Background: The use of natural products is an essential way to new pharmaceutical leads for the discovery and development of new drugs to treat diseases. Propolis (Pro) is a natural resinous product produced by honey bees. It has a strong cytoprotective effect against various exogenous toxic agents. The current study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effect of propolis against the toxicity of aluminum chloride (AlCl 3) on hepatorenal structure and function in male white albino rats. Methods: Thirty mature males of albino rat, Rattus rattus, weighing about 80-90g were divided into five groups contained 6 rats each. The first group acts as a control (received only saline solution); the second group (Al) had given orally 40 mg/kg b.w. of AlC1 3 , the third group (Pro) had administrated orally 150 mg/kg b.w. of propolis and the fourth group (Al+Pro) had given 40 mg/kg b.w. of AlCl 3 in the morning and 150 mg/kg b.w. of propolis in the evening. These four groups had given the treatments for two months. The fifth group (Al-Pro) had given 40 mg/kg b.w. of AlC1 3 chloride for one month then had given 40 mg/kg b.w. of AlCl 3 combined with 150 mg/kg b.w. of propolis for another month. Results: The AlCl 3-treated group showed a significant increase in the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (AP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the plasma. Also, glucose, total protein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, urea, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the plasma were significantly increased. The histological examination for the liver and kidney sections revealed marked histopathological alternations. The treatment with propolis combined with AlCl 3 improved the previous mentioned biochemical and histological alterations induced by AlCl3. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of propolis with AlCl 3 alleviated the toxic effects of AlCl 3. The propolis has protective influences on the hepatorenal structure and function and could be able to resist AlCl 3 intoxication.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a notorious environmental pollutant known for its toxicity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of aqueous pomegranate peel extract (PPE) against CCl4 induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Adult male mice were divided into four groups: Group one was used as the control; Group two was treated with a daily oral dose of PPE (400 mg/kg) for 15 days; the third group was intraperitoneally injected with a dose (1 ml/kg) of CCl4 twice a week for two weeks; and the final group was injected with the same dose of CCl4 twice a week concomitantly with a daily oral dose of PPE (400 mg/kg). Biochemical and histopathological data were analyzed along with the gene expression levels of the antioxidant enzymes and immunohistochemistry of the kidney tissue. CCl4 resulted in a significant increase in the serum urea and creatinine levels with detectable degenerative changes in the Bowman's capsule and glomerulus, with cells exhibiting vacuolization and evidence of necrosis. Co-administration of animals with CCl4 and PPE resulted in improved biochemical and histopathological conditions. Similarly, increased production of the Caspase-3 and collagen fibers were reduced in mice treated with PPE. Quantitative analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase further accentuated the effects of PPE treatment significantly improving the conditions of the CCl4-administered group. The results of the present study demonstrate that the phenolic derivative rich PPE is a potent nephroprotective agent and suppresses CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.

Background: Phytotherapeutic treatment is used in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The current study aims to evaluate the significant effect of supplementation of aqueous olive leaf extract (OLE) (Olea europaea) in the kidney of diabetic pregnant mice and their fetuses. Forty pregnant mice were divided into four groups contained 10 mice each after mating. The first group was the control (G1). The second group (GII) was intraperitoneally injected by a single dose of (240 mg/kg body weight) of streptozotocin (STZ). The third group (GIII) was administrated with a daily oral dose of extract of olive leaf extract (100 mg/kg) from days 1 to 18 of gestation. The fourth group (GIV) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose of (240 mg/kg body weight) of STZ and post-treatment with oral dose of extract of olive leaves from days 1 to day 18 of gestation. Results: Both mothers and their fetuses of STZ-induced diabetic group showed a decrease in weight compared to control and diabetic group supplemented OLE extract. According to the biochemical and histopathological observations, the STZ-induced diabetic group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in serum urea and creatinine levels parallel with detectable histopathological changes in kidney tissues of pregnant mice and their fetuses. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in serum urea and creatinine (P < 0.05) of diabetic mother group under treatment with OLE as compared to diabetic mice. Also, histological findings showed improved renal architecture as reflected by reduced glomerular and tubular necrosis in pregnant mice and their fetuses when compared with control group. Also, there was an increase in the anti-angiotensin II (Ang II) immunoreactivity in renal tubules, intraglomerular, and interstitial cells in the kidney tissue of STZ-induced diabetic group which was markedly improved by treatment with OLE.

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Chitosan (CH) is a natural product produced from the shells of crustaceans. Both CH and Chitosan nanoparticles (CH-NPs) have recently been used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The present study aimed to evaluate the potency of chitosan or chitosan nanoparticles in reducing the negative effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)induced haematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: Twenty adult male albino rats were placed in four groups of five rats each: the control group, the TCDD group (10µg/kg intraperitoneally injected), the TCDD + CH group (intraperitoneal injection of TCDD (10µg/ kg) and an oral dose of CH (200 mg/kg), and the TCDD + CH-NPs group: intraperitoneal injection of a dose of TCDD (10µg/ kg) and an oral dose of CH-NPs (200 mg/kg). For all groups, the experimental period lasted for four weeks. Results: The TCDD-treated group showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in RBC count, HB, HCT, WBC count, lymphocyte percentage, and PLT, whereas there was a non-significant decrease in MCV, MCH, MCHC, and monocytes. On the other hand, a significant increase in neutrophils and eosinophils was noticed. In addition, several morphological abnormalities in the erythrocyte membranes were observed in the TCDD-treated group. A significant increase in serum urea and creatinine levels and marked histopathological changes in kidney tissue were observed. Administration of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles could approximately restore the normal hematological parameters and improve the dioxin-induced renal histopathological changes. Although there is no significant difference between CH and CH-NPs groups, CH have seemed to have a better effect on some parameters and vice versa with CH-NPs in some parameters. The present study concluded that oral administration of CH or CH-NPs to the TCDD-treated animals might play a protective role against dioxin-induced hematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats.