Effect of purified saponin mixture from Astragalus corniculatus on enzyme- and non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation in liver microsomes from spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive rats.

The aim of the following study was to evaluate the effect of a purified saponin mixture (PSM), isolated from Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. (Fabaceae), on enzyme-induced and non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), in liver microsomes from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) - strain Okamoto Aoki, as compared to normotensive Wistar rats (NTRs). The enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation was performed by incubating rat liver microsomes with carbonetetrachloride (CCl(4)) in the presence of NADPH. In nonenzyme-induced LPO, the microsomes were incubated with a solution of iron sulphate and ascorbinic acid (Fe(2+)/AA). The effect of PSM (196.5 microg/ml) was assessed at 20 minutes' incubation time. MDA, a product of LPO, was measured spectrophotometrically. The results of our study showed that the initial MDA quantity in SHRs was significantly higher, than in NTRs. The incubation of the microsomes from both strains with PSM (196.5 microg/ml), resulted in significant reduction of MDA level, by 25% in SHRs. In NTRs, the formation of MDA was unchanged. In enzyme-induced LPO model, PSM significantly decreased the formation of MDA, by 55% in NTRs and by 35% in SHRs, compared to the respective control groups. In the model of non-enzyme induced LPO, PSM significantly decreased the formation of MDA by 95% in NTRs and practically restored it to the control level. The MDA quantity in SHR's microsomes was reduced by 25%. According to the results of this experiment we could conclude that PSM, isolated from Astragalus corniculatus, shows antioxidant activity both in SHRs and NTRs and the effect in NTRs is more pronounced.

In vitro study of lovastatin interactions with amiodarone and with carbon tetrachloride in isolated rat hepatocytes.

AIM: To investigate the interactions at a metabolic level between lovastatin, amiodarone and carbon tetrachloride in isolated rat hepatocytes. METHODS: For cell isolation two-step collagenase liver perfusion was performed. Lovastatin was administered alone in increasing concentrations (1 mumol/L, 3 mumol/L, 5 mumol/L and 10 mumol/L) and in combination with CCl(4) (86 mumol/L). The cells were also pretreated with 14 mumol/L amiodarone and then the other two compounds were added. RESULTS: Lovastatin promoted concentration-dependent significant toxicity estimated by decrease in cell viability and GSH level by 45% and 84%, respectively. LDH-activity increased by 114% and TBARS content by 90%. CCl(4)induced the expected severe damage on the examined parameters. CCl(4) induced toxicity was attenuated after lovastatin pretreatment, which was expressed in less increased values of LDH activity and TBARS levels, as well as in less decreased cell viability and GSH concentrations. However, the pretreatment of hepatocytes with amiodarone abolished the protective effect of lovastatin. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the observed cytoprotective effect was due to interactions between lovastatin, CCl(4) and amiodarone at a metabolic level.

Synthesis, toxicity and immunomodulating activity of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of L(-)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole (levamisole).

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of levamisole (LMS) were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectrometry. The following general formula was derived: M(LMS)2Cl2, where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn. It was established that LMS behaved as a monodentate ligand and the coordination was accomplished through the N-7 atom. The toxicity and the immunomodulating activity of the complexes on mice and rats in comparison with uncomplexed LMS was assayed. The metals in the complexes exerted different changes in the toxicity of LMS. The complex containing Zn(II) was less toxic and manifested higher immunomodulating activity than LMS.