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Backgrounds: Natural remedies were used for cancer treatments, particular breast cancer. Also, the consumption of food products containing high amount of flavonoids and antioxidants had reported to lower the risk of various cancers. Bee venom (BV) and propolis were produced by honey bee. They were characterized by naturopathic formulation, affordability and containing high amount of antioxidants. Moreover, they were used safely since ancient times globally. Although that, there is no information about the synergistic or antagonistic anticancer effects of their combination. This study was designed to evaluate cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of BV, propolis, and their combination on breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Materials and Methods: As preliminary study, MCF-7 cells were treated with BV (5, 10, and 20μg/ml) and propolis (50, 150, and 450μg/ml) to specify the desired combination doses of each treatment with no anticancer effect individually. Consequently, doses of (5μg/ml BV+ 50μg/ml propolis and 5μg/ml BV+ 150μg/ml propolis) were chosen to evaluate the possible synergistic anticancer potential between them. All groups in this study were examined at 2, 4, and 12 hours intervals. The morphological changes were evaluated by acridine orange/ ethidium bromide dual fluorescent staining and Giemsa staining to reveal the formation of apoptotic bodies or nuclear condensation and cytoplasmic blebbing, respectively. DNA fragmentation assay was also carried out to record the reduction in DNA content and apoptosis. Bcl-2 expression, cytoplasmic anti-apoptotic marker, was used to prove the apoptotic properties, and autophagic cell death by florescent microscopy was evaluated also. Results: Morphological observation by inverted and florescent microscopy revealed apoptotic cell death under exposure to BV (10 and 20μg/ml) and propolis (450μg/ml). On the other hand, the results of combined treatments revealed significant morphological alterations after fluorescent and Giemsa staining. Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was clearly observed and Bcl-2 recoded significant down regulation which proved the apoptotic properties of combined treatments. Additionally, autophagic degradation results also supported the occurrence of stress on treated cells leading finally to cell death. All results of powerful anticancer potential were obvious among all combined-treated groups in dose and time dependent manner. This clear that, the combined treatments have possible synergistic effect which, propose it as potential candidates to be used in development of chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background:Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease caused by inherited or acquired deficiency in insulin secretion and by decreased responsiveness of the organs to the secreted insulin. Recently, some medicinal plants have been reported to be useful in diabetes treatment. Cleome droserifolia (Samwah) having a long history in Egyptian folk medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Aim of the work:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible antihyperglycemic property of Cleome droserifolia extract (CDE) and its antioxidant mechanism in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods:This study was performed on thirty male albino rats of Sprague Dawely strain with an average body weight of 100-110g. Animals were divided into three groups (ten/cage), control untreated group, diabetic group and diabetic group treated with plant extract that was given orally (28.5 mg/kg body wt. twice/ day). Results: Results showed marked decline in levels of serum insulin, body weight, total proteins, albumin, globulin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). These are accompanied with marked elevation in levels of fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, AST, ALT, GGT, urea, creatinine, uric acid, serum total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and ratios of TC/HDL and LDL/HDL (risk factors) in diabetic rats as compared to the corresponding controls. While the daily administration of diabetic rats with CDE showed significant amelioration in most of these parameters. Conclusion: It could be concluded that CDE treatment exerts a therapeutic protective nature in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and pancreatic β-cells' damage which may be attributed to its antioxidative potential and antidiabetic property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background and Objective: Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Nowadays, herbal drugs are gaining popularity in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. The current study was aimed at evaluating the significance of supplementation of Artemisia annua (Kaysom) extract in reducing the metabolic abnormalities accompanied with alloxaninduced diabetes in male albino rats. Material and Methods: Thirty male albino rats were divided equally into three groups including control, diabetic and diabetic treated with Kaysom extract . A single dose of alloxan(120 mg/kg body weight) was used to induce diabetes in rats. Diabetic rats were administered Kaysom extract orally twice daily for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, level of serum fasting insulin and glucose in addition to serum lipids profile such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low density lipoproteins(VLDL); serum proteins including total proteins, albumin and globulin; renal markers (creatinine, urea and uric acid) and activity of certain enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT) was determined for all groups. In. addition, estimation of % change of body weight, values of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ratios of albumin:globulin (A:G), TC/HDL, LDL/HDL (risk ratios 1 and2) were calculated for each group. Results: Diabetic rats showed a marked decline (p<0.01) in the level of; serum insulin, body weight (4.98 %),total proteins, albumin, globulin and HDL accompanied with marked elevation (p<0.01) in level of; fasting blood glucose, HOMA_IR, ASAT, ALAT ,GGT, urea, creatinine, uric acid, serum TC, TG, LDL, VLDL and ratios of TC/HDL and LDL/HDL (risk factors) as compared to the corresponding of controls. Supplementation of diabetic rats with Kaysom extract significantly ameliorated most of the estimated biochemical parameters. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Kaysom extract may be of advantage in inhibiting hyperglycemia and ameliorating metabolic abnormalities induced by diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Infertile obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy affecting women and characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation with either oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and hyperandrogenism, and its morbidity may include hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance. Lipolax was used to enhance the ovulation response especially when beginning the intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) protocol. This study aimed to enhance the sexual hormones, lipid profile, ovulation response and pregnancy outcome in infertile obese PCOS women's treated with Lipolax drug (fenofibrate) before undergoing to ICSI. Setting: This study was conducted in International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research-Assisted Reproduction Unit, Al-Azhar University during the period between 2009 and 2011. Patients and Methods: A total number of 75 infertile patients with obese PCOS were randomized to receive oral Lipolax (fenofibrate) for three months before undergoing to ICSI. For each patient FBS and Hb, hormonal profile included FSH, LH, FSH/LH ratio, E2, PRL and lipid profile evaluation were performed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Results: There was a significant decrease in the FBS, in cases treated with Lipolax when compared with control or obese PCOS, no significant differences were noticed in the level of Hb% in both groups. Total lipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased significantly compared with obese PCOS group. Significant decrease was also observed in respect to LDL in cases of Lipolax treated group than cases of obese PCOS, significant increase in the level of HDL was recorded. A significant enhance was detected in increase FSH hormone level and decrease LH, FSH/LH ratio and E2 hormonal level after Lipolax treatment, no difference was observed in prolactin hormonal profile. Observed improvement was detected in the number of HMG ampoules, mature oocytes, and number of grade A embryos and also in pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Lipolax (lowering cholesterol agent) improving the response in obese PCOS women undergoing ICSI, by enhance their resistance sensitivity in transadipose tissue leads to improve the function of gonads and sexual hormones and lipids profile which leads to decreased total cost of ICSI by lowering the number of stimulation ampoules and increase mature collected oocytes and finally the percent of successful pregnancy rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Noise and crowding are the most stressful factors for human beings. This study is aimed to clarify their effect on some thyroid hormones and the amelioration effect of sulprid . Material and Methods: Thirty six female rats were divided into four groups (6/each): 1-control, 2-treated with sulpiride drug, 3- rat exposed to noise (90db/3hper day for 45 days) 4-Noise plus drug, 5 -- rat exposed to crowded exposure and 6- crowded plus drug. Results: Noise and crowding stresses caused a significant increase only of T3 and T4 while there was a significant decrease in TSH. Sulpiride drug was ameliorated these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Back ground: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health problem worldwide in recent time. Asia and Africa are the most viable areas where the disease is feared to raise 2-3 folds. Many herbal products have been recommended for the treatment of DM in ancient literature of Ayurveda in India and other worldwide. Material and method: Thirty male adult albino rats were used to investigate the effect of Catharanthus rosea (C.roseus) on diabetic rats. Rats were divided into three equal groups, control, diabetic non treated and diabetic C.roseus treated groups. After thirty days of treatment all rats of each group were sacrificed. The body weight of each rat was determined at the beginning and the end of each period. Blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid and protein profiles, liver and kidney functions, blood picture and liver glycogen were determined for each rat at the end of each period. Pancreatic samples were obtained and processed for microscopic and quantitative evaluation after staining the prepared sections with heamatoxylin and eosin as well as special stain for demonstration of the different pancreatic cells in the islets of Langerhans. Results: The obtained results showed that the diabetic rats were diagnosed by laboratory assessment to body weight loss, hyperglycemia, and hypoinsulinemia, significant increase in liver and kidney functions, lipid and protein profiles and decreased liver glycogen content. While, C.roseus treatment led to a significant improvement in these parameters except liver function. Microscopically there was definite vaculation, degeneration, karyolysis and pyknosis of beta pancreatic cells in the diabetic group, while other pancreatic cells were not affected (alpha and delta cells). The use of C.roseus treatment of this study greatly improves such cellular changes. Conclusion: It was recommended that the use of the water extract of C. roseus levies as a hypoglycemic agent may offer a new hope to the diabetics in future. It's well recommended to use variable doses and different periods of treatment to evaluate the best dose and period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: Curcuma longa has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic agent. The present investigation aimed at examining the possible potential protective effect of curcuma against oxytetracyclin-induced fatty liver in an attempt to understand its mechanism of action, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic applications. Material and Methods: Albino rats were divided into two major groups, 15 rats for each. The first group was divided into three sub-groups: a) control, b) fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline ( 120mg/kg ) for three consecutive days resulting in steatosis and c) curcuma treated group; which was treated with curcuma ( 0.4 % of diet ) for 30 days after fatty liver induction . All animals were scarified after 33 days of the beginning of the experiment. The second group was divided into three subgroups: a) control, b) fatty liver group and c) drug protection group; which received curcuma for 15 days before induction of fatty liver, then sacrificed after induction of fatty liver (3 days). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Liver specimens were obtained and fixed in 10 % formalin for histological study. Results: Fatty liver groups showed high significant increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea and creatinine while HDL cholesterol and A/G ratio were significantly decreased compared to control group. Histopathological changes were detected in liver tissue of fatty liver rats. The treatment with curcuma ameliorated the biochemical parameters and histological changes. The pre-treatment with curcuma before the induction of fatty liver also ameliorated the results but they did not turn back to the normal values. Conclusion: It is recommend to using curcuma as diet additive for fatty liver patients or those people who have hyperlipidemic family history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The slimming drugs differ in their nature, where apple-lite is a fully natural substance, mirapro-N is a chemical substance and tenuate is a synthetic foamy filler substance. The study aimed to search the physiological and biochemical changes accompanied with these drugs on rats. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats (130µ20g) were divided into four groups, ten on each treated group and ten for the control one. The apple-lite group treated with 3.5mg/100 g body weight, the mirapro-N group treated with 0.14mg/100g body weight and the tenuate group treated with 0.1 mg/100 g body weight. Results: The treated groups showed a significant changes in the lipid and protein profiles, enzymatic activities, in the skin folds and the percentage of body weight compared to the control group. In conclusion, the slimming drugs showed a change in skin folds thickness and in percentage of organ's weight to body weight and also showed a deflection in the investigated biochemical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...