Analytical Study of the Royal-Jelly Effect on Sperms Morphological Characteristics and some Liver Function Parameters and their Correlation with some Antioxidants in Male Albino Rats Treated with Pregabalin Drug

In recent years, the consideration of natural products as anti-inflammatory and antioxidative treatments has more interested worldwide. Moreover, natural products are easily obtained and are relatively safe the Royal jelly (RJ) is one of them. The current study was carried to evaluate the effects of pregabalin (PGB) on physiological activity of sperms, reproductive hormones assay and some biochemical analysis. Forty (40) male albino rats (10-weeks-old) were divided into four groups (10 rats each): G1 (treated with PGB drug, 150 mg/kg B.wt (Lyrica-Pfizer-Pharmaceutical Industries), G2 (treated with RJ 1g/kg), G3 (treated with PGB drug and RJ together), and G4 control treated with normal saline only. all groups were treated orally via stomach tube for 60 consecutive days.. PGB caused a significant reduction in sperm count, sperm viability, motility and sperm abnormality percent, serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels, the co-administration of RJ caused normal level of the previous tests near the control group level. Results of the lipid profile and some the present results of the liver function parameters showed increased concentrations in PGB-treated group, but after treated with RJ the levels were recovered to normal level. In the studied antioxidants markers, the results appeared high level in malondialdehyde (MDA) and low level in the antioxidants enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) the RJ was appeared direct effect on MDA and showed decreased concentration of MDA and increased levels in the studied antioxidants enzymes of the PGB group which treated with RJ.

Allelopathic effects of acetone extract from celery rotten roots and rhizosphere soil on cucumber pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum

We studied the inhibitory effects of allelochemicals extracted from celery (Apium graveolens L.) rotten roots and rhizosphere soil on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC). The allelochemicals were extracted and separated by column chromatography from the acetone extracts of celery rotten roots and rhizosphere soil. After extraction each fraction was mixed with potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture medium and then inoculated with FOC. The best fraction was screened by measuring the colony diameter and its effects on FOC was determined by evaluating the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The allelochemicals of best fractions were detected using GC-MS. The best fractions obtained after second run in column chromatography were labeled as RRA32, RRA38, RRA101, RRA102 and RRSA55, RRSA56, RRSA105, RRSA106 and they had allelopathic potential of 29.68 %, 31.97 %, 40.38 %, 41.55 % and 29.51 %, 29.47 %, 29.30 % and 32.85 % respectively. The antioxidants enzymes (peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) activities were significantly lower in treated FOC than control. Using the 8-best fractions, the GC-MS analysis yielded, total 47 compounds viz., 7 organic acids, 17 esters, 1 phenol, 1 alcohol, 1 aldehyde, 5 nitrogen-containing compounds and 2 carbides.

Differences between Professional and Amateur Cyclists in Endogenous Antioxidant System Profile

Currently, no studies have examined the differences in endogenous antioxidant enzymes in professional and amateur cyclists and how these can influence sports performance. The aim of this study was to identify differences in endogenous antioxidants enzymes and hemogram between competitive levels of cycling and to see if differences found in these parameters could explain differences in performance. A comparative trial was carried out with 11 professional (PRO) and 15 amateur (AMA) cyclists. All cyclists performed an endogenous antioxidants analysis in the fasted state (visit 1) and an incremental test until exhaustion (visit 2). Higher values in catalase (CAT), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and GSSG/GSH ratio and lower values in superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in PRO compared to AMA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an inverse correlation was found between power produced at ventilation thresholds 1 and 2 and GSSG/GSH (r = −0.657 and r = −0.635; p < 0.05, respectively) in PRO. Therefore, there is no well-defined endogenous antioxidant enzyme profile between the two competitive levels of cyclists. However, there was a relationship between GSSG/GSH ratio levels and moderate and submaximal exercise performance in the PRO cohort.

Antioxidants enzyme activity in Brassica oleracea var. acephala under cadmium stress

When a plant is under heavy metals stress, it has different mechanism of coping with it. Brassica oleracea var. acephala (kale) is a plant that has an ability of heavy metal accumulation and removal of heavy metals from the ground. The plants were exposed to 50, 100, 200, and 500 μM of CdCl2 for 5days, in controlled in vitro conditions. Root length was measured to confirm the Cd effect on plant growth. There are five key antioxidants enzymes responsible for the regulation of heavy metals stress: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Peroxidase (POD) and Polyphenol oxidase (PPO). All enzymes showed significant activity, especially triggered by 500 μM CdCl2 in both varieties. The domestic sorts seem more resistant if compared to hybrid variety, showing significant lower expression of antioxidants enzymes at higher concentrations. In general, significant percentage of enzymes is more expressed in the hybrid Italian sort, Nero di Toscana, indicating the ability of domestic sorts to be more resistant to heavy metal stress.

A Review on Medical Properties on Spirulina and Their Futuristic Applications

Spirulina is a type of blue-green microalgae also is a type of cyanobacteria. This was established in 1967 as a "wonderful future food source". It is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, nutrients, protein, carotenoids, and essential amount of amino acids. Spirulina also a good source of antioxidants. It can protect against oxidative damage. It activates cellular antioxidants enzymes. Inhibits lipids peroxidation and also DNA damages, scavenges, free radicals, and increase the activity of superoxide dismutase and also catalyze. The Spirulina supplements seem to be affected more effectively the innate immunity and promoting the activity of natural killer cells. Also it has a high potential capacity to increase immunity power to suppress viral infections, and it is well known to be a healthy addition to one's diet. It is most commonly used as a natural dietary supplement. There is a main active compound called phycocyanin. It is a pigment-protein complex. This pigment used mainly as natural colouring in food industry. Spirulina is well tolerated when grown at under controlled conditions. Also it can be grown as a pure culture alkaline water. Spirulina products have bioactive protein with the ability to stimulate the intestinal immune system. This is available in many forms such as spirulina powder, capsules, etc and this products has many mediational uses.

Significance of selected biochemical markers in predicting the outcome of schistosomiasis

This study aimed to correlate the histopathological changes in mice liver with alterations either in liver tissue antioxidants enzymes (catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH)), oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde (MDA)) or in serum liver function parameters (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (T.P.) and albumin) to predict the outcome of schistosomiasis. Fourty male Swiss albino mice were used in this study and infected with Schistosoma mansoni for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (8 mice for each group), while, the uninfected mice were used as negative control. Liver tissue antioxidants enzymes, oxidative stress marker and serum liver function parameters were determined in coincide with the liver tissue histopathological changes. All selected biochemical makers showed a strong significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with liver histopathology score except serum albumin and liver tissue catalase enzyme. The last two parameters exhibited negative correlation with liver histopathology score. These results revealed that the more increase in the level of AST, ALT, T.P. and globulin in serum or liver tissue MDA and GSH indicating severs histopathological changed into the affected liver and hopeless prognosis is expected. On contrary, the increase in albumin level in serum or catalase level in liver tissue of affected patient/animal demonstrating mild liver histopathological changes. Subsequently, good prognosis and response to anti-schistosomal treatment will be predictable. This study opens the way to predict the outcome of schistosomiasis through easy and rapid biochemical test. Therefore, other studies are required to apply such correlation with other biochemical parameters especially that synthesized into the liver.