An Ethanolic Extract of Cucurbita pepo L. Seeds Modifies Neuroendocrine Disruption in Chronic Stressed Rats and Adrenal Expression of Inflammatory Markers and HSP70

Background: Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.) were described to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, and antidepressant-like effect. The adrenal gland is an important stress-responsive organ that maintains homeostasis during stress.Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the administration of Cucurbita pepo L. (CP) extract in relieving behavioral, biochemical, and structural changes in the adrenal gland induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and to explore the mechanism behind this impact.Materials and Methods: Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): control, CUMS, fluoxetine-treated, and CP-treated groups. Behavioral changes, corticosterone level, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and oxidant/antioxidant profile were assessed in the serum at the end of the experiment. Adrenal glands were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment. Gene expression of caspase-3 and Ki67 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were assessed in adrenal glands using RT-PCR.Results: The CP extract significantly reduced the corticosterone level (p < 0.001), immobility time (p < 0.001), and inflammatory and oxidative changes associated with CUMS-induced depression compared to the untreated group. The CP extract alleviated CUMS-induced adrenal histopathological changes and significantly reduced apoptosis (p < 0.001) and significantly upregulated antioxidant levels in the serum.Conclusion:Cucurbita pepo L. effectively ameliorated the chronic stress-induced behavioral, biochemical, and adrenal structural changes mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

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L. Cucurbita pepo Alleviates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress via Modulation of Apoptosis, Neurogenesis, and Gliosis in Rat Hippocampus

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2021/6662649 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Nasra Ayuob ◽

Soad Ali Shaker ◽

Etedal Hawuit ◽

Nouf saeed Al-Abbas ◽

Nehad A. Shaer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Histological Structure ◽

Mild Stress ◽

Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress ◽

Potential Efficacy ◽

Immobility Time ◽

Nutritional Compounds

Pumpkin has received significant attention due to its nutritional compounds that have antioxidant, antifatigue, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study is aimed at assessing the antidepressant-like effect of L. Cucurbita pepo, sweet pumpkin, in an animal model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and investigating its effect on the histological structure of hippocampus compared to fluoxetine. Forty male albino rats assigned into the negative control, positive control (CUMS), and Flu-treated and pumpkin-treated groups ( n = 10 ) were utilized in this study. Exposing rats to CUMS continued for 28 days, and treatments used were applied during the last 14 days of exposure. Behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological changes were assessed after 28 days. In this study, pumpkin significantly reduced the immobility time ( p = 0.02 ), corticosterone ( p < 0.001 ), TNF-α, IL-6 ( p < 0.001 ), and malondialdehyde ( p = 0.003 ), whereas it significantly increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the serum of rats exposed to CUMS. Pumpkin markedly relieved the degenerative and atrophic changes observed in the CA3 region and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. It significantly reduced caspase-3 and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoexpression in the CA3 and DG. In conclusion, administration of pumpkin extract improved the behavioral, biochemical, and hippocampal pathological alternations induced in rats after exposure to CUMS in a comparable pattern to fluoxetine. This study highlighted the potential efficacy of pumpkin in alleviating depression disorder either alone or in conjugation with conventional antidepressant therapy.

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Musk (Moschus moschiferus) Attenuates Changes in Main Olfactory Bulb of Depressed Mice: Behavioral, Biochemical, and Histopathological Evidence

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnbeh.2021.704180 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Hailah M. Almohaimeed ◽

Ashwaq H. Batawi ◽

Zuhair M. Mohammedsaleh ◽

Soad Al Jaouni ◽

Samiah A. Mutlq Alsawat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Olfactory Bulb ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Corticosterone Level ◽

Mild Stress ◽

Main Olfactory Bulb ◽

Immobility Time ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Moschus Moschiferus

BackgroundMusk (Moschus moschiferus) has been described to have a significant impact on the central nervous system, as well as anticonvulsion and antidepressant effects. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of musk in alleviating alterations induced in olfactory bulb of depressed mice exposed to chronic stress and identify the mechanism behind it.MethodsFifty male albino mice were divided into five groups (n = 10 each): control, musk, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), fluoxetine-treated, and musk-treated groups were included in this study. Behavioral changes and serum levels of corticosterone and proinflammatory cytokines included tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and oxidant/antioxidant profile were assessed at the end of the experiment. Main olfactory bulb (MOB) has been processed for histopathological examination. Gene expression of caspase-3, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Ki67 were assessed in the MOB using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe study showed that musk inhalation significantly reduced (p < 0.001) corticosterone level, immobility time, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in CUMS-exposed mice compared to the untreated CUMS group. Musk lessened CUMS-associated neuronal alterations in the MOB and significantly reduced apoptosis and enhanced neural cell proliferation (p < 0.001) comparable to fluoxetine. Musk significantly enhanced the level of antioxidants in the serum and significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of musk and its constituents seemed to be behind its neuroprotective effect observed in this study.ConclusionMusk effectively ameliorated the chronic stress–induced behavioral, biochemical, and neuronal structural changes in MOB mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

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EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE RADIATION ON ADRENAL GLAND OF MALE ALBINO RATS

Journal of Anatomical Sciences - Volume 27(2), December 2019 ◽

10.46351/jas.v28i1pp07-17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shalini Gupta ◽

Shilpi Jain ◽

Satyam Khare ◽

Prateek Gautam

Keyword(s):

Adrenal Gland ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Radiation Exposure ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Adrenal Glands ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Hormonal Changes ◽

Mobile Phone Radiation

Introduction: The tremendous growth in telecommunication world has increased the number of mobile phone users to many folds. The benefits of cell phones are just half the picture. The other half may be a darker one. The main aim of this study is to observe the effect of electromagnetic radiation being emitted by mobile phones on adrenal gland microanatomy and the hormones released by the gland on male albino rats. Materials and methods: Forty-two male albino rats of Spargue-Dawley species were divided into two equal groups. The experimental group rats were exposed to mobile phone radiation operating at 900 MHz while the control group rats were not. At the end of every two months, seven rats were sacrificed to analyse histological and hormonal changes. Results: No changes were seen at the cellular level of the adrenal glands even after six months of radiation exposure. Hormonal assay showed a variation in the cortisol levels of the rats but the changes were within normal range. Conclusions: Lack of appreciable changes in the cellular morphology and hormonal levels even after six months of radiation exposure signify that the adrenal glands are not affected by exposure to mobile phones.

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Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Different Extracts of Holoptelia Integrifolia

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology - Regular Issue ◽

10.35940/ijitee.a9584.119119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 5234-5240

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Nitric Oxide Radical ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Wistar Albino Rats

Medicinal plants are play significant impact in the personal medicine for most of the people all over the world as an alternative live saving medicines and most of their medicinal properties are well known for anticancer activity. The different extracts of Holoptelea integrifolia (H.integrifolia) leaves, stem bark and fruits were studied as a potent natural source of antimicrobial, antioxidant and wound healing potential. This work was carried out to evaluate antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of different extracts of H.integrifolia. The antimicrobial activity of the H.integrifolia ethanolic extract was studied against five fungal and bacterial strains by utilizing the agar well diffusion method and MIC. Among several strain, the ethanolic extract of fruit has shown higher antimicrobial inhibition zone as 9.25-16 mm compare to other two extracts of stem and leaves as 10- 13.25 mm and 6-10.2 mm respectively. The antioxidant activities for different extract were also determined by DPPH free radical assay, Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging and Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging Activity method. The anti-inflammatory activity also estimated basedon formalin induced paw edema method on Wistar albino rats. The different extracts of leaves, stem bark and fruit parts of Holoptelea integrifolia were estimated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against the animal model of female Wistar albino rats. The results of anti-inflammatory activity revealed that the Ethanol extracts showed vital and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects. Our findings revealed that aerial parts of H.integrifolia contais potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which expose the medicinal potential of the selected plant could be a significant drug candidates against microbial, oxidative and inflammation-related pathological processes as a future alternative medicine.

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Pharmacological Evaluation of Antipyretic, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia fistula

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-4531 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

D.K. Sharma ◽

S.K. Sharma ◽

M.K. Lonare ◽

Rajdeep Kaur ◽

V.K. Dumka

Keyword(s):

Analgesic Activity ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Bark Extract ◽

Control Group ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Hot Plate ◽

Antipyretic Activity ◽

Tail Immersion ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Background: The antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of two concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract of leaf, bark, flower and fruit pulp of C. fistula were determined in male wistar albino rats. Methods: Antipyretic activity was assessed by E. coli endotoxin induced pyrexia. Analgesic activity was assessed by hot plate, tail immersion and acetic acid induced writhing test. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. Result: Significant (p less than 0.05) antipyretic activity was exhibited from 2h onwards by bark extract @ 200 mg/kg and from 3h onwards by bark extract @100 mg/kg and leaves extract @ 200mg/kg as compared to control group. Significant (p less than 0.05) analgesic activity was shown by extract of bark @ 200 mg/kg as it is evident by increase in reflex time in hot plate (90,120,180 min), tail immersion test (120,180 min) and inhibition of writhing (32.12%). Significant (p less than 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity was exhibited from 3h post administration by bark @ 200 and leaves @ 100 and 200 mg/kg.

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Oral supplementation with geranium oil or anise oil ameliorates depressed rat-related symptoms through oils antioxidant effects

Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1515/jcim-2019-0028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karima A. El-Shamy ◽

Khaled M. M. Koriem ◽

Nevein N. Fadl ◽

Marwa H. A. El-Azma ◽

Mahmoud S. S. Arbid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Cortex ◽

Oral Intake ◽

Chronic Mild Stress ◽

Preference Test ◽

Tail Suspension Test ◽

Psychiatric Disease ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Mild Stress ◽

Immobility Time ◽

Antioxidant Effects

AbstractBackgroundDepression is a psychiatric disease condition and the chronic mild stress (CMS) model is a well-known and valuable animal model of depression. Geranium oil and anise oil were chosen for such a study. The aim of this research was to establish the geranium oil and anise oil effect to ameliorate CMS-related symptoms.MethodsThis research included 80 male albino rats each group of 10 rats and the animals were divided into two major groups: normal and CMS. The normal group was subdivided into four (control, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with saline, geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks. The CMS group was subdivided into four (CMS without any treatment, CMS + geranium oil, CMS + anise oil and CMS + venlafaxine drug) subgroups treated orally with geranium oil, anise oil and venlafaxine drug, respectively, for 4 weeks.ResultsThe sucrose consumption in sucrose preference test, the distance traveled test and center square entries test were decreased, while center square duration test, immobility time in tail suspension test and floating time in forced swimming test were increased in CMS. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and catalase levels decreased but malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels increased in brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus areas in CMS. The oral intake of geranium oil and anise oil pushes all these parameters to approach the control levels. These results were supported by histopathological investigations of both brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissues.ConclusionsGeranium oil and anise oil ameliorate CMS-related symptoms and this effect were related to the antioxidant effects of oils.

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Secondary Metabolite Profiling, Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Activity of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26237353 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (23) ◽

pp. 7353

Author(s):

Nasir Aziz Wagay ◽

Shah Rafiq ◽

Mohammad Aslam Rather ◽

Younas Rasheed Tantray ◽

Feng Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Protein ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Liver Weight ◽

Hepatoprotective Activity ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Total Lipids ◽

Anti Inflammatory

The present study aimed to analyze the phytoconstituents of Neptunia triquetra (Vahl) Benth. Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of ethanol (EE), chloroform (CE) and dichloromethane (DCME) of stem extracts were evaluated using in vivo experimental models. The extracts were analyzed for phytoconstituents using GC-HRMS. Anti-inflammatory activity of CE, EE and DCME was accessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet-induced granuloma and the carrageenan-induced air-pouch model in Wistar albino rats. The hepatotoxicity-induced animal models were investigated for the biochemical markers in serum (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total lipids and total protein) and liver (total protein, total lipids, GSH and wet liver weight). In the in vivo study, animals were divided into different groups (six in each group) for accessing the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity, respectively. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the presence of 102 compounds, among which 24 were active secondary metabolites. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of stem extracts was found in the order: indomethacin > chloroform extract (CE) > dichloromethane extract (DCME) > ethanolic extract (EE), and hepatoprotective activity of stem extracts in the order: CE > silymarin > EE > DCME. The results indicate that N. triquetra stem has a higher hepatoprotective effect than silymarin, however the anti-inflammatory response was in accordance with or lower than indomethacin.

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NLRP1-Mediated Antidepressant Effect of Ketamine in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model in Rats

Psychiatry Investigation ◽

10.30773/pi.2019.0189 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 283-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Feyza Aricioğlu ◽

Canan Yalcinkaya ◽

Ceren Sahin Ozkartal ◽

Erdem Tuzun ◽

Serap Sirvanci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preference Test ◽

Receptor Protein ◽

Antidepressant Effect ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Mild Stress ◽

Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress ◽

Nlrp1 Inflammasome ◽

Immobility Time ◽

Wistar Albino Rats

Objective NOD-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1) inflammasome complex has been recently associated with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression. Our aim was to investigate whether ketamine-induced antidepressant effect is associated with suppression of NLRP1.Methods Wistar albino rats were divided into control, CUMS, CUMS+acute ketamine (a single 10 mg/kg dose) and CUMS+chronic ketamine (daily 10 mg/kg injections for 3 weeks) groups (n=10 for each group). Sucrose preference test and forced swimming test were performed to assess anhedonia and immobility time respectively for the severety of depression symptoms. Brain tissues were dissected and prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions were used for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis.Results CUMS procedure significantly induced depressive-like symptoms whereas both acute and chronic ketamine treatment ameliorated them. mRNA expression levels of NLRP1, caspase 1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), NF-κB, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, IL-1β, IL-6, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and purinergic 2×7 receptor (P2X7R) and numbers of Iba- 1+and GFAP+glial cells were reduced by acute and/or chronic ketamine treatment.Conclusion In the present study for the first time upstream and downstream elements of the NLRP1 inflammasome complex are shown to be suppressed by ketamine thus reinforcing the involvement of NLRP1 in the physiopathology of depression.

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Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Effects of Azolla pinnata Ethanolic Extract against Lead-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9101014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1014

Author(s):

Ahmed Shaaban Abd Elrasoul ◽

Ahmed Abdelmoniem Mousa ◽

Sahar Hassan Orabi ◽

Mostafa Abd El-Gaber Mohamed ◽

Shaban M. Gad-Allah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Acetate ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Hepatic Tissue ◽

Control Group ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Phytochemical Analysis ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

The Third ◽

Anti Inflammatory

The current study investigated the protective potential of Azolla pinnate ethanolic extract (APE) against lead-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixty male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 10). The control group was orally administrated with saline. The second group received lead acetate (100 mg/kg body weight (BW) orally for 60 days). The third group was fed with APE (10 mg/kg BW orally for 60 days). The fourth group was administrated with lead acetate like the second group and APE like the third group, concomitantly, for 60 days. The fifth group was administrated with APE like the third group for 30 days, then orally administrated with the lead acetate like the second group for another 30 days. The sixth group was administrated with lead acetate like the second group for 30 days, then with APE like the third group for a further 30 days. Phytochemical analysis of APE indicated the presence of peonidin 3-O-glucoside cation, vitexin, rutin, thiamine, choline, tamarixetin, hyperoside, astragalin, and quercetin. The latter has been elucidated using one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS). Lead acetate increased the serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and that of urea, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 1β, hepatic tissue malondialdehyde contents, and caspase 3 protein expression, as well as altering the hepatic tissue architecture. However, it decreased the serum levels of interleukin 10 and glutathione (GSH) contents, and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in hepatic tissue. In contrast, the administration of APE ameliorated the lead-induced alterations in liver function and structure, exemplifying the benefits of Azolla’s phytochemical contents. Collectively, A. pinnate extract is a protective and curative agent against lead-induced hepatotoxicity via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic impacts.

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