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Objective: Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug commonly used for the treatment of malign neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bitter melon (BM) were reported. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of BM fruit extract on MTX-induced testicular and epididymal damage. Materials and Methods: Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into three groups (n=8) as control, MTX and MTX+BM. A single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to the MTX and MTX+BM groups. BM fruit extract (600 mg/kg) was applied to the MTX+BM group orally for 5 days. Testes were examined for general histopathology, proliferating and apoptotic cells. The epididymis samples were used for the evaluation of sperm morphology. Oxidative and inflammatory markers were analysed biochemically. Results: Increased abnormal spermatozoa, degenerated seminiferous tubules with increased apoptotic cells and decreased proliferative cells were observed in the MTX group. TNF-α, IL-1β, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and caspase-3 levels increased, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels decreased in both testis and epididymis samples. All these histological and biochemical parameters were ameliorated in the MTX+BM group. Conclusion: Methotrexate causes testis damage by decreasing spermatogenic cells and increasing apoptosis through oxidative stress and inflammation. BM extract improves testis and epididymis damage with its possible anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objective: Obesity is associated with many diseases, including urinary system disorders such as chronic kidney disease and overactive bladder syndrome. Myrtus communis L. (MC) extract has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of MC extract on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced kidney and bladder damage. Materials and Methods:Wistar albino male rats were divided into three experimental groups: control, HFD and HFD+MC. Experimental groups were fed a standard diet (control group) or HFD (HFD and HFD+MC groups) for 16 weeks. MC extract (100 mg/kg) was administered to the HFD+MC group orally during the last 4 weeks (5 days/week) of the experiment. Highdensity lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride and leptin levels were measured in blood serum. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were evaluated biochemically. Kidney and bladder morphology, NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX-2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ҡB)-positive and apoptotic cells were evaluated histologically.Results: Lipid profiles altered and leptin levels increased in blood serum. MDA, 8-OHdG and MPO levels increased and GSH level decreased in kidney and bladder in the HFD group. Moreover, degenerated kidney and bladder morphology, increased NOX-2 and NF-ҡB-positive and apoptotic cells were observed in this group. All of these biochemical and histological parameters were ameliorated in the HFD+MC group. Conclusion:HFD-induced obesity causes kidney and bladder damage by oxidative and inflammatory processes. MC extract may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and play a protective role in obesity-related kidney and bladder damage.

Objective:The aim is to examine the possible protective effect of Cuscuta sp. extract against liver damage induced by biliary obstruction in rats. Materials and Methods:To induce biliary obstruction, the bile duct ligation (BDL) method was used. Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to 4 groups: Control (C), Cuscuta (CUS), bile duct ligation (BDL), and bile duct ligation + Cuscuta (BDL+CUS). Control and BDL rats were given physiological saline (SF), while CUS and BDL+CUS groups were administered 250 mg/ kg of Cuscuta extract by oral gavage. At the end of 28 th day, the rats were decapitated, serum and tissue samples were collected, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and direct and total bilirubin (DB and TB) levels were determined in blood samples. In liver tissues, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG), hydroxyproline, and sodium-potassium ATPase (Na + /K + -ATPase) levels were determined.Results: Serum samples of rats with cholestasis had high ALT, AST, DB, and TB levels, while TGF-β, 8-OHdG, and hydroxyproline concentrations were found to be significantly high in tissues. Hepatic Na + /K + -ATPase levels were decreased through biliary obstruction. Biochemical parameters were drastically reversed by Cuscuta care; also, this was supported histologically. Conclusion:Results showed that Cuscuta extract, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, provided protection against oxidative injury by biliary obstruction. Also, these results confirm the traditional use of Cuscuta sp. as hepatoprotective.