RESUMO
The present study evaluated the anti-arthritic impact of combined crocin and curcumin on Adjuvant Induced Arthritis (AIA) in rats. Arthritis model was induced in rats by injecting Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the right hind paw and was subsequently treated with crocin and curcumin. Evaluation of anti-arthritic activity was carried out using paw swelling, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathology of rats. The results showed increased paw swelling, increased serum markers levels, including CRP, RF, ALP, ALT, and AST, and inflammatory cytokines (ILlß and TNFα) along with histology changes (cartilage and bone degradation) in arthritic rats when compared to the normal group. Crocin, curcumin and crocin + curcumin administration at different doses (especially combination at 40 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg respectively), as well as MTX revealed suitable therapeutic effect on AIA rats. Moreover, both phytochemicals and their combination at different doses showed effective anti-arthritic effects owing to their anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, crocin and curcumin, either alone or in combination, can be a suitable treatment modality for rheumatoid arthritis .
RESUMO
Cisplatin (CP) as an important chemotherapeutic drug is used for the treatment of various malignancies; but it has some side effects on central nervous system, in particular hippocampus. The present study was aimed to determine the protective effects of Aloe vera (AV) gel on CP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and neurons structure changes in the hippocampus of rats. Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups including control, CP (5.00 mg kg-1 per week; intraperitoneally), CP + AV (400 mg kg-1 per day; orally), CP + metformin (200 mg kg-1 per day; orally), AV (400 mg kg-1 per day; orally) and metformin (200 mg kg-1 per day; orally). At the end of treatment, brain samples were obtained for analysis of apoptotic genes expression and anti-oxidant markers as well as histological study. The results showed that CP caused an increase in malondialdehyde level and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels in CP group compared to control. The AV gel could diminish oxidative stress in the hippocampus of CP group and it resulted in down-regulation of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-8 and up-regulation of Bcl-2 in CP group. It could ameliorate degenerative changes in hippocampus after exposure to CP. Our results showed that AV gel ameliorated oxidative stress, apoptosis and neuronal loss in the hippocampus of rats under CP treatment.
RESUMO
A 2-week research was carried out to assess water salinity (WS) effects including 0, 15, 35, and 50 on osmoregulatory mechanisms and stress indices in Asian sea bass (34.4 g) juveniles. Except for fish reared at 50, in the other treatments, it gradually decreased to the prescribed WS during a 10-day period (- 5 a day). After a 10-day acclimation period, fish were reared at the prescribed WS for 2 weeks. Fish reared at 15 and 35 had higher chloride cell (CC) counts in the interlamellar region. The number of CC in the interlamellar region elevated with increment of WS up to 35, but they were pronouncedly reduced in 50 group. The diameter of CC in the interlamellar region was not affected by WS. The smallest nucleus diameter of CC in the interlamellar region was observed in fish reared at 15 (P < 0.05). The largest and the smallest amounts of serum aspartate aminotransferase were observed in fish reared at freshwater and 15, respectively. Fish reared at 35 had the highest serum sodium and potassium contents. Serum chloride content and total osmolality increased with increment of WS (P < 0.05). Serum cortisol and glucose contents gradually increased with elevation of WS up to 35; then, their contents remarkably decreased. The relative expression of insulin like growth factor-1 in the liver of fish reared at 35 was strikingly higher than that in the other groups. The relative expression of HSP70 gene in fresh water group was pronouncedly elevated compared to other treatments. The relative expression of interleukin-1ß in 15 and 35 groups was higher than that in the other groups; however, the relative expression of lysozyme gene in the liver of fish reared at fresh water was pronouncedly lower than that in the other treatments. The results of this study suggested rearing L. calcarifer at 15 closer to the isosmotic point and better provide its welfare.