Abstract: Welfare may be considered to be a subjective
experience; it has a biological function that is related to the fitness
and survival of the animal accordingly, researches have suggested
that welfare is compromised when the animal's evolutionary fitness is
reduced. This study was carried out to explain the effect of some
managerial stressors as handling and restraint on behavioral patterns
and biochemical parameters of rats. A total of 24 (12 males & 12
females) Sprague-Dawley rats (12 months & 150-180g) were allotted
into 3 groups, handled group (4 male & 4 female), restrained group (4
male & 4 female) and control group (4 males & 4 females).
The obtained results revealed that time spent feeding, drinking,
movement and cage exploration frequencies increased significantly in
handled rats than other groups, while lying time and licking increased
significantly in restrained rats than handled and controls. Moreover,
social behavior decreased in both stressed groups than control.
Triglycerides were significantly increased in handled rats than
other groups, while total lipid, total protein and globulin significantly
increased in both treated groups than control. Corticosterone
increased in restrained and handled rats than control ones. Moreover,
there was an increment in packed cell volume significantly in
restrained rats than others. These deducted that if we want to study
the effect of stress on animal welfare it is necessary to study the
effect of such stressors on animal’s behavior and physiological
responses.
Abstract: Malathion (ML) is a well known pesticide commonly
used in many agricultural and non-agricultural processes. Its toxicity
has been attributed primarily to the accumulation of acetylcholine
(Ach) at nerve junctions, due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase
(AChE). The aim of the current research was to study the protective
effect of the melissa plant extract against reproductive impairment
induced by malathion in 32 male albino rats, and the biological
experiment was divided into four groups (8 in each) that given
malathion (27 mg/kg; 1/50 of the LD50 for an oral dose) and/or
Melissa officinalis (MO) extract (200mg/kg/day) by gavages
technique. The sperm counts, sperm motility, sperm morphology,
FSH, LH, and testosterone levels had been determined in testes
homogenate at the end of the experiment. It is worthy to report that,
rats treated with melissa extract did not show a significant difference
when compared with the control group, while rats given malathion
alone had significantly lower sperm count, sperm motility, and
significantly higher abnormal sperm numbers, than the untreated
control rats as well as having significantly lower serum FSH, LH, and
testosterone levels compared with the control group. Administrations
of melissa extract restore all mentioned histological parameters
towards the control group and the melissa extract had a strong
positive protective effect against malathion toxicity. Results the of
biological parameters were confirmed by the histological
examination of rat testes and indicated that, both control and melissa
groups showing normal seminiferous tubules, while malathion group
testicular tissues had necrosis, edema in the seminiferous tubules and
degeneration of spermatogonial cells lining the seminiferous tubules
with incomplete spermatogenesis. The use of melissa against
malathion improved the histological picture and showing normal
seminiferous tubules with complete spermatogenesis and almost there
was no histopathological changes could be noted.
Abstract: Male factor infertility due to endocrine disturbances
such as abnormalities in prolactin levels are encountered in a
significant proportion. This case control study was carried out to
determine the effects of prolactin on the male reproductive tract,
using 200 male white rats. The rats were maintained as the control
group (G1), hypoprolactinaemic group (G2), 3 hyperprolactinaemic
groups induced using oral largactil (G3), low dose fluphenazine (G4)
and high dose fluphenazine (G5). After 100 days, rats were subjected
to serum prolactin (PRL) level measurements and for basic seminal
fluid analysis (BSA). The difference between serum PRL
concentrations of rats in G2, G3, G4 and G5 as compared to the
control group were highly significant by Student’s t-test (p
Abstract: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have gained great attention for the topical treatment of skin associated fungal infection as they facilitate the skin penetration of loaded drugs. Our work deals with the preparation of nystatin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (NystSLNs) using the hot homogenization and ultrasonication method. The prepared NystSLNs were characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, rheological behavior and in vitro drug release. A stability study for 6 months was performed. A microbiological study was conducted in male rats infected with Candida albicans, by counting the colonies and examining the histopathological changes induced on the skin of infected rats. The results showed that SLNs dispersions are spherical in shape with particle size ranging from 83.26±11.33 to 955.04±1.09 nm. The entrapment efficiencies are ranging from 19.73±1.21 to 72.46±0.66% with zeta potential ranging from -18.9 to -38.8 mV and shear-thinning rheological Behavior. The stability studies done for 6 months showed that nystatin (Nyst) is a good candidate for topical SLN formulations. A least number of colony forming unit/ ml (cfu/ml) was recorded for the selected NystSLN compared to the drug solution and the commercial Nystatin® cream present in the market. It can be fulfilled from this work that SLNs provide a good skin targeting effect and may represent promising carrier for topical delivery of Nyst offering the sustained release and maintaining the localized effect, resulting in an effective treatment of cutaneous fungal infection.
Abstract: The protective effect of hesperidin was investigated in
rats exposed to liver injury induced by a single intraperitoneal
injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP) at a dose of 150 mg kg-1.
Hesperidin treatment (100 mg kg-1/day, orally) was applied for seven
days, starting five days before CYP administration. Hesperidin
significantly decreased the CYP-induced elevations of serum alanine
aminotransferase, and hepatic malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase
activity, significantly prevented the depletion of hepatic glutathione
peroxidase activity resulted from CYP administration. Also,
hesperidin ameliorated the CYP-induced liver tissue injury observed
by histopathological examination. In addition, hesperidin decreased
the CYP-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor
necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, Fas ligand, and caspase-9 in
liver tissue. It was concluded that hesperidin may represent a
potential candidate to protect against CYP-induced hepatotoxicity.
Abstract: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects the quality of life in terms of physical health, social and psychological well-being. In spite of the enormous progress in the treatment of diabetes using existing commercial drugs, such as, insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents, the quest and search for new drugs is imperative due to several limitations of the commercial drugs. In addition, the existing diabetic drugs are expensive and unaffordable by the rural populace in the developing countries. The present study demonstrates the anti-diabetic property of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP) leaves using diabetic rats (albino rats) as models. At the same time, the anti-diabetic effect of the aqueous extract was compared to that of a sample containing a mixture of the extract and a commercial diabetic medicine, glibenclamide. A specified dosage of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (BP) leaves was administered on the experimental diabetic rats, and their BGL was measured and recorded. The results showed a significant drop in the BGL of the diabetic rats to a value close to normal blood glucose level within 120 minutes when only aqueous extract from BP leaves was used. When a sample containing a mixture of the aqueous extract and glibenclamide was administered, a further drop in BGL was observed. Therefore, the results reveal that aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves have significant anti-diabetic properties, and that the performance of the existing drugs (glibenclamide) could be enhanced with the use of the aqueous extract.
Abstract: The protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) was investigated in rats exposed to testicular injury induced by sodium arsenite (10mg/kg/day, orally, for two days). TQ treatment (10mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injection) was applied for five days, starting three day before arsenic administration. TQ significantly attenuated the arsenic-induced decreases of serum testosterone, and testicular reduced glutathione level, and significantly decreased the elevations of testicular malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels resulted from arsenic administration. Also, TQ ameliorated the arsenic-induced testicular tissue injury observed by histopathological examination. In addition, TQ decreased the arsenic-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and caspase-3 in testicular tissue. It was concluded that TQ may represent a potential candidate to protect against arsenic-induced testicular injury.
Abstract: Aim- Study was undertaken to investigate the effect of altered behavioral condition like depression on various oxidative stress markers and biochemical parameters in rats. Methods- Rats were subjected for short (21 days) and long term (84 days) social isolation; the rats displayed an increase in depression on force swim test relative to control. Various markers of oxidative stress like lipid per oxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), Supers oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT, and blood glucose were determined. Results- There was significant increase in the level of LPO and decrease in the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT after long term isolation. Biochemical parameters were significantly altered after social isolation. Conclusion- Increased oxidative stress in depression which may leads to alteration of biochemical parameters.
Abstract: Background: Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with complex and multifactorial process including atherogenic lipoprotein, oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), endothelial dysfunction, plaque stability, vascular inflammation, thrombotic and fibrinolytic disorder, exercises and genetic factor Epidemiological studies have shown tea consumption inversely associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The research objectives: to elucidate hypolipidemic, antioxidant effects, as well as ability to improve coronary artery’s histopathologyof black tea extract (BTE) and quercetin in atherosclerotic rats. Methods: The antioxidant activity was determined by using Superoxide Dismutase activity (SOD) of serum and lipid peroxidation product (Malondialdehyde) of plasma and lipid profile including cholesterol total, LDL, triglyceride (TG), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) of atherosclerotic rats. Inducing atherosclerotic, rats were given cholesterol and cholic acid in feed during ten weeks until rats indicated atherosclerotic symptom with narrowed artery and foamy cells in the artery’s wall. After rats suffered atherosclerotic, the high cholesterol feed and cholic acid were stopped and rats were given BTE 450; 300; 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily, quercetin 15; 10; 5 mg/kg BW daily, compared to rats were given vitamin E 60 mg/kg/BW; simvastatin 2.7 mg/kg BW, probucol 30 mg/kg BW daily for 21 days (first treatment) and 42 days (second treatment), negative control (normal feed), positive control (atherosclerotic rats). Results: BTE and quercetin could lower cholesterol total, triglyceride, LDL MDA and increase HDL, SOD were comparable with simvastatin, probucol both for 21 days and 42 days treatment, as well to improve coronary arteries histopathology. Conclusions: BTE andquercetin have hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects, as well as improve coronary arteries histopathology in atherosclerotic rats.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-diabetic
properties of ethanolic extract of two plants commonly used in folk
medicine, Mormodica charantia (bitter melon) and Trigonella
foenum-graecum (fenugreek). The study was performed on STZinduced
diabetic rats (DM type-I). Plant extracts of these two plants
were given to STZ diabetic rats at the concentration of 500 mg/kg
body weight ,50 mg/kg body weight respectively. Cidophage®
(metformin HCl) were administered to another group to support the
results at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, the ethanolic extracts and
Cidophage administered orally once a day for four weeks using a
stomach tube and; serum samples were obtained for biochemical
analysis. The extracts caused significant decreases in glucose levels
compared with diabetic control rats. Insulin secretions were increased
after 4 weeks of treatment with Cidophage® compared with the
control non-diabetic rats. Levels of AST and ALT liver enzymes were
normalized by all treatments. Decreases in liver cholesterol,
triglycerides, and LDL in diabetic rats were observed with all
treatments. HDL levels were increased by the treatments in the
following order: bitter melon, Cidophage®, and fenugreek. Creatinine
levels were reduced by all treatments. Serum nitric oxide and
malonaldehyde levels were reduced by all extracts. GSH levels were
increased by all extracts. Extravasation as measured by the Evans
Blue test increased significantly in STZ-induced diabetic animals.
This effect was reversed by ethanolic extracts of bitter melon or
fenugreek.
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of laser
radiation on the skin wound healing using infrared thermography as
non-invasive method for the monitoring of the skin temperature
changes during laser treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were used in this
study. A skin lesion was performed at the leg on all rats. The animals
were exposed to laser radiation (λ = 670 nm, P = 15 mW, DP = 16.31
mW/cm2) for 600 s. Thermal images of wound were acquired before
and after laser irradiation. The results have demonstrated that the
tissue temperature decreases from 35.5±0.50°C in the first treatment
day to 31.3±0.42°C after the third treatment day. This value is close
to the normal value of the skin temperature and indicates the end of
the skin repair process. In conclusion, the improvements in the
wound healing following exposure to laser radiation have been
revealed by infrared thermography.
Abstract: Swietenia mahagoni have been used in traditional
medicine for treatment of different diseases. Present study was
performed to evaluate anti-ulcerogenic activity of ethanol seed
extract against ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Six
groups of rats were orally pre-treated respectively with
carboxymethyl cellulose, omeprazole 20 mg/kg, 50, 100, 200 and 400
mg/kg plant extract one hour before oral administration of absolute
ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. After additional hour, rats
were sacrificed and ulcer areas of gastric walls were determined.
Grossly, carboxymethyl cellulose group exhibited severe mucosal
injury, whereas pre-treatment with plant extract exhibited significant
protection of gastric mucosa. Histology, carboxymethyl cellulose
group exhibited severe damage of gastric mucosa; edema and
leucocytes infiltration of sub mucosa compared to plant extract which
showed gastric protection. Acute toxicity study did not manifest any
toxicological signs in rats. Conclusions, results suggest that S.
mahagoni promotes ulcer protection as ascertained grossly and
histologically.
Abstract: The excessive use of agricultural pesticides and the
resulting contamination of food and beds of rivers have been a
recurring problem nowadays. Some of these substances can cause
changes in endocrine balance and impair reproductive function of
human and animal population. In the present study, we evaluated the
possible effects of the fungicide cuprous copper oxide Sandoz® on
pregnant Wistar rats. They received a daily oral administration of 103
or 3.103 mg/kg of the fungicide from the 6th to the 15th day of
gestation. On day 21 of gestation, the maternal and fetal toxicity
parameters and indices were determined. The administration of
cuprous oxide (Copper Sandoz) in Wistar rats, the period of
organogenesis, revealed no evidence of maternal toxicity or embryo
at the studied doses.
Abstract: The purpose of this work was to inspect the potential
of vincristine-dextran complex loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for
drug delivery to the brain.
The nanoparticles were stained with a fluorescence dye and their
plasma pharmacokinetic and brain concentrations were investigated
following injection to rats.
The result revealed a significant improvement in the plasma
concentration profile of the SLN injected animals as well as a sharp
increased concentration in the brains.
Abstract: Oxidative stress and overwhelming free radicals
associated with diabetes mellitus are likely to be linked with
development of certain complication such as retinopathy,
nephropathy and neuropathy. Treatment of diabetic subjects with
antioxidant may be of advantage in attenuating these complications.
Olive leaf (Oleaeuropaea), has been endowed with many beneficial
and health promoting properties mostly linked to its antioxidant
activity. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of
supplementation of Olive leaves extract (OLE) in reducing oxidative
stress, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Sterptozotocin (STZ)-
induced diabetic rats. After induction of diabetes, a significant rise in
plasma glucose, lipid profiles except High density lipoproteincholestrol
(HDLc), malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant decrease
of plasma insulin, HDLc and Plasma reduced glutathione GSH as
well as alteration in enzymatic antioxidants was observed in all
diabetic animals. During treatment of diabetic rats with 0.5g/kg body
weight of Olive leaves extract (OLE) the levels of plasma (MDA)
,(GSH), insulin, lipid profiles along with blood glucose and
erythrocyte enzymatic antioxidant enzymes were significantly
restored to establish values that were not different from normal
control rats. Untreated diabetic rats on the other hand demonstrated
persistent alterations in the oxidative stress marker (MDA), blood
glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and the antioxidant parameters. These
results demonstrate that OLE may be of advantage in inhibiting
hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress induced by
diabetes and suggest that administration of OLE may be helpful in
the prevention or at least reduced of diabetic complications
associated with oxidative stress.
Abstract: This study examined the toxicological effects and
safety of polypeptide k isolated from the seeds of Momordica
charantia in laboratory rats. 30 male Sprague Dawley rats (12 weeks
old, bodyweight 180-200 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups
(1000 mg/kg, 500 mg and 0 mg/kg). Rats were acclimatized to
laboratory conditions for 7 days and at day 8 rats were dosed orally
with polypeptide k (in 2% DMSO/normal saline) and the controls
received the dosed vehicle only. Rats were then observed for 72
hours before sacrificed. Rats were anaesthetized by pentobarbital
(50 mg/kg ip) and 2-3.0 mL of blood was taken by cardiac puncture
and rats were scarified by anaesthetic overdose. Immediately, organs
(heart, lungs, liver, kidneys) were weigh and taken for histology.
Organ sections were then evaluated by a histopathologist. Serum
samples were assayed for liver functions (ALT and γ-GT) and kidney
functions (BUN and creatinine). All rats showed normal behavior
after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in all blood
parameters and organ weight. Histological examinations revealed
normal organ structures. In conclusion, dosing of rats up to 1000
mg/kg did not have any effects on the rat behavior, liver or kidney
functions nor histology of the selected organs.
Abstract: Anxiety is a common disorder that attacks many people in society and often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, insensitivity and etc. The purpose of this study is to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of DEV (dichloromethane extracts of valerian) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats. DEV was dissolved in DMSO and orally administered at different doses to adult male wistar rats, 0.5, 1.5 and 3 hours before behavioral evaluation in an EPM respectively. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of DMSO. Single treatment of DEV (at 0.1,0.2. 0.3, and 0.4 g/kg) significantly increased time-spent and arm entries into open arms of EPM versus control groups (p
Abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic
relapsing-remitting condition that afflicts millions of people
throughout the world and impairs their daily functions and quality of
life. Treatment of IBD depends largely on 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-
ASA) and corticosteroids. The present study aimed to clarify the
effects of 5-aminosalicylic acid, budesonide and currcumin on 90
male albino rats against trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB) induced
colitis. TNB was injected intrarectally to 50 rats. The other 40 rats
served as control groups. Both 5-ASA (in a dose of 120 mg/kg) and
budesonide (in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg) were administered daily for one
week whereas currcumin was injected intraperitonially (in a dose of
30 mg/kg daily) for 14 days after injection of either TNB in the
colitis rats (group B) or saline in control groups (group A). The study
included estimation of macroscopic score index, histological
examination of H&E stained sections of the colonic tissue,
biochemical estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide
(NO), and caspase-3 levels, in addition to studying the effect of tested
drugs on colonic motility. It was found that budesonide and curcumin
improved mucosal healing, reduced both NO production and caspase-
3 level. They had the best impact on the disturbed colonic motility in
TNBS-model of colitis.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to observe the effect
of Plantago psyllium on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in
normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. To investigate the effect of
Plantago psyllium 40 rats were included in this study divided into
four groups of ten rats in each group. One group A was normal,
second group B was diabetic, third group C was non diabetic and
hypercholesterolemic and fourth group D was diabetic and
hypercholesterolemic. Two groups B and D were made diabetic by
intraperitonial injection of alloxan dissolved in 1mL distilled water at
a dose of 125mg/Kg of body weight. Two groups C and D were
made hypercholesterolemic by oral administration of powder
cholesterol (1g/Kg of body weight). The blood samples from all the
rats were collected from coccygial vein on 1st day, then on 21st and
42nd day respectively. All the samples were analyzed for blood
glucose and cholesterol level by using enzymatic kits. The blood
glucose and cholesterol levels of treated groups of rats showed
significant reduction after 7 weeks of treatment with Plantago
psyllium. By statistical analysis of results it was found that Plantago
psyllium has anti-diabetic and hypocholesterolemic activity in
diabetic and hypercholesterolemic albino rats.
Abstract: Recent studies demonstrated that high-fat diet increases oxidative stress in plasma and in a variety of tissues. Many researchers have been looking for natural products, which can reverse the effect of high fat diet. Recently, buckwheat is becoming common ingredient in functional food because of it properties. In study on buckwheat, it is known that, this plant plays roles as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive. Nevertheless still little is known about buckwheat groats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of buckwheat groats to the fat diet (30% lard), on some antioxidant and oxidant stress parameters in plasma and selected tissues in Wistar rats. The experiment was carried out with three months old male Wistar rats ca. 250g of body weight fed for 5 weeks with either a high-fat (30% of lard) diet or control diet, with or without addition of buckwheat groats. In plasma biochemistry and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were measured selected tissues: glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and the levels of total and reduced glutathione (GSH), free thiol groups (pSH), antioxidant potential of plasma (FRAP) and oxidant stress indices - proteins carbonyl groups (CO) and malonyldialdehyde concentration (MDA). Activity of catalase (CAT) in plasma of rats was significantly increased in buckwheat groats groups and activity of GPx3 in plasma of rats was decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to control group. The reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma of rats was significantly increased and protein CO was significantly decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to controls. The lowered concentration of GSH was found in serum of rats fed buckwheat groats addition but it accompanied in 7-fold increase in reduced-to-oxidized glutatione ratio, significant increase in HDL and decrease in nonHDL concentration. Conclusions: Buckwheat groats indicate a beneficial effect in inhibiting protein and lipid peroxidation in rats and improved lipid profile. These results suggest that buckwheat groats exert a significant antioxidant potential and may be used as normal food constituent to ameliorate the oxidant-induced damage in organism.