Background: Aflatoxin B1 produced by the fungus Asperagillus flavus causes great economic losses and poses health hazards to human and animals through its toxic biological effects on liver, kidney and lungs. The aim of this work was to study the potential protective effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Berberis vulgaris and Ulva lactuca extracts on hepatocyte toxicity induced by A. flavus intake in rats. We also investigated the effect of A. flavus and the studied extracts on liver and kidney structure and function and the potential modulation of p53 and ICAM-1 gene expression as well as the liver antioxidant status. Our results showed a damaging effect of A. flavus intake on both liver and kidney as reflected by liver histopathological examination and the impaired liver and kidney functions measured by ALT, AST, Albumin, Urea, creatinine and glucose. Cinnamon and Berberis and Ulva pre-treatment kept these parameters to almost its normal levels compared to the induced unprotected animals. All tested extracts reduced the oxidative stress status and increased the antioxidant status by lowering TBARS and increasing NO levels significantly but had no significant effect on SOD activity. A.flavus intake caused a significant decline in both P53 and ICAM-1 gene expression; however, administration of Cinnamon or Berberis caused a significant increase in expression with Cinnamon causing the highest increase in p53 and Berberis causing the highest increase in ICAM-1. In conclusion, we recommended the use of cinnamon Zeylanicum or Berberis vulgaris as protective natural antioxidants against hepatocellular aflatoxin induced toxicity.Bull. of Egyp. Soc. Physiol. Sci.

IJCBR (jcbr.journals.ekb.eg) is published by Egyptian Society of Cancer Research (eacr.tanta.edu.eg) and sponsored by the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (www.ekb.eg) Evaluation of the anti-fusarium effect of ethanolic extracts of

Background: Despite the growing evidence indicating the association between inhalation of traditional incense smoke (IS) and the increased risk of numerous health issues, its possible effect on spermatogenesis is still confusing. Aim: The present study was designed to address the hypothesis that exposure to traditional IS may impact sperm quality and affect liver and kidney function. Material and Methods: Using a rat model, we evaluated the effects of IS exposure on semen quality by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) and blood samples were collected for the determination of random blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), liver and kidney function parameters and testosterone levels. Results: Prolonged inhalation of IS caused a highly significant decrease in testosterone levels compared with the control group. Moreover, complete semen analysis indicated that sperm's progressive motility, velocity, and vigor parameters were significantly decreased in IS-exposed groups compared with the unexposed group. Also, IS inhalation significantly increased the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperms. Biochemically, prolonged inhalation of IS caused a significant decrease in blood glucose while blood CRP, liver, and kidney function biomarkers were significantly elevated compared with the control group, reflecting potential toxicity. Conclusion: We concluded that excessive and prolonged IS inhalation may cause a remarkable deterioration in spermatogenesis, sperm quality as well as kidney and liver function.