Tunisian radish (Raphanus sativus) extract prevents cadmium-induced immunotoxic and biochemical alterations in rats.

Cadmium (Cd), a known carcinogen and potent immunotoxicant in humans and animals, is dispersed throughout the environment as a result of pollution from a variety of sources. Tunisian radish (Raphanus sativus) extract (TRE) is a known anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to help alleviate immune system disorders, including some induced by environmental toxicants. The present study was undertaken to investigate potential protective effects of TRE against Cd-induced immunotoxicities (and general toxicities) in situ. Cadmium chloride (at 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg BW) and TRE (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg BW) were given (alone or in combination [actually, in sequence of Cd and then TRE]) to rats daily by oral gavage for 2 weeks. Results indicated that treatment with CdCl2 alone resulted in significant decreases in plasma levels of total protein, triglycerides, creatine kinase, creatinine, IgG and IgA, T-lymphocyte sub-types (CD4(+), CD3(+), CD56(+), and CD8(+)), and in thymic and hepatic indices (relative weights). In contrast, CdCl2 treatment caused significant increases in serum LDH, AST, and ALT, in the formation/release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNFα), and in the relative weights of host spleen and kidneys. Rats treated with TRE alone had no discernable changes compared to the controls with regard to all test parameters. Combined treatment of CdCl2 and TRE-at any dose-resulted in a significant improvement of all test parameters compared to those seen with Cd alone. These results illustrated (and provided further support for a continuing belief in) the beneficial effects of TRE in reducing the harmful outcomes of commonly encountered toxicants (like Cd) on the immune system and on overall host health status.

Immunotoxicity of zearalenone in Balb/c mice in a high subchronic dosing study counteracted by Raphanus sativus extract.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a cruciferous plant, rich on flavonoids, isothiocyanates, and phenolic acids. They show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. Isothiocyanates and flavonoids have been reported previously to prevent low-sub-chronic dose of zearalenone (ZEN) causing immunotoxicity. The present study focuses on the amelioration of fusarotoxicosis in Balb/c mice by feeding two concentrations of radish extract. The extract at 15 and 30 mg/kg bw, was evaluated to reduce the deleterious effects in immunological parameters of high subchronic doses of 40 and 80 mg of ZEN/kg bw on modulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). ZEN consuming mice showed a "dose-related" decrease in weight gain and in the immune relative weights organs. Moreover, Atrophy and lymphoid depletion were seen in the histopathology of spleen. Ingestion of ZEN at either level had a significant effect on total red blood cell numbers and on their relative number of lymphocytes. Likewise, ZEN alters the production of regulatory cytokines and antibody of LPS stimulated mice. By contrast, the additions of radish extract with a low or high dose of ZEN moderately decreased the affected mice and/or the severity of lesions, and all tested parameters were normal or at least near normal levels. In addition, the radish extract alone did not produce any significant changes in all tested parameters compared with the controls. In conclusion, radish extract was effective for the protection of high dose ZEN-immunotoxication in mice and it could contribute to a solution of the ZEN immunotoxicity in humans and in farm animals.

Raphanus sativus extract prevents and ameliorates zearalenone-induced peroxidative hepatic damage in Balb/c mice.

OBJECTIVES: Raphanus sativus (radish) is a species of crucifer, which includes widely consumed vegetables, distributed in Asia, Africa and Europe. It is a rich source of bioactive molecules including anthocyanins, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates and other flavonoids, and miscellaneous phenolic substances. We have evaluated the hepatoprotection of R. sativus extract against zearalenone, an estrogenic mycotoxin initiating hepatotoxicity in male Balb/c mice. METHODS: Animals were divided into seven treatment groups and treated orally each day for twenty eight days as follows: a control, an olive oil group, group I, group II, and group III treated with radish extract alone (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, respectively), group IV treated with zearalenone (40 mg/kg), and group V treated with zearalenone plus the lowest dose of radish extract. KEY FINDINGS: Administration of zearalenone alone resulted in significant decreases in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in the liver, suggesting hepatic damage. Moreover, a marked increase in the level of lipid peroxide and concomitant decrease of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, RNA and DNA concentrations were also observed in the liver tissue of zearalenone-treated mice. Co-treatment with R. sativus extract plus zearalenone succeeded in reversing the condition back to normal levels for all studied parameters. CONCLUSIONS: By itself R. sativus extract did not show any toxic effects and could be considered as a potent hepatoprotectant.

Raphanus sativus extract protects against Zearalenone induced reproductive toxicity, oxidative stress and mutagenic alterations in male Balb/c mice.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium in cereals and agricultural products. It has been implicated in several mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. There is unequivocal evidence of reproductive toxicity of ZEN in male mice although the mechanism of action is unknown. Several reports suggest that exposure to ZEN resulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and perturbation of reproductive parameters. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Raphanus sativus growing in Tunisia against ZEN-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress. Fifty male Balb/c mice were divided into five groups and treated for 28 days as follows: the control group, olive oil-treated groups, another treated with ZEN (40 mg/kg b.w), the last one treated with R. sativus extract alone (15 mg/kg b.w) and the other with ZEN + R. sativus extract. Testis samples were collected for the epididymal sperm count, testosterone concentration, and MDA level, GPx, CAT and SOD activities. Blood samples were collected for different biochemical analyses. Also, RAPD-PCR method was performed to assess the antigenotoxic effect of the extract in germ cells. The results indicated that ZEN-induced toxicological effects in accordance to those reported in the literature: decreasing in the sperm number, testosterone level and antioxidant enzyme status. The RAPD-PCR analysis revealed an alteration in the DNA bands patterns between control and ZEN-treated mice. The extract alone, rich in many antioxidant compounds, was safe and succeeded in counteracting the oxidative stress and protect against the toxicity resulting from ZEN.

Desulfovibrio tunisiensis sp. nov., a novel weakly halotolerant, sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from exhaust water of a Tunisian oil refinery.

A novel weakly halotolerant, sulfate-reducing bacterium, designated strain RB22(T), was isolated from exhaust water of a Tunisian oil refinery. Cells of strain RB22(T) were Gram-negative, motile, vibrio-shaped or sigmoid and non-spore-forming, and occurred singly or in chains. Strain RB22(T) grew between 15 and 45 degrees C (optimum, 37 degrees C) and at pH 4.5 to 9 (optimum, pH 7). NaCl was not required for growth, but the strain tolerated high NaCl concentrations (up to 70 g l(-1)) with an optimum of 40 g l(-1). Sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite and elemental sulfur served as electron acceptors, but not fumarate. Nitrate and nitrite were not reduced. Strain RB22(T) utilized lactate, formate, fumarate, succinate, glycerol, H(2)+CO(2) and methanol as substrates. The DNA G+C content was found to be 59.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Desulfovibrio, with no close relatives at the species level (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of less than 95 %). Strain RB22(T) exhibited levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.6 and 94.12 % to the type strains of the closely related species Desulfovibrio aespoeensis and Desulfovibrio dechloracetivorans, respectively. On the basis of genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, and significant phenotypic differences, we suggest that strain RB22(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Desulfovibrio tunisiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RB22(T) (=NCIMB 14400(T)=JCM 15076(T)=DSM 19275(T)).

Zearalenone induces immunotoxicity in mice: possible protective effects of radish extract (Raphanus sativus).

Radish (Raphanus sativus) has been extensively studied for its preventive effects against different degenerative diseases. Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp and is frequently implicated in immunological disorders and occasionally in hyperoestrogenic syndromes contributing to the increased risk of cancer and other diseases. The aims of this study were, firstly, to quantitatively evaluate the Tunisian radish extract (TRE) for its total flavonoids, isothiocyanates and antioxidant activity and, secondly, to investigate the protective role of TRE against immune system disorders in Balb/c mice treated with ZEN for two weeks. The results indicated that mice treated with ZEN (40 mg kg(-1)) alone showed a significant decrease in lymphocytes of the total white blood cells, immunoglobulin profile (IgG and IgM), B cells, T-cell sub-types (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+) and natural killer and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Mice treated with TRE (5, 10 or 15 mg kg(-1)) for 7 days before, during or after ZEN treatment, however, showed a significant improvement in lymphocyte, immunoglobulin profile, T-cell sub-types, B cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, treatment with the highest dose of TRE (15 mgkg(-1)) enhanced the release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta but the other parameters were comparable with those of the control. It could be concluded that TRE was effective in protecting against ZEN-induced immunological disorders. These results supported our hypothesis that TRE contains several compounds that are able to prevent or inhibit ZEN toxicity.

Tunisian radish extract (Raphanus sativus) enhances the antioxidant status and protects against oxidative stress induced by zearalenone in Balb/c mice.

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a food plant known worldwide. From antiquity it has been used in folk medicine as a natural drug against many toxicants. Zearalenone (zen) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin present in corn and food mixture for farm animals and it is hepatotoxic, hematotoxic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and genotoxic. The objectives of the present study were to assess the biological activity of radish extract and to evaluate the protective role of radish extract against the toxicity of zen in female Balb/c mice. Animals were divided into seven groups and treated orally for 10 days as follows: a control, an olive oil group, groups treated with radish extract alone (5, 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) b.w.), a group treated with zen (40 mg kg(-1) b.w.) and a group treated with zen plus the lowest dose of radish extract. The results indicate that radish extract improved the antioxidant status and had no significant effects on hematological and biochemical parameters tested or histology of the liver and kidney. Treatment with zen results in a significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, BILT, BILD, CRE accompanied with significant changes in most of hematological parameters and the antioxidant enzyme activities, co-treatment of zen and the radish extract results in a significant reestablishment of hematological, serum biochemical parameters, and the histology of the liver and kidney. These findings suggest that radish extract is safe and can be overcome or, at least, significantly diminish zen effects.

Modicisalibacter tunisiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from an oilfield-water injection sample, and emended description of the family Halomonadaceae Franzmann et al. 1989 emend Dobson and Franzmann 1996 emend. Ntougias et al. 2007.

An aerobic, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, motile, non-sporulating bacterium, strain LIT2(T), was isolated from an oilfield-water injection after enrichment on crude oil. Strain LIT2(T) grew between 15 and 45 degrees C and optimally at 37 degrees C. It grew in the presence of 1-25 % (w/v) NaCl, with an optimum at 10 % (w/v) NaCl. Predominant fatty acids were C(16 : 0) (26.9 %), C(18 : 1)omega7c (22.6 %), C(16 : 1)omega7c (20.4 %) C(19 : 0) cyclo omega8c (10.9 %) and C(17 : 0) (8 %). Interestingly, the relative percentages of these last two fatty acids were intermediate compared with most species among the family Halomonadaceae for which fatty acid composition has been determined. The DNA G+C content was 53.7 mol%, which is very low among the family Halomonadaceae. Strain LIT2(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 94.06-95.15 % to members of the genus Chromohalobacter, 94.21-94.65 % to members of the genus Halomonas and 93.57 % with the single species representative of the genus Cobetia. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence presented in this paper, we propose the name Modicisalibacter tunisiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate strain LIT2(T). The type strain of Modicisalibacter tunisiensis is LIT2(T) (=CCUG 52917(T) =CIP 109206(T)). A reassignment of the descriptive 16S rRNA signature characteristics of the family Halomonadaceae permitted placement of the new genus Modicisalibacter into the family.