Cardiac toxicity can occur during the therapy with several cytotoxic drugs, including 5- Fluorouracil (5- FU). It is an antimetabolite that acts during the S phase of the cell cycle and is activated by thymidine phosphorylase into fluorodeoxyuridylate (5 fluoro 2'deoxyuridine 5'monophosphate, 5-FdUMP) that inhibits thymidylate synthase, thus preventing DNA synthesis that leads to imbalanced cell growth and ultimately cell death. It is still a widely used anticancer drug, since 1957. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible cardio-protective effects of ethanolic artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus L.) against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced cardio-toxicity in rats by evaluating serum levels of Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase enzymes. Methods: Twenty -four female albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups each group with 6 rats. Group I: (negative control) received oral daily dose of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (2 ml/kg /day) for 10 successive days. Group II: (positive control) received oral daily dose of DMSO (2 ml/kg /day) for 10 successive days and subsequently administered single dose of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection on 8th day in association with DMSO. Groups III: received oral daily dose of ethanolic artichoke extract (200 mg/kg/day) for 10 successive days. Groups IV: received oral daily dose of ethanolic artichoke extract (200 mg/kg/day) for 10 successive days with subsequently administered single intraperitoneal dose of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) on 8th day in association with ethanolic extract. Results: Treatment of ethanolic artichoke extract prior 5-FU intoxication significantly attenuate the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) enzymes activities caused by 5-FU-induced cardio-toxicity in rats. Conclusions: Results of the present finding suggest that the ethanolic artichoke extract may be an effective modulator in mitigating 5-FU induced cardiac toxicity in rats.
Keywords: Ethanolic artichoke extract, 5-Fluorouracil, Cardio-protection, AST, ALT and CK.
Schizophrenia(SCZ) is oneof the most destructive and complicated chronic diseases of the human nervous system. Serotonin receptors have been involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Fortyschizophrenia subjects (14females and 26 males) with an age range of 23– 57 years were enrolled, in addition to twenty healthy control subjects (10female and 10 male) with an age range of 19-44 years.
This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), namelyrs643627 in HTR2Agene,inIraqi patients with schizophrenia in comparison with controls, along with the association between this SNP and the incidence of schizophrenia.
The genetic variantrs6436
... Show MoreDisturbances of lipid metabolism is a predisposing factor of cardiovascular diseases, which are accompanied by high mortality rates of the population - ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. Plant polysaccharides can be promising remedies for correction of lipid imbalance.
In this regard, the aim of the study was to assess the hypolipidemic activity of polysaccharides isolated from the leaves of mistletoe.
The test-object was the leaves of the white mistletoe (Viscum album L.) growing on the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), and the pear (Pyrus communis L.). Polysaccharides (water-soluble polysaccharides and pectin substances) were quantitatively determined by the gravimetric method followed
... Show MoreThe toxicity effect of Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)leaves extract was studied on albino rats. Rats were divided into four groups, four per group. Group 1 received water and feeds only, whileonly. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered doses of the extract 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively. Parameters studied were indices of liver and kidney function. Results showed that final body weight, serum, AST, ALP, urea, Creatinine, and some electrolytes were not affected by the administration of the different doses of the extract. ALT significantly increased by administration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the extract when compared with the control. Besides, there was asignificant increase in the level of
... Show More?? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? 40 ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?????????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????
Plasma generated by a 1064 nm pulsed Nd: YAG laser with pulse duration of 10 ns concentrated onto an Al solid target under vacuum pressure was examined spectroscopically. The temperature and electron density specifying the plasma were measured by time-resolved spectroscopy of neutral atom and ion line emissions in the time period range of 300–2000 ns. An echelle spectrograph is utilized to appear the plasma emission lines. The temperature was obtained using the spectral line comparison method and the electron density was calculated using the Stark Broadening (SB) method. The electron density was characterized as a function of laser pulse energy. The time range where the plasma is optically thin and is also in local thermodynamic equilibri
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Tribulus terrestris has been commonly used in folk medicine to energize, vitalize and improve sexual function and physical performance in men and laboratory rats. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Tribulus terrestris on the number of Leydig cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tribulus terrestris was given to mature male rats as an oral single herbal suspension in a dose of 2.0mg /1000gbody weight for 14 days to stimulate spermatogenesis. Formalin fixed paraffinembedded tissue sections were performed for histological, immunohistochemical and morphometrical studies. RESULTS: Histological study revealed wider seminiferous tubules and increased spermatocytes population with an increased sperm density inside the lumen of the tubul
... Show MoreThe objective of this work was to determine and compare the physiological changes in some: blood components (packed cell volume and hemoglobin) and plasma biochemical parameters (glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides) under 3 day of different types of stress: water deprivation, starvation, overcrowding and handling stress. Twenty five male Wister rats weighted 100-120 gm, were divided randomly into five groups: control, water deprivation, starvation, overcrowding and handling stress. On the third day of stress the animals anesthetized for blood collection; the results of blood component revealed a significant increase in PCV and a significant decrease in Hb of water deprivation group and starva
... Show MoreBackground: Cataract is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness around the world. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-cataract activities of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves extract and fractions. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), total reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Anti-cataract potential was evaluated in vitro using goat lenses divided into eight groups of different treatments and incubated in artificial aqueous humor at 37 °C for 72 hours. Glucose-induced opacity in the lenses was observed and biochemical indices quantified (cata
... Show MoreThe present study included experimental effect of Metronidazole drug and Alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds on T. vaginalis that cultivated on i i Results showed that the numbers of parasite began increasing during a period after 24-48 hrs then began decreasing after 72-96 hrs, so that 72 hrs from growth considered logarithmic phase of T. vaginalis growth. Present results showed poisonous effect of N. sativa alcoholic extract that was prepared in laboratory and imported at concentrations (450, 550, 650 and 750) mg/ml on T. vaginalis by observing gradual decrease of trophozoite numbers with concentrate increase of extra
... Show More