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Vol.8 No.1 – 4: Protective Effects of Ambrosia maritima and Allium sativum Plant Extracts on Different Tissues of Envenomed mice with Leiurus quinquestriatus Scorpion Venom

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By: Nahed M. M. Emam*andAljohara M. Alotaibi **

*Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al Arish University, Egypt.

** Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Nora Bint Abdel Rahman University, Saudi Arabia

** Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 13225, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Scorpion envenomation is a common hazard in many parts of the world and in Sinai, hence great attention must be directed towards such animals to avoid or reduce their dangers. One of the most common antioxidant medicinal plants in Sinai is the Ambrosia maritima or Damsisa plant; it is playing an important rolein reducing or neutralizing the toxic effects of venoms. Also, the Allium sativum plant or (garlic) has been used for many years to treat a variety of medical problems. Aim of work: the present study was prepared to illustrate the protective effect of damsisa and garlic plant extracts in different tissues of mice envenomed with Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpion venom. Materials and methods: 48 albino mice were divided into 6 groups. Group I: the healthy control rats received tap water for 4 weeks, and then intramuscularly (i.m.) injected with saline solution and sacrificed after 48 hours from an injection. Group II: envenomed mice were intramuscularly injected with (0.15 µg/g b.wt.) dose of the scorpion venom and sacrificed after 48 hours from envenoming.  Group III: mice treated with a daily oral dose of Damsisa plant extract (100 mg/kg) for 4 weeks; Group IV was treated with a daily oral dose of garlic plant extract (220 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Group V: the envenomed mice were injected with the same dose of the scorpion venom and pretreated with oral doses of Damsisa (100 mg/kg b. wt) for 4 weeks. Group VI: the envenomed mice were injected with the same dose of the scorpion venom and pretreated with an oral dose of garlic plant extract (220 mg/kg b. wt) for 4 weeks. All mice were sacrificed after 48 hours from envenoming. At the end of the experiment, some tissues samples from skeletal muscles, testis, and lung tissues were collected for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and DNA ladder assay. Results: envenomed mice had severe cellular degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization, cellular infiltrations, and marked dilatation of blood vessels in the skeletal muscles, testis, and lung tissues. This result is confirmed with extreme immunohistochemical changes in lung tissues and the results of the DNA ladder assay revealed increased DNA fragmentation in brain tissues. The envenomed and plant-treated mice revealed marked diminished effects in histopathological alternations in the studied tissues compared to envenomed mice and reduced DNA fragmentation in brain tissues. Conclusion: This study concluded that Ambrosia maritima (D) and Allium sativum (G) plants have a protective effect against scorpion envenomation and especially the garlic plant showed the best results. Our results suggested that the ameliorative effects of these plant extracts may be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these plants in combating free radical-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury resulting from envenomation.

Protective-Effects-of-Ambrosia-maritima-and-Allium-sativum-Plant-Extracts-on-Different-Tissues-of-Envenomed-mice-with-Leiurus-quinquestriatus-Scorpion-Venom-6

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Vol.5 No.4 – 13:Adverse effects of cadmium on the thyroid, kidneys, and testes in Wistar albino rats and the possible modulatory role of Zizyphus spina-christi (Sidr) fruit extract (Histological and biochemical studies)

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By: Abd El-Fattah B. M. El-Beltagy1, Bahgat M Abdelaziz1, Karoline K. Abdelaziz1, Mamdouh R. Elsawy2,Reham A. Ghanem3

1 Zoology   Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhur University, Egypt

2 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt.

3Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Delta University for Science and Technology, Egypt

Abstract

Background:  Cadmium (Cd) is an industrial and environmental pollutant that exerts adverse effects on different organs in humans and animals. Endocrine organs, such as the thyroid, kidneys, testis, and placenta, are sensitive to the toxic effects of Cd. Ziziphus spina-christi fruit has been claimed to exhibit potent anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging abilities. Aim: This work is mainly designed to evaluate the potential modulatory role of Z. spina-christi fruit extract against thyroid, kidney, and testicular impairments associated with cadmium chloride (Cd Cl2) exposure in rats. Material & Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): group I served as control, group II was supplemented daily with Ziziphus fruit extract (200 mg/kg b.wt), group III was treated with CdCl2 (5 mg/kg b.wt) each other day, and group IV was administered with CdCl2 simultaneously with Ziziphus fruit extract. The experiment was conducted for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, the rats of all groups were weighed and sacrificed, and the thyroid, kidneys, and testes were immediately excised, and processed for histological and biochemical evaluation of antioxidants and apoptosis. Also, blood samples were collected and analyzed to estimate the appropriate biochemical parameters for each organ. Results: In CdCl2 treated rats, the levels of serum hormones (TSH, T3, T4, FSH, LH, and testosterone) were significantly decreased if compared with control. Additionally, the levels of calcium, phosphorus ions, and albumin were also decreased while the level of total cholesterol was significantly elevated compared with the control. Moreover, the levels SOD and GSH were significantly lowered while the level of MDA was elevated in the tissues of all target organs   (thyroid, kidney, and testes). Also, the sections from the thyroid, kidney, and testes displayed pronounced deleterious histological changes. Furthermore, the mean % values of positively expressed cells for caspase-3 and annexin-v markers were significantly elevated in the thyroid and testicular tissues of CdCl2 received rats compared to control. Co-supplementation of Z. spina-christi fruit extract to CdCl2 exposed rats successfully restored the altered biochemical and histological and apoptotic changes induced by cadmium. Conclusion: It is concluded that Z. spina-christi fruit extract has a powerful protective role against Cd-induced deleterious biochemical and histological changes in the thyroid, kidneys, and testes of male rats.

Adverse effects of cadmium on the thyroid, kidneys and testes in Wistar albino rats and the possible modulatory role of Zizyphus spina-christi (Sidr) fruit extract (3)

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Vol.3 No.4 – 1: Ecophysiological and Histopathological Impacts of Organic Pollution on Two Freshwater Fish Species, Mansoura City, Egypt.

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By : Sherif H. Abdeen, Abeer E. Abdrabouh, Mohamed I. Mashaly, Ahmed E. Hagras, Ali A. Al-halany

Abstract

Organic pollution is one of environmental hazards, especially in aquatic ecosystems. This study was focusing on levels of total organic carbon (TOC%) in sediment of two freshwater habitats different in quality, as well as tissues including; muscles and gonads of two fish species inhabiting both sites during four seasons of one year of study. Ammar drain as a polluted site showed significantly higher levels of TOC% in both sediment and fish tissues comparing to River Nile as a reference site. Data also illustrated that, fish from polluted site showed remarkable decrease in blood indices; RBCs count, Hb content and Hct%, while WBCs count was mostly elevated, especially during autumn. Accompanying to these results, antioxidant enzymes as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were generally decreased during most seasons in fish samples from Ammar drain. Also, histopathological changes in muscles and gonads were observed, where sever deteriorations in these tissues were more discriminating in fish species from Ammar drain compared to River Nile locality. From the obtained results, polluted water drains affect general health and structure of their inhabiting fish species.

Dr.Abeer Dec 2017

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Vol.2 No.11 -2 : Efficacy of saffron extract and fenugreek seeds supplementation on liver of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

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By : Doaa A. Ali , Hanaa Serag , Ahmed Abdeen and Radwa Refaat

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the possible hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of saffron extract (100mg/kg b.wt) and fenugreek supplementation (1.4 g/day/kg b.wt) in STZ- induced diabetic rats at biochemical, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural levels. The results indicated that a single dose of STZ (50 mg /kg b wt, i.p) caused a significant increase in serum and liver total lipids, total cholesterol and triglyceride as well as serum low density and a very low density lipoprotein, accompanied by an increase in serum glucose level and oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide level as well as serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities. The results also reported a significant decrease in the high density lipoprotein, serum and liver total protein, serum albumin and globulin contents and A/G ratio, as well as a significant decrease in serum insulin level and the liver enzyme activities and the hepatic glutathione content. Histologically, STZ treated group showed degenerative changes in the pancreas and alteration in the structural integrity of the hepatocytes and their intracellular organelles. Histochemically, liver sections of STZ treated animals displayed marked decrease in the glycogen and total protein contents. On the other hand, the intake of saffron or fenugreek minimize the disturbance observed in the most tested parameters resulted from STZ administration and improve the liver structure and functions. Finally, it can be concluded that the intake of natural product such as saffron or fenugreek may be effective in reducing the diabetic liver injury induced by streptozotocin and the fenugreek supplementation showed more amelioration than saffron extract.

2-Efficacy-of-saffron-extract-and-fenugreek-seeds-supplementation-on-liver-of-streptozotocin-induced-diabetic-rats

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Vol.2 No.08 -3 : Ameliorative effect of olive leaves extract on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

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By : Saber A. Sakr1 , Karoline K. Abdel-Aziz2, , Attalla F. El-kott2, Heba S. Khalifa2

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease. Olive leaves consists of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and volatile oil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and the curative effect of olive leaves extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male rats were divided into 4 groups, Group I; Animals were served as control. Group II; Animals were received oral Olive leaves extract (OLE) 0.5 mg/kg of body weight/day. Group III; Animals were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (45mg /kg of body weight) to induce diabetes. Group IV, Animals were received a single dose of streptozotocin and after 7 days received Olive leaves extract for four weeks. The results indicatet that injection of STZ provoked a significant increase (P<0.005) in serum ALT, AST and lipids. Moreover, Serum malondialdehyde was increased and the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT decreased. Histopathologically, the OLE group didn't show any histopathological changes. Diabetic animals showed many histopathological changes in liver e.g. destruction of liver architecture, congestion of blood vessels, Leucocytic infiltration, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of hepatocytes. The pancreas showed severe damages in the pancreas architecture and atrophy of β-cells. When animals treated with OLE, an improvement was observed in the biochemical parameters and liver and pancreas histology of these animals. It is concluded that OLE exhibited a pronounced hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and ameliorative effects in diabetic rats and this is may be attributed to the presence of its phenolic compounds.

3_Ameliorative_effect_of_olive_leaves_extract_on_hepatotoxicity_and_oxidative_stress_in_streptozotocin-induced_diabetic_rats

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Vol.2 No.07 -3 : Biochemical and Histopatholigcal changes in Egyptian patients with Hepatitis C and Bilharziasis.

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By : 1Mahmoud Imam Nasr, 2Abd El-Moniem A. Younis Dawah, 3Alaa A. Hemeida, 4Reham M. Abd El-Azeem 1Dalia Reda Mahmoud Hassan

Abstract

Viral hepatitis and infection with Schistosma mansoni are the main causes of chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most important public health problem in Egypt. This study was done to determine the association between Schistosma and hepatitis C, by testing liver function using the following biochemical tests: Total and direct bilirubin, TB-DB, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum albumin, and liver biopsy, and make comparison between them. The results indicated that 60 % of cases HCV and Bilharzias reveal abnormal results accompanied by chronic liver disease, when compared to the 40% of normal result. All cases were subjected to routine biochemical liver function tests and serum antibodies to bilharziasis. The results showed that, ALT and AST were highly significant difference in group hepatitis C only compared with control group which showed normal results. The other liver functions such as ALP, TB and DB were high in patients with hepatitis C and Biharziasis compared with control group with statically significant difference P<0.05 . Also, the results showed histopatholigical changes (fibrosis and cirrhosis) in patients with Hepatitis C and Hepatitis C and Biharziasis after taking liver biopsy from both patients.

3_Biochemical_and_Histopatholigcal_changes_in_Egyptian_patients_with_Hepatitis_C_and_Bilharziasis

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Vol.2 No.6 -3 : Pomegranate peel Extract Protects Cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in albino mice.

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By : Amal A. El-Daly

Abstract

Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) is a toxicant heavy metal displays adverse properties in humans creating public health risks. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is widely known as antimicrobial and antioxidant. This study investigated the cadmium induced structural effects in mice and evaluated the beneficial effect of alcoholic extract of P. granatum fruit peel (PPE) to protective CdCl2 nephrotoxicity. Animals were divided into 4 groups; group 1: control, group 2: given 25ml/kg PPE, group 3: given CdCl2 at a dose level of 2mg/kg and group 4: given CdCl2 and PPE. The animals were given the previous treatment daily for 14days. CdCl2 intoxication led to obvious many histopathological alterations in kidney glomeruli accompanied with wide and congested blood vessels, renal tubules missed their distinct form with cytoplasmic vacuolation of their epithelial cells and pyknotic nuclei and leucocytes cells infiltration in the intertubular spaces. On the other hand, the immunohistochemical staining of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions were positive after CdCl2 exposure compared with the control group. Ultrastructure observations revealed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and fusion of the podocytes foot processes, tubular epithelial cells vacoulation with pyknotic nuclei, perforation and vacoulation of mitochondria, deterioration of endoplasmic reticulum, and increase of lysosomes. CdCl2-exposure accompanied by increased level of serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) as well as significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) besides decreased of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level. In contrast, co-administration of PPE plus CdCl2 ameliorated these parameters around the normal levels. It contributed the improvement by the histological, ultrastructure and decreased Bcl-2 and α smooth muscle protein expression, and kidney function through significant decrease in urea, creatinine and BUN, reduced the level of serum MDA as lipid peroxidation marker and restored the altered antioxidant system activity. It was concluded that Cd induced nephrotoxicity at a dose level 2 mg/kg b.w. in mice. The PPE may be involved in the protection of toxicity displayed by CdCl2 induction attributed to the high antioxidant capacity.

3. Pomegranate peel Extract Protects Cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in albino mice.

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Vol.2 No.6 -7 : Protective effect of Coenzyme Q10 against gentamicin induced acute renal failure in mice.

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By : Abdel Razik H. Farrag1, Rania A. Ibrahim2, Shimaa N. El-Sayed2

Abstract

Gentamicin is an antibiotic whose clinical use is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an effective antioxidant and used for therapy of a number of diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of CoQ10 against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Thirty five adult male mice were used in this study and were randomly divided into five groups, each consisting of seven animals as follows: group I: normal control; group II: treated with CoQ10 (30 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days); group III: treated with gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 14 days); group IV: treated with CoQ10 and gentamicin for 14 days; group V: treated with gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day) i.p. for 14 days, after that the animals were given CoQ10 (30 mg/kg/day) orally for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected and serum was separated for the estimation of serum creatinine and urea. Then the mice were sacrificed and kidneys were removed for histopathological study. The biochemical results showed that Coenzyme Q10 administration with gentamicin injections significantly decreased serum urea and creatinine when compared with gentamicin group. Light microscopic examination of the renal tissues from gentamicin-treated mice revealed severe histopathological changes, whereas specimens obtained from CoQ10 treated mice revealed only mild changes. Conclusion: It appears that CoQ10 has some protective role against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

7. Protective effect of Coenzyme Q10 against gentamicin induced acute renal failure in mice.

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Vol.2 No.3 -3 : Adverse effects of monosodium glutamate on the reproductive organs of adult Female albino rats and the possible ameliorated role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua).

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By : Abd El-Fattah B. M. El-Beltagy1, Heba Attef Elghaweet2

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid that enhances the flavor of certain foods. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of anovulatory infertility. This study was carried out to evaluate the histological, histochemical as well as immunohistochemical effects of MSG on the ovaries, uterus and vagina of adult female Wistar rats and the possible ameliorative role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua). In the present work, twenty- four Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6): Control group received 0.5ml saline solution, carob-group, feeding on diet containing 5% carob powder, MSG- treated group received 400 mg/kg b.wt and ameliorative group received MSG 400mg/kg b.wt simultaneously with feeding on diet containing 5% carob powder. In MSG treated rats, the serum estrogen level was significantly decreased. The histopathological results showed ovarian atretic follicles, fragmented oocyte, vascular congestion, and vacuolated stroma. The uterus exhibited a comparative reduction in the endometrial thickness and loss of endometrial glands associated with cellular hyperplasia and reduced vacuolated cells. In MSG treated group, the vaginal epithelium appeared relatively thin, folded and hypertrophied with sign of cornification. Histochemically, a weak reaction for PAS stain was remarked in investigated sections of MSG- treated rats. On the other side, an intense positive reaction for silver stain was recorded in the ovarian stroma and peripheral layers of atretic follicles as well as spreading in endometrium of uterus and lumina sheath of vagina. Immunohistochemically, MSG-treated group exhibited intense positive reaction for CD31and CD68 and activated caspase3 compared to carob-ameliorated MSG and the control. The authors concluded that, feeding of MSG-treated group on diet containing 5% carob powder led to marked amelioration of histopathological lesions induced in ovaries, uterus and vagina by MSG attributed to the biological benefits of its phytochemical components.

3. Adverse effects of monosodium glutamate on the reproductive organs of adult Female albino rats and the possible ameliorated role of carob (Ceratonia Siliqua).

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Vol.2 No.3 -5 : The protective effect of Coriandrum sativum L. oil against liver toxicity induced by Ibuprofen in rats.

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By : Hoda H. Baghdadi1,Fatma M.El-Demerdash2,Eman H. Radwan3, Sodfa Hussein4

Abstract

Ibuprofen (IBU) is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugused in the treatment of pain, fever and in inflammation.Coriandrum sativum is cultivated for its aromatic and medicinal uses. The present study aims to evaluatethe protective effect of Coriandrum sativum volatile oil on hepatotoxicityof IBU in rats. Five groups of albino rats were used.Group l(control),groupll (C.sativum oil,40 mg/kg B.W. for 14 day), group lll (IBU group,100mg/kg bodyweight B.W., for 14 day), group lV (IBU+ C.sativum oil) and groupV (recovery group).The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in the liver of different groups addition to the histological examination of the sections of liver. The results showed that IBU caused a significant decrease in the activity of ALT and AST in the liver. The histological examination of the liver showed many pathological changes. Administration of coriander volatile oilin the combination with IBU was able to significantly increase the activity of both AST and ALT, in the liver and caused a significant decrease in the deleterious effect induced by IBU. The present results confirm that the antioxidant activity of volatile oil of the Coriandrum sativum L., against hepatotoxicity of IBU.

5. The protective effect of Coriandrum sativum L. oil against liver toxicity induced by Ibuprofen in rats.

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