Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jeffrey inhibits oxidative damage and econucleotidase followed by increased cellular ATP in testicular cells of rats exposed to metropolitan polluted river water.

BACKGROUND: Humans are directly/indirectly exposed to hazardous chemicals from the aquatic environment. We investigated the protection of the Launea taraxacifolia methanolic extract (LTME) on the hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenases [(∆5-3ß-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (∆5-3ß-HSD) and the ∆5-17ß-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (∆5-17ß-HSD), testicular 5'-nucleotidase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] activities as well as the key indicators of oxidative stress in germinal epithelial cells of rats induced with surulere polluted river water (SPRW). METHODS: The animals were divided into six groups (n=8). Group I was given 1 mL of distilled water only, Group II received 1 mL of SPRW only, Group III received 200 mg/kg LTME before+1 mL of SPRW after, Group IV received 200 mg/kg LTME+1 mL of SPRW, Group V received 1 mL of SPRW before+200 mg/kg LTME after and Group VI received 200 mg/kg LTME only. The treatment was done via oral administration for 28 days. RESULTS: The HPLC results showed the abundance of quercetin and quercitrin. The SPRW increased 5'-nucleotidase with the concomitant decrease of ∆5-3ß-HSD, ∆5-17ß-HSD and LDH activities in rats exposed in relation to the control. Similarly, the administration of the SPRW caused a systemic oxidative damage along with adverse histopathological changes in germinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, these alterations were differentially reversed by LTME via the elevation of steroidogenic enzymes and cellular ATP.

Novel therapeutic approaches of natural oil from black seeds and its underlying mechanisms against kidney dysfunctions in haloperidol-induced male rats.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic drugs could be nephrotoxic in schizophrenia patients. METHODS: The present study investigated the protective effect of oil from black seed on kidney dysfunctions using several biological approaches in adult rats. The animals were divided into six groups (n=10): normal control rats; haloperidol (HAL)-induced rats: induced rats were pre-, co- and post-treated with black seed oil (BSO), respectively, and the last group was treated with the oil only. The treatment was done through oral administration, and the experiment lasted 14 days. RESULTS: Therapeutic administration of HAL to rats caused reduction in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins mediated by stable OH˙ and DPPH free radicals. K+, Na+ and MDA contents as well as 51 nucleotidase, aldose-reductase activities were increased with corresponding decrease in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in HAL-induced toxicity rats. Contrariwise, differential treatments with BSO prevented and reversed the nephrotoxicity by depleting K+, Na+, MDA contents and aldose-reductase activity, and AMP hydrolysis with increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the PMFs of rat kidney. The cytotoxicity of HAL elicited on both inner renal cortex and outer medulla was equally alleviated by combined active molecules of oil from black seed (OBS). However, pre-, co- and post-treatment demonstrate significant approaches in averting nephrotoxicity of neuroleptic drug (HAL) via several biological mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: This study therefore validates the use of black seed oil as therapy particularly for individuals with renal dysfunctions.

Garlic capsule and selenium-vitamins ACE combination therapy modulate key antioxidant proteins and cellular adenosine triphosphate in lisinopril-induced lung damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Garlic capsule (GAR) and/or selenium- vitamin A, C, E (S-VACE) might be useful in the treatment of lung diseases. The present study evaluated the toxicity of lisinopril (LIS) in the lungs of male rats and the reversal effect of GAR and/or selenium-vitamins A, C, and E (S-VACE). METHODS: Group I served as the control, whereas animals in groups II, III, IV, and V received 28 mg of LIS/kg body weight by gavage. Group III was co-treated with GAR at a therapeutic dosage of 250 mg/kg body weight per day. Group IV was co-treated with S-VACE at dosage of 500 mg/kg body weight per day. Lastly, group V was co-treated with GAR and S-VACE at dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 days (sub-acute exposure). RESULTS: Administration of therapeutic dose of LIS to male rats depleted enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and cellular adenosine triphosphate content with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. Histopathology examination showed damage to the epithelial cells of the airways. These effects were prevented by both single and combination treatment of GAR and S-VACE in male rats with LIS-induced lung toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore concluded that the combination of GAR and S-VACE can be a novel therapy for the management of lung diseases in humans.

Effects of sub-acute methanol extract treatment of Calliandra portoricensis root bark on antioxidant defence capacity in an experimental rat model.

BACKGROUND: The attendant side effects associated with some synthetic drugs used in the management of diseases have led to the search for safer alternative therapies that are relatively cheaper with minimal side effects. METHODS: The methanol extract of Calliandra portoricensis root bark (CPRB) was orally administered at the doses of 5, 10, 20, and 25 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days of 5 rats in each group. The control rats were given distilled water. RESULTS: The 95% methanol extract of CPRB significantly (p<0.05) scavenged NO• and OH• radicals compared to vitamin C. The level of lipid peroxidative products (malondialdehyde, MDA) was significantly (p<0.05) attenuated in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly (p<0.05) exercabated in both liver and kidney in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, serum AST, alanine aminotransaminase and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity depicted non-significant (p>0.05) increase in the treated animals. The histological examination showed mild vacuolar, portal congestion and cell infiltration by mononuclear of the hepatic tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The study then concluded that a therapeutic dose of the methanol extract of CPRB triggered the antioxidant defence systems in male rats. It is, therefore, recommended that the doses should be carefully and clinically chosen because higher doses may cause some health risks.