Purpose This study aims to investigate the possible effect of Citrus latifolia (CL) extract on biomarkers of oxidative stress, including lipid peroxidation products in rats fed a high cholesterol diet Design/methodology/approach Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding normocholesterolemic rats 1 per cent cholesterol-enriched diet for 15 days. An experimental group (n = 20) was divided into two groups (n = 10) and fed the same diet with or without CL lyophilized aqueous extract (1 per cent) for four weeks. At day 28, ten rats from each group were killed. Findings Treatment with CL lyophilized aqueous extract compared with the untreated group had decreased plasma total cholesterol (TC) (−36 per cent), triacylglycerols (−48 per cent), isoprostanes values (−74 per cent) and reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in erythrocytes (−21 per cent). However, the supplementation of CL peels in the hypercholesterolemic diet enhanced superoxide dismutase (+69 per cent), glutathione reductase (+30 per cent) and catalase activities (+34 per cent). Originality/value In hypercholesterolemic rats, administering CL extract ameliorates dyslipidemia and attenuates lipid peroxidation in tissues. These results suggest that CL could be beneficial in the primary treatment of hypercholesterolemia and oxidative damage caused by a high-cholesterol diet.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of flaxseed (L. usitatissimum [Linn]) on blood pressure, redox status markers and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity in ouabain-induced hypertension in normal Wistar rats. Design/methodology/approach Male Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 7 g (n = 24) fed with an experimental diet containing 20 per cent casein were divided into three groups (n = 8) and received a daily subcutaneous injection of either 0.9 per cent saline solution (T group) or 10 µg/kg/day of ouabain diluted in saline solution-treated Oub-Lu or not with 1 per cent of flaxseed (L. usitatissimum) mixed in the diet for 21 days. Findings The results showed that treatment with flaxseed had a significant effect (p < 0.05) in decreasing systolic, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and the heart rate in hypertensive rats. Total and non-HDL cholesterol levels were reduced by –26 and –35 per cent; p = 0.04, respectively. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly decreased by –85 and –42 per cent (p = 0.001 and p = 0.04), respectively in the plasma and heart. Nitric oxide levels were increased in the aorta (+ 63 per cent; p = 0.001). Moreover, in the heart and aorta, a significant increase was noted in the thiol contents (+81 and +69 per cent; p = 0.001, respectively), glutathione peroxidase (+50 per cent; p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively) and acetylcholinesterase activities (75 and +19 per cent, respectively; p = 0.001 and p = 0.04). Originality/value These results suggest hypotensive, cardiomoderating and antioxidant effects of flaxseed in ouabain-induced hypertension in the rat. In addition, it promotes a significant increase of the acetylcholinesterase activity in tissues.

In this study, we explored the effects of marjoram oil (MO) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in Balb/c mice. Marjoram oil was found to significantly reduce the severity of DSS-induced colonic inflammation, as reflected by improved disease activity index, prevented colon length shortening, lower histopathological score, decreased myeloperoxidase activity, and reduced interlukin 6 (IL-6) levels. Moreover, marjoram oil pretreatment enhanced the colonic epithelial integrity by decreasing paracellular permeability. Marjoram oil was found to clearly reduce the colonic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay and enhance the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione sulfhydryl content. Marjoram oil could exert a protective effect on ulcerative colitis through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Po (Portulaca oleracea) lyophilised aqueous extract in diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitonially by a single injection of STZ (streptozotocin) (60 mg/kg bw (body weight)). Twenty diabetic rats, weighing 263 ± 5 g, were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Po extract (1 g/kg bw), for four weeks. Control group (n = 6) received 0.23~0.25 mL of citrate buffer and was fed a standard diet during the experiment. The study was carried out at Oran University, Algeria and the entire experiments lasted from September 2011 to July 2012. Blood was obtained from the abdominal aorta of rats after fasting overnight and standard methods were used for the extraction of spices, determination of glycemia, insulinemia, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities. Portulaca oleracea treated compared to untreated rats, glycemia and HbA1c values were respectively 2.8-and 1.7-fold lower. TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) concentrations were reduced in RBC (red blood cells) (−54%) and plasma (−65%). Moreover, in liver and kidney, TBARS values were respectively 1.8-and 2-fold lower. SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) activities were increased respectively by +38% and +85%, in liver. GSSG-Red (glutathione reductase) activity was 1.9-fold higher in kidney, while CAT (catalase) was improved in kidney (+48%). In RBCs, SOD, GSH-Px, GSSH-Red and CAT activities were increased by 31%, 42%, 56% and +50%, respectively. These data have cast a new light on the actions of Portulaca oleracea and its antioxidant potential benefits in preventing diabetes and its complications.