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Ziziphus spina-christi (L.), a traditional Arabian medicinal herb, has been used by Egyptians (Bedouin and Nubian) to treat inflammatory symptoms and swellings, pain, and heat since long. We aimed to investigate whether Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract (ZSCLE) exerted a myocardial and renal protective effect on mice in which sepsis had been induced with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into six groups (n = 7): sham-operated group, sham-operated mice treated with ZSCLE (300 mg/kg), CLP-induced sepsis group, ZSCLE (100 mg/kg)-treated group, ZSCLE (200 mg/kg)-treated group, and ZSCLE (300 mg/kg)-treated group. Pretreatment with ZSCLE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) restored the normal heart rate (HR); decreased the elevated levels of malondialdehyde; the activity of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide (NO), and inducible NO synthase; and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), but increased the content of glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities in mice with sepsis. Moreover, the results of biochemical analyses and qRT-PCR indicated that ZSCLE treatment lowered the level of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-1β. Additionally, ZSCLE reduced myocardial and renal apoptosis by inducing the downregulation of caspase-3 and Bax mRNA and upregulation of the expression of Bcl-2. Based on these results, we suggest that ZSCLE has a protective effect against multiple-organ impairment that follows sepsis. This effect may be attributed to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities of ZSCLE., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This study was conducted to appraise the protective effect of Indigofera oblongifolia leaf extract on lead acetate (PbAc)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. PbAc was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 5 days, either alone or together with the methanol extract of I. oblongifolia (100 mg/kg). Kidney lead (Pb) concentration; oxidative stress markers including lipid peroxidation, nitrite/nitrate, and glutathione (GSH); and antioxidant enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH peroxidase, and GSH reductase were all determined. The PbAc injection elicited a marked elevation in Pb concentration, lipid peroxidation, and nitrite/nitrate, with a concomitant depletion in GSH content compared with the control and a remarkable decrease in antioxidant enzymes. Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, Pb accumulation, and histological changes in the kidneys were successfully prevented by the pre-administration of I. oblongifolia extract. In addition, the elevated expression of proapoptotic protein, Bax, in the kidneys of the PbAc-injected rats was reduced as a result of I. oblongifolia pre-administration, while the hitherto reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was elevated. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that I. oblongifolia successfully minimizes the deleterious effects in kidney function and histological coherence associated with nephrotoxicity by strengthening the antioxidant defense system, suppressing oxidative stress, and mitigating apoptosis.

We investigated the protective and antioxidative effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in streptozotocin STZ-induced diabetic rats. STZ-diabetic rats were exposed daily to treatments with SeNPs and/or insulin and then the effect of these treatments on the parameters correlated to oxidative damage of the rat testes were assessed. Biochemical analysis revealed that SeNPs are able to ameliorate the reduction in the serum testosterone caused by STZ-induced diabetes. Furthermore, SeNPs could significantly decrease testicular tissue oxidative stress markers, namely lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. In contrast, treatment of the STZ-diabetic rats with SeNPs increased the glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities in testicular tissues. Moreover, microscopic analysis proved that SeNPs are able to prevent histological damage in the testes of STZ-diabetic rats. Molecular analysis revealed that the mRNA level of Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) is significantly upregulated. On the contrary, the mRNA level of Bax (Bcl-2 Associated X Protein) was significantly downregulated. Furthermore, treatment of STZ-diabetic rats with SeNPs led to an elevation in the expression of PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Gene). Interestingly, the insulin treatment also exhibited a significant improvement in the testicular function in STZ-diabetic rats. Collectively, our results demonstrated the possible effects of SeNPs in attenuating diabetes-induced oxidative damage, in particular in testicular tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]