Ferula assa-foetida oleo gum resin ethanolic extract alleviated the pancreatic changes and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: A biochemical, histopathological, and ultrastructural study.

The current research examines the effects of administration of 150 and 250 mg/kg body weight/day of ethanolic Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin extract (FAE) for 42 days in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. On day 42, all rats were euthanized; HOMA-ß, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI levels in pancreas were examined histopathologically and ultrastructurally . Low-dose FAE (150 mg/kg) treatment resulted in significant improvement in serum glucose, insulin and superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels (p < .05). It also improved ß-cell function, restored pancreatic ß-cells, and reduced insulin resistance compared to the diabetic control rats. Necrotic and degenerative alterations in the islets, pyknotic ß-cell nuclei, ß-cell degranulation, reduced islet cellular density, and significant vacuolation were found in the islets of STZ-diabetic control group ratsby the histomorphological and ultrastructural examination. The pancreatic histomorphology of low dose of FAE-treated diabetic rats showed remarkable improvements in the islets, such as the ß-cell number and the area of the pancreatic islets. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The experiment revealed that Ferula assa-foetida L. may exert antihyperglycemic activity in STZ diabetes via ß-cell regeneration and its high antioxidant capacity. This work elucidates the role of Ferula assa-foetida L. in diabetes management. Ferula assa-foetida L. gum extract improved the morphological changes of the diabetic pancreas and stimulated the regeneration of the ß cells. The findings demonstrated positive results for the long-term cure of diabetes. Additionally, this study showed the potential of isolating nutraceuticals for the development of medications.

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of ethanolic Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats.

The present study was conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethanolic ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin extract (FAOGRETE) and also its effects on liver and kidney function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. For this purpose, 42 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 7). Diabetes was induced in four groups by a single-dose of STZ at 55 mg/kg body weight, administrated intraperitoneal. After 42 days of treatment, fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, serum insulin, biochemical parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. In addition the markers of liver and kidney function, such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine and urea levels were determined. The study showed that the ethanolic extract at 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w) had a significant antidiabetic activity after 42 days of treatment as the FBS levels decreased significantly while the serum insulin levels increased. Moreover, a significant decrease in the liver and kidney function markers in treated rats indicated the protective effect of the ethanolic extract against liver and kidney damage, while body weight increased. The serum concentrations were normal in normal control and healthy group treated with FAOGRETE. The results of this study showed that FAOGRETE can regulate hyperglycemia and complications of diabetes. Antidiabetic and hypolipidimic activities of FAOGRETE are probably related to its antioxidant activity. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds like ferulic acid, umbelliferone, and quercetin may play an important role in its mechanism of action.

Comparative histomorphometrical study of genital tract in adult laying hen and duck.

This study was carried out to compare the histomorphological structures of oviductal regions of the apparently healthy adult laying hens (Gallus gallus dometicus) and ducks (Ansa ansa domesticus). For this purpose, 20 hens and 20 female ducks aged between 1-1.5 years were used. After euthanasia, the oviducts were dissected out and all of the gross morphometrical parameters including length, width and thickness as well as weight and length of them were recorded. For histological studies, after tissue preparation and staining with H&E, histological layers of isthmus, uterus and vagina were recognized and the size of them with micrometry method were determined. Our data analyses indicated that, the mean weight, length of oviduct as well as weight of isthmus, uterus in hen were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of duck, whereas the vaginal thickness and weight were greater in duck than the hen. In histological studies, epithelium and cilia were well developed in duck and lamina propria was filled with glands in the regions of the isthmus and uterus. The length of primary mucosal folds of isthmus and uterus in duck was more than hen. The longest mucosal fold has been seen in uterus. Most of the parameters in duck were greater than hen except the length of secondary fold of three parts of oviduct including isthmus, uterus, and vagina.