Bioactivity of Falkenbergia rufolanosa Methanolic Extract: Assessment of Its Effect on Methyl-Thiophanate Induced Bone and Blood Disorders.

This study aimed to evaluate the potentiality of a mineral and antioxidant-rich methanolic extract of the red marine alga Falkenbergia rufolanosa (FRE) against methyl-thiophanate (MT)-induced toxicity in adult rats. The animals were allocated into four groups: controls, MT (300 mg/kg), MT + FRE, and FRE-treated group for 7 days. Our results demonstrated severe mineral perturbations due to MT treatment, especially in calcium and phosphorus levels in plasma, urine, and bone. Similarly, the hematological analysis revealed increased red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells associated with striking genotoxicity. Interestingly, a significant rise in lipid peroxidation and advanced oxidation protein products level in erythrocytes and bone were noted. Meanwhile, a depletion of the antioxidant status in both tissues occurred. These biochemical alterations were in harmony with DNA degradation and histological variation in bone and blood. In the other trend, data showed that treatment with alga improved MT-induced hematotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress in the blood and bone. Osteo-mineral metabolism and bone histo-architecture were also noted. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that the red alga Falkenbergia rufolanosa is a potent source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents, as revealed by the in vitro analysis.

Preparation and characterization of a novel hamada scoparia polysaccharide composite films and evaluation of their effect on cutaneous wound healing in rat.

This work was intended to prepare biodegradable and edible films from polysaccharide extracted from Hammada scoparia leaves (named PSP) and reinforced by poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Four films with different ratios of PSP/PVA: P1 (70:30), P2 (50:50), FP3 (30:70) and pure PVA (100 % PVA) were prepared and characterized in terms of structural (FT-IR), physical (Thickness, solubility and swelling index), optical and thermal properties (TGA). The antioxidant activities of different films were determined in vitro and evaluated in vivo through the examination of wound healing capability. Data revealed that the film P1 displayed the highest antioxidant activity in vitro and accelerated significantly the wound healing, after sixteen days of treatment, attested by higher wound appearance scores and a higher content of collagen (765.924 ± 4.44 mg/g of tissue) confirmed by histological examination, when compared with control, CYTOL CENTELLA® and pure PVA-treated groups. Overall, these results demonstrated that PSP/PVA based films exhibited a higher wound healing potential confirmed with the high antioxidant activities in vitro.

Potential benefits of polysaccharides derived from marine alga Ulva lactuca against hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by thiacloprid, an insecticide pollutant.

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential protective and antioxidant effect of polysaccharides (PS) extracted from Ulva lactuca against thiacloprid (THC) induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The antioxidant capacity of PS was tested in vitro using ABTS radical scavenging activity and plasmid DNA cleavage assays andin vivo on adult male rats treated for 30 days. Animals were allocated into four groups: control; THC (22.5 mg/kg); THC (22.5 mg/kg) + PS1 (100 mg/kg diet); and THC (22.5 mg/kg) + PS2 (200 mg/kg diet). The structural features of PS were determined by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR), UV absorption peak detection, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gel permeation chromatography, and also functional properties were investigated. Overall, results indicated that THC increased significantly malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione levels, which is correlated with severe histological and plasmatic biochemical injuries in both liver and kidney tissues. However, cotreatment PS induced a significant protective and healing affects against the nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxcity induced by THC.

Hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects of Ulva lactuca ethanolic extract in hypercholesterolemic mice.

CONTEXT: Hypercholesterolemia has significant cardiac consequences, since it is among the major risk factors of ischemic heart diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim was searching the cardioprotective effect of chemical constituents from the sea lettuce Ulva lactuca upon hypercholesterolemic regime in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group, hypercholesterolemic group, and mice receiving 1% cholesterol associated with U. lactuca ethanolic extract. RESULTS: In vitro study demonstrated that algal extract has antioxidant efficacy attributable to the presence of phenolic compounds. Additionally, the alga alleviated cardiotoxicity, as shown by the improvement of haematological parameters, white cell viability, heart oxidative stress, plasma biochemical parameters and index of atherogenesis. Gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 significantly decreased in the heart of U. lactuca supplemented hypercholesterolemic animals. CONCLUSION: It was established that the green alga, thanks to its bioactive compounds, effectively counteracts cardiotoxic effects of hypercholesterolemic regime.

Potential protective effects of polysaccharide extracted from Ulva lactuca against male reprotoxicity induced by thiacloprid.

CONTEXT: Polysaccharides (PSs) from seaweeds have been reported to possess biological activity of potential medicinal values. OBJECTIVE: The current study was conducted to establish the protective effects of PS extracted from Ulva lactuca against oxidative stress induced by Thiacloprid (THC) in the rat reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were exposed either to THC, THC + PS (100 mg/kg), or THC + PS (200 mg/kg). RESULTS: Our study showed that THC induced severe disorders in the functional sperm parameters. A decrease in antioxidant activities and their genes expression were observed in the same group, compared to the controls. Our molecular data showing also a severe DNA breakdown in the testis of THC treated group. Moreover, THC treated group showed severe histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that PS extracted from Ulva lactuca alleviated the THC induced reprotoxicity and reduced oxidative stress damages, DNA breakdown and histological injuries in the testis.

Increasing maneb doses induces reactive oxygen species overproduction and nephrotoxicity in adult mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the biochemical, molecular and histopathological aspects of the kidney injuries as well as the hematological perturbations induced after adult mice exposure to increasing doses of maneb (MB). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Adult mice were intraperitoneally treated for seven days with four graded doses of MB, corresponding to 1/8, 1/6, 1/4 and 1/2 of its lethal dose (LD50=1500 mg/kg body weight). RESULTS: Hematological analysis revealed a significant disruption in total white blood cells and platelets and a significant decrease in the plasmatic levels of ferrozine in mice treated with 1/8, 1/6 and 1/4 of MB LD50. However, the ferrozine levels increased significantly in the group treated with 1/2 of MB LD50. Evenly, our results showed a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, lipid hydroperoxides, hydrogen peroxide and advanced oxidation protein products in all treated groups. The activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase decreased significantly in all MB treated mice. Additionally, all treated groups exhibited strong nephrotoxicity signs, including increases in plasma urea, creatinine and albumin levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as a significant decrease in uric acid levels. Electrophoresis analysis revealed nucleic acid degradation, testifying the genotoxicity of MB. Moreover, the histopathological observations showed severe renal injuries, which could be related to the above mentioned data. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed, for the first time, that the MB tested doses led to oxidative stress installation causing renal cell damages and lowering all defense systems capacities.