Bisphenol A (BPA) is an xenoestrogenic chemical used extensively in the fabrication of baby bottles, reusable plastic water bottles and polycarbonate plastic containers. The current study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf extract (MOLE) and hydrogel NPs made of starch-MOLE-Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) against Bisphenol A-induced liver toxicity in male rats. Fabrication and characterization of hydrogel NPs formed of starch-MOLE-BSA were investigated using FTIR, TEM, zeta potential, UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The potential efficacy of hydrogel NPs was studied. Compared to the results of control, the level of liver function, oxidative stress markers and lipid profile status were remodulated in the groups treated with MOLE and hydrogel NPs (Encap. MOLE). Meanwhile, the administration of MOLE and Encap MOLE significantly increased antioxidant activity and decreased the level of apoptotic pathways. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and growth arrest -DNA damage-inducible gene 45b (Gadd45b) were also regulated in the groups treated with MOLE and Encap. MOLE compared to the group which received BPA alone. In the present study, MOLE and hydrogel NPs led to remarkable alterations in histological changes during BPA administration. Overall, MOLE has a potential antioxidant activity which can be used in the treatment of liver disorders.

The main target of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Ficus sycomorus L. leaves (FSLs) against high fat diet (HFD)-

There are many plants which are used as medicinal plants by many people such as purslane, chia and garden cress .The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of purslane, chia and garden cress seed powders on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. Rats were randomly assigned to 2 main groups including normal or negative control group (6 rats) which fed on basal diet only for 6 weeks, and injected group (36 rats) which injected subcutaneously with Ccl4 in paraffin oil(50% v/v, 2ml/kg body weight) twice a week for two weeks to induce chronic damage in liver. After induction, rats were divided into 5 equal groups including positive control group which fed on basal diet only besides 4 herbs-treated groups which fed on basal diet supplemented with 5% of either dry purslane, chia,garden cress seed powders or their mixture,respectively.The curative periodcontinued for 4 weeks. By its end, body weight gain and relative weights of some internal organs were calculated. In addition, serum and liver tissue homogenates were biochemically analyzed. The obtained results revealed that Ccl4 exposure led to liver and kidney dysfunction and induced hyper lipidemia due to its oxidative effect. As a result of their antioxidant and phenolic compound contents, using purslane, chia and garden cress seed powders singly or as a mixture improved liver and kidney functions and induced hypolipidemic effect.So, patients who suffer from hepatotoxicity as result of CCl4 exposure can use these plant seeds to test their possible efficiency for their condition.

Many diabetic patients prefer to use herbal medicine and treated with conventional drugs, concurrently. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the co-therapeutic effects of Sidr(Zizyphusspina-christi L.) fruits or leaves and metformin in diabetic rats. Forty two adult male albino rats were used and divided into seven groups (G1-G7). G1 was kept on basal diet (negative control), while other groups were subcutaneously injected with alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight).G2 was kept untreated as a positive control, while the other alloxan-injected groups were treated with metformin (100 mg/kg body weight) as a reference drug (G3), or fed on basal diet supplemented with 5% of either Sidr fruits (SFP) or leaves powder (SLP) (G4 and G5, respectively). G6 and G7 received combined treatments (metformin + SFP and metformin + SLP, respectively). The curative period lasted for 4 weeks. By its end, body weight gain (BWG) and relative weights of liver, kidneys and pancreas were calculated. Fasting glucose, insulin, amylase activity, liver glycogen, lipid profile as well as liver and kidney functions were determined. The typical manifestations of diabetes were noticed in untreated diabetic group including hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia.Moreover, a significant increase in serum amylase activity and relative liver and kidney weights was noticed associated with dyslipidemia, liver and kidney dysfunction and a significant decrease in BWG and absolute pancreas weight along with marked histopathological abnormalities in pancreas tissue.SFP was more effective than SLP in normalizing body weight, pancreas weight and liver antioxidant status, while the capability of SLP was higher in correcting the level of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol). In general, receiving combined treatments was more efficient than receiving metformin alone.In conclusion, Sidr fruits and leaves can help metformin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

I N Egypt, both iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and lead pollution represent formidable health challenges. This study was conducted to identify the nutritive value of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) dried red calyces and compare the protective anti-anemic effects of cold and hot beverages of Roselle (CRB and HRB, respectively) in lead -intoxicated rats. Thirtytwo adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups, including a normal control group, while other groups were administered lead acetate (20 mg/kg/24 hr) and kept untreated (group 2), or received CRB and HRB (0.5 mL/100 g b.w./24 hr), respectively for 6 weeks. Finally, body weight gain was calculated. Serum lead and some anemia -related minerals were determined. Besides, liver antioxidant capacity and hematological indices in serum and whole blood were evaluated. Moreover, Roselle dried red calyces were chemically analyzed, while some physicochemical analyses were performed in both beverages. Results indicated the high nutritional value of dried Roselle red calyces, as they are good source of calories, protein and vitamin C. Moreover, they are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron and zinc. Biologically, lead exposure caused a significant increase in serum lead which in turn induced overweight, hematologic disorders, along with oxidative stress. Due to its higher anthocyanin content and total antioxidant activity, CRB was more efficient than HRB in preventing the toxic effects of lead. Accordingly, the present study confirms that dried Roselle red calyces are good source of health promoters and strongly indicates the protective effect of cold Roselle beverage against lead acetate -induced IDA.

Lead pollution is a major environmental challenge worldwide. Therefore, dietary interventions that are aimed at preventing lead’s deleterious effects on body organs are needed. The study’s goal was to study and compare the protective effect of cold and hot beverages of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) red calyces (CRB and HRB, respectively) on liver and kidney insufficiency associated with lead exposure in male rats. Adult albino rats (32 males) were divided into four groups of equal number, including a normal control (group 1), while groups from 2 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg body weight/day) and were kept untreated (group 2). The 3rd and the 4th groups received CRB and HRB (0.5 ml/100 g body weight/day), respectively, for 6 weeks. The gain in the body and relative weights of the liver and kidneys were calculated. Liver and kidney functions were determined in serum, while lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and oxidative stress markers were established in tissues. Specimens from the liver and kidney of sacrificed rats were histopathologically examined. The total activity of antioxidants and total content of anthocyanin of both beverages were determined. Lead exposure resulted in its accumulation in tissues, leading to overweight and liver and kidney insufficiency along with oxidative stress, which was further confirmed by histological staining. CRB was more efficient than HRB in preventing the deleterious effects of lead intoxication. Due to their antioxidant properties, the present study proved that Roselle red calyx beverages, particularly the cold ones, are protective agents against lead-associated disorders in a rat model.

T HIS study was carried out to identify the nutritive value of sweet basil leaves and investigate their effects as a functional food on CCl 4-intoxicated rats previously fed on high fat diet as a novel nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model. Fresh sweet basil leaves were chemically analyzed in order to determine their nutritive value. The biological experiment was conducted using thirty two male albino rats (Sprague Dawley strain) weighing 80 ± 5 g, which were divided into four groups including normal control group, untreated liverinjured group, while the other two groups were treated with 2 and 4% sweet basil leaves powder (SBLP), respectively. The curative trial lasted for 4 weeks. Results showed that protein, total fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, iron and tocopherols contents in 100 g of the used sample of fresh sweet basil leaves represent 6.4, 0.77, 0.89, 6.07, 14.23, 17.78 and 5% of the new DVs for adults, while vitamin C content was found to represent 17.8% and 21.36% of the new DVs for males and females (19-30 years), respectively. Thus, they are considered good source of calcium and iron and good/ excellent source of vitamin C. Results of the biological experiment showed that the developed NAFLD model characterized by overweight, liver enlargement and dysfunctionalong with oxidative stress, which was further confirmed by histological staining using H&E. Due to its known high antioxidant capacity, supplementation of basal diet with SBLP, especially at the high concentration, reduced the abnormalities noticed in liver tissue and alleviated the disorders associated with its dysfunction. Accordingly, the present study shows that sweet basil leaves are a good source of some health promotive nutrients, and recommends that they should be consumed regularly(about 2 tablespoons/day as shade dried leaves) and implicated in the dietary interventions directed to patients with NAFLD.

High intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG)containing foods was reported as a major health problem in Egypt. Thus, dietary interventions aim to prevent the deleterious effects of this additive were badly needed. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of concurrent consumption of MSG and Spirulina (S. platensis) on body weight as well as hepato-renal functions and histopathology in female rats. Twenty adult female albino rats were divided into four equal groups, including the control group, while groups 2 to 4 were administered 6 mg MSG/kg body weight daily, and kept untreated (group 2), or concurrently fed pelleted balanced diet supplemented with 0.5 and 1 % of Spirulina powder for 6 weeks (groups 3 and 4, respectively). At the end, body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency ratio were calculated. Liver and kidney functions were determined in sera, while oxidative stress markers were determined in liver and kidney tissue homogenates. Moreover, specimens from liver and kidney of sacrificed rats were histopathologically examined. On the other hand, phenolic profile of Spirulina powder was identified and quantified by HPLC. Findings indicated that MSG consumption resulted in overweight, liver and kidney dysfunction along with oxidative stress, which was further confirmed by histological staining. Due to the high content of phenolic compounds rather than other antioxidant agents, Spirulina powder exerted anti-obesity properties and alleviated the toxic hepato-renal effects caused by MSG consumption. So, dietary supplementation of MSG -containing food products with Spirulina powder is recommended to prevent its accompanied health abnormalities.