This study aimed to test whether boswellic acids add to the antitumor effects of doxorubicin against solid tumors of Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) grown in mice, and to investigate the protective effects of boswellic acids against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Sixty-four female Swiss albino mice bearing EAC solid tumors were distributed among 8 groups as follows: group 1, EAC control group; group 2, doxorubicin treatment group [mice were injected with doxorubicin (6 mg·(kg body mass)(-1)·week(-1)) for 3 weeks]; groups 3-5, these mice were treated with boswellic acids (125, 250, or 500 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)), respectively; groups 6-8, these mice were treated with a combination of doxorubicin and boswellic acids (125, 250, or 500 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)), respectively, for 3 weeks. The results indicated that boswellic acids synergized the antitumor activity of doxorubicin. Doxorubicin-treated mice showed elevated serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB as well as cardiac malondialdehyde. Further, decreases in cardiac levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were observed. These effects were accompanied by an increase in cardiac expression of caspase 3. Thus, treatment with boswellic acids attenuated doxorubicin-evoked disturbances in the above-mentioned parameters, highlighting antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities. Therefore, boswellic acids could be potential candidates for ameliorating the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin.

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Introduction: Parkinsonism is a neurodegenerative disorder. Pomegranate (POM) has been previously shown to have a dopaminergic neuroprotective effect against Parkinsonism. Objective:The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacy of POM, vinpocetine, Propolis, Cocoa or L-dopa using RT-induced Parkinsonism rat model. Methods:Rats were divided into seven groups; one normal and five RT model groups. One of the RT (2.5 mg/kg sc) groups served as non-treated parkinsonism model whereas the others were treated with either L-dopa (10 mg/kg PO) or with POM (150 mg/kg PO) together with each of the following; vinpocetine (VIN) (20 mg/kg PO), Propolis (300 mg/kg PO), Cocoa (24 mg/kg PO). Motor and cognitive performances were examined using three tests (catalepsy, open-field, Y-maze). Striatal dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholinesterase, GABA, Glutamate, GSK 3B, BDNF levels were assessed as well as MDA, SOD, .

Introduction:Parkinsonism is a neurodegenerative disorder. Pomegranate (POM) has been previously shown to have a dopaminergic neuroprotective effect against Parkinsonism. Objective:The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacy of POM, vinpocetine, Propolis, Cocoa or L-dopa using RT-induced Parkinsonism rat model. Methods:Rats were divided into seven groups; one normal and five RT model groups. One of the RT (2.5 mg/kg sc) groups served as non-treated parkinsonism model whereas the others were treated with either L-dopa (10 mg/kg PO) or with POM (150 mg/kg PO) together with each of the following; vinpocetine (VIN) (20 mg/kg PO), Propolis (300 mg/kg PO), Cocoa (24 mg/kg PO). Motor and cognitive performances were examined using three tests (catalepsy, open-field, Y-maze). Striatal dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholinesterase, GABA, Glutamate, GSK 3B, BDNF levels were assessed as well as MDA, SOD, TAC, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOs and caspase-3. Also, histopathological examinations of different brain regions were determined.Results: Treatment with L-dopa alone or with all POM combination groups alleviated the deficits in locomotor activities, cognition, monoamine levels, acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers as well as caspase-3 expression induced by RT. Conclusion:Combinations of POM with each of VIN, Propolis or Cocoa have a promising disease-modifying antiparkinsonian therapy even without being given as an adjuvant to L-dopa.