Gastric ulcer associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin is a major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to determine the camel milk antioxidant activity, tested on DPPH, and its gastro-protective effect, investigated in Wistar rats sub-jected to gastric ulcer induced by a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, indomethacin. The study was performed on 20 adult male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 5 rats each. The negative control group received distilled water, the positive control group received indomethacin, the standard group received ranitidine and the fourth group was pretreated with raw camel milk, for 15 days respectively. On the 16th day, the indomethacin was ad-ministered to all rats except those of the negative control group. The ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin was highly significant, evidenced by a large number of ulcer lesions, a remarkably high ulcer index, and an important decrease in adherent gastric mucus. Camel milk resulted in significant gastro-protection compared to indomethacin ulcerated rats as manifested by significant decrease in ulcerative lesions number, and the ulcer index with a restored gastric mucus wall. The camel milk protection percentage is close to that of ranitidine. Additionally, in indomethacin-injured rats an increase in white blood cells, granulocytes, serum transaminases, and hemoglobin levels with a lowering in red blood cells were reported. These physiological disturbances were recovered by camel milk. Camel milk seemed to have gastro-protective effect, probably through its strong antioxidant activity, and may be recommended to patients with arthritis.

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The Libyan jird (Meriones libycus, 1823) is a wild desert rodent that is a seasonal breeder species adapted to breed when the environmental conditions can satisfy the energy and hydrous requirements of pregnant and nursing females to ensure that births occur at the most favorable time of the year. We assessed gene expression of testicular luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr) correlated to testis activity. The expression of Lhcgr was evaluated using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR and the testis activity by a histological method in adult male Libyan jirds during the nonbreeding and breeding seasons. Our results showed that Lhcgr mRNA expression increased in autumn during the nonbreeding season and decreased in spring during the breeding season. This expression varied in contrast to testicular structure or function and plasma testosterone levels. These results help to elucidate this desert rodent’s seasonal sexual activity, which is correlated with central regulation.

Medicinal plants offer an important therapeutic resource in treatment of male infertility. We aim to evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of Salvia balansae on metabolic disorders and testicular dysfunction resulting from a high-fat diet (HFD). Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of S. balansae leaves was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. Antidiabetic activity was determined by α-amylase inhibition. In vivo, HFD was administered in Wistar rats for 18 weeks and aqueous extract of S. balansae for the last 6 weeks (200 mg/Kg of body weight/day). At the term of experimentation, testosterone and some plasma parameters were analyzed and removed testes were subjected to a histomorphometric study. Our results show high levels of phenolic components in aqueous extract of S. balansae and significant antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. HFD increases body weight, causes type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, liver failure and inflammation. Also, HFD decreases testosterone and alters testis histological structure (seminiferous tubular degeneration, impaired spermatogenesis and interstitial fibrosis). Treatment of HFD rats with extract of S. balansae normalizes body weight and plasma parameters, increases testosterone and regenerates testicular structure and function. In summary, S. balansae could reduce metabolic complications induced by HFD and serve the basis for developing a new therapy for testicular dysfunction.