Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the aetiology of HCl/ethanol- and indomethacin gastric mucosal damage. This study investigated the protective effects of kolaviron, a natural antioxidant from the seed of Garcinia kola, on oxidative gastric mucosal damage induced by HCl/ethanol, and indomethacin.A HCl/ethanol mixture (1.5 mL of 0.15 n HCl in 70% ethanol) and indomethacin (IND) caused severe gastric damage with an ulcer index of 2.90 +/- 0.8 and 2.5 +/- 0.4, respectively, and significant reductions in the gastric mucosal content of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.001).Pre-treatment of animals with kolaviron (100 mg/kg) orally 1 h and once daily for 3 days prior to ulcer induction significantly reduced the formation of ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol with preventive ratios of 65 and 72, respectively, while rats treated with kolaviron 1 day and for 7 days prior to IND treatment attenuated ulcer formation by 59% and 77%. Pre-treatment with ranitidine 1 h prior to ulcer induction (50 mg/kg) elicited preventive ulcer ratio of 55. Kolaviron pre-treatment 1 h before ulcer induction attenuated the HCl/ethanol reduction in CAT, SOD and GSH by 43%, 42% and 30%, respectively, and 67%, 68% and 64% following 72 h treatment with kolaviron. Ranitidine elicited 24%, 41% and 29% protective effects, respectively.Similarly, kolaviron administered to rats 1 day and for 7 days before IND treatment attenuated the drug-induced inhibition of CAT by 44% and 70%; SOD by 23% and 43% and GSH by 32% and 55%, respectively. In a 1 h and 3-day treatment with kolaviron before HCl/ethanol administration, MDA was reduced by 35% and 55%, respectively, while kolaviron administration 1 day and for 7 days before IND elicited a 39% and 58% reduction in MDA. Ranitidine elicited 39% and 50% reduction in MDA following HCl/ethanol and IND treatment. The results indicate the gastroprotective activity of kolaviron, which may be linked to its intrinsic antioxidant properties.

AIM:To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species in the ulcer-aggravating effect of lead in albino rats. METHODS:Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated orally with 100 mg/L (low dose) or 5000 mg/L (high dose) of lead acetate for 15 wk. A third group received saline and served as control. At the end of wk 15, colorimetric assays were applied to determine the concentrations of total protein and nitrite, the activities of the oxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation in homogenized gastric mucosal samples. RESULTS:Exposure of rats to lead significantly increased the gastric mucosal damage caused by acidified ethanol. Although the basal gastric acid secretory rate was not significantly altered, the maximal response of the stomach to histamine was significantly higher in the lead-exposed animals than in the unexposed control group. Exposure to low and high levels of lead significantly increased gastric lipid peroxidation to 183.2% ± 12.7% and 226.1% ± 6.8% of control values respectively (P < 0.0). On the other hand, lead exposure significantly decreased catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and the amount of nitrite in gastric mucosal samples. CONCLUSION:Lead increases the formation of gastric ulcers by interfering with the oxidative metabolism in the stomach.

No abstract

AIMS:This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Allium cepa crude extract on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in rats.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 6). Group 1 was used as control, group 2 was administered 0.3 mg/kgBW of cadmium sulfate (CdSO4) intraperitoneally for 3 days, group 3 was pretreated with 1 ml/100 g BW of Allium cepa (AcE) for 8 weeks followed by intraperitoneal administration of 0.3 mg/kgBW of CdSO4 in the last 3 days of experiment, and group 4 was administered 1 ml/100 g BW of AcE throughout the experiment. Testicular weight and semen analysis revealing the sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology was carried out. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities, and lipid peroxidation status were also carried out in testes.RESULTS:The study demonstrated that Allium cepa ameliorated CdSO4–induced alteration in testicular weight, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. It also showed that Allium cepa attenuated the derangement of lipid peroxidation profile in testicular tissues caused by CdSO4 exposure.CONCLUSIONS:The findings in the study showed that pre-treatment of rat model with Allium cepa extract prevented CdSO4–induced reproductive toxicity by improving sperm quality and enhancing testicular lipid peroxidation status.

The aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of Landolphia owariensis leaves (AELO, MELO & CELO respectively)

No abstract

Girifl ve

Objective:This study investigated the antioxidative and antisecretory properties of folic acid in the rats’ stomach.Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were treated with 2 mg/kg diet of folic acid for 21 days. Gastric ulceration was induced by indomethacin, scored, and assayed to determine the concentration of total protein, mucus, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in homogenized samples. Normal saline and Ranitidine treated group served as negative and positive control, respectively. Basal and stimulated acid secretion was measured by continuous perfusion method.Result:Indomethacin caused severe damage to the rats’ stomach with an ulcer index of 4.32 ± 0.13, increase in MDA concentration and reduction in the concentration of protein, mucus, catalase and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.001). Pre-treatment with folic acid prevented the formation of ulcers by 32%, and attenuated the inhibition of mucus by 14%, CAT, 51% and SOD, 150%. Ranitidine afforded 56% prevention in ulcer formation with 67%, 55% and 78% attenuation of the inhibition of mucus, CAT and SOD, respectively, by indomethacin. While indomethacin-induced lipid peroxidation was attenuated by 58% reduction in MDA concentration on pretreatment with folic acid, Ranitidine offered 65% reduction. Basal and stimulated acid secretions were significantly reduced in the treated when compared with control animals. Folic acid produced a 21% reduction in the basal acid output when compared with the control animals (P < 0.05), and 140% reduction in histamine-induced acid response.Conclusion:The results indicate the gastroprotective activity of folic acid due its antioxidative and anti-secretory properties.