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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis; RM) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris; TV) are used as remedies. We designed this work to investigate the preventive effect of aqueous extracts of RM or TV on the gentamicin (GM)-induced hepatotoxicity and abnormalities of lipid profile in rats. Both plant extracts exhibited an in vitro antioxidant activity as determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Radical scavenging activity for TV extract was 48.7% and for RM extract was 25.6%. Polyphenolic determination by high-performance liquid chromatography for both extracts revealed that catechin, coumarin, cinnamic acid and rutin were detected in both extracts. RM extract had higher values than TV extract in all except rutin. Ferulic acid and quercetin were also detected in TV extract and sinapic acid and oleuropein were detected in RM extract. In rats given GM intraperitoneally for 10 days and coadministered either RM extract or TV extract orally, both aqueous extracts demonstrated similar hepatoprotective effects manifested by approximate normalization of plasma liver enzymes (AST and ALT), bilirubin level and total protein concentration compared with the group given GM only. Abnormal lipid parameters and raised hydrogen peroxide levels were ameliorated by both extracts. Pancreatic lipase activity was markedly reduced by RM extract. Also, the atherogenic index value was significantly reduced by both extracts as compared to that of GM group. DNA fragmentation analysis confirmed tissue damage by GM and its amelioration by the extracts. These findings suggest that RM and TV extracts could be helpful in ameliorating some aspects of gentamicin toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypercholesterolemia (HC) when poorly controlled lead to debilitating central nervous system complications including cognitive deficits and memory impairment. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms that may be responsible for such deficits. Methods: Both diabetes and HC were induced in two groups of rats independently using alloxan and high cholesterol diet, respectively. Results: Acetyl cholinesterase was significantly increased in brain of diabetic rats. Also, brain malondialdehyde level was extremely elevated in both diabetic and hypercholesterolemic groups. Meanwhile, brain albumin was markedly decreased in both of them. However, the brain iron level was significantly increased in DM with concomitant increase in total antioxidant capacity in the same group as compared to the normal control. The concentration of brain calcium was noticeably increased in HC group. Our results were confirmed by the increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase in both DM and HC groups, indicating major brain cytotoxicity. Conclusions: Overall, our results suggested that both DM and HC have deleterious effects on the brain which may be attributed to oxidative stress and dysregulation of both cholinergic function and calcium level. Administration of antioxidant is recommended in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]