Gastroprotective effect of leaf extract of two varieties grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) native wild and cultivar grown in North of Tunisia against the oxidative stress induced by ethanol in rats.

Context: Vitis vinifera leaves are traditionally used in Tunisian folk medicine to treat digestive pathologies.Objective: We aimed to compare the gastroprotective effects of hydromethanolic leaves extracts of wild and cultivated grapes accessions native of Tunisia.Materials and methods: The phytochemical analysis of grapevine leaves extracts was performed. The gastroprotective activity was evaluated by ethanol-induced gastric-ulcer in rats pre-treated with increased doses of the extracts or with the standard omeprazole. Index of gastric secretions (volume, pH and gastric mucus production), stomach wall histology and biochemical parameters were estimated for assessment of anti-secretory and gastroprotective effects of the extracts.Results: Pre-treatment with grapevine leaves extracts decreased significantly gastric volume, gastric mucosal damage and increased significantly gastric juice pH compared with the negative control group. The extracts prevented ethanol-induced decrease of the activity of antioxidant enzymes while the levels of malondialdehyde and of reduced glutathione were decreased significantly. Moreover, the most marked effect was observed at low doses of wild ecotype 'Nefza-I' extracts.Conclusion: The leaves of Vitis species might be suitable as a functional food for therapeutic purpose and demonstrates gastroprotective action in gastric lesions model. Both accessions exhibited gastroprotective effects, but wild 'Nefza-I' ecotype was more effective than cultivar 'Marsaoui'.

Gastroprotective effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat.

BACKGROUND: We aimed in the present study, at investigating the gastroprotective effect of carob pods aqueous extract (CPAE) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats as well as the mechanism implicated. METHODS: Adult male wistar rats were used and divided into six groups of ten each: control, EtOH (80% v/v, 4 g/kg b.w.), EtOH 80% + various doses of CPAE (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, b.w.) and EtOH + Famotidine (10 mg/kg, p.o.) Animals were perorally (p.o.) pre-treated with CPAE during 15 days and intoxicated with a single oral administration of EtOH (4 g/kg b.w.) for two hours. RESULTS: The colorimetric analysis demonstrated that the CPAE exhibited an importance in vitro antioxidant activity against ABTS and DPPH radicals. We found that CPAE pretreatment in vivo, protected against EtOH-induced macroscopic and histological changes induced in stomach mucosa. Carob extract administration also protected against alcohol-induced volume gastric juice decrease. More importantly, We showed that CPAE counteracted EtOH-induced gastric lipoperoxidation, reversed the decrease of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) an hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, and prevented the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CPAE exerted a potential gastro-protective effect against EtOH-induced oxidative stress in rats, due in part, to its antioxidants properties.

Chemical composition, antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective effects of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract against alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rat.

The present study assessed the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and hepatoprotective effects of subacute pre-treatment with chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract (CDE) against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative stress in rats. The colorimetric analysis demonstrated that the CDE is rich in total polyphenols, total flavonoids and condensed tannins, and exhibited an important in vitro antioxidant activity. The use of LC/MS technique allowed us to identify 10 phenolic compounds in CDE. We found that CDE pretreatment, in vivo, protected against EtOH-induced liver injury evident by plasma transaminases activity and preservation of the hepatic tissue structure. The CDE counteracted EtOH-induced liver lipoperoxidation, preserved thiol -SH groups and prevented the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We also showed that acute alcohol administration increased tissue and plasma hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), calcium and free iron levels. More importantly, CDE pre-treatment reversed all EtOH-induced disturbances in intracellular mediators. In conclusion, our data suggest that CDE exerted a potential hepatoprotective effect against EtOH-induced oxidative stress in rat, at least in part, by negatively regulating Fenton reaction components such as H(2)O(2) and free iron, which are known to lead to cytotoxicity mediated by intracellular calcium deregulation.

Hepatoprotective effect of carob against acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether subacute treatment with aqueous extract of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods (AECPs) protects against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Animals were divided into four groups: control, carob, EtOH and EtOH + carob. Wistar rats were intraperitoneally pretreated with AECP (600 mg/kg body weight (bw)) during 7 days and intoxicated for 6 h by acute oral administration of EtOH (6 g/kg bw) 24 h after the last injection. We found that acute administration of EtOH leads to hepatotoxicity as monitored by the increase in the levels of hepatic marker aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase as well as hepatic tissue injury. EtOH also increased the formation of malondialdehyde in the liver, indicating an increase in lipid peroxidation and depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Subacute carob pretreatment prevented all the alterations induced by EtOH and returned their levels to near normal. Importantly, we showed that acute alcohol increased hepatic and plasmatic hydrogen peroxide and free iron levels. The carob pretreatment reversed EtOH effects to near control levels. These data suggest that carob could have a beneficial effect in inhibiting the oxidative damage induced by acute EtOH administration and that its mode of action may involve an opposite effect on plasma and tissue-free iron accumulation. Indeed, carob can be offered as a food additive to protect against EtOH-induced oxidative damage.

Iatrogenic ureteral injury: What should the digestive surgeon know?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Iatrogenic ureteral injury (IUI) is a rare but formidable complication of any abdominal or pelvic surgery. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of IUI in colorectal surgery in the Basse-Normandie region over the period 2004-2022, as well as to review the literature on the management of this complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective analysis of clinical data (medical records and operative reports) concerned 22 patients (13 men and 9 women) who suffered an IUI during colorectal surgery between 2004 and 2022. Ureteral resections for oncological purposes and endoluminal instrumental injuries (post-ureteroscopy) were excluded from the study. We also carried out a review of the literature concerning the incidence of IUI in colorectal surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of IUI was 0.27% over the study period (22 ureteral injuries out of 8129 colorectal procedures). Colorectal cancer and sigmoid diverticulitis were the dominant surgical indications (85% of cases). Proctectomy and left colectomy were the most performed resection procedures (75% of cases). Surgery was scheduled in 68% of cases. The approach was open laparotomy in 59% and laparoscopy in 41% of cases. The IUI involved the left ureter in 63% of cases and the pelvic ureter in 77% of cases. Conservative endoscopic treatment by insertion of a double-J catheter stent had a success rate of 87.5%. Surgical repairs consisting of re-implantation techniques and uretero-ureteral anastomosis had a success rate of 75%. The nephrectomy rate was 13.6% (3/22) and the mortality rate 9% (2/22). A literature review identified sixteen studies, where the incidence of IUI varied from 0.1 to 4.5%. FINDINGS: IUI occurring during colorectal surgery is a rare occurrence but remain a formidable complication. No means of prevention has proven its effectiveness to date, but guidance devices using illuminated ureteral catheters or dyes seem to constitute a promising approach. Injuries to the left pelvic ureter are the most common, and the majority can be treated endoscopically if diagnosed early.

Preventive Anti-inflammatory Effects of Apocynin on Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with a complex aetiology characterised by abnormal immune responses and oxidative stress-induced tissue injury. Inflammatory cells play an important role in the progression of this pathology through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from various sources including the NADPH oxidases (NOXs). The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effect of apocynin, a natural antioxidant molecule and a selective inhibitor of NOXs, on acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Our results first confirmed that apocynin has a high free radical scavenging capacity as well as a potent iron chelating ability. Oral pretreatment of rats with apocynin (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) for 7 days prior to AA-induced colitis suppressed the increase in pro-oxidant markers in colonic homogenates and preserved colonic cytoarchitecture from acetic acid-induced damage. Oral administration of apocynin (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) also reduced several systemic inflammatory markers such as alkaline phosphatase, iron, pro-inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase. This study shows that apocynin protects rats from acetic acid-induced colonic inflammation and suggests that apocynin may have a promising beneficial effect in the prevention of ulcerative colitis.

Lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) essential oils attenuate hyperglycemia and protect against oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The present study described the phytochemical profile of Lavandula stoechas essential oils, collected in the area of Ain-Draham (North-West of Tunisia), as well as their protective effects against alloxan-induced diabetes and oxidative stress in rat. METHODS: Essential oils samples were obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Rats were divided into four groups: Healthy Control (HC); Diabetic Control (DC); Healthy + Essential Oils (H + EO) and Diabetic + Essential Oils (D + EO).Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were evaluated after subacute intraperitoneally injection of Lavandula stoechas essential oils (50 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) to rats during 15 days. RESULTS: The principal compounds detected are: D-Fenchone (29.28%), α-pinene (23.18%), Camphor (15.97%), Camphene (7.83%), Eucapur (3.29%), Limonene, (2.71%) Linalool, (2.01%) Endobornyl Acetate (1.03%). The essential oils also contained smaller percentages of Tricyclene, Cymene, Delta-Cadinene, Selina-3,7(11)-diene. Furthermore, we found that Lavandula stoechas essential oils significantly protected against the increase of blood glucose as well as the decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities induced by aloxan treatment. Subacute essential oils treatment induced a decrease of lipoperoxidation as well as an increase of antioxidant enzyme activities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that lavandula stoechas essential oils protected against diabetes and oxidative stress induced by alloxan treatment. These effects are in partly due to its potent antioxidant properties.

The NADPH Oxidase Inhibitors Apocynin and Diphenyleneiodonium Protect Rats from LPS-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation.

Inflammation is the body's response to insults, for instance, lung inflammation is generally caused by pathogens or by exposure to pollutants, irritants and toxins. This process involves many inflammatory cells such as epithelial cells, monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. These cells produce and release inflammatory mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, lipids and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Lung epithelial cells and phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils) produce ROS mainly by the NADPH oxidase NOX1 and NOX2, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two NADPH oxidase inhibitors, apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation in rats. Our results showed that apocynin and DPI attenuated the LPS-induced morphological and histological alterations of the lung, reduced edema and decreased lung permeability. The evaluation of oxidative stress markers in lung homogenates showed that apocynin and DPI inhibited LPS-induced NADPH oxidase activity, and restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in the lung resulting in the reduction in LPS-induced protein and lipid oxidation. Additionally, apocynin and DPI decreased LPS-induced MPO activity in bronchoalveolar liquid and lung homogenates, TNF-α and IL-1ß in rat plasma. NADPH oxidase inhibition could be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.

Inhibitory Effects of Two Varieties of Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Extracts on Gastrointestinal Transit in Rat.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether total and methanol juice extracts of two Tunisian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties (Garsi and Gabsi) protect against diarrhea as well as their effects on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) in healthy rats. In this respect, male Wistar rats were used and divided into control- and pomegranate-treated groups. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated using the castor oil-induced diarrhea method and the GIT was assessed using charcoal meal. Our results showed that total and methanol P. granatum juice extracts produced a significant dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea. Pomegranate extracts and juice also decreased the GIT significantly and dose dependently. Importantly, the Garsi variety appeared to be more effective than the Gabsi variety on these two parameters. These findings suggest that pomegranate extracts have a potent antidiarrheal property in rats confirming their efficiency in the Tunisian traditional medicine.

Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Matricaria recutita L. (Chamomile) has been widely used in the Tunisian traditional medicine for the treatment of digestive system disorders. The present work aims to investigate the protective effects of chamomile decoction extract (CDE) against castor oil-induced diarrhea and oxidative stress in rats. METHODS: The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhea method. In this respect, rats were divided into six groups: Control, Castor oil, Castor oil+Loperamide (LOP) and Castor oil+various doses of CDE. Animals were per orally (p.o.) pre-treated with CDE during 1h and intoxicated for 2 or 4h by acute oral administration of castor oil. RESULTS: Our results showed that CDE produced a significant dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal fluid accumulation. On the other hand, we showed that diarrhea was accompagned by an oxidative stress status assessed by an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Castor oil also increased gastric and intestinal mucosa hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and free iron levels. Importantly, we showed that chamomile pre-treatment abrogated all these biochemical alterations. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that chamomile extract had a potent antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties in rats confirming their use in traditional medicine.