No abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a cessation of ovarian function in women less than 40 years old. The atrophy of the ovary leads to decreased follicle storage, which leads to irregular of the menstrual cycle, dysfunction of the ovary and causes infertility. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin (CRC) and hesperidin (HSP) on POF in a female rat. POF was Caused by intraperitoneal (i. p.) injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg b. wt.) at the first day and then (8 mg/kg b. wt./day) for the next 14 days. The treatment with CRC (100 mg/kg b. wt./day, i. p) and / or HSP (80 mg/kg b. wt./day, i. p.) were started and continued for 14 days after two weeks for POF induction. Ninety female rats were classified into six groups. Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (POF-induced), Group 3 (POF+ CRC), Group 4 (POF+HSP), Group 5 (POF+CRC+HSP) and Group 6 (Normal+CRC+HSP). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and ovarian tissues malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations significantly increased, while serum estradiol (E2) level, ovarian tissues reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) markedly decreased in POF group as compared with the control group. However, the 3 rd , the 4 th and the 5 th treated groups had a significant increase in serum E2, ovarian tissues SOD activity and GSH level and marked decrease in FSH and MDA concentrations compared with the POF group. The histopathological changes in the three treated groups improved toward control group. Conclusively, Hesperidin superior to curcumin in the alleviation of oxidative stress and hormonal alterations in a rat model of cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of avocado oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Rats were divided into 5 groups. Group (1) was negative control. Groups (2) and (4) were orally administrated diethylnitrosamine for induction of hepatocellular carcinoma then group (2) was left untreated; group 4 was treated orally with avocado oil before DEN administration. Group (3) was orally treated with avocado oil only. Serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) was assayed using ELISA technique. The untreated cancer group showed significant elevation in the liver function (ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin) and tumor marker AFP. Histopathological investigation of liver tissue sections in cancer group revealed dysplasia. In contrast, the treated groups showed significant depletion in the liver function and AFP and significant decrease in the liver function (ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin).Interestingly, treatment with avocado oil showed marked improvement in the histological feature of liver tissue. It is concluded that this study indicated the promising therapeutic potential of avocado oil against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies are required to evaluate the possible mechanism at the molecular level.

Diabetes mellitus causes impaired wound healing. In this study, the potential wound healing activities of topical chitosan/ Zinc oxide nanocomposite membrane and local insulin injection in diabetic rats were evaluated. Diabetes was induced by a single IP injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50mg/kg b.wt. Forty-eight male rats were divided into Six groups. Group I: control wounded, non-treated, non-diabetic rats, Group II: wounded diabetic non-treated, Group III: Normal wounded rats treated with chitosan/ Zinc oxide nanocomposite membrane, Group IV: Diabetic wounded treated with chitosan/ Zinc oxide nanocomposite membrane rats, Group V: wounded diabetic rats treated with local insulin injection, Group VI: Wounded diabetic rats treated with chitosan/ Zinc oxide nanocomposite membrane and local insulin injection. After 14 days of wound treatment, rats were euthanized and the skin tissue was collected for (EGF), (PDGF), (MMP9) and miRNA 21 gene expression analysis. A significant down-regulation of EGF, PDGF and miRNA 21 with up-regulation in MMP 9 were observed in diabetic non treated wounds as compared with control wounded. Meanwhile, a significant increase of EGF, PDGF and miRNA 21 with decrease in MMP 9 gene expression was observed in insulin, Chitosan/ZnO membrane treatment alone or in combination in wounded diabetic rats. Conversely, MMP9 was significantly down regulated after different treatments. The finding indicated that topical Chitosan/ZnO nanocomposite membrane and insulin injection exhibited a great effect on the acceleration of diabetic wound healing via increasing proangiogenic effect, re-epithelialization, and remodeling of ECM .

Gastric ulcer is a common chronic disease in human digestive system. Massive alcohol drinking can lead to gastric ulcer. The gastroprotective effect and molecular mechanisms of Proanthocyanidin in a rat model of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal erosion were investigated. Thirty-five male rats were divided into five equal groups. Group 1 (Control normal): rats received no drugs. Group 2 (Early ulcer): rats received absolute ethanol (0.5 ml/100g) orally on empty stomach and sacrificed one hour later. Group 3 (Early ulcer + Proanthocyanidin protected): rats received proanthocyanidin orally at a dose of (300 mg/kg b. wt/day) for 3 weeks before ethanol administration then sacrificed after one hour. Group 4 (Late ulcer): rats received ethanol like group 2 and sacrificed after 21 days. Group 5 (Late ulcer + proanthocyanidin treated): rats first administered ethanol (0.5 ml/100g) and after one-hour proanthocyanidin was administered for 21 days. A significant increase in stomach L-MDA concentration with marked decrease in CAT activity and GSH concentration were observed in gastric erosion-induced rats. However, a significant depletion of gastric L-MDA level and marked increase in CAT activity and GSH concentration were observed after Proanthocyanidin treatment when compared to ulcerated rats. A significant up-regulation of gene expression level of BAX, NF-κB and IL-1β with downregulation of Bcl-2 gene were observed in stomach of gastric erosion-induced rats. However, a significant down regulation of BAX, NF-κB and IL-1β with up-regulation of Bcl-2 gene were observed after proanthocyanidin treatment. Conclusively, proanthocyanidin protects rat gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced gastric erosion via anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidative mechanisms.