Protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ferulago angulata against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Gentamicin can lead to acute tubular injury and kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ferulago angulata on kidney function and other markers in rats with gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: group 1, the controls; group 2, rats receiving gentamicin (120 mg/kg body weight per day, intraperitoneal) for 7 days without treatment; groups 3, 4 and 5, rats receiving gentamicin for 7 days and oral treatment with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg body weight per day of Ferulago angulate extract, respectively. Measurements included serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, lipids, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and protein carbonyl; kidney and serum levels of malondialdehyde; and serum and renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-α. Histopathology of kidney tissue was examined as well as renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vitamin C. Results. Compared to treatment with gentamicin only, treatment with Ferulago angulata resulted in a significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ferric-reducing antioxidant plasma, renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vitamin C levels. It was also associated with significantly lower serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, tumor necrosis factor-α, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Ferulago angulate was linked with a lower renal gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusions. The present study suggests that Ferulago angulate extract has protective effects against nephrotoxicity due to gentamicin

The reduction of IL-6 gene expression, pAKT, pERK1/2, pSTAT3 signaling pathways and invasion activity by gallic acid in prostate cancer PC3 cells

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers among men. Progression of prostate cancer is associated with an increase in cellular level of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Gallic acid (GA) is a polyhydroxy phenolic compound which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GA treatment on cell viability, proliferation, invasion, IL-6 gene expression, IL-6 secretion, cellular levels of pSTAT3, pERK1/2, and pAKT signaling proteins in human prostate cancer PC3 cells. PC3 cells viability after treatment with GA (0–120 μM) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression of IL-6 was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cellular concentration of pSTAT3, pERK1/2, and pAKT signaling proteins were determined by Western blotting technic. PC3 cells invasion was assessed by invasion assay test. Treatment with GA caused a significant decrease in cell viability, proliferation, invasion, cellular levels of pSTAT3, pERK1/2, and pAKT signaling proteins after 48 h in a dose-dependent manner. The level of IL-6 and its gene expression decreased significantly in PC3 cells treated with GA. Our results show that IL-6 down-regulation and decreased IL-6 protein level in PC3 cells by GA resulted in diminishing of pSTAT3, pERK1/2, and pAKT signaling proteins which lead to the reduction of the cell survival, proliferation, and invasion in PC3 cells. Therefore, it seems that GA can be considered an anticancer agent in the treatment of prostate cance

Streptomyces Levis ABRIINW111 Inhibits SW480 Cells Growth by Apoptosis Induction

Purpose: Streptomyces sp., a dominant genus in Actinomycetes, is the source of a wide variety of secondary metabolites. Microbial metabolites can be utilized as novel anticancer agents; with fewer side effects. The present article illustrated the anti-carcinogenic effect of the ether extracted organic metabolites derived from Streptomyces bacteria on SW480 colon cancer cell line. Methods: MTT assay was performed in order to investigate the cytotoxicity effect of metabolites on SW480 cells. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrests were measured by flowcytometry. Morphological changes were indicated by Propidium iodide staining andP53 gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. Results: Streptomyces Levis ABRIINW111 inhibited cell growth, increased Caspases 3 and reduced Ki67 expression in a concentration/time-dependent manner in SW40 cells. Metabolites increased subG1 phase (apoptosis) and also cell cycle arrest in G1, G­­­2/M and S phase. P53 gene expression followed Sw480 cells treatment significantly. Conclusion: Streptomyces sp. metabolites have anti-carcinogenic effect on colon cancer cells. Streptomyces Levis ABRIINW111 metabolites are a candidate for Colon cancer treatment

Survey of epidemiology and bacteriology features of cholera in Iran

AbstractObjectiveTo determine epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio (V.) cholerae O1 biotype EL Tor in summer outbreak of 2008 in Iran.MethodsStool samples were collected from patients suspected to have cholera admitted to hospitals and clinics. Specimens examined by conventional bacteriological methods. All isolates were sent to cholera reference laboratory for further confirmation, stereotyping and susceptibility testing.ResultsA total of 220 patients were diagnosed as cholera. All cases confirmed by Iranian reference health laboratory. One hundred ninety nine of 220 V. cholerae serotypes were Inaba and 21 serotypes were Ogawa. All cases were reported from thirteen provinces. The majorities of cases were from Tehran, Qum and Zahedan provinces with 56, 26 and 25 cases respectively. 24(11%) of patients were under 15 years old and 196 (89%) of patients were older than 15 years.149 (68%) of patients were male and 71 (32 %) were female. 129(59%) of patients had Iranian nationality,79 (36.5%) were from Afghanistan and, 12 (5%) were from Pakistan. All isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, furazolidone, and intermediate to chloramphenicol and were susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin.ConclusionOur study reveals that in recent outbreak caused by V. cholerae EL Tor serotype Inaba is the predominant serotype. All isolates are resistant to cotrimoxazole, nalidix acid and furazolidon

Nephroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Pistacia atlantica Leaf Hydroethanolic Extract Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Gentamicin in overdose can lead to tubular injury and kidney dysfunction. Some antioxidants can protect kidneys against nephrotoxicity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of Pistacia atlantica (P. atlantica) leaf hydroethanolic extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Forty rats were divided into five groups: the first group received a daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of normal saline. The second group received gentamicin (120 mg/kg, i.p.). The third, fourth, and fifth groups were orally treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of P. atlantica leaf hydroethanolic extract, respectively, and they also received gentamicin (120 mg/kg, i.p.). After seven days, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine (Cr), urea, uric acid, lipids profile, protein carbonyl (PC), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined. Also, a piece of kidney was used to determine catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, vitamin C, the gene expression of TNF-α, and for subsequent histopathological studies. Treatment with P. atlantica leaf hydroethanolic extract resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in CAT, SOD, vitamin C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the levels of Cr, urea, uric acid, MDA, PC, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TNF-α protein, and the gene expression of TNF-α compared with the untreated group. Histopathological studies show that in lymphocyte infiltration, remarkable reduction was observed in P. atlantica leaf hydroethanolic extract-treated groups, compared with the untreated group. The present study suggests that P. atlantica leaf hydroethanolic extract has protective effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicit