Evaluations of the curative efficacy of G. fruticosus solvent extracts in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic Wistar male rats

Background In Ethiopian folk medicine, there is a claim that medicinal plants can treat urolithiasis although there is insufficient scientific evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the curative efficacy of Gomphocarpus fruticosus extracts in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic rats. Methods Urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days. The curative effects were evaluated after oral administrations of 200 mg/kg of the extracts from 15 to 28 days. Urine samples were collected 1 day before sacrificing the rats. Blood, liver and kidney samples were gathered under anaesthetic condition at day 28. Crystals in the urine were also analyzed by light microscopy. Results G. fruticosus EtOAc extract reduced significantly the level of sodium (P < 0.001), whereas it was significantly elevated the levels of magnesium and citrate (P < 0.01) compared to lithiatic control. G. fruticosus BuOH extract lowered the levels of potassium (P < 0.01), calcium and phosphate in urolithiatic rats. It was also observed that G. fruticosus EtOAc extract decreased the level of oxalate in the urine (P < 0.001), whereas it was increased the levels of magnesium (P < 0.05) and citrate (P < 0.01) in serum analysis after exposure to BuOH extract. In the kidneys, CaOx crystal deposits were reduced significantly by G. fruticosus EtOAc extract (P < 0.01). Conclusion It has been noted that G. fruticosus EtOAc extract was potent in treating urolithiasis. However, further study is required to assess the efficacy of the active compounds against urolithiasis.

Inhibition of histone deacetylase promotes a neuroprotective mechanism in an experimental model of Parkinson’s disease

IntroductionTherapies targeting histone deacetylase (HDAC) have gained wider attention in the treatment of various clinical conditions. However, the use of HDAC inhibitors in pre-clinical trials in the case of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is very limited. In the present study, the HDAC inhibitor, entinostat, was tested in animals induced with Parkinson’s disease experimentally.Material and methodsWistar male rats (150 ±10 g) were administered with rotenone (2 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 21 days to induce PD, while entinostat (20 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally. Then, the neurological functions, PD markers, and HDACs were analysed in the control and experimental animals.ResultsThe results demonstrated that rats that received entinostat displayed progressive motor, behavioural, and neurological function with attenuated α-synuclein and improved tyrosine-hydroxylase compared to control cells. Moreover, the induction of PD in rats demonstrated reduced levels of H2S, dopamine, 3, and 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and increased monoamine oxidase activity in PD rats. However, the rats that received entinostat demonstrated progressive levels of dopa and DOPAC, with attenuated levels of HDAC-2, -4, and -6 mRNA in the PD rats compared to controls. On the other hand, elevated (p < 0.01) levels of PD marker genes such as GDF3 and NMDA2b were reduced, with a significant increase in neuroprotective genes such as VDAC3 and CBX5 in entinostat-supplemented rats.ConclusionsThe study results suggest that inhibition of HDAC systematically improves the neurological functions, and hence treatments, emphasizing that HDACI, as the speculated mechanism, will be a promising mode of treatment in PD.

Effect of Epinephrine on the Absorption of Lidocaine Following Application to the Oral Mucosa in Rats

Objective We investigated the role of epinephrine in prolonging the localization of a topical anesthetic on oral mucosa and inhibiting its absorption in blood. Methods We used 7–8-week-old specific-pathogen-free Wistar male rats (n = 128) for our study. We divided them into lidocaine and lidocaine with epinephrine groups and applied 5 µL of 14C-labeled lidocaine hydrochloride gel and 10 µg/mL 14C-labeled lidocaine hydrochloride gel with added epinephrine to the palatal mucosae of the rats, respectively. The amount of lidocaine was measured by radioactivity and was observed using autoradiograms. Results After 4 min, the values were significantly lower in the lidocaine with epinephrine group (1040.0 ± 142.8 vs. 701.2 ± 109.0 ng/mg [20 min]). After 40 min, the lidocaine level became significantly higher in the lidocaine with epinephrine group (586.8 ± 112.4 vs. 1131.3 ± 155.2 ng/mg [40 min]). Similar results were observed in the palatine bone and mucosa and serum. Conclusion Epinephrine prolonged the localization of lidocaine applied to the mucosa and inhibited its absorption into the bloodstream. Clinical studies are required to evaluate the use of epinephrine-containing topical anesthetics on the oral mucosa.

EFFECTOFTAIL-SUSPENSIONONLEVELSOFPRO- ANDANTI-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINS AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN RAT'S PULMONARY TISSUES

Cytokin regulation of local immune reactions in pulmonary tissues (IL-10, IL-4, TGFb1, TNFα), and morphology of the vascular bed and alveolar epithelium of the lung air compartments were studied in a 15-day tail-suspended Wistar male rats with a body mass of 180–200 grams. Cytokin regulation of the local immunity after suspension was characterized by activation of cell proliferation and differentiation regulator TGFβ1 aimed to forestall the inflammatory and auto immune processes and to promote remodeling of the lung epithelial structure and extracellular matrix.