Elderflower contains flavonoles, the most important of them being quercetin. These molecules have an important antioxidant effect. The goal of our study was to evaluate which conservation technique of elderflower results the highest concentration of rutin and and phenolic compounds. Further we evaluated the protective effects of these extracts against nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin in rats. Sambucus nigra extract demonstrates nephroprotective effects in gentamicin-induced renal toxicity, significantly improving outcome and evolution in rats.

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The use of gentamicin (GM) is limited due to its nephrotoxicity mediated by oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of a flavonoid-rich extract of Sambucus nigra L. elderflower (SN) to inhibit lipoperoxidation in GM-induced nephrotoxicity. The HPLC analysis of the SN extract recorded high contents of rutin (463.2 ± 0.0 mg mL−1), epicatechin (9.0 ± 1.1 µg mL−1), and ferulic (1.5 ± 0.3 µg mL−1) and caffeic acid (3.6 ± 0.1 µg mL−1). Thirty-two Wistar male rats were randomized into four groups: a control group (C) (no treatment), GM group (100 mg kg−1 bw day−1 GM), GM+SN group (100 mg kg−1 bw day−1 GM and 1 mL SN extract day−1), and SN group (1 mL SN extract day−1). Lipid peroxidation, evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes activity—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)—were recorded in renal tissue after ten days of experimental treatment. The MDA level was significantly higher in the GM group compared to the control group (p < 0.0001), and was significantly reduced by SN in the GM+SN group compared to the GM group (p = 0.021). SN extract failed to improve SOD, CAT, and GPX activity in the GM+SN group compared to the GM group (p > 0.05), and its action was most probably due to the ability of flavonoids (rutin, epicatechin) and ferulic and caffeic acids to inhibit synthesis and neutralize reactive species, to reduce the redox-active iron pool, and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. In this study, we propose an innovative method for counteracting GM nephrotoxicity with a high efficiency and low cost, but with the disadvantage of the multifactorial environmental variability of the content of SN extracts.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment.

Dehydration and hydro-electrolytic imbalances are relatively common and life threatening conditions in many animal species including horses. In the present study, we highlighted the efficacy of rectal rehydration in horses, nowadays less commonly used. The study was performed on eight non-pregnant mares (Romanian semigreus and Lipiţan breeds), from Beclean horse stud farm, affected by mild dehydration. The method consists in rectal administration in the form of a high enema of a balanced polyionic solution by using an esophageal tube; the solution contains water, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Blood samples were collected on EDTA and procoagulant vacutainers, before and after fluid therapy. Laboratory investigations include complete blood count and electrolytes measurement, total protein, albumin, and creatinine. Expectedly, dehydrated animals shown borderline elevated hematocrit associated with mild relative hyperproteinemia and hypernatremia, and elevated uremia levels. In all cases, the parameters were restored in response to therapy, and no side effects were recorded.