Carissa macrocarpa Leaves Polar Fraction Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats via Downregulating the Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Markers

Chemotherapeutic-related toxicity exacerbates the increasing death rate among cancer patients, necessitating greater efforts to find a speedy solution. An in vivo assessment of the protective effect of the C. macrocarpa leaves polar fraction of hydromethanolic extract against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced neurotoxicity was performed. Intriguingly, this fraction ameliorated Dox-induced cognitive dysfunction; reduced serum ROS and brain TNF-α levels, upregulated the brain nerve growth factor (NGF) levels, markedly reduced caspase-3 immunoexpression, and restored the histological architecture of the brain hippocampus. The in vivo study results were corroborated with a UPLC-ESI-MS/MS profiling that revealed the presence of a high percentage of the plant polyphenolics. Molecular modeling of several identified molecules in this fraction demonstrated a strong binding affinity of flavan-3-ol derivatives with TACE enzymes, in agreement with the experimental in vivo neuroprotective activity. In conclusion, the C. macrocarpa leaves polar fraction possesses neuroprotective activity that could have a promising role in ameliorating chemotherapeutic-induced side effects.

Anatomy and histomorphology of the flexor digitorum profundus enthesis: functional implications for tissue engineering and surgery

Background The enthesis possesses morphological adaptations across the soft-hard tissue junction which are not fully restored during surgical avulsion repairs. This loss of anatomical structure, highly related to function, contributes to poor clinical outcomes. Investigating the native macro- and micro-structure of a specific enthesis can provide functional and biomechanical insights to develop specialised, novel tissue-engineered therapeutic options and potentially improve current surgical treatments for avulsion injuries. Methods This study examines the anatomy and histomorphology of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) enthesis in 96 fresh-frozen human cadaveric fingers, quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the shape, size, angle of tendon fibres and histological architecture, and explores differences in sex, finger and distance along the enthesis using linear mixed effects models. Results Macroscopically, results showed a consistent trapezoidal insertion shape of 29.29 ± 2.35 mm2 mean surface area, but with significant morphometric size differences influenced primarily by the smaller dimensions of the little finger. Microscopically, a fibrocartilaginous enthesis was apparent with a 30.05 ± 0.72o mean angle of inserting tendon fibres, although regional variation in fibrocartilage and the angle change of tendon fibres before insertion existed. Conclusions The implication of these findings on native and specific FDP enthesis function is discussed whilst providing recommendations for optimal FDP enthesis recreation for interfacial tissue engineers and hand surgeons. The study emphasizes the importance of region-specific knowledge whilst also describing methods applicable to assessing any soft tissue insertion.

Regeneration of Damaged Epidermal and Neural Cells in Rats with Subcutaneous Wounds Injected with Platelet Rich Plasma and Multivitamins

Introduction: The scientific definition of Wound is the disruption of various characteristics of the anatomical, functional and cellular continuity of a living tissue. Platelet-rich plasma is a natural occurring blood element that contains a vast amount of platelets in a noticeable volume. The sole function of PRP is a protective mechanism which acts as an adhesive material to maintain hemostatic and tissue properties, it also acts as an immediate hemostatic agent in surgical applications being biocompatible, safe, and effective. The sole aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PRP combined with multivitamins on the regeneration process of superficial rat skin. Methodology: Thirty male rats were used in this experiment and were divided into 3 groups control n= 10, PRP n =10 and PRP and multivitamins n=10. Each group was subjected to a skin wound and received and a treatment of 1 mil of PRP only or 1 mil PRP and 1 mil multivitamins. Control groups received nothing. Wound size was measured for 15 days. Wound site was surgically removed and processed for histological examination after 15 days. Results: Wound area was reduced in all animal groups over time. There is a more significant increase (P>0.05) between treated rats with PRP and multivitamins injections and control groups on day 15 of the experiment. The results also show a significant increase (P>0.05) in wound size between PRP treated rats and control groups beginning on day 5 of the experiment. There was no statistical significance (P=0.05) in wound size between PRP treated rats and control rats in the first 5 days post wound initiation. Tissue from PRP treated rats shows normal histological appearance of both dermal and epidermal layers however there is a thickened stratum corneum indication of scar formation. Histological examination of PRP and multivitamin treated wounds shows normal histological architecture with normal dermal and epidermal appearance. Conclusion: Overall PRP and multivitamin administration subcutaneously in wound sites of male rats shows improvement and restoration of histological architecture. Reduction in wound site was reduced significantly in comparison with other groups.

Evaluation of the Healing Effect of Ointments Based on Bee Products on Cutaneous Lesions in Wistar Rats

The wound-healing capacity of ointments based on bee products was investigated in vivo on three experimental models of incision, excision and heat burn. For this purpose, four ointments were prepared with propolis, honey, apilarnil (drone brood homogenate) and a mixture of these three apitherapy products. The ointments were applied topically for 21 days. Clinical and macroscopic evaluation was performed throughout the experiment, with the recording of the re-epithelialization period and determination of the wound contraction rate on days 6 and 9. The histopathological examination was performed on days 1, 3, 12 and 21 of the treatment. The topical formulations were also characterized from a rheological point of view in order to verify their stability. HPLC analysis of propolis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, particularly ferulic acid and p-coumaric which were found in high amounts. All ointments had beneficial effects on wound contraction and the re-epithelialization period, but the most significant result, both macroscopically and especially in terms of histological architecture, was presented by the ointment that contains all three apitherapy products, due to their synergistic effect.

Ultrasound features of polypoid endometriosis: a case report and a short review of Literature

Introduction: Polypoid endometriosis is a rare variant of endometriosis characterized by histological features resembling an endometrial polyp. Lesions frequently affect the ovaries presenting as adnexal masses which may mimic malignancy, with an extremely complex differential diagnosis due to the poor evidence reported in Literature. Case description: In this report, we describe the case of a 43 years old woman referred to pelvic transvaginal ultrasound examination for recurrent abdominal pain, in whom sonography revealed a pelvic mass with features highly suspicious for ovarian carcinoma. Surgical removal allowed histopathological diagnosis of polypoid endometriosis, with no signs of malignancy. At ultrasound examination, the lesion appeared as a multilocular-solid mass, with low-level echogenicity of cystic content, multiple papillary projections, and solid areas with high vascularization and apparent infiltration of the uterus. At retrospective review of the sonographic images after pathological examination, some features mirroring the histological architecture of polypoid endometriosis could be identified in the solid components of the mass: these included the hyperechoic appearance, the rounded outline of the intracystic projections, and the vascularization pattern with a single central vessel with branching. Conclusions: To date, this is the first work providing a detailed ultrasonographic description of polypoid endometriosis using shared terms and definitions and relating these findings with available evidence about radiologic and histopathologic features. The report shows how this condition could strongly mimick ovarian malignancy, though several sonographic features can be identified reflecting the histopathological patterns of those lesions.

The effect of Dichlorvous (Sniper) Inhalation on the Histology of the Lungs of Adult Male Wistar Rats

The organophosphate, dichlorvous (Otapia-pia) formulated in varying concentrations as insecticides is utilized by several individuals in most remote places of Nigeria due to its affordable value and accessibility. However, this present study is conducted to investigate the adverse effect of the exposure of this substance on the respiratory system (lungs) of male albino wistar rats. Twenty (20) albino wistar rats comprising of all males weighing between 150-230g were divided into four groups (A-D) of five animals each. Group A received only water, feed, and served as the control. Group B was exposed to dichlorvous inhalation 3hrs daily for a period of two weeks; Group C was exposed to dichlorvous inhalation 6hrs daily for a period of two weeks; while Group D was exposed to dichlorvous inhalation 10hrs daily for a period of two weeks. Twenty four hours after the last exposure, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and dissected. The lungs were weighed and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. The body weight of the experimental groups decreased insignificantly when compared with the control group. The lungs weight increased significantly when compared to the control groups. Histological observation revealed a moderate to severe effects on the lungs with severe consolidated inflammatory exudates (discharge of fluids from pores), a moderate intra-alveoli hemorrhage, and a severe dilation of alveolar septa which is evident as emphysematous changes. This result revealed that the exposure to dichlorvous causes distortion of the normal histological architecture of the lungs. Thus, showing that dichlorvous inhalation influences the normal physiologic mechanisms of the lungs.

Effect of Opuntia dejecta (Salm-Dyck) flowers in liver of fructose-fed rats: Biochemicals, enzymatic and histological studies

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of flowers decoction at post-flowering stage (F3D) of Opuntia dejecta were determined. The obtained findings demonstrate that F3D has a marked antioxidant activity in all tested assays. Furthermore, the present study was designed to test the protective activity of F3D against induced Diabetes type 2 (DT2) in male rats. Those metabolic syndromes were induced by a high-fructose diet (HFD) (10% fructose solution) for a period of 20 weeks. F3D was administered orally (100 and 300 mg/kg body weight) daily for the last 4 weeks. Metformin (150 mg/kg body weight) was used as a standard drug and administrated orally for the last 4 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in blood glucose, triglycerides and hepatic markers (ALAT, ASAT and ALK-P) in HFD group. A significant increase in hepatic TBARS and a significant decrease in SOD, CAT and GPX were observed in fructose fed rats compared to control group. Administration of F3D showed a protective effect in biochemical and oxidative stress parameters measured in this study. Also, oral administration of F3D restored the histological architecture of rat liver in comparison with rats fed HFD. In conclusion, F3D attenuated hepatic oxidative stress in fructose-fed rats.