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Ivermectin is a well-known and widely used anti-parasitic drug. Recently, in vitro data suggest anti-viral efficacy of the drug, albeit at much higher concentrations than currently approved. Despite warnings by several governing bodies, the (uncontrolled) human use of ivermectin has significantly increased during the COVID-19 epidemic. This study thus aimed to elucidate potential neurological risk of particularly the veterinary formulation of ivermectin in comparison to pure ivermectin. Zebrafish eggs (1hpf) and larvae (4dpf) were exposed to a range of concentrations of either pure ivermectin (IVM) or a veterinary formulation (V-IVM) for a period of 24 hours. Behavioral responses to both treatments were assessed at various timepoints using the pentylenetetrazol assay, the light–dark assay and a 5-day teratogenesis protocol. In addition, dissolution rates were calculated for both treatments. Acute responses of larvae at 4–

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) juice is a relevant source of polyphenols and antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects and mechanism of action of sour cherry juice under oxidative stress conditions using hydrogen peroxide as neurotoxic agent in the SH-SY5Y cell line. Cells were pre-treated with the juice for 24 h followed by the exposure to 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide for 30 min. Sour cherry juice prevented cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity and from the increase of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, sour cherry juice restored the ratio GSH/GSSG as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase). Furthermore, the in vitro ORAC and FRAP assays confirmed the antiradical and reducing activity. These results demonstrate that sour cherry juice could be of interest for the prevention of oxidative stress-related pathologies in the central nervous system.

Rooibos is rich in polyphenols with a high anti-oxidant capacity, modulating adrenal steroidogenesis while also influencing cytokine levels. The aim of this study was to investigate Rooibos' immuno-modulating properties, given the interdependence of inflammatory and oxidative stress systems, together with the regulatory function of cytokines in steroidogenesis. Rooibos did not prevent an adequate corticosterone response in rats, with corticosterone and deoxycorticosterone levels significantly increased after 1 hr restraint. IL-6 levels decreased in Rooibos-treated rats while IL-10 (P