Therapeutic potential of Origanum vulgare leaf hydroethanolic extract against renal oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity induced by paraquat in rats

Objective: Paraquat is a herbicide with potent toxicity in humans and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare) leaf extract on the acute nephrotoxicity and renal oxidative stress caused by paraquat. Materials and Methods: We randomly assigned forty male rats into five groups (G1-G5). The G1 was used as control; G2 only received paraquat (25 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day, po); and G3, G4 and G5 received 25 mg/kg b.w/day oral doses of paraquat and O. vulgare hydroethanolic leaf extract (200, 400, 800 mg/kg bw/day, po, respectively). After 2 weeks, superoxide dismutase (SOD), renal catalase (CAT), vitamin C levels, histopathological changes, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression as well as serum levels of urea, creatinine (Cr), and protein carbonyl (PC) were determined. Results: In G2, oral administration of paraquat significantly increased (p<0.05) serum Cr, urea, PC, and renal TNF-alpha gene expression relative to those of the control group. Renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vitamin C levels were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in G2 as compared to G1. Administration of O. vulgare leaf extract not only increased the renal vitamin C, CAT, and SOD but also decreased the renal TNF-alpha gene expression, malondialdehyde (MDA), serum urea and creatinine in paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Conclusion: Our results show that O. vulgare leaf extract has protective effects against nephrotoxicity induced by paraquat in rats. It seems that the nephroprotective effects of O. vulgare extract may be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Keywords Author Keywords:Antioxidant; Kidney; Nephrotoxicity; Paraquat; Oxidative stress; TNF-alpha KeyWords Plus:AQUEOUS EXTRACT; ANTIOXIDANT; INJURY; TOXICITY; KIDNEY; ACETAMINOPHEN; ACTIVATION; INJECTION; MELATONIN; LEAVE

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which induces kidney toxicity due to producing oxidative stress. We have investigated the potential protective effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced renal toxicity. Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups, group 1, control group; group 2, rats that received paraquat only (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po); animals in group 3, was treated with paraquat (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w./day, po). Then, the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress and renal histopathological changes were examined. Results: In group 2 which received paraquat only, a remarkable increase (P<0.05) was observed in serum creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Also, there was a significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and vitamin C in the second group. Oral administration of silymarin significantly decreased serum urea, creatinine, protein carbonyl, MDA, and TNF-α as well as renal histopathological changes. Conclusion: The present study suggests that silymarin has anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat. Keywords: Silymarin, Paraquat, Kidney injury, Oxidative stress, TNF-

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which induces kidney toxicity due to producing oxidative stress. We have investigated the potential protective effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced renal toxicity. Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups, group 1, control group; group 2, rats that received paraquat only (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po); animals in group 3, was treated with paraquat (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w./day, po). Then, the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress and renal histopathological changes were examined. Results: In group 2 which received paraquat only, a remarkable increase (P<0.05) was observed in serum creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Also, there was a significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and vitamin C in the second group. Oral administration of silymarin significantly decreased serum urea, creatinine, protein carbonyl, MDA, and TNF-α as well as renal histopathological changes. Conclusion: The present study suggests that silymarin has anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat

Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in Relationship of Emotional Maturity and Spiritual Intelligence with Adjustment to University

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Adjustment to university is an important factor in different dimensions of students’ life such as mental- physical health and social adjustment in the fields outside the university. The aim of this study was to determine mediating role of distress tolerance in the relationship of spiritual intelligence and emotional maturity with adjustment to university.Method: In this correlation study, based on Krejsi and Murgan table, 273 students of Shahid Chamran University in Ahvaz city were selected via multistage cluster sampling method during the fall semester of the academic year of 2016-2017. The participants completed the items of Emotional Maturity Scale, Distress Tolerence Scale, Spiritual Intelligence Inventory and Adjustment to College Scale. The data were then analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, structural equation modeling. All ethical issues were observed in this study and the researchers declared no conflict of interests.Results: The findings showed that emotional maturity, spiritual intelligence, and distress tolerance had positive significant correlation with adjustment to college. There was also a positive significant correlation between emotional maturity as well as spiritual intelligence and distress tolerance. The proposed model for relationship between these variables has acceptable fit with a correction and removal of direct path of spiritual intelligence with adjustment to college. Direct path of emotional maturity to adjustment to college was significant. The analysis based on Bootstrapping indicated that all indirect paths were significant.Conclusion: It is proposed that to raise adjustment to university, educational programs for emotional maturity and spiritual intelligence with an emphasis on enhancing distress tolerance should be developed.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Sharifi Rigi A, Mehrabizade Honarmand M, Beshlideh K, Sarparast A, Khanali Nejad S, Amini Z. Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in Relationship of Emotional Maturity and Spiritual Intelligence with Adjustment to University. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 5(1): 87- 100. doi: https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v5i1.1940

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which induces kidney toxicity due to producing oxidative stress. We have investigated the potential protective effects of silymarin on paraquat-induced renal toxicity. Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups, group 1, control group; group 2, rats that received paraquat only (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po); animals in group 3, was treated with paraquat (25 mg/kg b.w./day, po) and silymarin (50 mg/kg b.w./day, po). Then, the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress and renal histopathological changes were examined. Results: In group 2 which received paraquat only, a remarkable increase (P<0.05) was observed in serum creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Also, there was a significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and vitamin C in the second group. Oral administration of silymarin significantly decreased serum urea, creatinine, protein carbonyl, MDA, and TNF-α as well as renal histopathological changes. Conclusion: The present study suggests that silymarin has anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by paraquat

The Role of Emotional Maturity, Ego-resiliency and Spiritual Intelligence in the Prediction of Adjustment to College with Control of Cognitive Flexibility in Nursing and Midwifery Students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University, (Iran)

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, adjustment to college in nursing and midwifery students requires more attention due to exposure to psychological and environmental stressors. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of emotional maturity, ego-resiliency, and spiritual intelligence in the prediction of adjustment to college with control of cognitive flexibility in nursing and midwifery students. &nbsp; Methods: In a correlational design, using stage sampling method, 273 students were selected from nursing and midwifery students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University, according to the Krejcie and Morgan table, in the academic year of 2017-2018. Information were collected using Emotional Maturity Scale, Ego-Resiliency Scale, Spiritual Intelligence Inventory, Adjustment to College Scale, and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. Analysis of the data was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression analysis. &nbsp; Results: In this study, based on the results of Pearson correlation coefficient, there was significant positive correlations between all the predictive variables and the criterion variable. Moreover, there was a positive and significant correlation between cognitive flexibility and criterion variable. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that emotional maturity, ego-resiliency, and spiritual intelligence with control of cognitive flexibility could explain and predict 26% of variance of adjustment to college scores. Furthermore, in the analysis of hierarchical regression, emotional maturity and spiritual intelligence had a significant role in the prediction of adjustment to university. &nbsp; Conclusions: Considering the important role of emotional maturity, spiritual intelligence (beyond cognitive flexibility) is essential in the prediction of adaptation of nursing and midwifery students to university, targeting these variables in order to increase students&rsquo; compatibility and can improve the performance of students in personal-social areas, psychological well-being, and community health promotion

PhC-based Majority Gate using a nonlinear directional coupler

Wide bandwidth and high data transfer rates are essentialadvantages of optical telecommunication networks. Fullexploitation of the benefits of optical communicationsrequires a fully optical network. All-optical circuits areone of the main alternatives to eliminate the limits ofelectronic circuits and provide high-speed processingsystems. This study aims to design an Majority Gate basedon the Nonlinear Kerr Effect. The proposed structureincludes a directional coupler with nonlinear rods. In theproposed structure, a nonlinear directional coupler is usedto transmit the phase of the input signal. Also, inputconnections are optimized to prevent the return of lightalong the structure. To evaluate the operation of theproposed structures, PWE and FDTD methods are used.The effect of some parameters variation on the outputpower has been investigated, proving the robustness of thisdesigned structure of Majority gate against processvariation. In this simulation, the proposed structures'switching power is 3 W and the bit rate is Tbits/s

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Origanum vulgare on oxidative stress, TNF-α gene expression and liver histological changes in paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Context: Toxicity with paraquat can lead to serious damages to the liver. Objective: The study investigates the protective effects of Origanum vulgare leaf extract against paraquat liver damage. Material and methods: Rats were divided into six groups. Group 1, the control group; group 2, rats that received paraquat only; group 3, rats that received paraquat plus silymarin; and groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with paraquat and O. vulgare leaf extract. Then, the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress were examined. Results: In group 2, paraquat caused a remarkable increase in the level of serum ALT, AST, ALP, lipid profiles, and liver TNF-α gene expression compared to group 1. The groups which received O. vulgare leaf extract exhibited significant ameliorations in abnormalities of paraquat-induced liver damage and serum biochemical parameters. Conclusion:O. vulgare leaf extract has inhibitory effects on paraquat-induced liver damage due to its antioxidant properties

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Origanum vulgare on oxidative stress, TNF-α gene expression and liver histological changes in paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

CONTEXT: Toxicity with paraquat can lead to serious damages to the liver. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the protective effects of Origanum vulgare leaf extract against paraquat liver damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were divided into six groups. Group 1, the control group; group 2, rats that received paraquat only; group 3, rats that received paraquat plus silymarin; and groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with paraquat and O. vulgare leaf extract. Then, the serum and tissue parameters of the oxidative stress were examined. RESULTS: In group 2, paraquat caused a remarkable increase in the level of serum ALT, AST, ALP, lipid profiles, and liver TNF-α gene expression compared to group 1. The groups which received O. vulgare leaf extract exhibited significant ameliorations in abnormalities of paraquat-induced liver damage and serum biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: O. vulgare leaf extract has inhibitory effects on paraquat-induced liver damage due to its antioxidant properties