Protective effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) against diethylnitrosamine-induced renal injury in rats

Abstract

Context: The kidney plays a central role in detoxification and excretion of toxic metabolites, and therefore, is susceptible to toxicity by xenobiotics.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) powder and its essential (volatile) oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced renal injury in rats.

Materials and methods: Phenolic and flavonoid components were characterised in rosemary powder using HPLC-UV instrument while rosemary essential oil (E.O) was investigated via GC-MS technique. In rat model, rosemary was administrated orally (in diet) for two months. Lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers, kidney functions and histopathological examinations were assessed.

Results: Hesperidin (4878.88?ppm) and ellagic acid (403.57?ppm) are among the major phenolic and flavonoid constituents in rosemary powder. Camphor (18.36%) and α-pinene (12.74%) represent the main E.O active ingredients. Rats treated with rosemary E.O showed a significant elevation in serum HDL (28.28%) accompanied by a decrease in LDL (115.47%). A significant decrease in serum creatinine and urea was also reported (69.72 and 109.89%, respectively). Moreover, serum glutathione peroxidise (GSH-Px) activity has been significantly increased. Kidney histopathological examinations confirmed the protective effect against DEN-induced abnormalities.

Conclusion: Rosemary (powder/E.O) was able to reduce or even prevent the severity of diethylnitrosamine-induced renal dysfunction.     

Changes in the water status and osmotic solute contents in response to drought and salicylic acid treatments in four different cultivars of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

Salicylic acid (SA) controls growth and stress responses in plants. It also induces drought tolerance in plants. In this paper, four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with different drought responses were treated with SA in three levels of drain (90, 60, 30% of maximum field capacity) to examine its interactive effects on drought responses and contents of osmotic solutes that may be involved in growth and osmotic adjustment. Under drought condition, the cultivars Geza 164 and Sakha 69 had the plant biomass and leaf relative water content (LRWC) greater than the cultivars Gemaza 1 and Gemaza 3. In all cultivars, drought stress decreased the biomass, LRWC, and the contents of inorganic solutes (Ca, K, Mg) and largely increased the contents of organic solutes (soluble sugars and proline). By contrast, SA increased the biomass, LRWC and the inorganic and organic solute contents, except proline. Correlation analysis revealed that the LRWC correlated positively with the inorganic solute contents but negatively with proline in all cultivars. SA caused maximum accumulations of soluble sugars in roots under drought. These results indicated that SA-enhanced tolerance might involve solute accumulations but independently of proline biosynthesis. Drought-sensitive cultivars had a trait lowering Ca and K levels especially in shoots. Possible functions of the ions and different traits of cultivars were discussed.     

Comparative assessment of the bactericidal effect of nanoparticles of copper oxide,silver, and chitosan-silver against Escherichia coli infection in broilers

Escherichia coli infection is considered one of the most economically important multi-systemic diseases in poultry farms. Several nanoparticles such as silver, chitosan, and copper oxide are known to be highly toxic to several microbes. However, there are no data concerning their success against in vivo experimental E. coli infection in broilers. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the bactericidal effect of low doses of CuO-NPs (5 mg/kg bwt), Ag-NPs (0.5 mg/kg bwt), and Ch-Ag NPs (0.5 mg/kg bwt) against E. coli experimental infection in broilers. One hundred chicks were divided into five groups as follows: (1) control; (2) E. coli (4 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) challenged; (3) E. coli +CuO-NPs; (4) E. coli +Ag-NPs; (5) E. coli +Ch-Ag NPs. The challenged untreated group, not NPs treated groups, recorded the lowest weight gain as well as the highest bacterial count and lesion score in all examined organs. The highest liver content of silver was observed in Ag-NPs treated group compared with the Ch-Ag NPs treated group. Our results concluded that Ch-Ag NPs not only had the best antibacterial effects but also acted as a growth promoter in broilers without leaving any residues in edible organs. We recommend using Ch-Ag NPs in broiler farms instead of antibiotics or probiotics.     

Neuropathological and Cognitive Effects Induced by CuO-NPs in Rats and Trials for Prevention Using Pomegranate Juice

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO‐NPs) are extensively utilized in several industries and in pharmaceutical production. This excess exposure elevates the concern about its expected poisonous impacts on humans and animals. Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a natural source of polyphenols and exhibits potent antioxidant activities. Our experiment intended to explore the neurobehavioral and toxicopathological impacts of CuO-NPs and to explain the mechanistic role of PJ to reduce their toxicity. Thirty Wistar albino rats received the subsequent materials through oral gavage, every day for 28d: (1) normal saline, (2) 3 mL/kg bwt PJ, (3) 6 mL/kg bwt PJ, (4) 300 mg/kg bwt CuO-NPs, (5) CuO-NPs?+?3 mL/kg bwt PJ, (6) CuO-NPs?+?6 mL/kg bwt PJ. Continuous exposure to CuO-NPs caused a significant elevation of MDA levels and reduction of total antioxidant capacity associated with remarkable pathological alterations in all brain regions including cerebrum, hippocampus and cerebellum. Progressive decline of memory along with cognitive and psychiatric disturbances were observed in rats exposed to CuO-NPs not in PJ co-treated rats. Continuous exposure to CuO-NPs caused over expression of the immunohistochemical markers of caspase-3, iNOS and GFAP altogether with DAN fragmentation and down-regulation of HO-1 and Nrf2 gene in the whole brain tissues. Conversely, rats co-treated with PJ showed dose dependent improvements in the entire toxicological, behavioral, and pathological parameters. We showed that PJ had the ability to reduce the oxidative stress damage via up-regulation of HO-1 and Nrf2 genes in the brain. So that PJ had the ability to protect the brain and DNA from further damage.

     

A Comprehensive Study on the Mechanistic Way of Hexaflumuron and Hymexazol Induced Neurobehavioral Toxicity in Rats

Neurochemical Research - Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to kill pests, but their action is non-selective and results in several hazardous effects on humans and animals. Pesticide...     

Phytochemicals,antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on diethylnitrosamine toxicity in rats

Context: Chronic liver damage has serious medical consequences.

Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of dry Zingiber officinale (ginger) and its essential (volatile) oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) toxicity in rats.

Materials and methods: Phenols and flavonoids components were characterized in dry ginger using HPLC-UV instrument while ginger essential oil (E.O.) was investigated via GC-MS technique. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro. In rat model, ginger was administrated for 2 months. Lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers, liver functions and histopathology were assessed.

Results: Chlorogenic acid (63.85?ppm) and hesperidin (156.91?ppm) are among the major phenolic and flavonoid constituents in dry ginger. Curcumene (15.21%) and linalool (13.47%) represent the main E.O. constituents. In rats treated with ginger E.O., a significant elevation in serum HDL (31.14%) was accompanied by a decrease in LDL (55.14%). A significant decrease in serum ALT and ALP was reported (56.85% and 53.84%, respectively). Serum GSH-Px activity has significantly increased 75.06%. Meanwhile, E.O. showed anticancer potential against HepG2 cell line (IC₅₀?=?40?µg/mL). Liver histopathological examinations confirmed the protective effect against abnormalities.

Conclusion: Ginger was able to reduce the severity of DEN-cytotoxicity in rats, which suggests a novel antioxidant role originating from this medicinal plant.     

Neurobehavioral Toxicity Induced by Carbendazim in Rats and the Role of iNOS,Cox-2, and NF-κB Signalling Pathway

Neurochemical Research - Carbendazim (CBZ) is one of the most common fungicides used to fight plant fungal diseases, otherwise, it leaves residue on fruits, vegetables, and soil that contaminate...