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.

Anti-fibrotic activity of natural products, herbal extracts and nutritional components for prevention of liver fibrosis: review.

Liver fibrosis is a grave problem worldwide, and the development of this condition is the first step towards cirrhosis. In fact, when lesions of different aetiologies chronically affect the liver, it triggers fibrogenesis, the resulting damage and the progression of fibrosis cause serious clinical influences including severe complications, expensive treatments, and death in end-stage liver disease. Although impressive progress has been reported in understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, no effective agent has been developed to prevent or reverse the fibrotic process directly. This article reviews natural products, herbal medicines and nutritional components that exhibited an anti-fibrotic activity through different mechanisms of action, including suppressing of cytokine production, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells "HSCs" propagation, modulation of the molecular mechanisms leading to hepatic fibrosis, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.

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.

Study of cardioprotective activity of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Bauhinia madagascariensis compared to Bauhinia purpurea against adrenaline-induced myocardial toxicity in rats.

Cardiovascular ailments result in a great rate of mortality all over the world. Myocardial infarction is a common presentation of cardiovascular disease. The current work aimed to investigate and compare the cardioprotective potentials of methanolic extracts from the aerial parts from Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia madagascariensis in adrenaline-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The rats were categorized into five groups as follows: control group, adrenaline-treated group, Bauhinia purpurea extract + adrenaline treated group, Bauhinia madagascariensis+ adrenaline treated group, reference drug (captopril) + adrenaline treated group. The extracts as well as the reference drug were orally administered for 21 consecutive days. On day 22, adrenaline was injected as a single dose for 2 consecutive days. The adrenaline injection caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum cardiac markers (ALT, AST, CK-MB, LDH), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) cardiac lipid peroxides (MDA) levels and a significant decline (p < 0.05) in cardiac reduced glutathione (GSH) levels compared to their corresponding controls. The pretreatment extracts significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) these alterations. Histopathological investigations supported the biochemical data. Bauhinia madagascariensis extract exerted a significant anti-inflammatory activity than that of Bauhinia purpurea. In addition, Bauhinia madagascariensis extract revealed a significant inhibitory activity on ACE compared to that of Bauhinia purpurea, (p < 0.05). These data reveal that both extracts had a strong protective activity against adrenaline-induced cardiotoxicity via improving cardiac function, reducing ECG and histopathological changes that could be mediated in part through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of ACE, MMP-9, and iNOS.

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.

Nutrition in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most prevalent disease and becoming a serious public health threat worldwide. In recent years, numerous effective T2DM intervention regimens have been developed, with promising results. However, these regimens are not usually economically available, and they are not well tolerated due to treatment-related toxicities. The focus nowadays is to identify new effective therapeutic agents, with relatively low cost and low toxicity, which can be used regularly to control a progression of T2DM in the prediabetic population. Accordingly, there has been growing attention in herbal remedies that can be presented into the general population with the tiniest side effects and the maximal preventive outcome. This article reviews recent publications in experimental models of T2DM not revised before, and supporting the potential use of nutraceuticals and phytochemicals through different mechanisms with promising results in the context of T2DM.

Natural products for the management of hyperuricaemia and gout: a review.

Hyperuricaemia is characterised by a high level of urate in the blood. The crystallisation of urate is considered a critical risk factor for the development of gout. Allopurinol and febuxostat have been commonly used medications to decrease the circulating urate levels. However, the use of these drugs is associated with undesired side effects. Therefore, the development of a new active, safety anti-hyperuricaemic and anti-inflammatory drug could be useful in gout therapy and is highly justified. Natural products have become a source of new pharmaceuticals due to their strong efficacy with less side effects, which relies on the comprising of complex bioactive compounds. There are a growing number of studies purporting decreasing serum urate with traditional medicines. This article was aimed to review these studies and identify which extracts promote urate reduction, along with their different mechanisms.

Natural products for the management of the hepatitis C virus: a biochemical review.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health problem, with a worldwide prevalence of approximately 170 million. Current therapy for HCV infection includes the prolonged administration of a combination of ribavirin and PEGylated interferon-α, for over a decade. This regimen is expensive and often associated with a poor antiviral response and unwanted side effects. A highly effective combination treatment is likely required for the future management of HCV infections and entry inhibitors could play an important role. Currently, no entry inhibitor has been licensed for the prophylactic treatment of hepatitis C. Therefore, additional agents that combat HCV infection are urgently needed and must be developed. Many phytochemical constituents have been identified that display considerable inhibition of HCV at some stage of the life cycle. This review will summarise the current state of knowledge on natural products and their possible activities in the context of HCV infection.

Natural products for controlling hyperlipidemia: review.

Hyperlipidemia is an abnormality of lipid metabolism, characterized by an elevation of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and/or a decreasing of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in circulating levels. Hyperlipidemia has been ranked as one of the greatest risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of coronary heart diseases. Hyperlipidemia-associated lipid disorders are considered the cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There has been a growing interest in natural products and their role in the maintenance and improvement of health and wellness. The cholesterol-lowering effect of dietary plants has been well studied and various natural products were shown to be helpful in lowering plasma cholesterol levels and encouraging safety profile. The main focus of this review is to describe what we know to date of natural products, along with their lipid-lowering mechanisms, which are either through inhibition of cholesterol absorption, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis or antioxidant mechanisms.

Diuretic activity of ethanolic extract of Panicum repens L. roots and rhizomes.

The diuretic activity of ethanolic extract of Panicum repens was investigated in rats. A single oral dose of 500 mg/kg of P. repens extract were given to rats, after 24 h, urine volume, its sodium and potassium concentrations were estimated. Treatment with P. repens extract caused a significant increase in tested parameters as compared to their corresponding controls, p < 0.05.

Management of diabetes using herbal extracts: review.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterised by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage and dysfunction of many organs. Diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths in 2012, with hyperglycemia causing an additional 2.2 million deaths, as it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. Various types of plants have been used for several centuries worldwide not only as dietary supplements but also as traditional treatment regimens for many diseases. So far, a large number of traditionally claimed plant medicine has been tested for diabetes and some of them showed a promising therapeutic potential. The main focus of this review is to describe what we know to date of herbal extracts, along with their glucose-lowering mechanisms, which are either through insulin-mimicking activity, enhanced ß-cells regeneration, or glucose uptake.

Comparative study of antifibrotic activity of some magnesium-containing supplements on experimental liver toxicity. Molecular study.

INTRODUCTION: Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of different magnesium (Mg)-containing supplements (formulations A, B, and C) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of rats with CCl4 (1:1 in olive oil, 2 mL/kg, three times/week) for 4 weeks, and then rats were orally treated with different Mg-containing supplements (formulations A, B, and C) once daily for another one month. Liver fibrosis was quantified by evaluation of expressions of Collagen I, transforming growth factor ß-1 (TGFß1), platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C), nuclear factor kappa-ß (NF-κß), and measurement of hepatic collagen (hydroxyproline) level. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were estimated. RESULTS: CCl4 administration significantly elevated expressions of the studied genes, hepatic hydroxyproline, MDA, and NO levels and caused depletion of GSH level, decreased SOD, and GST activities when compared with those of their corresponding control, p < 0.05. All magnesium supplements significantly inhibited expressions of the studied genes and attenuated the hepatic hydroxyproline level as compared with those of CCl4-treated group; p < 0.05; for NF-κß, the highest inhibition was by formulations B and C. Regarding Collagen I, TGFß1, and hepatic hydroxyproline content, the highest inhibition was by Formulation C, and Formulation A revealed highest inhibition for PDGF-C. All magnesium supplements revealed normalization of oxidant and antioxidants parameters. Histopathological examination supports the biochemical and molecular findings. CONCLUSION: Mg supplements were effective in the treatment of hepatic CCl4-induced fibrosis-rat model.

Antioxidant effects of Spirulina supplement against lead acetate-induced hepatic injury in rats.

Lead is a toxic metal that induces a wide range of behavioral, biochemical and physiological effects in humans. Oxidative damage has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity. The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Spirulina supplement against lead acetate -induced hepatic injury in rats. Five groups of rats were used in this study, Control, Lead acetate (100 mg/kg), Lead acetate (100 mg/kg) + 0.5 g/kg Spirulina, Lead acetate (100 mg/kg) + 1 g/kg Spirulina and Lead acetate + 25 mg/100 g Vitamin C (reference drug). All experimental groups received the oral treatment by stomach tube once daily for 4 weeks. Lead intoxication resulted in a significant increase in serum alanine transaminae (ALT), aspartate transaminae (AST) activities, liver homogenate tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels and a significant decline of total serum protein, liver homogenate reduced glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Both doses of Spirulina supplement as well as Vitamin C succeeded to improve the biochemical parameters of serum and liver and prevented the lead acetate-induced significant changes on plasma and antioxidant status of the liver. Both doses of Spirulina supplement had the same anti-apoptotic activity and high dose exhibited more antioxidant activity than that of low dose. In conclusion, the results of the present work revealed that Spirulina supplement had protective, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on lead acetate-induced hepatic damage.

Biochemical effects, hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory activities of Artemisia vulgaris extract in hypercholesterolemic rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of Artemisia vulgaris extract in hypercholesterolemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding of rats with high fat diet containing 3% cholesterol in olein oil, for 8 weeks. Feeding of rats with high fat diet for 8 weeks, leading to a significant increase in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α levels and a significant decrease in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, liver hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity and paraoxonase-1 activities as compared to the normal control group. Treatment of high fat diet rats with Artemisia vulgaris extract for 4 weeks at a dose of 100 mg/kg per day, resulted in normalized serum lipid profile, a significant increase in paraoxonase-1 activity and decrease in serum malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α level as compared to high fat diet-treated animals. Also the extract caused a significant decrease in hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity as compared with both high fat diet-treated animals and control ones. In conclusion, Artemisia vulgaris extract has hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties; it may serve as a source for the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Anti-hyperlipidemic activity of an extract from roots and rhizomes of Panicum repens L. on high cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

The hypolipidemic effect of an ethanolic extract from the roots and rhizomes of Panicum repens L. was investigated in rats suffering from high-cholesterol, diet-induced hyperlipidemia, and the phytochemicals in the extract were analyzed. The extract was administered p.o. in doses of 250 mg/kg/day together with cholesterol at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. The high-cholesterol diet caused a significant increase in total lipids, total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the atherogenic index, whereas the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased. Administration of the P. repens extract (p<0.05) significantly reduced the rise of the serum levels of total lipids, TC, TG, and LDL-C, as well as the atherogenic index, whereas it significantly increased (p<0.05) the level of HDL-C. HPLC analysis of the phenolics and flavonoids in the extract revealed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid, primulic acid, rutin, apigenin-7-glucoside, and quercetin. In conclusion, the P. repens extract was found to possess hypolipidemic activity in high-fat, diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Investigation of antidiabetic action of Antidesma bunius extract in type 1 diabetes.

CONTEXT: Antidesma bunius L (Phyllanthaceae) is commonly known to local people in North-east Thailand as a medicinal plant. OBJECTIVES: To investigate hypoglycaemic activities of methanolic extract of A. bunius in type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A daily dose of A. bunius extract (250 mg/kg body weight) was given orally to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. Blood glucose, insulin, TC, TG, amylase, lipase, liver glycogen were analysed. RESULTS: Extract revealed a significant reduction in blood glucose level (80.5%) along with an increase in serum insulin (134%), lipase (90.7%) and liver glycogen level (160%). Also amylase (28.2%) activity, TC (40.2%), and TG (28.8%) levels were significantly decreased when compared with diabetic control rats. A. bunius extract improved the histo-architectural of the ß-cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results suggested that A. bunius extract possess anti-diabetic activity, through the enhancement of hepatic glycogen storage and regeneration of the islet of Langerhans.

Therapeutic effects of stem cell on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in alloxan-treated rats.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder that affects more than 285 million people worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow of albino rats, on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress induced by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/kg in rats. Injection of alloxan into rats resulted in a significant increase in serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and sialic acid level and a significant decrease in serum insulin, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, vitamin E, and liver glycogen as compared to their corresponding controls. Also, oxidative stress was noticed in pancreatic tissue as evidenced by a significant decrease in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase activities, also a significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels when compared to control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with MSCs stem cells significantly prevented these alterations and attenuated alloxan-induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, rat bone marrow harbors cells that have the capacity to differentiate into functional insulin-producing cells capable of controlling hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. This may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.

Biochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major health problem of advanced as well as developing countries of the world. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of theSolidago virgaurea extract on isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (30 mg/kg) into rats twice at an interval of 24 h, for two consecutive days, led to a significant increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme activities, total cholesterol, triglycerides, free serum fatty acid, cardiac tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide levels and a significant decrease in levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in cardiac tissue as compared to the normal control group (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with S. virgaurea extract for 5 weeks at a dose of 250 mg/kg followed by isoproterenol injection significantly prevented the observed alterations. Captopril (50 mg/kg/day, given orally), an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme used as a standard cardioprotective drug, was used as a positive control in this study. The data of the present study suggest that S. virgaurea extract exerts its protective effect by decreasing MDA level and increasing the antioxidant status in isoproterenol-treated rats. The study emphasizes the beneficial action of S. virgaurea extract as a cardioprotective agent