Abstract:The current investigation aimed to evaluate the antifibrogenic potential of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OBE) and further to explore some of its underlying mechanisms. Three groups of rats were used: group I (control), group II (CCl4 model) and group III (OBE-treated) received CCl4 and OBE 2 weeks after the start of CCl4 administration. Oxidative damage was assessed by the measurement of MDA, NO, SOD, CAT, GSH and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Liver fibrosis was assessed histopathologically by Masson's trichrome staining and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunostaining. Expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and cytochrome P450 (CYP2EI isoform) was estimated using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. OBE successfully attenuated liver injury, as shown by histopathology, decreased serum transaminases and improved oxidative status of the liver. Reduced collagen deposition and α-SMA immuopositive cells indicated an abrogation of hepatic stellate cell activation by OBE. Furthermore, OBE was highly effective in stimulating HGF mRNA and protein expression and inhibiting CCl4-induced CYP2E1 down-regulation. The mechanism of antifibrogenic action of OBE is hypothesized to proceed OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2015, 20 13519 via scavenging free radicals and activating liver regeneration by induction of HGF. These data suggest the use of OBE as a complementary treatment in liver fibrosis.

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SummarySix variable supplementations of thiamine magnesium, and sulfates were given to 30 male adult rats in their diets. After 3 weeks, the concentrations of thiamine in the blood and liver and those of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides in the serum were determined. Blood thiamine level did not reflect the vitamin content in liver. Sufficient and/or excessive intake of the 3 supplementations caused an increase in liver thiamine content and body weight gain; it also caused a reduction in serum cholesterol level without a change in the levels of serum triglycerides and phospholipids. Deficiency of both magnesium and sufate salts in thiamine-supplemented groups decreased body weight gain and liver thiamine content with a significant elevation of serum triglycerides.

A total of thirty laying hens divided into 3 equal groups was used. The 1st group served as control and was fed a basal ration. The 2nd and 3rd groups received L-Dopa and reserpine, respectively. The goal of the study was devoted to determine the effects of these additives on the rate of egg production, weights of eggs and yolks as well as yolk proteins and their amino acid pattern.In the reserpine-treated hens the rate of egg production was increased whereas in the L-Dopa-treated group, the weights of eggs and yolks, food intake as well as the amino acids aspartate, glutamate, glycine, alanine and methionine were significantly increased. The levels of tyrosine and histidine were decreased in both treatments while methionine was decreased by reserpine only. The addition of dopamine antagonist to a ration containing lysine and leucine in concentrations of 0.55% and 0.9% did not influence their levels in eggs.The increment of methionine, aspartate, glutamate and glycine by the dopamine agonist and their decrease by antagonist revealed that these amino acids are excitatory neurotransmitters in brain.