The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activity of Acacia senegal (Gum Arabic) against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: group 1 served as a control; group 2 consisted of rats that received 15% of gum in drinking water for 2 weeks; group 3 comprised ulcerated animals administered 5 mL of ethanol/kg body weight by gavage; and group 4 consisted of rats received 15% of gum in drinking water for 2 weeks before ethanol administration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-B1), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, and albumin were assayed in addition to histological study. The results revealed that ethanol decreased SOD, GPx, and PGE2 in tissue and serum total protein and albumin, while increased MDA in tissue, serum TNF-α, IL-B1, PGE2, ALT, AST, and ALP. Histological findings showed less edema and leucocytes infiltration compared with ulcer group. Furthermore, gum administration elevated PGE2, SOD, and GPx and significantly reduced MDA, TNF-α, and IL-B2. In conclusion, Gum Arabic can enhance gastric protection and sustain the integrity of the gastric mucosa. Novelty The selected dose of Gum Arabic has the ability to decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and gastric tissue, thus enhancing gastric protection and maintaining the integrity of the gastric mucosa. Gum Arabic can compensate for the loss of antioxidants.

Objective: This study was planned to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of newly synthesis method of nano-silver (nAg) on hepatotoxicity induced by lead nitrate exposure in albino rats.Design and Methods: Rats were designed into three groups. (1) normal control. (2) rats were injected with lead nitrate. (3) rats were injected with lead nitrate followed by nano-silver/hydroxyl apatite (nAg/HAp). The degree of DNA fragmentation was analyzed, in addition to immune status, by measuring the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content as well as liver enzymes were measured. The levels of hepatic heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70), caspase-3, and metalloproteinase-9 were also measured as markers for inflammation and apoptosis. Histopathological examination of liver tissue was performed. Results: The results revealed the potent efficacy of nAg/HAp composite in repairing the fragmented DNA and ameliorating most of the investigated parameters by significant elevation in the levels of hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT), SOD, and (GPx) activities. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in hepatic gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), MDA, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, matrix MMP-9, HSP-70, and caspase-3 levels upon treatment. Histopathological findings were correlated with biochemical results and confirmed the difference between the lead-intoxicated and nAg-treated groups and achieved by disappearance most of the pathological phenomenon in treated rats. Conclusion:The results illustrated newly synthesis and characterization for nAg preparation carried by nHAp, which provides a biosafe composite with unique chemical and biological properties possess anti-hepatotoxicity effect.

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea (E.P.) on azathioprine (AZA)-induced immune deficiency in albino rats. Thirty six male albino rats were divided into six equal groups. The first group served as normal control, the second and third groups were treated with two doses of AZA (3 and 5mg/kg/b.w/day IP), respectively for six weeks. The fourth group was treated with 50 mg kg/b.wt/day of Echinacea. The fifth and sixth groups were treated with3 and 5 mg AZAm respectively followed by50 mg E.P. administration. At the end of the experimental period, both doses of AZA revealed a significant reduction in total body and spleen weights, increase in tissue total protein with a significant increase in serum total protein and albumin, a marked decrease in the number of WBCS associated with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes, a significant decrease in serum total anti-oxidant capacity. Also,concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) and interleukins (IL4 &IL6) showed a significant increase, while the level of IL10 decreased significantly in splenic tissue. The dose of AZA (5 mg /kg b.wt.) only resulted in a highly significant increase in serum level of T3 and T4. However, treatment with Echinacea purpurea extract had a significant influence on immune deficiency induced by azathioprine. These findings demonstrated that E.P. extract is a promising immunomodulatory agent with a potent therapeutic value in stimulating the immune response.

The present study was planned to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of silver/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite (nAg/HAp) on neurotoxicity induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in albino rats. The nanocomposite has been formulated by a chemical route and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray Analysis spectroscopy (EDAX). A population of rats was randomly assorted into three groups; the animals were subjected to intraperitoneal CdCl2 administration every 2 days at a dose level of 1.0 mg/kg b.wt. for 3 months while the treatment with nAg/HAp was performed via intravenous injection at a dose level of 50 mg/kg b,wt. once a week for 4 weeks. Quantitative DNA fragmentation and biochemical analysis including the content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), caspase-3, calmodulin (CaM), calcium adenosine 5′-triphosphatase (Ca++ATPase), tau protein, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in brain tissue. The results revealed the potent efficacy of nAg/HAp in attenuating DNA fragmentation and partially recovering most of the investigated parameters manifested by a significant elevation in GABA, NA, DA, Ca++ATPase, and GSH levels and a decrease in tau protein, caspase-3, CaM and MDA tissue content in comparison with Cd—intoxicated groups. Accordingly, the synthesized nAg/HAp at the selected dose can be used as a biosafe intravenous injection in neurodegenerative diseases.

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