Evaluation of Fasting and Probiotics in Reducing Postweaning Stress in Rabbits: Study of their Effects on Biochemical and Gene expression Patterns.

Postweaning stress in mammalian in vivo models leads to significant oxidative stress in the body as well as inducing hormonal disturbance. In this study, we assessed progressive alterations in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which at high levels can show oxidative stress, in addition to oxidative damage to the DNA structure of rabbits. Different groups of rabbits were fasted for 48 h per week for 3 weeks, fed a commercial diet with probiotics added (200 mg of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis), and fasted while being treated with probiotics. The results showed that weaning induced a significant elevation in oxidative stress markers, such as the ROS-related genes malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1) and flavin-containing monooxygenase 2 (FMO2), DNA damage, and hormonal disturbance. However, probiotic treatment resulted in significant decreases in the levels of malondialdehyde, cortisol, and triiodothyronine (T3); DNA damage; and apoptosis, as well as changes in the expression of ROS-related genes. On the other hand, supplementation with probiotics reduced these postweaning stress signs in fasted animal models by elevating the genes encoding catalase and superoxide dismutase as well as increasing glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-s-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, and thyroxin (T4) levels. The results suggest that supplementation with probiotics accompanied by a fasting program could decrease oxidative stress, ROS genes, and genomic DNA damage and improve the hormonal status that is induced by postweaning stress in mammalian in vivo models.

Anti-Alzheimer activity of new coumarin-based derivatives targeting acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

New 2-oxo-chromene-7-oxymethylene acetohydrazide derivatives 4a-d were designed and synthesized with a variety of bioactive chemical fragments. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and antioxidant agents in comparison to donepezil and ascorbic acid, respectively. Compound 4c exhibited a promising inhibitory impact with an IC50 value of 0.802 µM and DPPH scavenging activity of 57.14 ± 2.77%. Furthermore, biochemical and haematological studies revealed that compound 4c had no effect on the blood profile, hepatic enzyme levels (AST, ALT, and ALP), or total urea in 4c-treated rats compared to the controls. Moreover, the histopathological studies of 4c-treated rats revealed the normal architecture of the hepatic lobules and renal parenchyma, as well as no histopathological damage in the examined hepatic, kidney, heart, and brain tissues. In addition, an in vivo study investigated the amelioration in the cognitive function of AD-rats treated with 4c through the T-maze and beam balance behavioural tests. Also, 4c detectably ameliorated MDA and GSH, reaching 90.64 and 27.17%, respectively, in comparison to the standard drug (90.64% and 35.03% for MDA and GSH, respectively). The molecular docking study exhibited a good fitting of compound 4c in the active site of the AChE enzyme and a promising safety profile. Compound 4c exhibited a promising anti-Alzheimer's disease efficiency compared to the standard drug donepezil.

Punica granatum suppresses colon cancer through downregulation of Wnt/β-Catenin in rat model

Abstract This study aims to elucidate the beneficial effect of Punica granatum L., Lythraceae (pomegranate) peel extract in the management of colon cancer induced intrarectally with N-methylnitrosourea. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered N-methylnitrosourea (2 mg in 0.5 ml water/rat) intrarectally three times/week for five weeks to induce colorectal cancer, followed by treatment with either 5-fluorouracil (12.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or Punica peel extract (2.25 or 4.5 g/kg, p.o.). Developed tumor elevated plasma TGF-β, and Bcl2, serum epidermal growth factor, carcinoembryonic antigen, colon cancer specific antigens, and matrix metalloproteinase-7. Besides, immune-histochemical studies revealed an increase in COX-2, cyclin D1 and survivin content, as well as upregulation of the expression of colonic β-Catenin, K-ras and C-myc genes. These results were further supported by the histological findings. Punica peel extract-treated rats, particularly those treated with a high dose, exhibited a marked reduction in the aforementioned parameters and improved the histological organization of the colon tissue. These alterations were consistent with those mediated through 5-fluorouracil. The present study encourages the use of P. granatum L. against colon cancer. Because Punica peel extract promotes apoptosis, mitigates inflammation and suppresses tumor cell proliferation in vivo, the potential mechanism underlying these activities might depend on the inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway.

Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract offers multiple mechanisms in bridling N-methylnitrosourea - mediated experimental colorectal cancer.

In Egypt, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 6th cancer in both gender and CRC rates are high in subjects under 40 years of age. This study goaled to determine the development of CRC using relevant biochemical markers and to elucidate the potent mechanism of Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract in retrogression of experimental CRC. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered N-methylnitrosourea (N-MNU; 2mg in 0.5ml water/rat) intrarectally thrice a week for five weeks to induce CRC, followed by treatment with either 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 12.5mg/kg, i.p.) or Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract in a dose of 0.675 and 1.35g/kg, p.o. respectively. The developed tumor enhanced plasma TGF-ß, and Bcl2, serum EGF, CEA, CCSA, and MMP-7 significantly. Also, gene expression analysis showed significant upregulation of colonic ß-Catenin, K-ras and C-myc genes. Besides, immunohistochemical findings revealed significant increase in COX-2, cyclin D1 and survivin content in colon tissue. These data were further supported by the histological observations. Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract-treated rats; particularly those treated with dose of 1.35g/kg, exhibited significant reduction in the aforementioned parameters and improvement in the histological organization of the colon tissue. The therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract was comparable with that mediated by 5-FU. The current research proved that Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract could suppress tumor cell proliferation, promote apoptosis, and mitigat inflammation in vivo. The amelioration of these key events might be linked with the inhibition of Wnt/ß-Catenin signaling module. The outcomes of the present investigation encourage the use of Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract as a complementary and alternative therapeutic approach to abate CRC.