Ameliorative Potential of Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo L.) Against Tramadol-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Background of the Study: The increase in the therapeutic use of tramadol in the management of moderate to severe pains in some disease conditions and its unregulated access has led to its associated toxicity and there is little or no information on the protection against its associated toxicity. Aim of the Study: Considering the medicinal value of pumpkin seed oil, its availability, and neglected use, it becomes necessary to evaluate the possible potential of the seed oil in tramadol-induced oxidative stress in Wister Albino rats. Methods of the Study: This study used fifty-six (56) albino rats to determine the impact of Cucurbita pepo seed oil (CPSO) on tramadol-induced oxidative stress. The rats were grouped into 7. After a week of acclimatization, rats in group 1 (normal control) had access to water and food, while rats in group 2 received 5 mL/Kg (b.w) of normal saline. 100 mg/kg of tramadol (TM) was delivered to groups 3-6 to induce toxicity. The third group (TM control) received no treatment, whilst the other 3 groups (TM-CPSO treatment groups) received 5, 2.5, and 1.5 mL/Kg of CPSO, respectively. Group 7 received only 5 mL/kg CPSO (CPSO group). Similarly, groups 2 through 7 had unrestricted access to food and water for 42 days and received treatments via oral intubation once per day. Indicators of oxidative stress were discovered in the brain homogenate. Results: TM toxicity was demonstrated by a considerable increase (P < .05) in the brain MDA level and a significant drop (P < .05) in the brain GSH level, as well as a significant reduction (P < .05) in GPx, catalase, SOD, GST, and quinone reductase activities. Conclusion: The dose-dependent delivery of CPSO was able to restore not only the activity but also the concentrations of the altered markers.

Inclusion of nutritional counseling and mental health services in HIV/AIDS management: A paradigm shift.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a public health challenge that can degenerate into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if not properly managed. HIV infection shortens life expectancy to about 5 to 10 years compared to noninfected individuals. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are prone to several health challenges as a result of a deranged immune system culminating in high morbidity and mortality. Depression is a common feature of PLWHA. Depression heightens the emergence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals, accelerates the progression to AIDS, and increased suicidal tendencies, morbidity, and mortality. Food insecurity with its resultant undernutrition contributes to HIV/AIDS-related deaths. Undernourished PLWHA are more prone to opportunistic infections due to poor immunity. Interestingly, proper diet intake can boost immunity, slow the progression of AIDS and opportunistic infections, enhance body weight, and retard depression tendencies. Undernutrition can also be ameliorated by incorporating nutritional counseling and oral nutrient supplementation in routine HIV/AIDS checkups. Therefore, to increase HIV/AIDS management outcomes, the integration of nutrition counseling, dietary supplements, and mental health services should be embraced. Thus, HIV/AIDS care centers should amplify these services. In this article, we isolated relevant studies from various databases, illuminated the interwoven relationship between HIV/AIDS, depression, and undernutrition, and also reemphasized the need for adequate nutritional intervention in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Thus, this study provides a reawakening call to focus on incorporating nutritional guides and mental health care in HIV/AIDS management protocols.

Nephroprotective effects of Datura stramonium leaves against methotrexate nephrotoxicity via attenuation of oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in rats.

Objective: Methotrexate (MTX) is a frontline antimetabolite anticancer drug which is used in different cancer treatments but its nephrotoxicity is a notable drawback that limits its clinical use. The present study was undertaken to examine whether Datura stramonium leaf extract (DSLE) could block MTX nephrotoxic side effect in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided randomly into Control, Ethanol extract, MTX, and Extract + MTX groups. DSLE (200 mg/kg bw) was orally administered for 21 days, while MTX was injected intraperitoneally (ip) on the 18th day. Serum levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid were determined. Kidney samples were used to determine glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and renal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and caspase-3. Results: Injection of MTX resulted in considerable increases (p<0.05) in creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels as well as renal MDA, NO, IL-6, TNF-α and caspase-3 compared to the controls. SOD and GPx increased significantly, while GSH was significantly depleted. Interestingly, DSLE markedly reduced (p<0.05) levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, TNF-α, NO, MDA and caspase-3, whereas renal GSH increased markedly compared to the MTX group. Conclusion: DSLE has nephroprotective activity against MTX toxicity. However, further mechanistic studies are needed.

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil ameliorates Bisphenol-A-induced adipokines dysfunctions and dyslipidemia.

This study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA-induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol-A (BPA)-induced male Wistar rats. Six-week-old 36 albino rats of 100-200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p < .05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL-C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL-C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p < .05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL-C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL-C in adipose tissue and plasma (p < .05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL-C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL-C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA-induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications.