Evidence of antidiabetic activity of Spirulina fusiformis against streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats.

The aim of our study is to investigate the protective effect of Spirulina fusiformis against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into five groups: group I was normal control, group II was diabetic control (50 mg/kg b.w. of streptozotocin, i.p.), group III was Spirulina fusiformis (400 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) treated diabetic rats; group IV was Glibenclamide (0. 6 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) treated diabetic rats and group V was treated with Spirulina fusiformis (400 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) alone. There was significant elevation in the levels of blood glucose, serum lipid profile and serum renal markers (total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid) in the diabetic rats. Also, diabetic rats showed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced antioxidant status (reduced levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione; increased levels of TBARS), impaired oral glucose tolerance and elevated HbA1C. Spirulina fusiformis was able to normalize the above mentioned parameters. Significant histopathological changes were found in the pancreas, liver and kidney sections of the diabetic control group while treatment with Spirulina fusiformis was able to minimize the extent of tissue damage. Current study shows that Spirulina fusiformis possesses significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by effectively reducing the rise in blood glucose levels and lipid profile.

Clinical and experimental research in antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity: a review.

Drug-induced liver injury is the common adverse effect seen in patients receiving antituberculosis drugs (ATDs). There are several risk factors associated with the development of hepatotoxicity in such patients. Though there have been appreciable efforts taken by carrying out studies investigating the efficacy of several natural and synthetic compounds in minimising this effect, the only choice available for clinicians is withdrawal of drugs. This review would give a precise idea of ATD-induced hepatotoxicity, its underlying mechanisms and alternative therapies for the same.

The food supplement coenzyme Q10 and suppression of antitubercular drug-induced hepatic injury in rats: the role of antioxidant defence system, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

INTRODUCTION: Isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), the most common anti-tubercular therapy, causes hepatotoxicity through a multi-step mechanism in certain individuals. The present study was an attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 against INH + RIF-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. METHODS: Hepatotoxicity was induced by the oral administration of INH + RIF (50 mg/kg b.w. each/day) in normal saline water for 28 days. The hepatoprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg b.w./day) was compared with that of the standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg b.w./day). Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study period, and blood and liver were collected for biochemical, immunological and histological analyses. RESULTS: Evaluation of biochemical parameters showed that coenzyme Q10 treatment caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the elevated levels of serum liver function markers and restored normal levels of total protein, albumin and lipids in INH + RIF-treated rats. Also, it was observed that coenzyme Q10 was able to restore normal levels of enzymic antioxidants, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation in the INH + RIF-treated rats. Coenzyme Q10 was found to effectively reduce the extent of liver damage caused due to INH + RIF. In addition, the levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the INH + RIF-induced rats treated with CoQ10. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates the protective role of coenzyme Q10 in attenuating the hepatotoxic effects of INH + RIF in a rat model and that it could be used as a food supplement during anti-tubercular therapy.

Protective role of Triphala, an Indian traditional herbal formulation, against the nephrotoxic effects of bromobenzene in Wistar albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nephroprotective and antioxidant properties of Triphala against bromobenzene-induced nephrotoxicity in female Wistar albino rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into five groups of six rats and treated as follows: Group I was a normal control and received no treatment, Group II received only bromobenzene (10 mmol/kg), Groups III and IV received bromobenzene and Triphala (250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively), Group V received Triphala alone (500 mg/kg), and Group VI received bromobenzene and silymarin (100 mg/kg). Antioxidant status and serum kidney functional markers were analyzed. RESULTS: Bromobenzene treatment resulted in significant (P< 0.05) decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase as well as total reduced glutathione. There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation in kidney tissue homogenates. There were significant (P< 0.05) reductions in the levels of serum total protein and albumin as well as significant (P< 0.05) increases in serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. The oral administration of two different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) of Triphala in bromobenzene-treated rats normalized the tested parameters. The histopathological examinations of kidney sections of the experimental rats support the biochemical observations. CONCLUSION: Triphala treatment alleviated the nephrotoxic effects of bromobenzene by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of lipid peroxidation and kidney functional markers.

Attenuation of anti-tuberculosis therapy induced hepatotoxicity by Spirulina fusiformis, a candidate food supplement.

Therapy using Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) leads to induction of hepatotoxicity in some individuals undergoing anti-tuberculosis treatment. In this study, we assessed the effect of Spirulina fusiformis on INH and RIF induced hepatotoxicity in rats compared with hepatoprotective drug Silymarin. Induction of hepatotoxicity was measured by changes in the liver marker enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase). The antioxidant status was also analyzed in liver tissue homogenate and plasma by measurement of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and lipid peroxidation levels. We also aimed to study the binding and interactions of the transcription factors Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) and Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) with INH, RIF, and representative active compounds of Spirulina fusiformis by in silico methods. The administration of INH and RIF resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the antioxidant levels and total protein levels. There was also a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of liver marker enzymes. Spirulina fusiformis was seen to protect the parameters from significant changes upon challenge with INH and RIF in a dose-dependent manner. This was corroborated by histological examination of the liver. The results of the in silico analyses further support the wet lab results.