Egyptian Propolis Alleviates Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral administration of ethanol extract of propolis against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) at doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg.b.wt. orally/daily for 7 days) against gentamicin- (GM) at dose 100 mg/kg b.wt., i.p./daily for 7days) induced nephrotoxicity in six equal groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood was collected 24 h after the last injection for determination of serum creatinine, urea, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity. Rats were euthanized and kidney tissue specimens were collected for determination of oxidative/antioxidative biomarkers, gene expression for antioxidative enzymes and DNA fragmentation. Significant increase in serum creatinine, urea and AST activity at the same time, and a depletion of aspartate aminotransferase activity was recorded in renal homogenate of GM only–treated rats compared to control group. Lipid peroxidation in renal tissue showed significant elevation in GM-only treated group, however, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and its gene expression were markedly decreased. DNA fragmentation was significantly increased in renal tissue of GM- only treated rats. Oral administration of EEP exhibited curative effects by reversing GM-induced alterations in serum biochemical and renal tissue oxidative stress biomarkers. In conclusion, propolis is effective in preventing or ameliorating oxidative stress of gentamicin

Influence of endotoxin induced fever on the pharmacokinetics of intramuscularly administered cefepime in rabbits

This study examined the effect of experimentally induced fever on the pharmacokinetics of cefepime (75 mg/kg BW) administered intramuscularly to six rabbits. The study was carried out in two consecutive phases separated by a two-week washout period. An infection was induced by an intravenous inoculation of 5 × 108 colony-forming units of Escherichia coli 24 h before the pharmacokinetic investigation. A quantitative microbiological assay was employed to measure the plasma cefepime concentrations using an agar-gel diffusion method with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. Twenty-four hour after the injection, the rectal temperature in the infected animals increased by 1–. There was a significant reduction in the elimination half-life by 21.8% in the febrile rabbits compared to healthy animals. In addition, the infection significantly increased the peak plasma concentrations by 11.9%, the mean residence time by 19.9%, the area under the plasma-concentration-time curve by 53.6% and the area under the moment curve by 62.3%. In conclusion, the endotoxin-induced febrile state produced significant changes in the plasma levels as well as some of the pharmacokinetic variables of cefepime in rabbits

Potential protective effect of some plant extracts against carbon tetrachloride – induced hepatotoxicity

Plantago major seeds, Diplotaxis acris and Schouiwa thebaica methanol extracts were evaluated for their potential hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage model. Preliminary phytochemical studies were carried out to elucidate their components. Oral administration of the methanol extract (1000 mg kg-1) of Plantago major seeds, Diplotaxis acris and Schouiwa thebaica significantly (P< 0.05) attenuated the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. This was indicated by the tendency of serum enzyme activities to return toward the normal values. Moreover the histopathological changes of liver tissues induced by CCl4 were moderate to mild in methanol extract-pretreated rats. No toxic symptoms were reported in rats receiving methanol extract at doses up to 2.5 g kg-1. Unsaturated sterols and/or triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates and/or glycosides were the major active constituents of the tested plants. Keywords: hepatoprotective, medicinal plants, Plantago major, Diplotaxis acris, Schouwia thebaica African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(3) 2006: 1-

<b>Antiulcerogenic effect of some plants extracts</b>

258-263Methanol extracts were prepared from aerial parts of 8 medicinal plants and evaluated for their potential antiulcerogenic effects using ethanol and Aspirin - induced gastric ulcerations in rats. Oral administration of the methanol extract (400 mg/kg-) of Bidens bipinnata Linn., Zygophyllum album Linn. f.,  Plantago major Linn. (leaves) and Schouwia thebaica Webb. significantly (P< 0.01) decreased the average ulcer index with a curative ratio ranged from 100% for B. bipinnata to 58.3% for S. thebaica in the ethanol-induced gastric ulceration. Mentha microphylla C. Koch., Conyza linifolia Willd., C. dioscoridis (Linn.) Desf., Cynanchum acutum Linn. and P. major (seeds) decreased the ulcer index, however, their curative ratios were below 50% but higher than the reference drug Ranitidine (curative ratio 38.9%). B. bipinnata, Z. album and P. major (leaves) in a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly decreased the number of gastric ulcer and decreased total protein in gastric juice in aspirin-induced gastric ulceration. The total acidity was significantly (P< 0.01) decreased by all tested plant extracts. Based on the decreased ulcer index, increased curative ratio, decreased number of gastric ulcers and decreased total protein and total acidity, B. bipinnata, Z. album and P. major leaves in a dose of 400 mg/kg produced a potent antiulcerogenic effect against alcohol- and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer. Moderate effect was produced by S. thebaica

Heterocyclization of polarized system: synthesis, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 4-(pyridin-3-yl)-6-(thiophen-2-yl) pyrimidine-2-thiol derivatives

Abstract Background Chalcones are intent in the daily diet as a favorable chemotherapeutic compound; on the other hand thiophene moiety is present in a large number of bioactive molecules having diverse biological efficiency. Results Our current goal is the synthesis of (E)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one 3 that’s used as a starting compound to synthesize the novel pyrimidine-2-thiol, pyrazole, pyran derivatives. Chalcones 3 was prepared by condensation of 3-acetylpyridine with thiophene 2-carboxaldehyde which reacted with thiourea to obtain pyrimidinthiol derivative 4. Compound 4 was allowed to react with hydrazine hydrate to afford 2-hydrazinylpyrimidine derivative 5. Compound 5 was used as a key intermediate for a facile synthesis of the targets 6 and 7. In contrast, pyranone 8 was obtained by transformation of compound 5. Using as a precursor for the synthesis of new pyrazolo pyrimidine derivatives 9–10. The major incentive behind the preparation of these compounds was the immense biological activities associated to these heterocyclic derivatives. Conclusions The newly synthesized compounds (1–4) showed potent anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo. They also exhibited promising antioxidant vitalities against α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, compound 1 showed a hopefully anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities

Phytochemical studies and anti-ulcerative colitis effect of Moringa oleifera seeds and Egyptian propolis methanol extracts in a rat model

Objective: To analyze the phytochemical constituents, and to explore potential protective effect of the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds and Egyptian propolis, each alone or concurrently administered on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Eight groups of 5 rats each were used: normal control group with distilled water, model group, two groups with M. oleifera seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg), two groups with propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg), one group with concurrent administration of both, and one group with prednisolone (reference drug). Macro-and microscopic picture, ulcer index and lesion scores, oxidative markers, inflammatory mediators, in vitro activity of the inflammatory enzymes and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals scavenging activity were evaluated. The phytochemical constituents of both extracts were explored by GC-MS analysis. Results: Both treatments modulated the macro-and microscopic picture, decreased the ulcerative index, lesion score, oxidative markers and inflammatory mediators, and inhibited the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Propolis appeared to be powerful free radicals scavenger. A powerful synergistic effect of both treatments in modulating the course of the disease was reported. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of M. oleifera seeds and propolis revealed the presence of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. Conclusions: M. oleifera seeds and propolis methanol extracts have modulated the course of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Moreover, both treatments induce a good synergistic effect against the disease. Isolation of the active constituents is recommended

Influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and/or cadmium chloride oral exposure on testicular morphology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats: Ameliorative role of co-enzyme Q10

Background and objectives: Little is known about the implications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and cadmium chloride (Cd) co-exposure on the male reproductive system in mammals. As a result, this study researched the effects of oral TiO2NPs and/or Cd exposure on male reproduction and testicular functions. Additionally, a mitigation trial with co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has also been conducted. Methods: In a 60-day experiment, seven experimental groups, each containing 10 male Sprague Dawley rats, were orally given distilled water (control), corn oil (vehicle control), CoQ10 (10 mg/kg b.wt), TiO2NPs (50 mg/kg b.wt), Cd (5 mg/kg b.wt), TiO2NPs + Cd, and TiO2NPs + Cd + CoQ10. Then, sperm quality, male sex hormones, oxidative stress indications, Ti and Cd testicular residues, testes and accessory gland architecture, and apoptotic and inflammatory markers in rat testes were assessed. Results: TiO2NPs and/or Cd exposure negatively impacted body weight, weight gain, testicular weights, semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, oxidative stress parameters, and Caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) immunoreactions. Histopathological changes were recorded in testicular, seminal vesicle, and prostatic tissues. Yet, co-administration of CoQ10 with TiO2NPs and Cd substantially mitigated these adverse consequences. The most notable aspect is that it effectively lowered testicular tissue Ti and Cd levels. It also improved oxidant status, hormonal profile, and sperm picture. CoQ10 minimized the testicular damage implied by histological examination. Furthermore, CoQ10 significantly diminished TiO2NPs and Cd-induced Caspase-3 and TNF-α immunoexpression in testicular tissue. Conclusion: As a result, CoQ10 could be utilized as a safe remedy to protect male reproductive physiology from TiO2NPs and Cd damage