Almond oil restores blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology more efficiently than olive oil in favism.

OBJECTIVES: Favism is a metabolic disease and this study aimed to compare between olive oil and almond oil to ameliorate blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology in favism rats. METHODS: Animals were 36 male albino rats. They classified to 2 equal (normal and favism) groups. Normal group classified to 3 equal subgroups; Control, Olive oil, and Almond oil subgroups: normal rats orally administrated with 1 mL/100 g of saline, olive oil, and almond oil, respectively. Favism group was subdivided into 3 equal subgroup; favism, favism + olive oil, and favism + almond oil subgroups: favism rats orally administrated with no treatment, 1 mL/100 g olive oil, and 1 mL/100 g almond oil, respectively. All treatments were administrated orally by oral gavage once a day for 1 month. RESULTS: The hemoglobin, hematocrite, the blood cells, glucose and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, total proteins, albumin, and globulin in serum were decreased in favism. The glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in blood and liver were decreased in favism while alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin in serum were increased in favism. The blood and liver malondialdehyde was increased in favism. Furthermore, oral administration with both oils in favism rats restored all these parameters to be approached the control levels. Also, both oils preserved blood and liver DNA and liver histology. CONCLUSIONS: Almond oil restored blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology more efficiently than olive oil in favism.

Acute and subacute toxicity of Ammi visnaga on rats.

Ammi visnaga (Av) is a source of khellin where a tea made from the fruit of this plant was used as herbal medicine for kidney stones in Egypt. In the present research, the acute and subacute toxicity studies with oral intake of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of Av seed ethanolic extract in rats were done. In acute toxicity test, 4 groups of rats (n = 6/group: 3 males and 3 females) were chosen and the first control group received tap water, while the other three groups received Av seed ethanolic extract dissolved in tap water at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were recorded for up to 14 days. In subacute toxicity study, 72 rats (36 males and 36 females) were divided into 4 major groups; group I received tap water (control group), while animals in groups II, III, and IV (test groups) received oral intake of Av seed ethanolic extract dissolved in tap water at doses of 150, 300 and 600 mg/ kg bwt, respectively. Each of this major group was subdivided consequently into 3 subgroups (n = 6/group: 3 males and 3 females) where brain tissue, blood sample, body and organs weights were recorded at the beginning and then after two and four weeks of the experiment for the determination of hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes in tissues (liver, kidney, brain, spleen, heart, testis and ovary). With regard to acute toxicity, Av seed ethanolic extract did not induce any toxic effects or death or any organ toxicity. In subacute toxicity study; oral intake with Av seed ethanolic extract did not reveal any change in body and organs weights, hematological parameters, serum glucose and cholesterol, brain neurotransmitters, liver and kidney functions, male and female hormones. In conclusion, Av seed ethanolic extract is nontoxic to liver, kidney, brain, spleen, heart, testis and ovary.