This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of white mulberry leaves on rat liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride. Mulberry leaves powder (MLP) was prepared and its chemical composition, bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity were determined. The data indicated that MLP contain high levels of protein, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrates, antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) and non-nutrient antioxidants ( phenolics and carotenoids). Also, MLP exhibited high antioxidant properties (antioxidant activity, 63.04% and DPPH•, 129.52 μMol Trolox /g DW). For biological experiments, MLP has been fed at concentrations ranged 0.75 to 6 % in basal diet of rats for 2 weeks then injected withCCl4 to induce liver damage. Treatment of animals with CCl4 caused a significant increased (p≤0.05) in AST (90.76%), ALT (62.67%) and ALP (183.15%) compared to normal controls. Supplementation of the rat diets with MLP prevented the rise of mean serum AST, ALT and ALP activities. The same behavior was recorded for thiobarpituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level in serum, the biomarkers of oxidative stress in cells. The opposite directions were observed for some immunological parameters including albumin levels and protease activity in serum and reduced glutathione (GSH) fractions (non-enzymatic antioxidant) in serum. The results were confirmed by microscopical liver examination. These results supported our hypothesis that MLP could be used successfully as functional food for containing several classes of bioactive compounds and exhibited antioxidant activity that are able to prevent or inhibit liver injuries induced by chemical toxin (CCl4) . Therefore, we recommended MLP by a concentration about 6% (w/w) to be included in our daily dishes and drinks as well as in different food products as a natural food additive.
Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the world's most common chronic diseases as changing life styles lead to reduced physical activity and increased obesity. Many stratigies to improve diabetic complecations have been proposed, because early treatment and prevention play a pivotal role in reducing the population burden of diabetes. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of three phyto methanolic extracts coming from prickly pear peel (PPP), red onion skin (ROS) and potato peel (PP) and blending in beef meatballs in modulating hyperglycemia using alloxaneinduced diabetic rats. The selected phyto extract showed high antioxidant activity ranged 70.62 to 89.78 % and rich in different bioactive compounds including phenolics and carotenoids. Treatment of animals with aloxane caused a significant increased (p≤0.05) in serum glucose concentration by the ratio 118.09% compared to normal controls. Supplementation of the rat diets with meatballs (20%) decreased the value which recorded 93.63%. The decreasing rate was elevated with the blending of the meatballs with 0.25% w/w by PPP, ROS and PP and their mixture which recorded 61.59, 41.28, 52.10 and 37.15%, respectively. The same behavior was recorded for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitrogen reactive oxides (NO2 and NO3) levels in plasma, the biomarkers of oxidative stress. On the same time, improving in the antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic defense systems in both serum and RBC's were recorded. In conclusion, the tested phyto extracts ameliorates the alterations in free radical defense mechanisms of diabetic rats through the high antioxidant activities as the result of high levels of many bioactive compounds found in such extracts. Also, these findings provide a basis for the use of phyto extracts for the prevention and/or treatment of type-2 Diabetes mellitus.
Phytochemicals are chemicals produced by plants through primary or secondary metabolism. It is one such family of bioactive agents that is being researched extensively the world over for its effectiveness against several cancer pathways. Curcumin belong to the family of phytochemicals and have antioxidative and anticarcinogenic properties. In the present study, chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin was investigated against Benzo[a]pyrene (BP), induced liver toxicity and carcinogenicity. The BP treatment resulted in a significant increase (p≤0.05) in liver functions enzymatic activity and lipid peroxidation (malonaldialdehyde, MDA) levels. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, GSH-Px; superoxide dismutase, SOD and catalase, CAT) and glutathione (GSH) fractions were found to be significantly decreased (p≤0.01) following BP treatment. Further, BP treatment brought a significant increase (p≤0.05) in the activities of drug metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450, Cyt P450). Supplementation of the rat diets with curcumin (0.1 to 4.0 g/100g w/w) was able to decrease significantly (p≤0.05) the levels of MDA and increase significantly (p≤0.05) activities of antioxidant enzymes. Also, the activity of drug metabolizing enzyme (cytochrome p450) was markedly decreased by the feeding of curcumin. The results of this study suggest that treatment with curcumin proved beneficial on antioxidant status and drug metabolizing enzymes during experimentally induced liver toxicity and carcinogenicity in rats. Therefore, we recommended curcumin by a concentration of about 0.4% to be included in our daily diets, drinks and food products.
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