Holothuria arenicola extract attenuated hepatic steatosis in splenectomized rat fed high fat diet

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a considerable public health concern due to the excessive dietary consumption of high caloric diet and subsequent obesity. Additionally, splenectomy is considered as one of major common risk factor for NAFLD. Objective: Regardless of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) being the most common chronic disorder, there are no effective cure for it. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate Holothuria arenicola extract (HaE) efficacy on hepatic steatosis in splenectomized (SPX) rats fed High fat diet (HFD). Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=28) were randomly assigned to four groups: sham rats fed a standard diet, sham rats+ HFD, SPX+HFD and SPX+HFD+HaE. The estimation of hematological and some biochemical parameters as well as oxidative status were analyzed. Results: Oral administration of HaE caused a significant amelioration in all hematological parameters relative to untreated splenectomized rats. Concerning lipid metabolism, HaE treatment caused a pronounced amelioration in lipid metabolism, as indicated by the decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol contents as well as the increased HDL- cholesterol level. HaE treatment significantly enhanced hepatic function, as exhibited by the reduction in liver enzyme activities as well as the increase of protein and albumin content. Moreover, HaE could retard the hepatic oxidative stress via a pronounced increase in hepatic GSH content and antioxidant enzyme activities besides decreasing in MDA, NO and H2O2 formation. Conclusion: HaE could be utilized as a potential alternative hepatoprotective remedy via lipid metabolism and oxidative damage attenuation.

Formulation and Evaluation of the sea cucumber, Holothuria arenicola extract incorporated skin cream

Background: Cucumber extract is often used for skin problems, wrinkles, sunburn, and as an antioxidant. Thereby, the main objective of the present investigation was to develop a topical skincare cream (w/o) loaded with the sea cucumber, Holothuria arenicola extract (HaE). Methods: Oil in water emulsion-based cream was prepared by incorporating liquid paraffin, soft wax, cetostearyl alcohol in the oil phase, and borax in the water phase respectively with 1 gm of HaE. The evaluation of HaE cream was done on different parameters like ph, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, irritancy and stability. Results: HaE showed good appearance, homogeneity, spreadability, diffusion, consistency, pH, extrudability, and spreadability without any irritancy to skin. The present results showed that HaE cream has radical scavenging activity in range from 57 to 70 % and NO scavenging activity in range from 25 to 49 %. Conclusion: The formulated HaE cream was successfully developed that met the relevant pharmaceutical characteristics form. The developed HaE cream could be added in topical formulations in order to protect skin against damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant activity.