Pumpkin seed oil is a natural product commonly used in folk medicine for treatment of prostatic hypertrophy. In the present study, the effects of treatment with pumpkin seed oil on hypertension induced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) (50 mg /kg/day) in rats were studied and compared with those of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine. Pumpkin seed oil (40 or 100 mg/kg), amlodipine (0.9 mg/kg), or vehicle (control) was given once daily orally for 6 weeks. Arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) (the concentrations of nitrite/nitrate), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), blood glutathione, and erythrocytic superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Histopathological examination of heart and aorta was conducted as well. L-NAME administration resulted in a significant increase in BP starting from the second week. Pumpkin seed oil or amlodipine treatment significantly reduced the elevation in BP by L-NAME and normalized the L-NAME-induced ECG changes-namely, prolongation of the RR interval, increased P wave duration, and ST elevation. Both treatments significantly decreased the elevated levels of MDA and reversed the decreased levels of NO metabolites to near normal values compared with the L-NAME-treated group. Amlodipine also significantly increased blood glutathione content compared with normal (but not L-NAME-treated) rats. Pumpkin seed oil as well as amlodipine treatment protected against pathological alterations in heart and aorta induced by L-NAME. In conclusion, this study has shown that pumpkin seed oil exhibits an antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects through a mechanism that may involve generation of NO.

Aim There is a great interest in combining anticancer drugs with natural products aiming at maximizing their efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Hence, the present study was constructed aiming to investigate the protective potential of three natural products, 1,8-cineole an essential oil from Artemisia herba alba , exopolysaccharide (EPS) from locally identified marine streptomycete, and ellagic acid (EA), against chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity. Methods Isolation, production and characterization of EPS from marine streptomycete was done. Animals were allocated into five groups, GP1: normal control, GP2: cyclophosphamide (CYC), GP3: 1,8-cineole + CYC, GP4: EPS + CYC, GP4: EA + CYC. All drugs were administered orally 1 week before and concomitantly with CYC. Electrocardiography (ECG) analysis, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), cardiac serum markers (LDH and CK), oxidative stress biomarkers in hepatic and cardiac tissues (GSH and MDA), TGF-β1 and histopathological examination of hepatic and cardiac tissues were executed. Results The isolated stain produced EPS was identified as Streptomyces xiamenensis. EPS contains uronic, sulphate groups and different monosugars with Mw 4.65 × 10 4 g/mol and showed antioxidant activity against DPPH. Pretreatment of rats with 1,8-cineole, EPS and EA improved ECG abnormalities, decrease serum markers of hepato- and cardiotoxicity, prevent oxidative stress and decrease TGF-β1 in liver and heart tissues. Conclusion The present results demonstrate the hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects of the above-mentioned natural products against CYC organ toxicity.

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Cuphea ignea A. DC. is an ornamental tropical plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. The aim of this study is to verify the in vivo antihypertensive potential of C. ignea A. DC. and to explore its metabolic profile using a UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS technique. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of the leaves in two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt.) significantly normalized the elevated systolic blood pressure in N(G)-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester-induced hypertension in rats. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) concentration was significantly decreased by the high dose extract compared to lisinopril. Nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly restored by both doses. Concerning the oxidative stress parameters, both doses displayed significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) level while the high dose restored elevated glutathione level. These biochemical results were clearly supported by the histopathological examination of the isolated heart and aorta. A UHPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS study was represented by a detailed metabolic profile of leaves and flowers of C. ignea A. DC., where 53 compounds were identified among which flavonoids, fatty acids, and hydrolysable tannins were the major identified classes. This study established scientific evidence for the use of C. ignea A. DC., a member of genus Cuphea as a complementary treatment in the management of hypertension.

Increased fructose intake has been linked to the epidemiology of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, renal damage, and metabolic syndrome (MS). As oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathology of insulin resistance, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Nigella Sativa (NS) and ginger as potent antioxidants on fructose-induced MS in rats. Male rats were fed with a high‐fructose high-fat-fed diet for 8 weeks. By the end of the 8th week, rats were divided into four groups; one was left untreated (normal control) and MS control group was treated with saline. MS groups were given Nigella sativa (4 ml/kg) and ginger (500 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Markers chosen for assessment included the effect on body weight gain, glucose, insulin, adiponectin levels, and lipid profile. Also, protein expressions were estimated by glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) content and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARγ). Nigella sativa and ginger ameliorated some manifestations of MS, including an increase in body weight, glucose, insulin level, and resistance. Besides, both drugs lowered insulin resistance, induced hyperlipidemia and increased adiponectin level. Drugs also increased GLUT4 and PPARγ protein expression compared with MS control group. Nigella sativa and ginger ameliorated parameters of MS via increased GLUT4 and PPARγ expression.