Neuroprotective role of agmatine in prenatal acute ethanol exposure induce alterations in rats

The present study investigates the impact of agmatine, a neuromodulator with neuroprotective and anxiolytic properties, on behavioral changes associated with prenatal ethanol exposure in rats. The research focuses on the vulnerability of adolescents to alcohol-related problems and explores the potential link between prenatal alcohol exposure, anxiety, and adolescent alcohol use. The study also delves into the neurotoxic effects of ethanol on social behavior, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. The pregnant (GD12) Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol 2.5 g/kg, 20% v/v followed by a second i.p. injection of 1.25 g/kg ethanol and administered agmatine, along with its modulators, during adolescence. The results reveal that prenatal ethanol exposure induces behavioral changes such as increased locomotor activity, anxiety, social interaction deficits, and depression-like behavior. Agmatine administration, particularly at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg, mitigates these effects, indicating its potential therapeutic role. Moreover, agmatine treatment improves recognition memory impaired by ethanol exposure and reduces oxidative stress, emphasizing its neuroprotective properties. In conclusion, the study suggests that agmatine holds promise in addressing the behavioural and neurochemical alterations induced by prenatal ethanol exposure during adolescence. The findings contribute to understanding the potential therapeutic capabilities of agmatine in mitigating the adverse consequences of early alcohol exposure on brain function and behaviour

Ameliorative effect of lycopene alone and in combination with co-enzyme Q10 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in experimental rats

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become an utmost reason for long-standing renal dysfunction and end-stage renal disease globally. Oxidative stress induced by persistent hyperglycemia is considered a fundamental element in the evolution of DN. The goal of this research was to discover the outcome of appendages of natural antioxidants such as lycopene and co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in DN rats and to observe the preventive effects in DN. A diabetes model was developed in a Wistar strain of male rats (200–250 g) by subcutaneous injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Development of nephropathy was assessed by renal function tests including blood glucose, creatinine, albumin, total protein, total bilirubin, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP level. Oxidative stress markers such as LPO and GSH content and activity of membrane-bound Na+/K+ ATPases were measured in kidney homogenate. Renal damage was assessed by performing a histopathological analysis. DN rats showed a significant elevation in creatinine, albumin, total protein, total bilirubin, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, and LPO levels whereas a significant reduction in creatinine clearance and GSH level. Treatment with antioxidants such as lycopene (5 mg/kg/p.o.) and CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/p.o.) along with their combination for 4 weeks notably altered the level of renal function biomarkers and oxidative stress markers. These antioxidants and their combination also protected the kidney from abnormal morphological changes. The present findings suggest that the combined administration of lycopene and CoQ10, which are antioxidants, exhibits synergistic effects in mitigating renal injury by reducing hyperglycemia, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological alterations

Protective Effects of Ferulic Acid in Alcohol Withdrawal Induced Anxiety and Depression in Mice

Background: Anxiety and depression are the most important troubling symptoms of continuous alcoholism. Objective: The present study was designed to examine the protective effects of ferulic acid in alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety and depression in experimental mice. Methods: Male albino mice were divided into different groups. They were received 10% ethanol (2 g/kg; p.o.) twice on the first day and once on successive days for total six days, after 24 hrs. Withdrawal symptoms were observed using the different model for anxiety and depression such as elevated plus maze, open field test, hole board test, marble burying test and tail suspension test. Ferulic acid was tested as 10 and 20 mg/ kg, orally. Results: Treatment with ferulic acid (10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o) showed significant reduction of alcohol withdrawal syndromes in different models. Taken together our result showed a protective effect in alcohol withdrawal anxiety and depression as tested in well-established animal models. Conclusion: The present study showed that ferulic acid dose-dependently prevents alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety and depression in mice

Prevention of Insulin Resistance by Silymarin.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin on the dexamethasone and fructose – induced insulin resistance since its effect potential protective effects have been addressed in other models of cell damage induced by drugs. Methods Insulin resistance was induced by administration of either dexamethasone or fructose. In both model effect of concomitant administration of silymarin  in two divided doses 100 and 200 mg/kg continued till end of the experiment were studied group 3-5, dexamethasone was administered to the overnight-fasted rats and continued till the end of the experiment along with silymarin 100 or 200 mg/kg p.o. At the end of the experimental period i.e. on day 11 in dexamethasone insulin resistance model, the serum glucose triglyceride and body weight was determined. Subsequently, insulin secretion in vitro from isolated perfused pancreas were determined  On day 21 in fructose induced insulin resistance model the estimation of serum glucose, cholesterol triglyceride and insulin were done. Then the animals were sacrificed, a piece of liver was dissected out for determination of glycogen as per the method described by Montgomery. Results Silymarin 200 mg/kg treatment with Dexamethasone significantly inhibited the dexamethasone induced increase in serum glucose, triglyceride level, insulin secretion and reduction in body weight. After 21 days increase in serum glucose and insulin levels in fructose feeding rats was significantly decreased in group treated with Silymarin 200 mg/kg. Silymarin treatment to fructose fed rats increases glycogen levels of tissue compared to fructose control group Conclusion Silymarin might improve insulin resistance through enhanced insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. The results obtained in the present investigation indicate that silyamarin may have considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of insulin resistance in NIDDM and its complications. Keywords: Dexamethasone, Silymarin, Insulin resistance, fructose , Diabetes mellitus Â&nbsp