Selenium (Se) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties, but its bioavailability and toxicity are considerable limiting factors. The present study aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of selenium nanoparticles (Nano-Se) on inflammation induced in irradiated rats. Paw volume and nociceptive threshold were measured in carrageenan-induced paw edema and hyperalgesia model. Leukocytic count, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E (PGE), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBAR), and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) were estimated in the exudate collected from 6 day old air pouch model. Irradiated rats were exposed to 6 Gy gamma (γ)-irradiation. Nano-Se were administered orally in a dose of 2.55 mg/kg once before carrageenan injection in the first model and twice in the second model. The paw volume but not the nociceptive response produced by carrageenan in irradiated rats was higher than that induced in non-irradiated rats. Nano-Se were effective in reducing the paw volume in non-irradiated and irradiated rats but it did not alter the nociceptive threshold. The inflammation induced in irradiated rats increased all the estimated parameters in the exudate whereas; Nano-Se decreased their elevation in non-irradiated and irradiated rats. Nano-Se possess a potential anti-inflammatory activity on inflammation induced in irradiated rats.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. The present study was undertaken to investigate the pretreatment effects of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761(®)) and low-dose whole-body γ-irradiation on the neurological dysfunction in the reserpine model of PD. Male Wistar rats were pretreated orally with EGb761 or fractionated low-dose whole-body γ-irradiation or their combination, then subjected to intraperitoneal injection of reserpine (5 mg/kg body weight) 24 h after the final dose of EGb761 or radiation. Reserpine injection resulted in the depletion of striatal dopamine (DA) level, increased catalepsy score, increased oxidative stress indicated via depletion of glutathione (GSH), increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and iron levels, decreased DA metabolites metabolizing enzymes; indicated by inhibition by glutathione-S-transferase, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) activities, mitochondrial dysfunction; indicated by declined complex I activity, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and increased apoptosis; indicated by decreased mitochondrial B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein level and by transmission electron microscope. EGb761 and low-dose γ-radiation ameliorated the reserpine-induced state of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis in brain. It can be concluded that EGb761, a widely used herbal medicine and low dose of γ-irradiation have protective effects for combating Parkinsonism possibly via replenishment of GSH levels.

These findings indicate that supplementation with either vitamin E, CoQ10 or rutin ameliorated most of the biochemical changes induced by I/R in irradiated rat brain and serum.

This study aimed to investigate the ability of dopamine (DA)-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone-poly(acrylic acid) (PVP/PAAc) nanogel [synthesized by gamma (γ) radiation-induced template polymerization] [Nano-DA] to deliver DA across the blood brain barrier, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the acute and subchronic administration of Nano-DA in modulating motor activity and/or the biochemical changes in rat brain; induced by different models of Parkinsonism. In this respect, (PVP/PAAc) nanogel was synthesized by gamma radiation-induced polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) in an aqueous solution of PVP as a template polymer, and then, it was used as a nano-drug carrier for DA. The PVP/PAAc and (PVP/PAAc loaded-DA nanogel particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, and field emission-scanning electron microscopy. The loaded gel was administered in different doses and dosing regimens to Parkinsonian rats, and the catalepsy score and striatal DA levels were assessed. Then, the potential disease-modifying activity of this form of DA was investigated, through the assessment of the improvement in mitochondrial function, following the subchronic administration of Nano-DA to Parkinsonian rats. Significant disease-modifying effects were observed upon the administration of Nano-DA; in addition to normalization in their motor activity.

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