The effect of Alnus incana (L.) Moench extracts in ameliorating iron overload-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats.

Iron overload causes multiorgan dysfunction and serious damage. Alnus incana from the family Betulaceae, widely distributed in North America, is used for treating diseases. In this study, we investigated the iron chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities of the total and butanol extract from Alnus incana in iron-overloaded rats and identified the bioactive components in both extracts using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We induced iron overload in the rats via six intramuscular injections of 12.5 mg iron dextran/100 g body weight for 30 days. The rats were then administered 60 mg ferrous sulfate /kg body weight once daily using a gastric tube. The total and butanol extracts were given orally, and the reference drug (deferoxamine) was administered subcutaneously for another month. After two months, we evaluated the biochemical, histopathological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical parameters. Iron overload significantly increased the serum iron level, liver biomarker activities, hepatic iron content, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and caspase-3 levels. It also substantially (P < 0.05) reduced serum albumin, total protein, and total bilirubin content, and hepatic reduced glutathione levels. It caused severe histopathological alterations compared to the control rats, which were markedly (P < 0.05) ameliorated after treatment. The total extract exhibited significantly higher anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities but lower antioxidant and iron-chelating activities than the butanol extract. Several polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, were detected by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) analysis. Our findings suggest that both extracts might alleviate iron overload-induced hepatoxicity and other pathological conditions characterized by hepatic iron overload, including thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia.

Evaluation of the anti-atherogenic potential of Egyptian artichoke leaf extract in hypercholesterolemic rats.

OBJECTIVES: The current research seeks to assess the anti-atherogenic activity of Egyptian artichoke leaf extract in hypercholesterolemic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male albino rats were categorized into five groups; control group, high cholesterol diet treated group (HCD), HCD + low dose of artichoke, HCD + high dose of artichoke and HCD + Atorvastatin. RESULTS: Both doses of artichoke extract significantly decreased the concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C in HCD rats as compared to that of their matching controls, p < .05. The treatment with artichoke led to the inhibition of the liver hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. Besides, the extract was proven to be cardioprotective effective by increasing antioxidant activity. The effect of the highest dose of artichoke was more apparent than the effect of the lowest one. The biochemical data was reinforced by the histopathological studies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Artichoke may act as a natural source for the elimination of cardiovascular ailments.

Evaluation of the cardioprotective effect of Casuarina suberosa extract in rats.

The aim of the current study was to examine and compare the cardioprotective activities of the chloroform and petroleum extracts the leaves of Casuarina suberosa in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac tissue oxidative stress. Rats were categorized into 6 groups as follows: control group, vehicle or Tween 80-treated group, ISO-treated group, chloroform extract + ISO treated group, petroleum ether extract + ISO treated group and Reference drug (Captopril) + ISO treated group. ISO injection significantly (p < 0.05) increased the activities of cardiac marker enzymes (CK-MB, LDH, ALT, and AST), cardiac troponin-I, levels of lipid peroxides (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and neutrophil infiltration marker; myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the cardiac tissues. Pretreatment with chloroform or petroleum ether extracts significantly (p < 0.05) prevented the ISO-induced alteration; they upregulated VEGF expression. Histopathological findings corroborated biochemical results. These extracts exerted a cardioprotective effect by alleviating oxidative stress.

Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potentials of Solidago virgaurea extract in alloxan-induced diabetes type 1.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study is to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potentials of Solidago virgaurea extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were orally administered a dose of Solidago virgaurea extract (250 mg/kg body weight) daily for 15 days. Then blood glucose, insulin, serum lipid profile, amylase, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), and liver glycogen were determined. Besides, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in pancreatic tissue were assessed. RESULTS: Solidago virgaurea extract significantly reduced blood glucose level, serum amylase activity, TNF-α level, and pancreatic MDA level as well as increasing the serum insulin, liver glycogen level, pancreatic SOD, and catalase activities in comparison with their corresponding diabetic rats, p < .05. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the ethnomedicinal use of Solidago virgaurea extract as an antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic in the management of diabetes mellitus.