RES may be beneficial adjuvant that confers multi-organ protection against CyP toxicity via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

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Background: The liver is the main metabolic organ involved in disposal and detoxification of various molecules. Plantago psyllium L. seed has been reported to exert positive effects in some pathological conditions. The current study aims to assess the hepatoprotective effect of Plantago psyllium L. seed extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each. Hepatotoxicity was induced by orally administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) for nine weeks with or without the different treatments which were utilized daily for the whole nine weeks. Serum and tissue samples were then withdrawn and different liver biomarkers were investigated. Results: Treatment of rats with Psyllium seed ethanolic extract significantly alleviated the toxic effects of CCl 4. This was evidenced by its ability to restore liver biomarkers levels. Moreover, treatment with Psyllium seed extract normalized levels of oxidative biomarkers such as lipid peroxidation, hepatic content of reduced glutathione and catalase activity, as well as the expression level of the inflammatory marker TNF-α. Histopathological examination reflected the protective effect of the extract on liver architecture and confirmed the observed biochemical data. Conclusions: The presented data demonstrates a potential hepatoprotective effect of Psyllium seed extract compared to the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin. This effect can be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Psyllium extract.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by articular inflammation and joint destruction. The mechanism of RA pathogenesis is not fully understood, but humoral and cellular immunity are known to be involved. CD4+ T lymphocytes and cytokines released by these cells are suggested to initiate inflammation in RA. This study aimed to assess T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) cell ratio and its correlation with disease activity in adult and juvenile RA. This study included 80 patients, with RA, including 40 adults (mean age: 36.4 ± 11.1 years and 40 juveniles mean age: 12.7 ± 2.2 years), and 80 healthy controls. For all patients and control subjects, patient and disease characteristics; laboratory tests for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), and flow cytometry to determine the numbers of Th17 and Treg cells. There was a statistically significant increase in the Th17/Treg ratio in patients with active disease compared with those with inactive disease for both adult and juvenile RA compared with controls. However, a similar significant difference was not observed between those with inactive adult and juvenile RA and controls. There were significant positive correlations between the Th17/Treg ratio and disease activity score 28 (DAS28), CRP, anti-CCP, and ANA in active adult and juvenile RA. The Th17/Treg ratio was increased in active form of adult and juvenile RA compared with inactive RA and control, indicating the Th17/Treg ratio as a potentially useful marker of disease activity.