Edible wild plants, chicory and purslane, alleviated diabetic testicular dysfunction, and insulin resistance via suppression 8OHdg and oxidative stress in rats.

Testicular dysfunction is a prevalent health problem frequently reported in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidative-inflammatory reactions, hormonal and spermatic abnormalities often accompany this illness. Herbal remedies "particularly wild plants" including chicory (Chicorium Intybus) and purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) are emerging as popular agents for people dealing with these issues due to their ability to act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and exhibit antidiabetic effects. According to the collected data, the daily administration of chicory (Ch) seed-extract (250 mg/kg) or purslane (Pu) seed-extract (200 mg/kg) to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg) for 30 days resulted in the normalization of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fructosamine, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as reducing lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, aldehyde oxidase (AO) and xanthene oxidase (XO) activities. While caused a considerable improvement in glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) when compared to diabetic rats. Ch and Pu extracts had a substantial impact on testicular parameters including sperm characterization, testosterone level, vimentin expression along with improvements in body and testis weight. They also mitigated hyperlipidemia by reducing total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC) levels, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, oral administration of either Ch or Pu notably attuned the elevated proinflammatory cytokines as tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) together with reducing apoptosis and DNA damage. This was achieved through the suppression of DNA-fragmentation marker 8OHdG, triggering of caspase-3 immuno-expression, and elevation of Bcl-2 protein. The histological studies provided evidence supporting the preventive effects of Ch and Pu against DM-induced testicular dysfunction. In conclusion, Ch and Pu seed-extracts mitigate testicular impairment during DM due to their antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) leaf extract suppresses hepatotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate and acrylamide through obstructing apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle arrest.

A large number of plant extracts have demonstrated to provide health benefits and mitigate several disease conditions. However, at the molecular and cellular levels, few studies have been conducted. The present work was designed to study the effect of Myrtus communis leaf extract (ME) (300 mg/kg bw) against hepatotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) (100 mg/kg bw), and acrylamide (ACR) (20 mg/kg bw) in male rats and determining its molecular and cellular mechanisms. The data showed that the treatment with MSG and/or ACR induced significant changes in numerous biomarkers (Bcl-2 and the programmed cell death protein-1) related to liver damage, as recorded by genotoxicity, apoptosis, and histopathological changes. On the other side, the oral administration of ME (300 mg/kg bw) improved the hepatic conditions as confirmed by the improvement in cell viability, programmed cell death, and histopathological alterations. It can be concluded that the consumption of ME might be useful for minimizing the occurred hepatotoxicity through up-regulation of the key apoptotic regulators as well as the improvement of DNA content and cell cycle restoration. Graphical abstract.

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) juice as a modulator agent for hepatocellular carcinoma-linked apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

BACKGROUND: Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) fruit is highly nutritious with high content of health-promoting compounds including minerals, phenolic compounds, as well as vitamins A and C. Physalis peruviana fruits were used as mutagenic, antispasmodic, anticoagulant, and antileucemis agents. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to study the role of cape gooseberry juice (CG) as a natural modulator agent for adverse aspects associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS: The results recorded that HCC rats had a significant disturbance in blood indices. An elevation in serum level of the inflammatory (TNF-ά, CRP, and Argenase), hepatic apoptotic markers (P53, Bax, and Caspase 3) and a reduction of Blc2% were recorded in HCC rats. The results exhibited the significant disturbance and arrest in hepatic cell cycle (% of M1: SubG1 phase, M2: G0/1 phase of diploid cycle, M3: S phase, and M4: G2/M phase) as well as liver cell viability status in HCC rats. Numerous histopathological alterations were detected in hepatic tissues of HCC rats such as inflammation, damage of hepatocytes, dilated congested central vein with degenerated endothelial cells and congested blood sinusoids in addition to collagen fibers in hepatocytes and central vein indicating hepatic fibrosis. The tested parameters were little improved upon treatment of HCC rats with Adriamycin (ADR, Doxorubicin is a generic name of a drug). HCC rats received CG showed an improvement in all tested parameters. The effects of CG were through down regulation of p53 expression and up-regulation of Bcl2 domain protected hepatic structure from extensive damage. CONCLUSION: CG plus ADR exhibited an enhanced antitumor impact in HCC and this combination might have an important value in the treatment of HCC. CG was more effective than ADR, and it has a remarkable role in the management of hepatic disorders besides its success as a chemo-sensitizer for ADR treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Proanthocyanidin and fish oil potent activity against cisplatin-induced renal cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rats.

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that displays dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. In the present study, the efficacy of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE: 100 mg/kg/day) and fish oil (FO: 5 mL/kg/day) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was evaluated in terms of DNA damage, histopathological changes and expression levels of molecular markers of apoptosis. The administration of cisplatin (CP) (7 mg/kg) results in an increasing percentage of S-phase, G2/M and apoptosis. Furthermore, CP induces apoptosis as indicated by an elevation of renal caspase-3 and reduction in the expression of BCL-2. In addition to occurred renal histopathological changes as manifested by tubular degeneration, degenerative glomerulus, necrotic tubular cells, and cell debris. On the other hand, the administration of GSPE or FO pre-cisplatin treatment can be ameliorated the current DNA cell cycle alterations by the restoration of expression of proteins related to apoptosis and reduced the undesirable renal histopathological changes. So, it can be concluded that the consumption of GSPE or FO might be useful for minimizing nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin chemotherapy through their anti-apoptotic and antioxidant properties.

Obesity and Clinical Riskiness Relationship: Therapeutic Management by Dietary Antioxidant Supplementation--a Review.

Obesity is a global health problem affecting all age groups, leading to many complications such as type 2 diabetes, systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Physiologically, obesity arises from metabolic changes in the tissues and organs of the human body; these changes result in an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, which in turn results in increased fat accumulation in adipose tissue. Such fat accumulation predisposes individuals to development of several health problems. Two different obesity treatment drugs are currently on the market; Orlistat, which reduces intestinal fat absorption via inhibiting pancreatic lipase, and Sibutramine, an anorectic or appetite suppressant. Both drugs have hazardous side effects, including increased blood pressure, dry mouth, constipation, headache, and insomnia. For this reason, a wide variety of natural materials have been explored for their obesity treatment potential. Therefore, the present review focuses on the safety and efficacy of some herbal medicines in the management of obesity through covering their beneficial effects and mechanism of action.

Osteoprotective effect of soybean and sesame oils in ovariectomized rats via estrogen-like mechanism.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the osteoprotective effects of soybean oil (SbO) and sesame oil (SO) in ovarictomized (OVX) rats. The results indicated that the OVX rats exhibited a significant decrease in Ca and P level in both serum and bone, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT and the antioxidant biomarker GSH accompanied with a marked increase in the oxidative stress markers MDA and PC, the inflammatory indices (TNF-α, CRP levels, WBCs counts and ACP activity) in, both, bone and serum. Supplementating the diet of the OVX rats with SbO (15 % w/w) or SO (10 % w/w) for 2 months to resulted in modulation of the alterations in all tested parameters and succeeded to restore minerals, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory indices, and WBCs counts. It could be concluded that the consumption of diets supplemented with SbO or SO might be useful for preventing bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomy status.

Role of phytoestrogenic oils in alleviating osteoporosis associated with ovariectomy in rats.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of soybean oil (SbO) and sesame oil (SO) supplemented diets on bone biomarkers changes in OVX (ovariectomized) rats. The current data exhibited significant decrease in BMD (bone mineral density), accompanied with marked depletion in the level of Ca, P and Mg in both serum and bone of OVX rats. Also, serum estrogen, total protein, HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol), bone NO levels were decreased in OVX rats. However, a significant increase in the level of serum TL (total lipids), TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglycerides), LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), VLDL-C (very low density lipoprotein cholesterol), urine minerals (Ca, P, Mg), as well as serum, bone and urine ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and ACP (acid phosphatase) activity were recorded in OVX rats. Further changes were also detected by the increased level of urine hydroxyproline, serum parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin, as well as urea and creatinine level in both serum and urine. On the other hand, when OVX rats were fed on SbO (soy bean oil) (15 % w/w) or SO (sesame oil) (10 % w/w) supplemented diets, the data recorded a significant improvement in all the above mentioned parameters. So, it can be concluded that consumption of SbO or SO supplemented diets might be considered as a functional food for retarding risks of osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency in OVX states.

Effect of soybean oil on atherogenic metabolic risks associated with estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiac biomarker changes in experimental bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rats in addition to evaluating the role of soybean oil-supplemented diet to attenuate these alterations. Female rats were divided into four groups and treated for 2 months as follows: groups 1 and 2 fed with standard diet with or without 15% soybean oil. Groups 3 and 4 were bilateral OVX and received the standard diet with or without 15% soybean oil. The results revealed that rats subjected to ovariectomy exhibited an inhibition in estrogen and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and marked increase of lipid profile, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and VLDL-C accompanied with a marked elevation in atherogenic index, cardiac enzyme activity, tumor necrosis factor-Alpha, and C-reactive protein. Signs of cardiovascular injury which included an increase in cardiac thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were concomitantly noticed with a reduction in the reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase. However, supplementation of soybean oil resulted in the restoration of the changed lipid profile and improved cardiac biomarkers near to normal values as well as improved inflammatory and antioxidant status. It was concluded that consumption of soybean oil may have a role in retarding atherosclerosis and risk of cardiovascular disorders associated with estrogen deficiency in ovariectomy status (AU)

Effect of soybean oil on atherogenic metabolic risks associated with estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized rats: dietary soybean oil modulate atherogenic risks in overiectomized rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiac biomarker changes in experimental bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rats in addition to evaluating the role of soybean oil-supplemented diet to attenuate these alterations. Female rats were divided into four groups and treated for 2 months as follows: groups 1 and 2 fed with standard diet with or without 15% soybean oil. Groups 3 and 4 were bilateral OVX and received the standard diet with or without 15% soybean oil. The results revealed that rats subjected to ovariectomy exhibited an inhibition in estrogen and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and marked increase of lipid profile, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and VLDL-C accompanied with a marked elevation in atherogenic index, cardiac enzyme activity, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein. Signs of cardiovascular injury which included an increase in cardiac thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were concomitantly noticed with a reduction in the reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase. However, supplementation of soybean oil resulted in the restoration of the changed lipid profile and improved cardiac biomarkers near to normal values as well as improved inflammatory and antioxidant status. It was concluded that consumption of soybean oil may have a role in retarding atherosclerosis and risk of cardiovascular disorders associated with estrogen deficiency in ovariectomy status.

Ameliorating effect of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)-supplemented diet against nitrosamine precursors-induced liver injury and oxidative stress in male rats.

The current study was carried out to elucidate the modulating effect of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)-supplemented diet against nitrosamnine-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in male rats. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for 8 weeks as follow: group 1 served as control; group 2 fed on chicory-supplemented diet (10% w/w); group 3 received simultaneously nitrosamine precursors [sodium nitrite (0.05% in drinking water) plus chlorpromazine (1.7 mg/kg body weight)] and group 4 received nitrosamine precursors and fed on chicory-supplemented diet. The obtained results revealed that rats received nitrosamine precursors showed a significant increase in liver TBARS and total lipids, total cholesterol, bilirubin, and enzymes activity (AST, ALT, ALP and gamma-GT) in both serum and liver. While a significant decrease in the levels of GSH, GSH-Rx, SOD, catalase, total protein and albumin was recorded. On the other hand, chicory-supplemented diet succeeded to modulate these observed abnormalities resulting from nitrosamine compounds as indicated by the reduction of TBARS and the pronounced improvement of the investigated biochemical and antioxidant parameters. So, it could be concluded that chicory has a promising role and it worth to be considered as a natural substance for ameliorating the oxidative stress and hepatic injury induced by nitrosamine compounds.

Mitigating effects of antioxidant properties of black berry juice on sodium fluoride induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.

Fluorosis is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. As in the case of many chronic degenerative diseases, increased production of reactive oxygen species has been considered to play an important role, even in the pathogenesis of chronic fluoride toxicity. Black berry is closely linked to its protective properties against free radical attack. Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of black berry juice (BBJ) in decreasing the hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress of sodium fluoride (NaF). Results showed that NaF caused elevation in liver TBARS and nitric oxide (NO), and reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH). Plasma transaminases (AST and ALT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total lipids (TL), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) were increased, while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) was decreased. On the other hand, BBJ reduced NaF-induced TBARS, NO, TL, cholesterol, TG, LDL-c, AST, ALT, CK and LD. Moreover, it ameliorated NaF-induced decrease in SOD, CAT, GSH, TAC and HDL-c. Therefore, the present results revealed that BBJ has a protective effect against NaF-induced hepatotoxicity by antagonizing the free radicals generation and enhancement of the antioxidant defence mechanisms.

In vivo evidence of hepato- and reno-protective effect of garlic oil against sodium nitrite-induced oxidative stress.

Sodium nitrite (NaNO2), a food color fixative and preservative, contributes to carcinogenesis. We investigated the protective role of garlic oil against NaNO2-induced abnormalities in metabolic biochemical parameters and oxidative status in male albino rats. NaNO2 treatment for a period of three months induced a significant increase in serum levels of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, urea and creatinine as well as hepatic AST and ALT. However, significant decrease was recorded in liver ALP activity, glycogen content, and renal urea and creatinine levels. In parallel, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in glutathione content and catalase activity were observed in the liver and the kidney. However, garlic oil supplementation showed a remarkable amelioration of these abnormalities. Our data indicate that garlic is a phytoantioxidant with powerful chemopreventive properties against chemically-induced oxidative stress.