Anticholinesterase activity and metabolite profiling of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman leaves and fruits via UPLC-QTOF-PDA-MS.

The purpose of this study is to provide a complete metabolic profile of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the leaves and fruits of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman via UPLC-QTOF-PDA-MS and to evaluate their anticholinesterase activities in a model of Alzheimer disease. The current study has identified 39 metabolites belonging to various chemical classes (i.e. flavonols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, stilbenoids and lignans). While the fatty acids predominated in both leaves and fruits, the stilbenoids were more predominant in leaves. Their neuroprotective effect was comparable to Aricept; the standard drug used in treatment of Alzheimer disease. Both extracts significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity and improved the histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rat model of aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer disease. In light of the current study, Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman is recommended as promising candidate for palliative treatment in Alzheimer disease through inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase activity.

Oral supplementation with geranium oil or anise oil ameliorates depressed rat-related symptoms through oils antioxidant effects.

Background Depression is a psychiatric disease condition and the chronic mild stress (CMS) model is a well-known and valuable animal model of depression. Geranium oil and anise oil were chosen for such a study. The aim of this research was to establish the geranium oil and anise oil effect to ameliorate CMS-related symptoms. Methods This research included 80 male albino rats each group of 10 rats and the animals were divided into two major groups: normal and CMS. The normal group was subdivided into four (control, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with saline, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks. The CMS group was subdivided into four (CMS without any treatment, CMS + geranium oil, CMS + anise oil and CMS + venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks. Results The sucrose consumption in sucrose preference test, the distance traveled test and center square entries test were decreased, while center square duration test, immobility time in tail suspension test and floating time in forced swimming test were increased in CMS. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and catalase levels decreased but malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels increased in brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus areas in CMS. The oral intake of geranium oil and anise oil pushes all these parameters to approach the control levels. These results were supported by histopathological investigations of both brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissues. Conclusions Geranium oil and anise oil ameliorate CMS-related symptoms and this effect were related to the antioxidant effects of oils.

Role of ashwagandha methanolic extract in the regulation of thyroid profile in hypothyroidism modeled rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-hypothyroidism potential of ashwagandha methanolic extract (AME). This target was performed through induction of animal model of hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil. After 1 month from treatments, blood samples were collected for biochemical determinations, and liver and kidney were removed for the determination of oxidative stress markers and thyroid gland was removed for histopathological examination. The total phenolic compounds in the extract and the in vitro radical scavenging activity of extract were also determined. The results revealed that the induction of hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil induced a significant increase in serum TSH level but it induced significant decreases in the levels of total T3, free T3, free T4, and total T4 hormones compared with the control values. Also, serum glucose, Il-6, and body weight gain increased significantly while Il-10 and blood hemoglobin levels showed significant decrease. Induction of hypothyroidism increased also the levels of hepatic and renal MDA and NO and decreased significantly the values of GSH, GPx and Na+/ K+-ATPase. Both AME and the anti-hypothyroidism drug significantly ameliorated the changes occurred in the levels of the above parameters and improved histological picture of thyroid gland but with different degrees; where ashwagandha methanolic extract showed the strongest effect. We can conclude that ashwagandha methanolic extract treatment improves thyroid function by ameliorating thyroid hormones and by preventing oxidative stress.

Grape Seed Extract Alone or Combined with Atropine in Treatment of Malathion Induced Neuro- and Genotoxicity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment with grape seed extract (GSE) on the neurotoxic and genotoxic effects of acute malathion exposure. Rats received malathion (150 mg/kg by i.p. injection) for two successive days alone or combined with GSE at doses of 150 or 300 mg/kg, orally or with GSE at 300 mg/kg and atropine at a dose of 2 mg/kg, i.p. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide, paraoxonase (PON1) were determined in cortex, striatum, and rest of brain tissue (subcortex). Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities were determined in brain regions. Cytogenetic analyses for chromosomal aberrations in somatic and germ cells, micronucleus test, Comet assay, DNA fragmentation of liver cells and histopathological examination of brain and liver sections were also performed. Malathion resulted in an increase in MDA, nitric oxide; a decrease in GSH and PON1 activity in different brain regions. IL-1ß increased, while BChE activity decreased in brain after the administration of malathion. The insecticide also caused marked structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations and increased liver DNA fragmentation. The Comet assay showed a significant increase in DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes. These effects of malathion were alleviated with the administration of GSE alone or combined with atropine. Addition of atropine to treatment with GSE was associated with significant decrease in MDA, BChE and chromosomal aberrations compared with GSE only treatment. Our data indicate that GSE protects against malathion neurotoxic and genotoxic effects, most likely through reducing brain oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Cadmium impact and osteoporosis: mechanism of action.

CONTEXT: Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant that is associated with increased risk of osteoporosis. It has been proposed that Cd's toxic effect on bone is exerted via impaired activation of vitamin D, secondary to the kidney effects. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the damaging impact of Cd in drinking water on bone from biochemical and histopathological point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 30, 3-months-old female Sprague Dawley rats exposed to cadmium chloride in a dose of 50 mg Cd/L in drinking water for 3 months. Serum was taken for determination of calcium, phosphorous levels, parathyroid hormone, 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D(3), osteocalcin (OC) and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity. RESULTS: The result revealed that Cd administration induces significant increase in serum calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in concomitant with significant reduction in serum vitamin D(3), osteocalcin (OC) levels and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activity. CONCLUSION: The present study provided clear evidence that long-term exposure to cadmium chloride produced marked abnormalities in bone biomarkers and increasing risk of fracture.