Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most popular alkylating anticancer drugs despite its toxic side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hematotoxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity. Capparis spinosa is a multipurpose plant that contains a number of chemically active and diverse secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids. Rutin and quercetin are two major flavonoids in the caper plant. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of Capparis spinosa L. extract on nephrotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Swiss albino mice (20 -25 g) were randomly divided into five groups with each group consisting of eight mice. Mice were pretreated with C. spinosa extract (CSE) orally in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for five consecutive days, and CP (200 mg/kg, ip) was administrated on the fifth day 1 hour after the last dose of extract. The animals were sacrificed on the sixth day. Blood samples were collected to determine the serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were assayed in kidney tissue. The right kidney was maintained in 10% formalin for hematoxylin and eosin staining and histological examination. Results: Different plant parts (fruit, leaves, and petals) were examined for antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, and leaf extract was used to determine nephroprotective effects. Results showed a significant increase in the levels of MDA, Cr, and BUN and a reduction of GSH by CP administration. Pre-treatment with CSE decreased the levels of MDA, Cr, and BUN. GSH increased in all doses, but the most significant alteration was observed in the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The nephroprotective effect of the CSE was confirmed by the histological examination of the kidneys. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CSE ameliorates biochemical indices and oxidative stress parameters against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.
ObjectiveMost dementia cases in the elderly are caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a complex, progressive neurological disease. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in rat’s results in aberrant brain insulin signaling, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction that impair cognition change neural plasticity, and eventually lead to neuronal death. The current study aims to define the neuroprotective action of alpha-tocopherol in enhancing mitochondrial function and the function of synapses in memory-impaired rats brought on by icv-STZ.MethodsMale Wistar rats were pre-treated with (α-Tocopherol 150 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days before and 14 days after being bilaterally injected with icv-STZ (3 mg/kg), while sham group rats received the same volume of STZ solvent. After 2 weeks of icv-STZ infusion, rats were tested for cognitive performance using a behaviors test and then were prepared electrophysiology recordings or sacrificed for biochemical and histopathological assays.ResultsThe cognitive impairment was significantly minimized in the behavioral paradigms for those who had taken α-Tocopherol. In the hippocampus of icv-STZ rat brains, α-Tocopherol ocopherol effectively prevented the loss of glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, lowered mitochondrial ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential, and also brought about a decrease in Aβ aggregation and neuronal death.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that by lowering neurobehavioral impairments caused by icv-STZ, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, α-Tocopherol enhanced intracellular calcium homeostasis and corrected neurodegenerative defects in the brain. These findings examine the available approach for delaying AD connected to mitochondrial malfunction and plasticity issues.
Today, one of the challenges of modern urbanization in Iran is the issue of old and worn-out urban textures and identification of their criteria. Samen District of Mashhad, a historical texture in an area of 321 hectares, was selected as the study sample. The aim of this study was to determine priorities of improving old neighborhoods based on criteria of weariness. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical method and used the model of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for the process analysis. The data collection was conducted by a questionnaire (according to Cochran’s formula, 287 questionnaires were randomly distributed in 6 neighborhoods using random sampling method), mapping and field study. Six parameters and twenty four indices were measured as criteria affecting the weariness process. Results showed that physical, constructional, environmental, economic, and social and services parameters had respectively the highest impact on worn-out urban texture. In addition, Eidgah, Payin Khiyaban, Tabarsi, Noghan, Bala Khiyaban and Chaharbagh were ranked first and sixth in terms of the degree of weariness and intervention priorities were specified in each neighborhood.
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