Punica granatum peel extract modulates levofloxacin-induced oxidative stress and testicular damage in rats.

Levofloxacin (LEV) is one of the Fluoroquinolones antibiotic groups, which are utilized in the therapy of numerous diseases, particularly in reproductive organs. Punica granatum peel is a waste byproduct rich in phytochemicals that are known for their different biological activities. The current research was designed to assess the capability of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) in counteracting LEV-induced oxidative stress and testicular injury in rats. Rats groups were divided as follows: control, PGPE (500 mg/kg BW), LEV (300 mg/kg BW), and PGPE plus LEV. Rats were treated orally for two weeks daily. The chemical and nutritional content of Punica granatum peel (PGP) were investigated. GC/MS analysis showed the major phytochemical constituents in PGPE as gallic acid, ellagic acid, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, and caffeic acid with DPPH, ABTS, and NO radical scavenging activity, as well as Fe3+- reducing antioxidant activity. Results revealed that LEV increased TBARS and H2O2 concentrations and LDH activity in rat testes significantly. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes, phosphatases, aminotransferases, and reduced glutathione content as well as protein levels, were significantly reduced. Worthy changes in testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, as well as sperm characteristics, were also discovered. LEV was also found to trigger apoptosis, as evidenced by elevated p53 and caspase-3 levels and decreased Bcl2 levels. Furthermore, alterations in histological and immunohistochemical PCNA expression were observed in rat testes, confirming the biochemical findings. Furthermore, PGPE pretreatment of LEV-treated rats restored the majority of the tested parameters when compared to the LEV-treated group. In conclusion, pomegranate peel extract had a powerful modulating role against the adverse effects of levofloxacin in rat testes and represents a perspective of the utilization of food waste by-products.

Root extracts of Saussurea costus as prospective detoxifying food additive against sodium nitrite toxicity in male rats.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of three different extracts of Saussurea costus roots (ethanol, methanol, and water) as a food additive in alleviating the harmful effect of sodium nitrite in rat meals. Thirty-five adult male rats were divided into five groups as follows: control, sodium nitrite (NaNO2; 75 mg/kg BW, single oral dose), S. costus 70% ethanol, 70% methanol, and aqueous extracts (300 mg/kg BW), respectively for four weeks followed by a single dose of NaNO2 24h before decapitation. Results showed that the 70% ethanol extract of S. costus has a higher concentration of total phenolic content, total flavonoids, and antioxidant effect than the 70% methanol and water extracts. Rats pretreated with S. costus extracts reduced the harmful effects induced by NaNO2 and improved the hematological parameters, liver, and kidney function biomarkers as well as lipid profile as compared to the NaNO2 group. Furthermore, S. costus improved the histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney induced by NaNO2 and improved meat sensory evaluation. Conclusively, the 70% ethanol extract of S. costus roots is the most effective extract as an antioxidant against the toxicity of sodium nitrite in male rats and might be used safely as a natural additive in the food industry.

Nephroprotective role of bromelain against oxidative injury induced by aluminium in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of bromelain against oxidative stress stimulated by aluminium chloride in rats. Rats were grouped as follows; group one was used as control while groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated orally with bromelain (250 mg/kg, daily), aluminium chloride (AlCl3; 34 mg/kg BW, every other day) and bromelain plus AlCl3 for 30 days, respectively. Administration of AlCl3 caused a significant reduction in rats' body and kidney weights, and increased Al accumulation in kidney tissue. Also, AlCl3 treatment elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydrogen peroxide, kidney functions biomarkers levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity. While enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST) and non-enzymatic (GSH) antioxidants, protein content, and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly decreased. In addition, significant alterations in lipid and protein profiles were detected. Furthermore, histopathological and immunohistochemical variations were seen in kidney sections supporting the obtained biochemical changes. Otherwise, rats supplemented with bromelain singly declined lipid peroxidation and improved most of the studied parameters. Moreover, rats pretreated with bromelain followed by AlCl3 intoxication showed significant alleviation in lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status and biochemical indices with respect to AlCl3 treated group. Conclusively, bromelain has beneficial protective effects and has the capability to counteract the toxic influence of AlCl3. So, bromelain might represent a novel approach in the therapy of metal toxicity because of its antioxidant and chelating properties.

Oxidative stress modulation by Rosmarinus officinalis in creosote-induced hepatotoxicity.

Coal tar is a significant product generated from coal pyrolysis. Coal tar can be utilized as raw materials for various industries. It is also a type of raw material from which phenols, naphthalenes, and anthracene can be extracted. The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of coal tar creosote to induce oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations in rat liver and the role of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in ameliorating its toxic effects. Male Wister Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven each, group I served as control; group II treated with rosemary (10 mL of water extract/kg BW for 21 days), group III received coal tar creosote (200 mg/4 mL olive oil/kg BW for 3 days), and group IV treated with both rosemary and coal tar creosote. The administration of coal tar creosote significantly caused elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). A significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content was also observed. Liver aminotransferases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)] and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) were significantly decreased while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was increased. Rosemary pretreatment to coal tar creosote-treated rats decreased LPO level and normalized GPx, GR, SOD, CAT, and GST activities, while GSH content was increased. Also, liver AST, ALT, AlP, and LDH were maintained near normal level due to rosemary treatment. In conclusion, rosemary has beneficial effects and could be able to antagonize coal tar creosote toxicity.

Comparison between biological and chemical treatment of wastewater containing nitrogen and phosphorus.

The present work compared chemical and biological treatment methods to achieve the most efficient treatment for the reduction or elimination of phosphorus and nitrogen from mixed industrial-domestic wastewaters. Batch chemical precipitation by ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate (alum) and a continuous biological suspended growth system were investigated as well as the optimum operating conditions. Concerning chemical treatment, Alum generally achieved a higher removal efficiency percentage for the investigated pollutants compared with FeCl(3) at their optimum pH and dose, especially with chemical oxygen demand (COD). FeCl(3) treatment achieved success only with phosphorus removal, while none of the COD, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)), total nitrogen (TN) and N-NH(3) achieved acceptable treatment and remained above the maximum permissible limits (MPL). Thus, for such wastewaters, alum is more efficient than FeCl(3). Biological treatment exhibited higher efficiencies, particularly towards nitrogen. TN removal increased by increasing the flow rate to 30-60 l/day. N-NH(3) removal was effective at the slowest flow rate and decreased with increasing flow rate, while an opposite trend was recorded for N-NO(3). At all flow rates, phosphorus levels were below the accepted MPL for discharging into natural systems. Moreover, there was a general trend for the proposed biological treatment to achieve a high removal efficiency for BOD(5) and COD, bringing them to acceptable levels to be released into watercourses safely, especially at the slowest flow rates. Thus, integration between the proposed chemical and biological treatment is highly recommended, producing high-quality effluents acceptable by the environmental law.