Comparative immunomodulatory efficacy of rosemary and fenugreek against Escherichia coli infection via suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress in broilers.

Broiler chickens are frequently infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which often leads to the emergence of many diseases and high economic losses. Hence, the current study was conducted to assess the relative efficacy of dietary rosemary and fenugreek, under E. coli infection in broilers and their ability to replace antimicrobials without any loss of productivity or negative influence on broiler health, via evaluation of growth performance, biochemical indices, immune response and histo-morphological changes. Eighty Cobb broilers were allotted to four equal groups (n = 20 chicks/group): control non-infected (CN), control infected (CI), rosemary infected (RI) and fenugreek infected (FI) groups. The RI and FI groups revealed a significant elevation in their body weight and body weight gain compared with the CI group. However, both groups showed a significant decline in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities, as well as uric acid and creatinine levels. A significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities was noted among CI chicks. Moreover, distinctly higher activities were evident in both RI and FI groups. Assessment of immunomodulatory markers showed a significant increase in immunoglobulin G along with a significant decline in interleukin-6 level in both RI and FI groups, with the lowest IL-6 value within FI group. Histopathological evaluations focused on the deleterious effect associated with E. coli infection of broilers' liver, kidney, intestine, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus. Partial histological improvement was noticed among RI group, and nearly normal tissues were recorded in FI group. Overall, the obtained findings suggest the ability of fenugreek to mitigate the adverse effects of E. coli infection on broiler performance and tissue profiles, by improving the general health status of the broiler chickens.

Bioactive compounds and their libraries: An insight into prospective phytotherapeutics approach for oral mucocutaneous cancers.

Oral mucocutaneous cancers (OMCs) are cancers that affect both the oral mucosa and perioral cutaneous structures. Common OMCs are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and malignant melanoma (MM). Anatomical similarities and conventions which categorizes these lesions blur the magnitude of OMCs in diverse populations. The burden of OMC is high in the sub-Saharan Africa and Indian subcontinents, and the cost of management is prohibitive in the resource-limited, developing world. Hence, there is a pressing demand for the use of cost-effective in silico approaches to identify diagnostic tools and treatment targets for diseases with high burdens in these regions. Due to their ubiquitousness and accessibility, the use of therapeutic efficacy of plant bioactive compounds in the management of OMC is both appropriate and plausible. Furthermore, screening known mechanistic disease targets with well annotated plant bioactive compound libraries is poised to improve the routine management of OMCs provided that the requisite access to database resources are available and accessible. Using natural products minimizes the side effects and morbidities associated with conventional therapies. The development of innovative treatments approaches would tremendously benefit the African and Indian populace and reduce the mortalities associated with OMCs in the developing world. Hence, we discuss herein, the potential benefits, opportunities and challenges of using bioactive compound libraries in the management of OMCs.

Ameliorative effect of parsley oil on cisplatin-induced hepato-cardiotoxicity: A biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical study.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) is an effective DNA alkylating agent used in the treatment of different types of tumors; however, its clinical use is associated with hepato-cardiotoxicity. The current study was designed to assess the potential protective effect of parsley oil (PO) against CDDP-induced hepato-cardiotoxicity. For this purpose, 25 adult male rats were assigned into five groups, each containing five animals. Group I (control) was administered saline solution. Group II was administered PO at a dosage of 0.42ml/kg BW. Group III were administered CDDP at a dosage of 5mg/kg BW. Group IV was administered PO in addition to CDDP. Group V was administered saline solution in addition to CDDP, after which they were administered PO for five days. Oral administration of either saline solution or PO was performed each day for 10days, while administration of CDDP was via a single intraperitoneal injection five days following the commencement of the experiment. The recorded results revealed that CDDP induced obvious hepatic and cardiac injuries that were indicated by biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical alterations, including elevation of serum hepatic and cardiac injury markers as well as proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, CDDP induced an increase in the level of hepatic and cardiac injury biomarkers, decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, a decrease in GSH concentration, and an increase in MDA concentration. CDDP also induced histopathological hepatocellular and myocardial changes, and overexpression of p53 and COX-2 in hepatic and cardiac tissues. Administration of PO either as a preventative medicine or as treatment significantly improved all the observed deleterious effects induced by CDDP in rat liver and heart. Thus, it may be concluded that PO, with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities, can potentially be used in the treatment of CDDP-induced hepatic and cardiac injuries.

Protective effects of ethanolic extract of rosemary against lead-induced hepato-renal damage in rabbits.

In traditional medicine, Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaf is used as a curative herbal therapy for the treatment of several diseases. The protective effects of rosemary in toxic effects of some environmental pollutants are known. However, there is paucity of information about its protective effects on lead acetate (LD) toxicity. To assess the protection of rosemary ethanolic extracts (REE) on LD-induced hepato- and nephro-toxicity, male albino rabbits were treated with REE (30mg/kg) and/or LD (30mg LD/kg) by gavage administration for 30 days. The total phenolic compound content in REE was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu's assay and phyto-constituents were isolated and identified using gas chromatographic and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The protective effect of REE in LD-induced liver and renal dysfunction and blood cells was evaluated by estimating blood biomarkers of liver and renal damage, histological, and biochemical examinations. Antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation biomarker, protein and glycogen contents were estimated in both liver and kidney homogenates. The GC-MS analysis revealed that REE is rich in phenolic compounds including camphor, phytol, borneol, caryophyllene oxide, isopulegol, thymol, and verbenone. REE pre-treatment significantly (P<0.05) suppressed levels of LD induced hepatic and renal damage products as well as lipid peroxidation. In contrast, pre-treatment using REE significantly (P<0.05) decreased LD-induced depletion of antioxidant enzymes, protein, and glycogen content. Additionally, REE preserved blood cells and their structure and renal and hepatic architecture. In conclusion, these findings revealed that REE protects from toxic effects of LD possibly through its free radical-scavenging and antioxidant activities.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina platensis in comparison to Dunaliella salina in acetic acid-induced rat experimental colitis.

CONTEXT: Spirulina platensis (SP) is used as a source of protein and vitamin supplement in humans without any significant side-effects. Dunaliella salina (DS) is also regarded as one of the richest natural producers of carotenoid, thus used as a source of antioxidants to protect cells from oxidative damage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to compare the ameliorative effect of Spirulina and Dunaliella in experimental colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spirulina and Dunaliella were investigated at the same dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for their modulatory effect against acetic-acid induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. The colonic lesion was analyzed by examining macroscopic damage, bloody diarrhea scores, colon weight/length and change in body weight of tested rats. Colon lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress markers were examined by evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Colon inflammatory markers; myeloperoxidase (MPO) and prostaglandin (PGE2) as well as proinflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-6) were also studied. RESULTS: The colonic mucosal injury, biochemical and histopathologic results suggest that both SP and DS exhibit significant modulatory effect on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats, which may be due to a significant increase of antioxidant enzymes activity and significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and inflammation markers. DISCUSSION: Results showed that in comparison to Sulfasalazine, SP exhibited better therapeutic and safety profile than DS against acetic acid-induced UC. CONCLUSION: This study suggests potential benefits of SP and DS in an experimental model of colitis.