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Introduction: date palm (ADP) is a flowering plant type of the palm family which has strong antioxidant properties. Mercuric chloride (MC) is a complex substance that generates oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of ADP on the , inflammatory, oxidative and apoptotic changes induced by MC. Methods: Fifty-six male rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups (n = 7) as follows: Group 1- control, 2- MC (50 mg/kg), 3-5: ADP (30, 90, and 270 mg/kg), and 6-8: MC+ADP. The rats were orally and administrated with the respective agents for 5 weeks. Extracts of ADP were prepared and screening was conducted. Nitric oxide (NO), lipid (LP), and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) assays were conducted to assess the antioxidant index. The levels of p53, Bcl2 and Bax gene expression were assessed by real-time PCR. Cytokines involved in inflammation were evaluated by enzyme-linked assay (ELISA). Liver enzymes were also measured using biochemical methods. changes (e.g. in hepatocyte (HD) and central hepatic vein (CHV)), and apoptosis cell index were evaluated by light and fluorescent microscopy methods. Results: MC treatment significantly increased all parameters described in the Methods section (except for FRAP level and Bcl2 expression level, which were both decreased) in the MC group, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Also, all indices were significantly decreased in the ADP and ADP+MC groups (except for FRAP level and Bcl2 expression level, which were increased), when compared to the MC group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings revealed that ADP extract can serve as a potent antioxidant which effectively attenuates the adverse effects of MC on the liver through the activation of antioxidant mechanisms and regeneration of modifications.

Background and purpose: Natural products are used to improve the damage caused by harmful reagents in various pathological situations. This study investigated the effect of grape sap as a natural product with antioxidant properties on follicle cell proliferation in bleomycin (as a chemotherapy agent with toxic effects on hair growth) treated rats skin. Experimental approach: The bleomycin treated rats were administrated grape sap. Wingless/integrated (wnt) and β-catenin gene expression as follicle proliferative markers were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, histological factors and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Findings / Results: The data showed that, grape sap increased the number of anagenic hair follicle in grape sap (100 mg/kg) group ( P < 0.001), sebaceous glands ( P < 0.001), blood vessel density ( P < 0.001), and hair growth length ( P < 0.001). Also, wnt and β-catenin gene expression was elevated. The data showed that wnt and β-catenin gene expression were elevated in grape sap treated animals versus bleomycin group ( P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion and implications: Our finding showed that grape sap can be effective in increasing hair growth a gains bleomycin toxic effects on skin hair growth.

Ipomoea aquatica (IA) with antioxidant properties is used in therapeutic trends. An organophosphate, dichlorvos (Dich), is a common insecticide with various side effects on living tissues. This study examines the role of IA on Dich-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Sixty-four male rats were divided into eight groups including sham, Dich (4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), IA 1, 2, and 3 (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively, orally), and Dich + IA 1, 2, and 3. All treatments were applied daily for 60 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed. The histopathological changes, leukocyte infiltration, and apoptosis were assessed by light and fluorescent microscopy. The serum levels of hepatic enzymes, nitrite oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated biochemically. Dich statistically significantly increased the NO level, hepatic enzyme activity, apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, the mean diameter of hepatocytes (DHs), and central hepatic vein diameter (CHVD) and also decreased the TAC, mean weight of liver, and the total weight of rats compared to the sham group (P < 0.01). In all IA and Dich + IA groups, a statistically significant decrease was detected in apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, hepatic enzyme activity, NO level, mean DH, and CHVD, whereas an increase in TAC level, mean liver weight, and total weight was detected compared to the Dich group (P < 0.01). IA, due to the antioxidant property, recovers the Dich-related catastrophic changes in liver.