate of wound healing without scar formation

Protective effect of aliskiren against renal ischemia reperfusion via antioxidant property and nitric oxide signaling pathway

Introduction: Renal ischemia reperfusion (RIR) is created following different mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Objectives: The roles of chemical drugs, including aliskiren, have been evaluated in various kidney diseases. Hence, we assessed the effect of aliskiren on renal ischemia reperfusion. Materials and Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats (220 +/- 10 g) were grouped randomly in five groups; 1. Healthy control group, 2. Ischemia of reperfusion (IR) control group, 3. Rats with IR which received 30 mg/kg aliskiren orally, 4. Rats with IR which received 30 mg/kg aliskiren together with 40 mg/kg L-NAME, 5. Rats with IR which received 30 mg/kg aliskiren together with 40 mg/kg L-arginine. To induce ischemia-reperfusion, rats were anesthetized treated with thiopental and went under surgery. Then, we revealed the left and right kidneys, and we induced ischemia with blocking blood vessels for 45 minutes by clamping. Biochemical parameters including urea and creatinine were measured using commercial kits with auto analyzer. Oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters were evaluated using ELISA method. Renal tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Finally, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to determine the normal distribution of data. Results: Our results showed that treatment with aliskiren and aliskiren plus L-arginine causes a significant decrease in the serum levels of creatinine, urea, albumin/creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA), in contrast with IR control group which has increased level of these parameters. On the other hand, treatment with aliskiren and aliskiren plus L-arginine leads to increase in the serum levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in contrast with IR control group. Conclusion: The protective effect of aliskiren has been proven in different kidney diseases such as RIR and diabetic nephropathy. Our results demonstrated that aliskiren could be proposed as a therapeutic agent against renal ischemia complication