Therapeutic Benefits of Tuna Oil by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies Using a Rat Model of Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammation of the colon lining, represents the main form of inflammatory bowel disease IBD. Nutritional therapy is extremely important in the management of ulcerative colitis. Fish oil contains long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have beneficial effects on health, including anti-inflammatory effects. This study aims to investigate the benefits of bluefin tuna oil extracted by the Soxhlet method in vitro by determining the anti-radical and anti-inflammatory activities and in vivo by evaluating the preventive and curative effects. The experiments were carried out using two doses of oil (100 and 260 mg/kg) and glutamine (400 and 1000 mg/kg) on the acetic acid-induced UC model. UC has been induced in Wistar rats by intrarectal administration of a single dose of 1 mL acetic acid (5% v/v in distilled water). The obtained results indicate that tuna oil and glutamine have a significant anti-free radical effect. Tuna oil has a marked anti-inflammatory power based on membrane stabilization and inhibiting protein denaturation. The reduction of various UC parameters, such as weight loss, disease activity score DAS, and colonic ulceration in rats pre-treated with tuna oil and glutamine, demonstrate that these treatments have a significant effect on UC. Total glutathione GSH, superoxide dismutase SOD, and catalase activities are significantly restored in the tuna oil and glutamine groups, while lipid peroxidation has been markedly reduced.

Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and Essential Oils.

Plant extracts and essential oils have a wide variety of molecules with potential application in different fields such as medicine, the food industry, and cosmetics. Furthermore, these plant derivatives are widely interested in human and animal health, including potent antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal activity. Given this diversity, different methodologies were needed to optimize the extraction, purification, and characterization of each class of biomolecules. In addition, these plant products can still be used in the synthesis of nanomaterials to reduce the undesirable effects of conventional synthesis routes based on hazardous/toxic chemical reagents and associate the properties of nanomaterials with those present in extracts and essential oils. Vegetable oils and extracts are chemically complex, and although they are already used in the synthesis of nanomaterials, limited studies have examined which molecules are effectively acting in the synthesis and stabilization of these nanostructures. Similarly, few studies have investigated whether the molecules coating the nanomaterials derived from these extracts and essential oils would bring benefits or somehow reduce their potential activity. This synergistic effect presents a promising field to be further explored. Thus, in this review article, we conducted a comprehensive review addressing the main groups of molecules present in plant extracts and essential oils, their extraction capacity, and available methodologies for their characterization. Moreover, we highlighted the potential of these plant products in the synthesis of different metallic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial capacity. Furthermore, we correlated the extract's role in antimicrobial activity, considering the potential synergy between molecules from the plant product and the different metallic forms associated with nanomaterials.

Effectiveness of Withania frutescens root extract on testicular damage induced by lead acetate in adult albino rats.

Withania frutescens was used previously in traditherapy against poisoning, gastric ulceration, and dysentery treatments. Because no previous studies reporting on its therapeutic effects on male reproductive system and fertility disorders, this study aims to examine its effect on lead induced testicular damages as well as sperm count and hormonal status in rats. The present study is performed to determine their phytochemical compositions using GC-MS analysis, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in-vitro using spectrophotometry and then to estimate testosterone levels, sperm count, histopathological features, as well as spermatogenesis (TDI) and spermiogenesis (SPI) indices. The experiment is conducted for three months using four groups (Group A: control rats; Group B: exposed rats to lead-acetate; Group C: exposed rats to lead-acetate and 200 mg/kg of W. frutescens extract; Group D: treated rats with 200 mg/kg of W. frutescens extract). The obtained results show a total of 10 identified components from GC-MS analysis. Whereas a total phenolic content of 63.23 ± 3.82 GAE/g of extract, 25.16 ± 1.21 µg/mL of anti-free radical activity, and reducing power of 163.19 ± 6.01 µg/mL. A high anti-inflammatory activity is determined by hemolysis inhibition (IC50 =12.71 ± 1.06 µg/mL) and protein denaturation inhibition (IC50 =6.8 ± 1.23 µg/mL). Besides, lead exposure causes histological alterations in testis and decreases serum testosterone level, sperm count, and TDI and SPI indices. W. frutescens treated and co-treated animals showed no toxic effects throughout the experiment. However, it is found to improve testosterone level, increase sperm count, attenuate the testicular histopathological effect of lead, and increase TDI and SPI. These findings . these findings suggest that W. frutescens is a better source of bioactive compounds, which play an effective role against lead testicular damages. Furthermore, this natural extract can be utilized potentially in pharmaceutical and medicinal applications.