Effect of Thymoquinone on Reproductive Parameter in Morphine-treated Male Mice.

BACKGROUND: Thymoquinone as the main active component of Nigella sativa might have a various pharmacological effects such as antiapoptotic and antioxidant. Morphine is commonly used for the treatment of severe pain that can increase the generation of free radicals and affects the spermatogenesis. This study was designed to evaluate protective effects of thymoquinone against morphine-induced damages, sperm viability, count, motility, morphology and testis histology, and nitric oxide and testosterone hormone of the mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we divided 48 mice into eight groups (n = 6); various doses of thymoquinone (2, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and morphine (20 mg/kg) plus thymoquinone (2, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to 48 male mice for 30 consequent days. Male reproductive parameters including testis weight, testosterone hormone, serum nitric oxide, germinal thickness, sperm morphology, count, viability, and motility were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The results indicated that morphine administration significantly decreased germinal thickness, testis weight, testosterone level, viability, morphology, count, and motility of sperm and increased nitric oxide as compared to saline group (P < 0.05). However, increasing the dose of thymoquinone in the thymoquinone and thymoquinone plus morphine groups significantly decreases nitric oxide level (P < 0.05) while significantly boosted motility, morphology, count, viability of sperm cells, germinal thickness, and testosterone hormone in all groups as compared to morphine group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that thymoquinone administration could increase the quality some of spermatozoa and improves morphine-induced adverse effects on reproductive parameters in male mice.

Crab shell extract improves serum biochemical markers and histological changes of pancreas in diabetic rats / El extracto de cáscara de cangrejo mejora los marcadores bioquímicos del suero y los cambios histológicos del páncreas en ratas diabética

SUMMARY: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease. There are many natural agents available to control and treat diabetes. Crab shell extract has antioxidant properties. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of crab shell hydroalcoholic extract on blood glucose, liver enzymes, nitric oxide and antioxidant capacity of serum and histological structure of pancreas in diabetic rats. In this experimental study, thirty five male Wistar rats (180-220 g) were divided into control, diabetic and experimental groups (n=7). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Rats were treated for 14 days by crab shell extract with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Fasting blood glucose, serum levels of liver enzymes, nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Changes of pancreatic tissue were determined using a modified aldehyde fuchsin staining method. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Crab shell extract induced a significant reduction in blood glucose, serum levels of nitric oxide and ALT (P=0.033). Also, there were a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) (P=0.007), and insignificant decrease in serum levels of AST. The extract improved pancreatic tissue changes caused by diabetes. In conclusion, antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects of crab shell increase total antioxidant capacity of serum and decreased blood glucose, serum nitric oxide and ALT levels.

RESUMEN: La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad metabólica común. Hay muchos agentes naturales disponibles para controlar y tratar la diabetes. El extracto de cáscara de cangrejo tiene propiedades antioxidantes. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar el efecto del extracto hidroalcohólico de la cáscara de cangrejo sobre la glucosa sérica, las enzimas hepáticas, el óxido nítrico y la capacidad antioxidante del suero y la estructura histológica del páncreas en ratas diabéticas. En este estudio experimental, treinta y cinco ratas Wistar machos (180220 g) se dividieron en cinco grupos: control, diabéticos y experimentales (n = 7). La diabetes se indujo por inyección intraperitoneal de estreptozotocina (60 mg / kg). Las ratas se trataron durante 14 días con extracto de cáscara de cangrejo con dosis de 100, 200 y 400 mg / kg. Se evaluaron la glucosa en sangre en ayunas, las enzimas hepáticas, el óxido nítrico sérico y la capacidad antioxidante total. Los cambios en el tejido pancreático se determinaron usando un método de tinción de aldehído fucsina modificado. Los datos se analizaron utilizando ANOVA unidireccional. Las diferencias se consideraron estadísticamente significativas a P <0,05. El extracto de cáscara de cangrejo indujo una reducción significativa en la glucosa en sangre, en los niveles séricos de óxido nítrico y ALT (P = 0,033). Además se observó un aumento significativo en la capacidad antioxidante total (FRAP) (P = 0.007), y una disminución insignificante en los niveles séricos de AST. El extracto mejoró los cambios en el tejido pancreático causados por la diabetes. En conclusión, los efectos antioxidantes y antidiabéticos de la cáscara de cangrejo aumentan la capacidad antioxidante total de suero y la disminución de la glucosa en la sangre, el óxido nítrico sérico y los niveles de ALT.

Protective effect of resveratrol against morphine damage to kidneys of mice / Efecto protector de resveratrol contra el daño de la morfina en riñones de ratones

SUMMARY: Morphine produces free radicals and cause apoptosis in some cell. Resveratrol (RSV) is a stilbenoid, a type of natural phenol, and a phytoalexin produced by several plants in response to injury. 48 male mice were randomly assigned to 8 groups. In this study, various doses of RSV (2, 8 and 20 mg/kg) and RSV plus Morphine (2, 8 and 20 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to male mice for 20 consequent days and weight of kidneys, biochemical characteristics, morphometric markers and blood serum nitric oxide level were studied. The results indicated that morphine administration significantly increased the mean diameter of glomerulus and distal and proximal convoluted tubule, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and nitric oxide levels compared to the saline group (P<0.05). However, RSV and RSV plus morphine in all doses significantly decreased glomeruli number and LDH, BUN, creatinine and nitric oxide levels compared to morphine groups (p<0.05). Thus, it seems that resveratrol improved kidney damages induced by morphine in mice.

RESUMEN: La morfina produce radicales libres y causa apoptosis en algunas células. El resveratrol (RSV) es un tipo de fenol natural y una fitoalexina producida por varias plantas en respuesta a una lesión. Se asignaron al azar 48 ratones machos a 8 grupos. En este estudio se administraron varias dosis de RSV (2, 8 y 20 mg/kg) y RSV más morfina (2, 8 y 20 mg/kg) intraperitoneal en ratones machos durante 20 días consecutivos y se estudió el peso de los riñones, las características bioquímicas, los marcadores morfométricos y el nivel de óxido nítrico en suero sanguíneo. Los resultados indicaron que la administración de morfina aumentó significativamente el diámetro medio del glomérulo y de los túbulos distal y proximal, los niveles de lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH), nitrógeno ureico en sangre (BUN), la creatinina y el óxido nítrico en comparación con el grupo salino (p <0,05). Sin embargo, el RSV y el RSV más morfina en todas las dosis redujeron significativamente el número de glomérulos y LDH, BUN, la creatinina y el óxido nítrico en comparación con los grupos de morfina (p <0,05). Por lo tanto, los resultados podrían indicar que el resveratrol mejoró el daño renal inducido por la morfina en ratones.