Glycyrrhizic acid ameliorates submandibular gland oxidative stress, autophagy and vascular dysfunction in rat model of type 1 diabetes

The burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated complications is increasing worldwide, affecting many organ functionalities including submandibular glands (SMG). The present study aims to investigate the potential ameliorative effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on diabetes-induced SMG damage. Experimental evaluation of GA treatment was conducted on a rat model of type I diabetes. Animals were assigned to three groups; control, diabetic and GA treated diabetic groups. After 8 weeks, the SMG was processed for assessment of oxidative stress markers, autophagy related proteins; LC3, Beclin-1 and P62, vascular regulator ET-1, aquaporins (AQPs 1.4 and 5), SIRT1 protein expressions in addition to LC3 and AQP5 mRNA expressions. Also, parenchymal structures of the SMG were examined. GA alleviated the diabetes-induced SMG damage via restoring the SMG levels of oxidative stress markers and ET-1 almost near to the normal levels most probably via regulation of SIRT1, AQPs and accordingly LC-3, P62 and Beclin-1levels. GA could be a promising candidate for the treatment of diabetes-induced SMG damage via regulating oxidative stress, autophagy and angiogenesis.

Topamax® and Ginger Oil Potential Neurotoxicity And Their Interaction in Mice Thru Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Markers, Neurotransmitters Expression and Immunohistochemical Measurements

Background: Topamax® ® has multiple pharmacological mechanisms that are efficient to treat epilepsy and migraine. Ginger has been demonstrated to have gingerols and shogaols compounds that proven to cross the blood-brain barrier causing migraine relief, implying that it is useful in the treatment of migraines. Moreover, Topamax has many off-label uses. So it was necessary to explore the possible neurotoxicity of Topamax®, Ginger oil and their interaction in the mice brain. Methods and Results: Male mice were orally gavage with Topamax®, ginger oil (400mg/kg), and Topamax® plus ginger oil with the same pattern for one month. Oxidative stress markers, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α), were analyzed in brain tissue. Histopathological examination by hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and Bax expression analysis were done. The mRNA levels of GABAAR subunits, Gabra1, Gabra3, and Gabra5 were evaluated by RT qPCR. The analysis of data revealed that Topamax® elevated the levels of oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitters, TNF-α, and diminished the level of glutathione reduced (GSH). Topamax® exhibited various neuropathological alterations, strong Bax expression, and GFAP immune-reactivity in the cerebral cortex. The interaction effect of Topamax® plus ginger oil attenuated the changes induced by Topamax® in the abovementioned parameters. Both Topamax® and ginger oil upregulated the mRNA expression of gabra1 and gabra3 while their interaction markedly downregulated them. Conclusion: We can conclude that the Topamax® overdose could possibly cause neurotoxicity, but the interaction with ginger oil can reduce Topamax® -induced neurotoxicity and should be taken in parallel.

Evaluating the Effect of Electroconvulsive Shock and Duloxetine Combination Therapy on Behavioral, Cardiovascular, and Brain Oxidative Stress Markers in the Rats

Background: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) as a well-established and effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders is an excellent option to treat the major depressive disorder (MDD). The goal of this experimental study was to determine the possible sides effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and evaluate the safety of this therapeutic approach on behavioral factors, cardiovascular function, and brain oxidative stress markers on mice. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into different groups receiving either ECS or different doses (10, 20, 40, 80, or 120 mg) of duloxetine alone or together. We evaluated the behavioral factors associated with administration of ECS with or without duloxetine. In addition, we monitored the ECGs (electrocardiogram) of animals prior to and after the experiment and also evaluated the oxidative stress markers including TAC, MDA, and GSH mice’s brains. Results: We did not detect any significant differences in terms of heart rate, RR interval, PR interval, QT, or corrected QT (QTc) between groups that received different doses of duloxetine in combination with ECS compare to the control group. Our findings suggest that while administration of ECS solely increased the oxidative stress markers and decreased the antioxidant capacity of the brain, a combination of duloxetine and ECS at certain doses alleviates the oxidative stress condition and increases the antioxidant capacity of the brain. Conclusion: Overall, this study suggests that the combination of ECS and duloxetine is safe and considerable for further studies on human subjects.

Effect of Tamarindus indica juice intake on some oxidative stress markers in carbon tetrachloride induced rats

Tamarind tree is a multipurpose tree of which almost every part finds at least some use, either nutritional or medicinal. Due to its pleasant acidic taste and rich aroma, the pulp is widely used for domestic and industrial purpose. A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Tamarind juice intake in CCl4 induced oxidative stress albino rats. The Proximate, antinutrient, and Phytochemical contents of tamarind juice were analyzed using standard AOAC methods while mineral contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Oxidative stress markers were also analyzed using colorimetric assay kit. The serum levels of oxidative stress markers were compared between the normal and test groups. Experimental rats were divided into five groups: Normal control group, negative control (CCl4) group, standard drug (Vitamin C) group, tamarind low and high dose group. At the end of the experiment, significant increase in malondialdehyde level and decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and glutathione Peroxidase activities were recorded in CCl4-exposed rats as compared to normal control group. In the tamarind supplemented groups, the level of MDA along with the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx were comparable with the normal control rats (p>0.05). Thus, it appears that tamarind juice ameliorate the effect of CCl4; suggesting that consumption of natural compounds with an antioxidant profile may be a preventive alternative to those diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Nephroprotective Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Carissa carandas Leaves against Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Wistar Albino Rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Carissa carandas Linn. Leaves (EECC) in Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. The renal damage was induced by Gentamicin (80mg/kg body weight, i.p.). Nephroprotective activity was investigated by the administration of EECC at two different doses (100 and 200mg/kg body weight, p.o) for 28 days and by assessing serum parameters, renal oxidative stress markers and histopathological studies. Gentamicin-treated animals showed an increase in serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decrease in total protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase(CAT) compared to normal control animals, which indicates severe nephrotoxicity. Histopathological studies of kidney Gentamicin-treated animals showed extensive acute tubular necrosis and peri-tubular inflammation. Administration of EECC showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in biochemical and oxidative stress markers compared to the disease group. EECC treated groups showed better histological appearance when compared to the disease group. Ethanolic extract of Carissa carandas Linn. Leaves showed significant nephroprotective activity against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury.