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Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug that adversely affects immunity and thymus structure. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It boosts immunity and has antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effect of melatonin on CP-induced changes in the rat thymus. Forty male albino rats were used and divided equally into four main groups. Group I was the control group. Group II (melatonin group) received melatonin at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day by intraperitoneal injection throughout the experimental period. Group III (CP group) received 200 mg/kg body weight CP by a single intraperitoneal injection. Group IV (CP + melatonin group) received melatonin intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight/day starting 5 days prior to CP injection until the end of the experiment. All rats were euthanized 7 days after CP injection. Administration of CP in group III resulted in depletion of the cortical thymoblasts. In addition, CD34-immunopositive stained stem cells decreased and mast cell infiltration increased. Electron microscopy showed degeneration of thymoblasts and vacuolization of epithelial reticular cells. Administration of melatonin with CP in group IV showed considerable protection of thymic histology. In conclusion, melatonin may protect against CP-induced thymic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Etoposide (Eto) is an anti-cancer drug that is associated with serious adverse effects on male reproductive function. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) and selenium (Se) are known as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant agents. This work was designed to investigate changes in the biochemical parameters as well as alterations in Sertoli cell vimentin expression, ultrastructure and ectoplasmic specializations (ESs) following Eto treatment and to assess the ameliorative effect of ω-3 versus Se on these alterations. Eighty four adult male albino rats were used and classified into four groups: group I (control group), group II (Eto group) received Eto in a single intra-peritoneal (IP) dose (60 mg/kg B.W.), group III (Eto & ω-3 group) received the single IP dose of Eto as well as ω-3 (300 mg/kg B.W./day by intra-gastric intubation) starting 5 days before Eto injection till the time of sacrifice & group IV (Eto & Se group) received the single IP dose of Eto as well as Se (0.5 mg/kg B.W./day IP) starting 5 days before Eto injection till the time of sacrifice. The rats were subdivided into 2 subgroups (a) and (b) that were sacrificed 3 and 7 days after Eto injection respectively. Eto administration in group II induced increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), collapse of Sertoli cell vimentin filaments and ultrastructural degenerative changes in both Sertoli cells and ESs. Se (group IV) reversed Eto toxic effects potently, while ω-3 (group III) had some limited protective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of 3,4-disubstitutued coumarin derivatives have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl coumarin-3-carboxylate with pyrazole-3,5-dione and condensation of ethyl 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylate with 4,6-dibromo-3-amino phenol. Acylation with acetic anhydride and condensation of coumarin derivatives with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde yielded the corresponding acetyl derivatives and 4-substituted pyrazole derivatives. Structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated by spectral methods and elemental analysis. All the prepared derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Compound VI showed the least IC50 value in MTT colorimetric assay as compared to that of the standard marketed drug staurosporin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Benzimidazol-2-yl)-7-hydroxycoumarin and N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxamide have been synthesized by the condensation of ethyl 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylate in acetic acid. Acetylation with acetic anhydride and halogenation with bromine in acetic acid's presence of the previous compounds has yielded the corresponding acetoxy and dibromo derivatives. The synthesized molecules that contain coumarin ring have been evaluated for their activities against breast cancer and they have shown good in vitro antiproliferative activities against a human breast cancer line (MCF-7). The results have shown that 3-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-7-acetoxycoumarin had a significant cytotoxic effect compared to the standard DOX (doxorubicin) drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]