The interaction of gamma radiation with drugs used in cholinergic medications.

Purpose: Pharmacological medications can reduce the radiation damage in the organism when applied in the stage before or after exposure to radiation. Cholinergic drugs are a category of pharmaceutical agents acting on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system. In this investigation, some gamma radiation interaction parameters namely mass attenuation coefficients (µρ), effective atomic number (Zeff) and electron densities (Nel) of 12 cholinergic system drugs have been calculated in the energy range 1 KeV-100 GeV. In addition, gamma-ray energy absorption (EABF) and exposure (EBF) of buildup factors have been computed using the five-parameter geometric progression (G-P) fitting formula for investigated drugs in the energy range 0.015-15 MeV, and for penetration depths up to 40 mean free path (mfp).Materials and methods: In order to perform these calculations, data obtained from WinXCom computer program were used. The computed µρ values were then used to calculate the effective atomic numbers and electron density of the investigated drugs. To compute the buildup factors, the G-P fitting parameters were determined by the method of interpolation from the equivalent atomic number, 'Zeq'Results and Conclusions: It has been concluded that effective atomic number and electron density of malathion is bigger than the other drugs and the variations in values of Zeff and Nel for all drugs depend on chemical compositions and photon energy where the K-absorption edge of elements may affect the energy dependence of Zeff and Nel. It should also be noted that the buildup of photons is less in malathion and carbachol and is more in tabun and parathion compared with other drugs. Photon interaction parameters evaluated in the present study may be beneficial in radiation dosimetry and therapy.

Nephroprotective effect of Ferulago angulata flowers on N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and its phytochemical profile.

The present study was designed to assess the phytochemical content of Ferulago angulata (FA) and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA administration on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples, serum vitamin (α-tocopherol, retinol, cholecalciferol, phylloquinone), TSA, and LSA in a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. In the study, Wistar albino rats were assigned to six groups: Control (0.9% NaCl), (DMN 10 mg/kg), (FA 150 mg/kg), (DMN + FA 150 mg/kg), (FA 300 mg/kg), and (DMN + FA 300 mg/kg). Rats were intraperitoneally given DMN for the first 7 days. Renal injury caused by DMN was proved by the histopathological alterations. The FA (300 mg/kg) treatment significantly normalized Se, Cr, Ca levels in liver and Co level in kidney tissue samples. These observed positive effects are due to the phytochemical content of the plant. The flower extract of FA (300 mg/kg) can be used for the prevention of kidney damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ferulago angulata flowers are used in traditional medicine for treat kidney and liver digestive system diseases. This species is endemic taxa of the family Apiaceae, which has been used both as food and therapeutics because of their phytochemical composition. In this study, the phenolic characterization of FA flower was used to a new RP-HPLC method, as well as the biological activity of FA flower and possible in vivo nephroprotective effect of FA flowers on trace elements, minerals, MDA and GSH in kidney and liver tissue samples and vitamins, TSA, and LSA in serum samples a rat model of DMN-induced nephrotoxicity. It was found that high level of phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid) present in the flower extract of F. angulata has positive effects and antioxidant properties. Due to its phenolic content, FA flower extract could protect for kidney damage and can be used as antioxidants in the food additive and pharmaceutical industry.

Effect of dietary boron on learning and behavior in rats administered with boric acid.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary boron on spatial learning, anxiety, some vitamins and oxidative parameters in rats. Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were used in the study. The rats were equally divided into four groups with 8 rats each: I control group: standard pellet diet only, II. group: 250 ppm boric acid, III. group: 500 ppm boric acid and IV. group: 1000 ppm boric acid added into standard pellet diet. Over a five-week period, elevated plus-maze test was used for anxiety assessment and Morris water maze test was used for evaluating spatial learning. Additionally, blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment and were used to determine the serum levels of some vitamins and oxidative parameters. Dietary boron significantly increased weight gain (p<0.001) and food consumption in the 250 ppm and 500 ppm groups (p<0.05). Although boron supplementation had no significant effect on learning and anxiety-related behavior, it had beneficiary effects on memory retention in the 1000 ppm group (p<0.05). Biochemical analyses showed a significant decrease in the MDA levels (p<0.05) and an increase in vitamin D3 levels (p<0.01) in the 500 ppm group, a significant increase in GSH-Px activity in the 250 ppm and 500 ppm groups (p<0.05), and a decrease in vitamin E levels in all the experimental groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that dietary boron can be beneficial for health when administered at appropriate doses.

Investigation of Allium sativum's protective effect on ovarian reserve in an experimental ovarian injury model / Investigación del efecto protector de Allium sativum de la reserva ovárica en un modelo experimental de lesión ovárica

We aimed to evaluate the effects of detorsion and Allium sativum (garlic oil) treatment on the ovarian reserve in an ovarian torsion model. Ovarian torsion may lead to loss of ovarian tissue and infertility. It is an experimental rat study that was carried out on 16 sets of ovaries each, one for treatment group and a control group. In the control group, the procedure involved only the surgically opening and closing the abdomen. Bilateral adnexal torsion/detorsion was performed after a 3-hour ischemia period for the detorsion-only group. The detorsion + Allium sativum group received a 5 ml/kg dose of Allium sativum intraperitoneally, 2 hours before surgery. After the second surgery, removed ovarian samples were evaluated for follicle counts, damage scores and other parameters. Primordial, preantral, small antral and large antral follicle counts were significantly higher in the detorsion + Allium sativum group. Degeneration, congestion, hemorrhage ,inflammation and total damage scores were significantly elevated in the detorsion only group compared to those for the detorsion + Allium sativum group. Finally, there was a significant correlation between AMH alterations and postoperative, preantral follicle count (p<0.05). As a conclusion detorsion + Allium sativum treatment may be effective in protecting the ovarian reserve after torsion.

Intentamos evaluar los efectos de la detorsión y el tratamiento con Allium sativum (aceite de ajo) en la reserva ovárica en un modelo de torsión ovárica. La torsión ovárica puede ocasionar pérdida de tejido ovárico e infertilidad. Este es un estudio experimental en ratas que se llevó a cabo en 16 sets de ovarios para cada grupo: tratamiento y control. En el grupo control, el procedimiento involucró solamente la apertura y el cierre quirúrgicos del abdomen. La torsión / detorsión anexial bilateral se realizó después de un período de isquemia de 3 horas para el grupo de solo detorsión. El grupo de detorsión + Allium sativum recibió una dosis de 5 ml / kg de Allium sativum por vía intraperitoneal, 2 horas antes de la cirugía. Después de la segunda cirugía, las muestras ováricas eliminadas se evaluaron para recuentos de folículos, puntajes de daño y otros parámetros. Los recuentos de folículos antrales primordiales, preantrales, antrales pequeños y grandes fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo con detorsión + Allium sativum. Los puntajes de degeneración, congestión, hemorragia, inflamación y daño total fueron significativamente elevados en el grupo de solo detorsión, en comparación con los del grupo de detorsión + Allium sativum. Finalmente, hubo una correlación significativa entre las alteraciones de AMH y el recuento de folículos preantrales postoperatorios (p <0,05). Como conclusión, el tratamiento con detorsión + Allium sativum puede ser eficaz para proteger la reserva ovárica después de la torsión.

Antioxidant properties of Ferulago angulata and its hepatoprotective effect against N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced oxidative stress in rats.

CONTEXT: Ferulago angulata (Schlecht.) Boiss. (Apiaceae) (FASB) is used to treat liver diseases and has been used both as food and therapeutics by many cultures for thousands of years because of the natural antioxidant compounds. OBJECTIVE: This study determines antioxidant properties of FASB flowers, the levels of minerals and vitamins, and also, evaluates the hepatoprotective effect of flowers against N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) induced on liver tissue by assessing antioxidant enzymes and histopathological parameters in Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, the rats were divided into six groups of ten. Control, untreated animals were given 0.9% NaCl. Rats were intraperitoneally given NDMA (10 mg/kg) for the first 7 days. FASB methanol extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally for 21 days. RESULTS: α-Tocopherol, retinol, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents of FASB were 0.70 ± 0.13, 0.29 ± 0.03 µg/g, 139.32 ± 7.06 µg/100 g, 171.61 ± 6.05 mM ascorbic acid/g, 90.47 ± 4.11 mg GA/g and 37.39 ± 2.85 mg QE/g. DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was obtained IC50 67.34 ± 4.14 and 64.87 ± 4.68 µg/mL, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicated that FASB flowers contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, total antioxidant activity, phenolics and flavonoids. Due to the positive effect on significant changes in antioxidant enzymes of liver tissue and histopathological examination, it is thought that the plant could be used as a hepatoprotective.

Method validation and simultaneous determination of retinol, retinyl palmitate, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C in rat serum treated with 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and Plantago major L. by high- performance liquid chromatography using diode-array detection.

A new and simple high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of retinol, retinyl palmitate, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C in rat serum treated with Plantago Major L. and 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was performed utilizing an Inertsil ODS3 reversed phase column with methanol-tetrahydrofuran-water as mobile phase under gradient conditions, at 1.5 mL min(-1) flow rate and 25 °C. Diode-array detection was at 325, 450, 290 and 270 nm (retinol and retinyl palmitate), ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C, respectively and runnig time 18 min. The high-performance liquid chromatography assay and extraction procedure proposed are simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate. The method was then applied for the determination of retinol, retinyl palmitate, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol and vitamin C in rat serum. Results of this study demonstrated that; at 60th day DMBA-treated group, there was a significant decrease in vitamin levels compared to the levels of control group. A significant increase was observed in vitamin levels of 7,12 dimethylbenz[α]anthracene+Plantago Major L.-treated group compared to the DMBA-treated group. Additionally, the results obtained in the study are found to be in agreement with data reported in the literature.

Protective effect of Hypericum perforatum L. on serum and hair trace elements in rats 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced oxidative stress.

The study was designed to assess the effect of Hypericum perforatum L. (H.P) on serum and hair trace elements and mineral levels, oral administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Analysis of the trace element has been carried out using atomic absorption spectrophotometer method at end of 60th day. It has been found out that the DMBA group contained statistically lower Zn and Cr compared to the control group (p<0.01) and (p<0.05), Cu, Mg and Na contained higher than control group (p<0.05), (p<0.05) and (p<0.05). In DMBA+H.P group, Zn higher and Na lower than DMBA group (p<0.05), (p<0.05), in hair samples Cd, K and Zn contained lower DMBA compared to the control group (p<0.05), (p<0.05) and (p<0.05). In group DMBA+H.P, Cd was higher than DMBA group and Cr lowered accordance with control group (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated significantly positive and beneficial effect of H.P on the concentration levels of Zn and Na in serum, also on Cd levels in hair between DMBA and DMBA+H.P groups.

The effect of Plantago major Linnaeus on serum total sialic acid, lipid-bound sialic acid, some trace elements and minerals after administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Plantago major Linnaeus (PM) extract on serum total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA), some trace elements (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron) and mineral levels (magnesium, calcium and sodium) in Wistar albino rat administrated 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Rats were divided into three equal groups (n = 6). Group I comprised the control group, group II was treated with DMBA (100 mg/kg, single dose) and group III was treated with DMBA (100 mg/kg single dose) and aqueous extract of PM 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. After 60 days, statistical analyses showed that TSA and LSA levels in DMBA and DMBA + PM groups were significantly higher compared to the control group (TSA: p < 0.01, p < 0.05; LSA: p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum Zn levels were decreased in subjects treated with DMBA (p < 0.01) and DMBA + PM (p < 0.05) compared to the control group values. Serum Cu levels were increased in DMBA group and PM-treated group compared to the control group values. The results of this investigation showed that the levels of TSA and LSA changed significantly, which are sensitive markers for detecting the toxic effects of DMBA. On the other hand, observed decline in Zn levels in rats from DMBA + PM group might be due to decreased generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Results from this study suggest that PM may be partially effective in preventing carcinogenesis initiated by environmental carcinogen DMBA.

Plantago major protective effects on antioxidant status after administration of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in rats.

AIM: The present study was designed to evaluate effects of Plantago major extract on oxidative status in Wistar albino rats administrated 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). METHODS: Rats were divided into three equal groups of 6 animals each: Group 1 controls, group 2 treated with DMBA (100 mg/kg, single dose) and group 3 receiving the DMBA and the aqueous extract at 100 mg/kg/d for 60 days. RESULTS: Significant decrease in catalase (P < 0.05), carbonic anhydrase (p ≤ 0.01), reduced glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.01) and total protein (P < 0.01) values was observed in the DMBA group compared with the healthy controls and DMBA + Plantago major groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest preventive effects of Plantago major on DMBA induced oxidative damage in Wistar albino rats that might be due to decreased free radical generation.