Bisphenol AF Caused Reproductive Toxicity in Rats and Cineole Co-Treatment Exhibited Protective Effect.

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is increasingly used and now found in products intended for human consumption. The protective effect of 1,8-cineole (CIN) against BPAF-induced reproductive toxicity was investigated. Four groups were created, with each group consisting of eight rats: control, BPAF (200 mg/kg), CIN (200 mg/kg), and BPAF + CIN groups. The results demonstrated that the BPAF group exhibited a decline in testosterone levels and a decrease in sperm parameters compared with the control. Additionally, higher levels of MDA were observed, along with lower levels of GSH and GPx activity. CAT activity also decreased slightly. Tnf-α, Nf-κB levels were significantly higher, and caspase-3 expression was elevated, while PCNA expression decreased. BPAF significantly increased tissue degeneration compared with the control. However, the BPAF + CIN group showed statistically significant improvements in sperm parameters, except for concentration. They also exhibited an increase in testosterone levels and an improvement in MDA and GSH levels compared with the BPAF group. However, GPx activity partially enhanced. Tnf-α and Nf-κB levels were significantly reduced, and caspase-3 levels declined while PCNA and Bcl-2 levels increased. The Johnsen Testicular Biopsy score showed a substantial increase. Overall, these results suggest that CIN co-treatment in rats enhanced reproductive health and exhibited antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties against BPAF-induced testicular damage.

Ellipsoidal patellar bone tunnel fixation with Toggleloc suspension system for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: A 5 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological features of the patella fixation technique using Toggleloc suspension system in a single ellipsoidal blind patellar tunnel during medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. METHODS: This study included 52 patients (25 men, 27 women) who underwent MPFL reconstruction using a semitendinosus tendon graft. The graft was fixed to the ellipsoidal single blind tunnel opened on the medial side of the patella with an endobutton and was fixed to the femoral tunnel by using bioabsorbable screw. Clinical scores (Kujala score, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score and the visual analog scale [VAS] score) were evaluated preoperatively and at the end-follow up. Preoperative and postoperative radiological measurements (trochlea depth, sulcus angle, patellar height, patellar congruence angle, patellar tilt angle and lateral patellofemoral angle) were evaluated with X-ray (Merchant X-ray, anteroposterior and lateral radiography) and computed tomography (CT) of the knee. RESULTS: Postoperative patellar redislocation or subluxation was not observed in any patient. Patellar congruence angle, patellar tilt angle and lateral patellofemoral angle mean values were found to return to normal values in the postoperative period and the results were statistically significant. Also statistically significant improvement in all clinical scores postoperatively. According to the Insall-Salvati index (ISI) and Caton-Deschamps index (CDI) on lateral radiography of the knee at 30° flexion, patellar height decreased in the postoperative period statistically significant. The CDI was above 1.3 in 17 (%32) of our patients. Thirteen of these values decreased to normal values. No radiological progression of patellofemoral osteoarthritis was observed in all patients at the final follow-up evaluation. CONCLUSION: In cases of patellofemoral instability, fixation of the tendon graft in blind ellipsoid tunnel using the Toggleloc suspension system provides satisfactory patellar graft fixation strength, significant functional improvement and a low failure rate.

Inhibitory effect of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet.

Introduction: The leaves and seeds of Urtica dioica (UD) are used in folk treatments for many diseases. Anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiallergenic properties of UD have been reported. Aim: To uncover the effects of nettle seed (Urtica dioica; UD) extract on body weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet (HFD). Material and methods: Male Wistar albino rats (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups, comprising a control group, a group that received a HFD (HFD group), a group that received UD extracts (UD group), and a group that received a HFD as well as UD extracts (HFD + UD group). UD extracts were given a daily dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight orally for 75 days. Results: The HFD led to weight gain that was partially moderated by the UD extract. Histopathological findings in the HFD + UD group were uniformly significantly lower than those in the HFD group. Serum alanine transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in the HFD group than in the HFD + UD group, and the HDL levels were lower in the HFD group than in the control group and the HFD + UD group. Conclusions: The cholesterol levels were discovered to be highest in the HFD + UD group. Therefore, it was concluded that the UD extract did not completely protect the rats against body weight gain.

Nobiletin alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats.

We investigated the possible ameliorative effects of nobiletin (NBL) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely: Control; MTX (administered 20 mg/kg MTX); MTX+NBL (administered 20 mg/kg MTX and 10 mg/kg NBL per day); and NBL (administered 10 mg/kg/day NBL). Histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses were performed on the kidney and liver tissues of rats at the end of the study. MTX caused renal toxicity, as indicated by increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and caspase-3, as well as decreases in reduced glutathione (GSH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). MTX also caused hepatotoxicity, as indicated by increases in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), MDA and caspase-3 and decrease in interleukin 10 (IL-10), GSH, total antioxidant capacity, GPx, G6PD, CAT and Bcl-2. MTX caused histopathological changes in kidney and liver tissues indicating tissue and cellular damage. Administration of NBL concurrently with methotrexate reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic signs, and prevented kidney and liver damage caused by methotrexate. We consider NBL has attenuating and ameliorating effects on methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity.

The effect of tyrosol on diclofenac sodium-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats.

Although diclofenac (DCF) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is considered safe, its chronic use and overdose may show some toxic effects. The protective effect of tyrosol (Tyr) pretreatment against DCF-induced renal damage was investigated in this study. The 32 rats used in the study were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each. According to the data obtained, it was determined that creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels increased in serum samples of the DCF group. Besides, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level increased in the kidney tissue. However, no change was observed in catalase (CAT) activity. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf-α) levels increased and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) levels decreased. No change was detected in the level of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß). When the DCF+Tyr group and the DCF group were compared, it was assessed that Tyr had a curative effect on all biochemical parameters. Also, kidney damages, such as degeneration and necrosis of tubular epithelium and congestion of veins, were obviated by treatment with tyrosol in histopathological examinations. It was determined that Tyr pretreatment provided a protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by DCF with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Carvacrol showed a curative effect on reproductive toxicity caused by Bisphenol AF via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is an endocrine disruptor, and human exposure to these chemicals is growing in industrialized nations. BPAF has been demonstrated in studies to have toxic effects on reproductive health. This study examined the effects of oral exposure to BPAF on the reproductive system and the protective effects of carvacrol in rats. From 32 Wistar albino rats, four separate groups were set up for this purpose. Carvacrol 75 mg/kg and BPAF 200 mg/kg were administered by oral gavage method. Rat sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels were measured after 28 days of administration. The study looked at the MDA in the testis tissues, as well as CAT, GPx, and GSH as antioxidants parameters, NF-κB and TNF-α as inflammatory markers, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 as apoptosis parameters, and PCNA as cell proliferation markers. In addition, testis tissues underwent histological evaluation. As a result, in rats exposed to only BPAF, sperm counts declined, testosterone levels reduced, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis increased, and cell proliferation decreased. Furthermore, severe disruptions in tissue architecture and decreased spermatogenesis were reported. In contrast, sperm parameters improved, testosterone levels increased, oxidative stress and inflammation decreased, and apoptosis was prevented in the carvacrol-treated group compared to the BPAF-only group. It was also found that spermatogenesis was maintained, and structural abnormalities in testicular tissue were mostly avoided with an increase in PCNA expression. According to the findings, despite BPAF-induced testicular and reproductive toxicity, carvacrol had therapeutic potential due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cell proliferation-increasing, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Inula viscosa ameliorates acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress contribute to the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis (UC). Inula viscosa is a plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effect of an ethanolic extract of I. viscosa on an experimental UC model created using acetic acid. Rats were divided into four groups of eight: group 1, control; group 2, 3% acetic acid group; group 3, 100 mg/kg sulfasalazine + 3% acetic acid group; group 4, 400 mg/kg I. viscosa + 3% acetic acid. I. viscosa and sulfasalazine were administered by oral gavage and 3% acetic acid was administered per rectum. We found that I. viscosa treatment decreased colon malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 beta and nuclear factor kappa B levels; it increased reduced glutathione, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1 and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 levels and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity. Group 1 colon exhibited normal histological structure. Slight inflammatory cell infiltration and edema and insignificant slight erosion in crypts were detected in colon tissues of group 4. We found that I. viscosa reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, which was protective against UC by inducing the Nrf-2/Keap-1/HO-1 pathway in the colon.

Exploring of the ameliorative effects of Nerium (Nerium oleander L.) ethanolic flower extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats via biochemical, histological and molecular aspects.

BACKGROUND: Nerium oleander L. is ethnopharmacologically used for diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the ameliorative effects of ethanolic Nerium flower extract (NFE) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Seven random groups including control group, NFE group (50 mg/kg), diabetic group, glibenclamide group and NFE treated groups (25 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 225 mg/kg) were composed of forty-nine rats. Blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin level, liver damage parameters and lipid profile parameters were investigated. Antioxidant defense system enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and immunotoxic and neurotoxic parameters were determined in liver tissue. Additionally, the ameliorative effects of NFE were histopathologically examined in liver. mRNA levels of SLC2A2 gene encoding glucose transporter 2 protein were measured by quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS: NFE caused decrease in glucose level and HbA1c and increase in insulin and C-peptide levels. Additionally, NFE improved liver damage biomarkers and lipid profile parameters in serum. Moreover, lipid peroxidation was prevented and antioxidant enzyme activities in liver were regulated by NFE treatment. Furthermore, anti-immunotoxic and anti-neurotoxic effects of NFE were determined in liver tissue of diabetic rats. Histopathogically, significant liver damages were observed in the diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were decreased partially in the 225 mg/kg NFE treated group. SLC2A2 gene expression in liver of diabetic rats significantly reduced compared to healthy rats and NFE treatment (25 mg/kg) caused increase in gene expression. CONCLUSION: Flower extract of Nerium plant may have an antidiabetic potential due to its high phytochemical content.

The protective effect of arbutin against potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage in the rat brain.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of arbutin (ARB) against brain injury induced in rats with potassium bromate (KBrO3 ). The rats were divided into four groups as Group 1: Control (0.9% NaCl ml/kg/day p.), Group 2: KBrO3 (100 mg/kg (gavage), Group 3: ARB (50 mg/kg/day p.), and Group 4: KBrO3 + ARB (100 mg/kg (gavage) + 50 mg/kg/day p.). At the end of the fifth day of the study, the rats in all groups were killed, and their brain tissues were collected. In the collected brain tissues, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured, and routine histopathological examinations were made. The MDA levels in the group that was exposed to KBrO3 were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.001). In comparison to the KBrO3 group, the MDA levels in the KBrO3 + ARB group were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). It was observed that SOD and CAT enzyme activity levels were significantly lower in the KBrO3 group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.001), while these levels were significantly higher in the KBrO3 + ARB group than in the KBrO3 group (p ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity, as well as ARB administration, had much lower levels of histopathologic signs than the group that was subjected to KBrO3 toxicity only. Consequently, it was found that KBrO3 exposure led to injury in the brain tissues of the rats, and using ARB was effective in preventing this injury.

Protective effect of Smilax excelsa L. pretreatment via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and activation of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway in testicular torsion model.

The protective effects of the ethanol extract of Smilax excelsa L. (SE) leaves were investigated on testicular tissue of rats with a torsion model in this study. The chemical composition of the extract was detected by means of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). SE extract was given for 21 days before torsion was created in the treatment group. The sperm parameters of the torsion group were impaired, and there was an increase in MDA level as well as a decrease in GSH level and GPx activity compared to the control group. TNF-α and NF-κB levels in the torsion group increased as compared to those in the control group. The expression levels of Nrf-2 and HO-1 were lower in the torsion group than those in the control group. The SE pretreatment group has improved sperm, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers when compared to the torsion group, and the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway was activated. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Smilax excelsa L. is a plant with economic value used in traditional medicine in the treatment of stomachache, bloating, and breast cancer in Northwest Anatolia. It has an antioxidant effect due to the flavonoids and anthocyanins it contains. The protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced tissue and reproductive damage in testicular tissue were demonstrated with the study. When the histological examinations of the tissues were evaluated, it was found that morphological structure of the tissues was retained in the treatment group. The findings indicate that SE prevents tissue damage in the torsion model by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and activating Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

The protective effects of the Lactarius deliciosus and Agrocybe cylindracea mushrooms on histopathology of carbon tetrachloride induced oxidative stress in rats.

We investigated the protective effects of L. deliciosus and A. cylindracea supplementation against carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) induced oxidative stress by measuring levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and by observing histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of rats. We divided 36 rats into six groups: control, CCl4, L. deliciosus, A. cylindracea, CCl4 + L. deliciosus, and CCl4 + A. cylindracea. We found that administration of CCI4, A. cylindracea, and CCl4 + A. cylindracea increased MPO and ADA levels. We observed severe hepato-renal degenerative and necrotic lesions in the CCI4, A. cylindracea and CCl4 + A. cylindracea groups. Severe lesions of the liver and kidney were not observed with A. cylindracea administration. CCI4 induced hepato-renal lesions were ameliorated by L. deliciosus extract supplementation. L. deliciosus could be an important dietary antioxidant for preventing histologic lesions in liver and kidney due to CCI4 induced oxidative stress in rats.

The Protective Role of Urtica dioica Seed Extract Against Azoxymethane-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of Urtica dioica seed (UDS) extract against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, AOM, AOM + UDS, and UDS. The AOM and AOM + UDS groups were induced by AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously once a week for 10 weeks. AOM + UDS and UDS groups additionally received fed with pellets included 30 ml/kg UDS extract. At the end of the trial, blood and colon tissue samples were taken from the rats following necropsy. The gross and histopathological findings revealed that the administration of UDS extract significantly decreased lesions including aberrant cript foci, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma formation both numerically and dimensionally. Immunohistochemically, slight CEA and COX-2, strong Caspase-3 immune-expressions were detected in the group AOM + UDS compared to AOM group. Biochemical examinations indicated that a markedly increase in the malondialdehyde and fluctuated antioxidant defense system constituents levels such as reduced glutathione, glutathione s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase were restored in AOM + UDS group. These results reveal that the UDS may act as a chemopreventive dietary agent, inducing apoptosis, resulting in a significant reduction of colon carcinogenesis.

Zingerone protects liver and kidney tissues by preventing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in methotrexate-treated rats.

The clinical use of drugs used in the treatment of diseases is limited due to the toxic side effects, and many studies have been conducted to benefit from herbal adjuvant therapies recently to eliminate these effects. In this study, the protective effect of zingerone against liver and kidney damage generated in rats through methotrexate (MTX). Histopathological investigations were performed to determine tissue damage caused by MTX and the healing effect of zingone and liver function markers such as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and renal function markers such as urea, creatine, and aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) were measured. The effects of MTX and protective properties of zingerone on oxidative stress were investigated through the measurement of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities. The anti-inflammatory effect of zingerone was determined by measuring the cytokine levels causing inflammation such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and its effects on apoptosis were determined by immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression levels. According to the results obtained within the scope of the study, it was determined that zingerone treatment prevented the increase in MTX-induced liver and kidney function markers, showed healing effects on antioxidant parameters degraded in both tissues, and decreased the inflammation parameters. It was determined that it also prevented apoptosis and possessed a protective effect on disrupted tissue architecture by decreasing the increased caspase-3 expression and increasing the decreased Bcl-2 level.

Ameliorative Effects of Oleuropein on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model in Rats.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common causes of death in diseases with septic shock. Oleuropein, one of the important components of olive leaf, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of oleuropein on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in rats. Oleuropein was administered to rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg for 20 days and LPS was given through intratracheal administration to induce ALI. The study was terminated after 12 h. The results showed that in the group treated with oleuropein, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress decreased in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue, and there were significant improvements in the picture of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) caused by LPS in histopathological examination. Based on the findings of the present study, oleuropein showed protective effects against LPS-induced ALI.

Tyrosol improves ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in rat model through prevention of airway inflammation.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects many people around the world, especially persons at paediatric age group. The effectiveness of tyrosol, a natural phenolic compound, was examined in the asthma model induced by ovalbumin (OVA). For this purpose, four groups, each consisting of eight rats, were arranged. For 21 days, physiological saline solution was treated to the control group and OVA was treated to the groups of OVA, OVA + dexamethasone (Dexa) and OVA + tyrosol groups, intraperitoneally and through inhalation. Additionally, 0.25 mg/kg Dexa was treated to the OVA + Dexa group and 20 mg/kg tyrosol to the OVA + tyrosol group by oral gavage. Serum, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues of the rats were examined. It was observed that MDA level decreased, GSH level and GPx activity increased, and there was no change in CAT activity in lung tissues of the tyrosol treatment groups. It was also observed that NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ and IgE levels decreased compared to the OVA group in lung tissue and serum samples except for serum NF-κB and IL-4. However, no effect on IL-1 ß level was observed. In addition, it was determined that tyrosol treatment increased the IL-10 level on both tissue samples. The results of the histopathological investigation of lung tissue showed that tyrosol significantly ameliorated OVA-induced histopathological lesions. Additionally, PAS staining showed that mucus hypersecretion was significantly reduced with the use of tyrosol. In addition, it was determined that the number of eosinophils decreased significantly in blood and BALF samples. The obtained results showed that tyrosol possessed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features on OVA-induced rats and preserved tissue architecture.

Biomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been treated with herbs for centuries and many herbs reported to exert antidiabetic activity. Laurus nobilis is an aromatic herb belonging to the Lauraceae family, commonly known as bay. This study aimed to investigate the activity of Laurus nobilis leave extracts on histopathological and biochemical changes in ß-cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were included in the study and divided equally into 5 groups for 4 weeks as follow; control group (C), diabetic group (D), diabetic Laurus nobilis extract group (DLN), Laurus nobilis extract group (LN) and diabetic acarbose (DA) group. Histopathologically, D group rats exhibited various degenerative and necrotic changes in their liver, pancreas and kidney, whereas the DLN rats had nearly normal histology. Insulin immunostaining in the pancreatic beta cells was decreased in the D group compared to the C group, whereas the DLN group was similar to the C group. The glucose concentration decreased significantly in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme were significantly decreased in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose, compared to the D group (p ˃ 0.05). Outcomes of this study said that leave extracts of L. nobilis has valuable effect on blood glucose level and ameliorative effect on regeneration of pancreatic islets, it also restored the altered liver enzymes, urea, creatine kinase, total protein levels, calcium and ferritin to near normal.

HPTMT Parallel Operators for High Performance Data Science and Data Engineering.

Data-intensive applications are becoming commonplace in all science disciplines. They are comprised of a rich set of sub-domains such as data engineering, deep learning, and machine learning. These applications are built around efficient data abstractions and operators that suit the applications of different domains. Often lack of a clear definition of data structures and operators in the field has led to other implementations that do not work well together. The HPTMT architecture that we proposed recently, identifies a set of data structures, operators, and an execution model for creating rich data applications that links all aspects of data engineering and data science together efficiently. This paper elaborates and illustrates this architecture using an end-to-end application with deep learning and data engineering parts working together. Our analysis show that the proposed system architecture is better suited for high performance computing environments compared to the current big data processing systems. Furthermore our proposed system emphasizes the importance of efficient compact data structures such as Apache Arrow tabular data representation defined for high performance. Thus the system integration we proposed scales a sequential computation to a distributed computation retaining optimum performance along with highly usable application programming interface.

Chemopreventive efficacy of juniper berry oil (Juniperus communis L.) on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in rat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemopreventive effects of juniper berry (JB) oil on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were allocated into four groups: Control, AOM, AOM + JB, and JB groups. Whereas the control group was fed with standard pellet feed, the AOM and AOM + JB groups were administered of AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously once every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. AOM + JB and JB groups additionally received JB oil (100 µl/kg) orally. At the end of the 16-week experimental period, blood and tissue samples were obtained from the rats following necropsy. The macroscopic findings showed that the application of JB oil significantly decreased adenoma and adenocarcinoma formation both numerically and dimensionally. Immunohistochemically, CEA, COX-2, and Ki-67 immune-expressions decreased, and the immune-expression of caspase-3 increased in AOM + JB treated rats. Additionally, JB oil supplementation ameliorated antioxidant defense systems and lipid peroxidation within the colon tissue of AOM + JB treated rats. These results reveal that the JB oil acted as a chemopreventive dietary agent, inhibiting cell proliferation and COX-2 expression and inducing apoptosis, resulting in a significant reduction in colon tumor formation.

Reduction of hepatorenal and pancreatic damage by Ferula elaeochytris extract in STZ induced diabetic rats.

The therapeutic potential and antioxidant capacity of Ferula elaeochytris extract (FE) in the liver, kidney and pancreas of rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) was assessed using biochemistry, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Forty adult Wistar albino male rats were divided randomly into five groups of eight rats each. The normal control (NC) group was untreated. The diabetes control (DC) group was treated with STZ to induce diabetes. The diabetes + acarbose group (DAC) was treated with STZ, then with acarbose daily for 28 days. The diabetes + FE (DFE) group was treated with STZ, then FE daily for 28 days. DC rats had inflammatory cell infiltration, hydropic degeneration and necrosis, whereas the DFE rats exhibited nearly normal histology. Insulin immunostaining in the pancreatic beta cells was decreased in the DC group compared to the NC group, whereas the DFE group was similar to the NC group. Many serum biomarkers of damage to liver, kidneys or pancreas were elevated in the DC group compared to the NC group; these biomarkers were decreased in the DFE group. The DC group exhibited increased malondialdehyde levels and decreased levels of the antioxidant defense system constituents compared to the NC group. The level of biomarkers the DFE group was close to the NC group. FE exhibited a protective effect against tissue damage owing to its antioxidant activities and to its ability to effect regeneration of ß-cells in STZ induced diabetic rats.