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Background: P.clarkii hemolymph has several pharmacological activities against inflammation, bacteria and tumor. The current study aimed to explore the efficacy of P.clarkii hemolymph against the renal toxicity induced by Gentamicin (GM) in rats. Methods: The animals were divided randomly into three groups (six per group): control, GM and P.clarkii. Tissues toxicity was established after injection of GM daily for eight days at a dose 100 mg/kg. Kidney functions, liver functions, oxidative stress markers and histopathology of tissues were investigated in the study. Results: P.clarkii treated rats showed a significant decrease in urea, creatinine, uric acid, ALT, AST, and MDA levels while GSH and CAT levels increased. The histology of kidney investigation showed partial restoration of renal architecture. Conclusion: The study results revealed the protective role of p.clarkii hemolymph against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive breast cancer. The first therapeutic option is chemotherapy, often based on anthracycline as doxorubicin. However, chemotherapy efficacy is limited in by the presence of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a membrane transporter protein that effluxes doxorubicin, reducing its cellular accumulation and toxicity. Inhibiting Pgp activity with effective and non-toxic products is still an open challenge. In this work, we demonstrated that the natural product Glabratephrin (Glab), a prenylated flavonoid from Tephrosia purpurea with a unique chemical structure, increased doxorubicin accumulation and cytotoxicity in triple negative breast cancer cells with high levels of Pgp, characterized by both acquired or intrinsic resistance to doxorubicin. Glab also reduced the growth of Pgp-expressing tumors, without adding significant extra-toxicities to doxorubicin treatment. Interestingly, Glab did not change the expression of Pgp, but it reduced the affinity for Pgp and the efflux of doxorubicin, as suggested by the increased Km and the reduced Vmax. In silico molecular docking predicted that Glab binds two residues (phenylalanine 322, glutamine 721) localized in the transmembrane domains of Pgp, facing the extracellular environment. Moreover, site-directed mutagenesis identified glycine 185 as a critical residue mediating the reduced catalytic efficacy of Pgp elicited by Glab. We propose Glab as an effective and safe compound able to reverse doxorubicin resistance mediated by Pgp in triple negative breast cancers, opening the way to a new combinatorial approach that may improve chemotherapy efficacy in the most refractory and aggressive breast cancer.

Aims:The present study aimed to evaluate anti-diabetic properties of AgNPs/chitosan/ascorbic acid nanocomposites (Ag-NCs) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Main methods: Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were divided into three main groups (6 rats/group); control, diabetic and Ag-NCs groups. Control group: after a single dose of citrate buffer (0.1 mol/l, i.p), the rats orally received 1 ml distilled water daily for four weeks. The diabetic model was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p) for type 1diabetes. Diabetic groups were treated orally with and Ag-NCs (0.25mg/Kg body weight) daily for four weeks. Key findings:AgNPs/chitosan/ascorbic acid nanocomposite group showed a reduction in the concentrations of glucose, NO, MDA, creatinine, urea and uric acid. At the same time, it appeared a general increase in insulin, CAT, and SOD activities and GSH concentration. The histopathological investigation illustrated a clear improvement in renal architecture. Significance: The suggested mechanism of action for Ag-NCs in decreasing diabetic nephropathy includes two pathways; the hypoglycemic activity and the antioxidant role of Ag-NCs&nbsp

Obesity has been identified with an expanded danger of a progression of illnesses that include different organ-frameworks of the body. In the present examination, we evaluated the hypolipidemic properties of Echinochrome (Ech) pigment in a high-fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in rats. After the hyperlipidemic model was set up, rats were haphazardly separated into five groups as follows: normal control group, HFD group, Atorvastatin (ATOR) group (80 mg/kg), Ech group (1 mg/kg) and combined group ATOR + Ech. The outcomes demonstrated that Ech improves lipid profile, liver functions, kidney functions and antioxidant markers of obese rats. The findings of the present investigation indicated that the Ech possesses hypolipidemic potential in obese rats.

The present investigation attempted study the potential use of the Holothuria arenicola saponin (HaS) against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) tumor model in female Swiss albino mice. The HPLC studies of the extracted saponin showed the peak at retention time 5.19 min. was is matched with the standard saponin with total amount 34.87%. Significant improvements were detected in the tumor markers, complete blood count, antioxidant system, liver function and kidney function of HaS-treated mice. The present study demonstrated that HaS is a potent natural product that has promising antineoplastic efficacy.

The current study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and renoprotective effects of echinochrome pigment extracted from sea urchin. The disk diffusion method was used for the antibacterial activity of echinochrome against four different bacterial strains; Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. While, acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced licking, and hot plate latency assays evaluate the analgesic activity. The biochemical and oxidative stress markers of kidneys, as well as the histopathological examination, were measured to evaluate the renoprotective activity of echinochrome for cecal ligation and puncture-induced renal injury in rats. Echinochrome pigment exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against all aforementioned bacterial species besides a powerful anti-inflammatory impact in vitro by the effective stabilization of the RBCs membrane and in vivo by decrease levels of serum IL6 and TNF-α. What's more, echinochrome showed a notable analgesic efficacy as well as an enhancement of the kidney's biochemical markers, oxidative stress status, and histopathological screening. Ech attenuated cecal ligation and puncture-induced renal injury by improving renal biomarkers, suppressing reactive oxygen species propagation as well as its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Sea urchins are rich in pharmacologically important quinone pigments, specifically echinochrome. The current study aimed to evaluate the role of echinochrome as a renal protective remedy in sepsis and clarify its biological activities. Echinochrome exhibited antibacterial activity in vitro against Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Our results revealed that echinochrome protects the kidney against damage caused by sepsis in rats. Echinochrome can use in the treatment of sepsis as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agent.

Background Cholestasis is the major cause of bile acid accumulation leading to liver damage. Chronic infection of worms can modulate the immune response towards T helper (Th)2-related cytokines. The present study aims to evaluate the protective impact of an ascarid nematode Toxocara vitulorum extract (TvE) against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholangitis male wistar rat model compared to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a standard drug. Results Pretreatment with TvE and/or UDCA induced a marked reduction in the levels of liver function tests and malondialdehyde, while antioxidant markers were increased compared to cholestatic rats. Pretreatment with either TvE or combination before cholangitis induction attenuated the predominant Th1-related cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) to Th2 (IL-13 and IL-10). TvE administration promoted higher expression levels of Bcl-2 protein and lower levels of caspase-3 compared to cholestatic rats. Conclusions Treatment with TvE has improved the liver functions and elevated the levels of oxidative stress markers. The upregulation of Th2-related cytokines and suppression of apoptosis through caspase-3 might be considered as a potential mechanism of TvE. Thereby, this natural extract revealed an opportunity for use in treatment of cholangitis disease.

Objective evaluate the antiulcer healing effect of echinochrome pigment (Ech 5 and 10 mg/kg) extracted from sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus). Methods Severe gastric ulceration induced in rats by administration of indomethacin in combination with cold stress (IND + CS) for 2 h. The antiulcer effect of Ech was indicated by determination of gastric juice volume, gastric juice acidity, and ulcer index as well as determination of gastric malondialdhyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione–S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) activities. Moreover, macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the stomachs were determined. Results The anti-ulcer healing effect of Ech against IND + CS induced oxidative tissue injury was investigated by a significant decrease in MDA level, GST and CAT activities and a significant increase of GSH content, NO level and SOD activity. In addition, Ech treatments (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) reduce gastric lesion area to (73.51% and 75.50%, respectively) with great amelioration of the gastric juice volume and acidity. Also, affirmed by maintaining macroscopic and microscopic gastric mucosal integrity. Conclusions Ech pigments had an insightful effect against peptic ulcer-induced oxidative stress in rats, as it alleviates the alterations in gastric acidity and ulcer index as well as the oxidative stress markers.

Objective The present investigation explored the therapeutic potential effect of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) and Sepia officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) extracts, in animal model of sepsis [induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)]. Materials and methods Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups, Group 1: Sham control rats. Group 2: Septic rats. Group 3: Septic rats treated with methanolic extract of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) (500 mg/kg body weight) for 2 days. Group 4: Septic rats treated with Sepia officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 2 days. Results The antioxidant activity of SOBT and SOP was proven by DPPH test. CLP-induced liver and kidney toxicities showed by an increase in the ALAT, ASAT, γGT, ALP, creatinine, BUN and uric acid concentrations in serum. Moreover, CLP-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney evidenced by the increase of MDA levels, decrease in GSH concentrations and decrease in the enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GST). In addition, CLP caused decrease in CYP1A2 content in liver. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of SOBT and SOP in liver and kidney disorders. Therefore this study suggests that SOBT and SOP could be a potential therapeutic agents for sepsis treatment.

The present study aims to evaluate the possible protective role of polysaccharides extracted from the Egyptian mango Mangifera indica L. (MPS) and/or silymarine against cyclophosphamide (CP) toxicity in male albino rats. The MPS and/or silymarin significantly decreased the activities of serum ASAT and ALAT. However, MPS (1000 mg/kg) normalized their activities towards the normal levels recording 28.75 and 78.75 U/ml respectively. The recorded data also showed the antioxidant effect of MPS by decreasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as normalized the activities of the antioxidant enzyme GST and SOD. Histopathological examinations also confirmed the protective efficacy of MPS against liver toxicity of CP. In conclusion, the recorded results of the present study support the protective role of MPS and/or silymarin against CP-induced hepatic damage.

Background Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is an extremely widespread condition and is responsible for a variety of pathological effects on the liver. It was reported that hepatotoxicity induced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) is cholestasis mediated hepatitis. Bradykinin-potentiating factor (BPF) is one of the natural ACEIs. Although prolonged treatment with ACEIs provides protection against liver injury, the effect of short-term treatment with ACEIs has not been fully elucidated before. Thereby, the present study sought to determine if transient ACE inhibition may exacerbate the hepatotoxicity caused by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Methods Twenty one Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: Sham-operated group, bile duct ligated (BDL) rats, and BDL rats treated for short-term with BPF (1 μg/kg body weight) day after day for one week and biochemical parameters were measured. Also, we assessed expression level of ACE1 and detection of hepatotoxicity in the liver tissues of different groups. Results There was a significant increase in liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and oxidative stress in the BDL group after treatment with BPF as compared to BDL group. We found overexpression of ACE1 gene in BDL group compared to BPF and Sham-operated control group. Histopathological examination of liver treated with BPF showed severe degeneration hepatic architecture and hepatocytes as compared to BDL group. Collagen deposition increased after BPF treatment as compared to BDL groups. Conclusion The present investigation suggests and recommends that short- term ACE inhibition pathway potentiates liver fibrosis during cholestasis disease.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance has resulted in the need for new approaches to be developed to combat the previously easily treatable infections. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal and antioxidant effects of the chitosan, as a new alternative or complementary anti-fungal drug, alone or in combination with amphotericin B against a pathogenic Candida albicans in mice. Eighty neutropenic infected mice were randomly assigned into four main groups (20 mice/group). The 1st group was treated with saline, neutropenic infected (NI group) (IPC group, invasive pulmonary candidiasis), the 2nd group was treated with chitosan (ED 50 ) (CE group), the 3rd group was treated with amphotericin B (150 mg/kg) (AMB group) and the 4th group was treated with chitosan plus amphotericin B (CE + AMB group). Treatment was started at 24 h after fungal inoculation and was administered for 3 consecutive days. All the previous treatments demonstrated notable growth inhibition against a C. albicans isolate as indicated by measuring the mean diameter of the inhibition zone. Compared with IPC group, CE, AMB, and AMB + CE-treated animals had 73%, 87%, and 90% reduction in fungal burden, respectively. Furthermore, treatment with CE and/or AMB for 24 and 72 h significantly decreased MDA, SOD, CAT and NO levels and increased GSH and in the lung tissues as compared with the infected untreated group. In conclusion, CE treatment, with the combination of antifungal therapy, can alleviate oxidative stress and lung injury associated with IPC in neutropenic mice.

The efficacy of Coelatura aegyptiaca shell powder (CES, 500 mg/kg BW) was evaluated as a calcium supplement in ovariectomized (OVX) rats for ten weeks of treatment. The biochemical components and the antioxidant properties of the shell powder were determined. The bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents in serum and bone, serum total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), serum calcitonin and parathyroid (PTH) hormones were determined. Furthermore, some of the oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were estimated in bone. The current study revealed that CES contained 19.38% Ca, 0.315% P as well as some of antioxidant amino acids which have a potent antioxidant activity against 1,1diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Administration of CES to OVX rats increased BMD, BMC, tibial Ca and P contents and BALP activity, as compared to OVX rats. An ameliorative effect was recorded in the levels of calcitonin, PTH, MDA, SOD, GPx and TAC subsequent to CES administration to OVX rats.This ameliorative effect of CES powder against osteoporosis may be attributed to its antioxidant efficacy and/or to its Ca content. In conclusion, CES may have the potential to develop a clinically useful anti-osteoporotic agent, since its effect was comparable with alendronate (6.5 mg/kg BW/week).

The present study aims to evaluate the antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of two molluscan extracts, Sepia officinalis, ink extract (IE) and Coelatura aegyptiaca extract (CE). The antioxidant activities of both extracts were evaluated using 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. The analgesic effects were evaluated using the writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. Cytotoxicity assay was performed using sulphorhodamine B (SRB) method on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The IE extract exhibited dose dependent radical scavenging activity. The two tested extracts showed inhibition of thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARAS) at all concentrations, with an IC50 value of 176.77 and 177.23 (µg/ml), respectively. IE and CE extracts showed analgesic action by inhibiting the acetic acid-induced writhing. IE exhibited significant anti-nociceptive actions in mice by increasing the latency period in the hot-plate test. Both extracts significantly decreased the time of paw lickings in both early and late phases. Furthermore, IE and CE showed cytotoxic activities HepG2 cell lines with IC50 value of 67 and 49.24 µg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, IE and CE extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties and can be considered as promising anticancer drugs. Key words: Sepia ink, Coelatura aegyptiaca, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical problem raising the urgent needs to develop new strategies for treatment. The present study investigated the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord – mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) transplantation against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. Methods Twenty four male Wistar rats were assigned into two main groups, sham group (control group) and I/R group. I/R group was injected in the tail vein with either phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or HUC-MSCs. Results The HUC-MSCs improved kidney injury induced by I/R as demonstrated by enhancement of the kidney function via decreasing serum levels of creatinine, urea and uric acid. The therapeutic efficacy of HUC-MSCs were found to be mediated through anti-oxidant activity as indicated by significant reduction in total malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant increment in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Conclusion The present work suggests that HUC-MSCs may be an effective therapeutic agent against renal IRI. The recorded data showed improvement of renal functions and urine albumin in HUC-MSCs than IRI group with positive antioxidant efficacy of HUC-MSCs through scavenging free radicals and supporting the antioxidant enzymes.

Background: Sepsis remains a major problem for both scientists and clinicians. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is considered the gold standard for animal models of sepsis. The undesirable side effects of certain antibiotics have forced scientists to discover new, natural, and safe antimicrobial agents, such as cephalopods, which are known to display significant antimicrobial activity. Objectives: The present investigation aims to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antiseptic efficacy of Sepia officinalis body tissue (SOBT) extract and S. officinalis polysaccharide (SOP) from its cuttlebone. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were divided into 4 groups, and starting 2 hours after CLP, treatments were given for 2 days as follows: sham control rats treated orally with distilled water, septic rats treated orally distilled water, septic rats treated orally methanolic extract of SOBT (500 mg/kg b.wt) suspended in distilled water, and septic rats treated orally SOP extract (200 mg /kg b.wt) dissolved in distilled water. On the third day, half of the rats in each group were euthanized for blood collection. The other half were kept alive and used for the survival study. Results: The present study revealed that the SOBT and SOP extracts showed in vitro bactericidal activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, administration of SOBT and SOP increased the rats’ survival rates by 66.7% and 83.33%, respectively, as compared to the untreated CLP-septic rats. Treatment of the CLP-septic rats with SOBT and SOP significantly alleviated alterations in procalcitonin levels and in some hematological parameters induced by CLP. Conclusions: SOBT and SOP had profound antiseptic efficacy.

The present study aims to evaluate the curative activity of freshwater crustacean extract (FCE) from freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii and silymarin on oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rat liver and erythrocytes. The degree of treatment in this activity has been measured by using biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reduced (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) in liver tissue and erytheocyte hemolysate. The FCE and silymarin produced significant antihepatotoxic effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes and MDA level, and increasing the serum total protein, GSH levels and the activities of GST and CAT in liver and erytheocyte hemolysate. From these results, it was suggested that FCE could ameliorate the liver and erythrocytes injuries perhaps, by its antioxidative effect, hence eliminating the deleterious effect of toxic metabolites from CCl4.

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy ofHolothuria atraextract (HaE) as an antioxidant against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- (DMBA-) induced hepatorenal dysfunction. Experimental animals were divided into two main groups: protective and curative. Each group was then divided into five subgroups pre- or posttreated either with distilled water (DMBA subgroups) or with HaE (200 mg/kg body weight) for seven and fourteen days. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats resulted in a significant increase in the serum liver enzymes and kidney function’s parameters. DMBA increased level of liver malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissue, and induced liver histopathological alterations. Pre- or posttreatment with HaE orally for 14 days significantly reversed the hepatorenal alterations induced following DMBA administration. In conclusion, HaE exhibits good hepatoprotective, curative, and antioxidant potential against DMBA-induced hepatorenal dysfunction in rats that might be due to decreased free radical generation.

Objective: The ethanolic extract of Vitis vinifera leaves (VVE) (500 mg/kg body weight), ranitidine (50 mg/kg body weight) and both of them were tested for their gastroprotective and curative effects against the incidence of peptic ulcer. Methods: The antiulcer effects of VVE were investigated using a combination of indomethacin and cold-stress for 2h. To ascertain the mechanism of action of VVE, its protective and curative effects were studied on gastric volume, gastric juice acidity, ulcer index and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione–S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) activities of both stomach and duodenum of rats. Moreover, histopathological effects on stomach and duodenum were determined.Results: The antioxidant activity of VVE was demonstrated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. VVE was found to reduce the ulcer index, gastric volume and the level of gastric juice acidity. Also, VVE showed gastroprotective and curative activities mainly through improvement of antioxidant status and decreasing lipid peroxidation accompanied with amelioration of both stomach and duodenum architectures.Conclusion: The prophylactic and curative effects of VVE proved to be effective in preventing gastric and duodenal ulceration which may be probably due to its antioxidant and anti-acid secretory effects.

Acrylamide (ACR) is an industrial chemical which induces neurotoxic effects in experimental animals and humans. The present study was carried out to investigate the hematological, biochemical, neurological and histopathological effects of ACR on immature male and female rats. Animals were divided into 2 main groups; immature male group and immature female group and all rats were treated for 28 consecutive days. Each main group subsequently was divided into 2 subgroups: (I) Untreated control group that received a daily oral administration of distilled water and (II) ACR treated rats which received a daily oral administration of ACR (15 mg/kg/body weight). The results obtained indicate that ACR administration induced some behavioral disorders in the movement of immature male and female rats as well as loss of body weight. ACR induced a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocytes (RBCS), hematocrit (HCT) and lymphocyte levels of young female rats. ACR significantly increased serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations of both immature male and female rats. While, significant increase in the total urea concentration was noticed only in the immature male rats following ACR administration. Moreover, ACR induced marked increase in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the immature male and female rats. On the other hand, the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were significantly decreased in both treated groups. ACR caused a significant increase in norepinephrin (NE), glutamate, aspartate and taurine, while it reduced dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels. In conclusion, the present study showed that, ACR induced hazardous effects on immature male and female rats. So, we recommended that children must avoid fast or junk foods. Key words: Acrylamide, hematological, biochemical, neurological. histopathological, immature.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients that requires aggressive therapy. Because of the widespread use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, antitumor drugs, and immunosuppressive drugs, the morbidity of IPA is currently increasing. The ink secretion of molluscan species was identified as one of the novel sources of bioactive compounds. So the present study designed to investigate the antifungal and antioxidant effects of Sepia officinalis ink extract against IPA in mice. Eighty neutropenic infected mice were randomly assigned into four main groups (20 mice/group). The 1st group was treated with saline, neutropenic infected, the 2nd group was treated with ink (200 mg/kg) and the 3rd group was treated with amphotericin B (150 mg/kg) and the 4th group was treated with ink plus amphotericin B (Ink 200 mg/kg and AMB 150 mg/kg). Treatment was started at 24 h after fungal inoculation and was administered for 3 consecutive days. The present study demonstrated good in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of IE against Aspergillus fumigatus. Compared with IPA group; IE-treated, AMB-treated, and AMB + IE-treated animals had a 67.80%, 83.41%, and 72.68% reduction in the pulmonary fungal burden, respectively. Treatment with IE and/or AMB for one and three days significantly decreased MDA and increased GSH and SOD levels in the lung tissues as compared with the infected untreated group. In conclusion, the results of our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that IE has therapeutic effect against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis via reducing oxidative stress.

The present study aims to evaluate the possible protective role of polysaccharides extracted from the Egyptian mango Mangifera indica L. (MPS) and silymarin against cyclophosphamide (CP) nephrotoxicity in male albino rats. Male rats were randomly divided into, control group (administered distilled water orally for 10 days) and MPS (500, 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or silymarin (150 mg/kg, p.o.) treated groups for 10 days. In the last 5 days of treatment rats were administered CP (150 mg/kg, i.p). The MPS revealed significant prophylactic effect against kidney injury induced by CP as demonstrated by enhancement of the kidney function via decreasing serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. Treatment of rats with MPS extract and/or silymarin significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity while decreased the level of total malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Also, histopathological examinations confirmed the protective efficacy of MPS and/or silymarin against CP nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, the obtained results of the present study support the protective antioxidant role of MPS and/or silymarin against CP-induced kidney disorder in rats.