Protective Effect of Morocco Carob Honey Against Lead-Induced Anemia and Hepato-Renal Toxicity.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Natural honey has many biological activities including protective effect against toxic materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of carob honey against lead-induced hepato-renal toxicity and lead-induced anemia in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty four male rabbits were allocated into four groups six rabbits each; group 1: control group, received distilled water (0.1 ml / kg.b.wt /daily); group 2: received oral lead acetate (2 g/kg.b.wt/daily); group 3: treated with oral honey (1g /kg.b.wt/daily) and oral lead (2 g/kg.b.wt/daily), and group 4: received oral honey (1 g/kg.b.wt/daily). Honey and lead were given daily during 24 days of experimentation. Laboratory tests and histopathological evaluations of kidneys were done. RESULTS: Oral administration of lead induced hepatic and kidney injury and caused anemia during three weeks of the exposure. Treatment with honey prevented hepato-renal lead toxicity and ameliorated lead-induced anemia when honey was given to animals during lead exposure. CONCLUSION: It might be concluded that honey has a protective effect against lead-induced blood, hepatic and renal toxic effects.

Antioxidant activity and protective effect of propolis against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver and kidney injury by modulation of oxidative parameters.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Propolis has a protective effect against cellular damage caused by toxic agents such as drugs, metals, xenobiotics, and chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and the effect of ethanolic extract of propolis on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress on kidney and liver injury in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study quantified phenol, flavone, and flavonol in propolis and assessed antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and molybdate. The investigators used four groups of rats to study the effect of propolis on CCl4-induced toxicity. Propolis extract was given orally (500 mg/kg) for 12 days, and CCl4 (1 mL/kg) was administered intraperitoneally on day 5 of the experiment. Blood and tissue samples of the liver and kidney were collected on day 13 to measure biochemical and oxidative parameters. The parameters included malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl formation (PCO), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid (AA). Biochemical parameters included liver enzymes, blood urea (BU), creatinine, and uric acid (UA). RESULTS: CCl4 decreased antioxidant agents, including CAT, GPx, GSH, and AA in the liver and kidney tissues. The oxidative agents' levels, including MDA, PCO, and AOPP, increased by CCl4 compared to the control group. CCl4 increased liver enzymes, UA, BU, and creatinine in the blood samples. Propolis significantly alleviated liver and kidney function, improved antioxidant parameters, and decreased levels of oxidative agents. CONCLUSION: The data showed for the 1st time that Moroccan propolis has a protective effect against CCl4-induced kidney and liver toxicity by maintaining the activity of the antioxidant defense system, which was most likely due to its antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethyl acetate extract of carob honey in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

AIM: The aim of the study included the effect of aqueous extract (AE) and ethyl acetate extract (EAE) on blood sugar in diabetic rats and their effects on liver enzymes and lipid panel in control and diabetic rats. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the EAE was studied in vitro and compared with AE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sugar and antioxidant content of AE and EAE were determined. In vitro antioxidant activity of AE and EAE was estimated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ABTS*+ radical scavenging assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, and total antioxidant assay. To study the effect of the extracts on blood glucose level (BGL), lipid profile, and liver function in non-diabetic and diabetic rats, five groups of six rats each were treated with distilled water, AE, EAE, glibenclamide (GLB), and sucrose for 8 days. Plasma glucose level (PGL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), transaminases (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined. The effect of the interventions on BGL after acute administration also was investigated. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection. RESULTS: EAE contains significantly lower content of fructose and glucose than AE (p<0.05), and it has no sucrose. AE and EAE exhibited a significant antioxidant activity and high antioxidant content; the antioxidant content was higher in AE than EAE (p<0.05). In diabetic rats, acute treatment by AE increased PGL, while EAE significantly lowered BGL as compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Both interventions significantly decreased BGL as compared to the sucrose treated group in diabetic rats (p<0.05). EAE was more potent than GLB. Sucrose caused 13% increment in BGL after 8 days of induction of diabetes, while AE caused only 1.3% increment. Daily treatment by EAE decreased significantly AST, ALT, ALP, and TC. EAE decreased significantly TC and TG level in diabetic rats in comparison to the untreated diabetic group. CONCLUSION: The study showed for the 1st time that EAE has more hypoglycemic effect than AE, and both extracts prevent the increment in BGL on day 8 after induction of diabetes observed in the control and sucrose treated group. EAE significantly ameliorated the lipid and liver function disorders induced by diabetes.

Ceratonia siliqua honeys from Morocco: Physicochemical properties, mineral contents, and antioxidant activities.

Physicochemical properties, main mineral content, and antioxidant activity were determined for eight floral carob honeys collected from different geographical regions of Morocco. Moroccan honeys showed good chemical and nutritional qualities, fulfilling the criteria described in the standard codex for honey. The percentages obtained for ashes were (0.13-0.69%), electrical conductivity (0.36-1.35 mS/cm), water content (17.30-22.80%), pH (4.17-5.05), free acidity (11.0-42.50 meq/kg), lactone acidity (4.0-16.50 meq/kg), and for total acidity (16.50-59.50 meq/kg). In addition, minerals such as K, Na, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Ca of honey samples were determined and potassium was the major mineral in all samples. The antioxidant activities based on the free radical scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity were investigated, and the antioxidant capacity of the honey samples was correlated with their biochemical constituents such as total phenol and flavonoids content, and the best antioxidant capacity was confirmed by the honey from Taounate.

Antioxidant Activity and Protective Effect of Carob Honey in CCl4-induced Kidney and Liver Injury.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Various honey samples exhibited protective effect against drug and chemical induced toxicity. The study was designed to determine the antioxidant content and activity of carob honey and to investigate its hepato-renal protective effect in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced kidney and liver injury in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phenolic, flavone and flavonol in carob honey were quantified. DPPH, ABTS•+, ferric reducting antioxidant power, and total antioxidant activity were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Rats were used for the experiment, and received either intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1 mL/kg.b.wt); honey (orally, 2 g/kg.b.wt) and CCl4; or honey. Liver and kidney function parameters were assessed. Oxidative parameters including lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein carbonyl formation (PCO), advanced protein oxidation products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid were measured in the kidney and liver tissues. RESULTS: CCl4 caused a significant elevation of liver enzymes, lactic acid dehydrogenase, blood glucose, uric acid, blood urea and serum creatinine as compared to the control group. Also, it significantly increased MDA, PCO and AOPP level, and markedly decreased GHS, ascorbic acid, CAT and GPx in the liver and kidney tissues. These changes were significantly ameliorated by carob honey before and after CCl4 administration. Honey alone did not cause significant changes as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The data showed for the first time that carob honey has high antioxidant content, antioxidant property, and protective effect against CCl4 induced kidney and liver toxicity by maintaining the activity of antioxidant defense system.

Comparison of hypotensive, diuretic and renal effects between cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica and furosemide.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diuretic, hypotensive and renal effect of Opuntia ficus-indica in two different species in oral and intravenous administration. METHODS: Diuretic activity was evaluated in rats with the plant cladode gel and aqueous extract administrated orally, and was evaluated in rabbits with plant extract administered intravenously. Single and repeated doses of cladode gel or aqueous extract of cladode were tested. Urine volume and blood and urine creatinine, sodium and potassium were measured, and creatinine clearance was calculated. The hypotensive effect of lyophilized extract of cladode was evaluated in rabbits. Two polyethylene PE50 catheters were used: one in the jugular vein for the infusion of the plant extract and the other in the carotid for the evaluation of the arterial pressure. RESULTS: The cladode gel or aqueous extract increased urine volume, creatinine clearance and urinary excretion of sodium and potassium without significant effect on serum creatinine or blood urea. Furosemide, gel and aqueous extract of cladode insignificantly lowered plasma potassium in rats. Intravenous administration of the lyophilized extract caused a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure in rabbits with a significant increase in urine volume and urine sodium and potassium; the effect was dose dependent. Intravenous administration of lyophilized extract did not affect plasma sodium or potassium. CONCLUSIONS: Gel and aqueous extract of Opuntia ficus-indica cladode have a significant diuretic effect on rats, and the lyophilized extract has a diuretic and hypotensive effect on normotensive rabbits without deterioration in renal function test. Additional studies on active ingredients are essential to pave the way for clinical studies on diuretic and hypotensive effect of the plant.