Aflatoxin B1 (AF) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant that contaminates food, feed, and grains, which seriously threatens human and animal health. Arabic gum (AG) has recently evoked much ...attention owing to its promising therapeutic potential. Thus, the current study was conducted to look into the possible mechanisms beyond the ameliorative activity of AG against AF-inflicted hepatic injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: Control, AG (7.5 g/kg b.w/day, orally), AF (200 µg/kg b.w), and AG plus AF group. AF induced marked liver damage expounded by considerable changes in biochemical profile and histological architecture. The oxidative stress stimulated by AF boosted the production of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level along with decreases in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally, AF exposure was associated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid2–related factor2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) protein expression in liver tissue. Apoptotic cascade has also been evoked following AF-exposure, as depicted in overexpression of cytochrome c (Cyto c), cleaved Caspase3 (Cl. Casp3), along with enhanced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor/p65 (NF-κB/p65) mRNA expression levels. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents of AG may reverse the induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF-exposed animals.
N-nitrosodiethylamine (ND) is an extremely toxic unavoidable environmental contaminant. CopperII-albumin (CuAB) complex, a newly developed Cu complex, showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ...potential. Hereby, we explored the plausible neuroprotective role of CuAB complex toward ND-evoked neurotoxicity in mice. Twenty-four male mice were sorted into 4 groups (6 mice each). Control group, mice were administered oral distilled water; and CuAB group, mice received CuAB complex at a dose of 817 µg/kg orally, three times weekly. In ND group, ND was given intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 6 w). CuAB+ND group, mice were administered a combination of CuAB and ND. The brain was quickly extracted upon completion of the experimental protocol for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological examination. Oxidative stress was induced after ND exposure indicated by a reduction in GSH and SOD1 level, with increased MDA level. In addition, decreased expression of SOD1 proteins, Nrf2, and 5-HT mRNA expression levels were noticed. An apoptotic cascade has also been elicited, evidenced by overexpression of Cyt c, Cl. Casp 3. In addition, increased regulation of proinflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, Casp1, and NF-κB (p65/p50); besides, increment of protein expression of P-IKBα and reduced expression of IKBα. Pretreatment with CuAB complex significantly ameliorated ND neuronal damage. Our results recommend CuAB complex supplementation because it exerts neuroprotective effects against ND-induced toxicity.
Various herbal compounds are used for medical purposes due to their safety, as there are no or minimal side effects. This study was performed to assess the wound healing and antioxidant activities of ...ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanolic extract (MeoH) of Solenostemma arghel (S. arghel). Their antifungal activities were also evaluated against isolated swabs of equine wounds. They underwent GC-MS analysis for the characterization of both extracts. For wound healing evaluation, forty-five male albino rats were divided into three groups; the control group was treated with normal saline, and the other two groups were treated with S. arghel EtOAc and MeoH extract gels, respectively. The wounds were examined clinicopathologically and immunohistochemistry on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days post-wounding. GC-Ms analysis of S. arghel recorded fifty-one volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within EtOAc extraction and thirty VOCs in MeoH extract. VOCs represented in EtOAc extract showed higher antioxidant activity and better and faster wound healing than VOCs of MeOH extract. The treated groups showed improved wound healing clinically and pathologically in comparison with the control group as they decreased the wound surface area (WSA) and percent (WSA%) and increased the wound contraction percent (WC%), epithelization, fibroblast proliferation with neovascularization, and reduced the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the treated groups showed higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with the control. The EtOAc extract showed higher antifungal activity against Penicillium funiculosum, P. jensenii, M. cinctum, and Candida albicans, which were isolated from infected clinical equine wounds, than MeOH extract. The treated groups showed improved wound healing clinically and pathologically in comparison with the control group as they decreased the wound surface area (WSA) and percent (WSA%) and increased the wound contraction percent (WC%), epithelization, fibroblast proliferation with neovascularization, and reduced the inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the treated groups showed higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compared with the control. Additionally, the two extract gels showed promising healing of equine wounds. In conclusion, the study recommended the use of S. arghel EtOAc extract as it was proven to promote wound healing compared with MeoH extract.
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were green synthesized using the aqueous extract of banana peels. CuO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) ...spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Analyses confirmed the formation of crystalline CuO with 15 nm particle size and 9 m2g-1 surface area. The current study is an endeavor to explore the in vivo impact of acute different oral doses of the synthesized CuO NPs. One hundred and fifty adult male albino rats were used, they divided into 5 groups, each group contained 3 replicates (n = 30). Rats were administered suspension of CuO NPs using oral gavage in different concentrations (0, 100, 200,1000, and 2000 mg/kg) as a single dose. Liver and kidney function markers (AST, ALP, ALP, urea and creatinine) as well as antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione reductase) were evaluated 2, 8 and 15 days after administration. The results revealed a high mortality rate with rats receiving 1000 and 2000 mg/kg (16% and 30.7%, respectively). Further, within the same high doses, rats showed marked elevation of serum AST, ALP, ALP, urea and creatinine after 2, 8 and 15 days from administration. However, the activity of catalase enzyme declined significantly at the same timepoints with the former high doses. Moreover, the activity of glutathione reductase enzyme in the liver homogenate showed marked decrease after administration of all CuO NPs doses. In conclusion, the harmful effect of CuO NPs appears with the higher dose so, attention should be considered during use of CuO NPs as nutritive supplements.
The aminoglycoside Gentamicin is a commonly used antibiotic counteracting the Gram-ve microorganisms. Rats administered with Gentamicin showing a reduced testicular weight and inhibited ...spermatogenesis, as gentamicin generates ROS, decreasing the antioxidant reserve and accelerate mitochondrial dysfunction which then leads to apoptosis and testicular tissue destruction. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin and/or quercetin on the gentamicin induced testicular damage or toxicity in sexually mature adult rats. Pre-treatment with curcumin and/or quercetin, markedly inhibited and ameliorated the reduction in sperm count, viability, motility and sperm production in gentamicin treated rats. Moreover, curcumin and/or quercetin, significantly reduce teratospermia including head or tail abnormalities that observed in the gentamicin treated rats. These abnormalities were effectively normalized by curcumin and/or quercetin pretreatment improving the testicular tissue via counteracting of ROS, improvement of spermatogenesis and ameliorate the sperms quality and quantity. In conclusion supplementation of curcumin and/or quercetin improving the sperm count and morphology via testicular cell repair, counteracting the undesirable effect of gentamicin.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that manifests as cartilage deterioration and subchondral bone sclerosis in the joint tissues. The weight-bearing joint is most severely impacted by OA. According ...to some research, consuming foods high in copper albumin complex (cu-albumin complex) can help with OA-related joint degeneration and pain relief. The current study's objective to determine how oral administration of the cu-albumin complex as an anti-inflammatory medication affected the development of rat knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Fifty adult albino rats were divided into three groups: negative control untreated (n= 10, no KOA induction); positive untreated control (n= 20, KOA induction); and treated group (n= 20, KOA induction with administration of cu-albumin complex). According to the severity of the clinical symptoms, treated and untreated arthritic groups were equally divided into mild and severe groups (n=10). Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) was used as intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis induction. Rats were euthanized after a month of the beginning of the experiment, and the joints were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. It was indicated that the treatment was effective in reducing KOA severity and in improvement of chondroitin sulfate of the affected cartilages. In conclusion, the structure of the chondroitin sulphate in the knee joint cartilages of KOA-affected rats was modified by the cu-albumin complex.
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out during winter agricultural season 2020/2021 in Babylon Governorate in at Tajieh region, southeast of Hilla city, to study the effect of planting dates and ...nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of safflower. The experiment included two factors: planting dates (1 and 15 November and 1 December), and nitrogen fertilizer at levels (0, 90, 120 and 150 kgN.ha-1), the treatments were distributed in a factorial experiment with a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed significant superiority of planting date at December 1 on most growth and yield components parameters, it recorded the highest averages on seed yield, dry matter yield and harvest index amounted to 1576.2, 6126.0 kg.ha-1 and 25.6% respectively. However, nitrogen fertilizer at concentration 150 kg N.ha-1 affected all growth and yield and its components, it gave the highest averages for seed yield, dry matter yield and harvest index amounted to 1762.2, 6626.8 kg.ha-1 and 26.6%, respectively.
•A complete fully three–dimensional, steady-state, non-isothermal model is developed.•Examining performance parameters as function of Reynolds number is misleading.•Employing nanofluids in a ...microchannel heat sink is impractical as water is cheaper and safer.
Effective thermal management is a key for the continuous development of electronics, which are characteristics of modern life. It has a great effect on the lifetime, durability and reliability of these systems. A liquid-cooled microchannel heat sink is a compacted cooling part that used to provide better heat dissipation rates and low temperatures in electronic components. Nanofluids have been introduced as effective coolants to be employed in this type of heat sink to increase the heat dissipation rate. However, a comparative assessment of the thermal performance between commonly used nanofluids and water as coolants for microchannel heat sinks is still lacking. For this purpose, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD), non-isothermal, three-dimensional detailed model has been developed to simulate and analyze the fluid flow and heat transfer physiognomies. The results show that examining performance parameters as functions of Reynolds number is misleading since the thermophysical properties are different among each coolant, and that employing nanofluids in a microchannel heat sink is impractical as water is cheaper and safer.
Aflatoxin Bsub.1 (AF) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant that contaminates food, feed, and grains, which seriously threatens human and animal health. Arabic gum (AG) has recently evoked much ...attention owing to its promising therapeutic potential. Thus, the current study was conducted to look into the possible mechanisms beyond the ameliorative activity of AG against AF-inflicted hepatic injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: Control, AG (7.5 g/kg b.w/day, orally), AF (200 µg/kg b.w), and AG plus AF group. AF induced marked liver damage expounded by considerable changes in biochemical profile and histological architecture. The oxidative stress stimulated by AF boosted the production of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level along with decreases in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally, AF exposure was associated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid2–related factor2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) protein expression in liver tissue. Apoptotic cascade has also been evoked following AF-exposure, as depicted in overexpression of cytochrome c (Cyto c), cleaved Caspase3 (Cl. Casp3), along with enhanced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor/p65 (NF-κB/p65) mRNA expression levels. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents of AG may reverse the induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF-exposed animals.