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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of magnesium (Mg) supplementation upon carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity. Our study was carried out on 24 Wistar male rats divided into 4 batches. During a 6 week period, one group served as a control, two groups received Mg (after 4 weeks one of these groups was then treated with CCl4), and a final group was treated with CCl4 only. Under our experimental conditions, CCl4 poisoning resulted in oxidative stress indicated by a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level in renal tissues. The blood levels of creatinine and urea increased while the blood level of uric acid and proteins decreased. CCl4 also induced an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in kidneys, in the number of red blood cells (RBC), and in hemoglobin content (Hb) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). However, white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (Pl) and catalase activity (CAT) all decreased significantly. Treatment with Mg was found to alleviate most of CCl4-induced damage by decreasing lipid peroxidation and by correcting changed hematological parameters, and catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide-dismutase activities. The results provide strong evidence that Mg supplementation is beneficial in protecting the kidneys from CCl4 toxicity.

Medicinal plants are sources of natural antioxidants thanks to their secondary metabolites. Previous studies showed that administration of Erodium glaucophyllum (EG) (Geraniaceae family) was found to alleviate the deleterious effects of obesity-induced damage on liver, heart and kidney. This study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, evaluates the inhibitory effects of supplementation with E. glaucophyllum extract on obesity. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Erodium aqueous extract decreased the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels as well as ASAT, ALAT, LDH, PAL levels and TBARS concentration; and increased the (HDL) with the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) in liver, heart and kidney, compared to HFD group. The anti-obesity effects of the Erodium extract in several organs were mainly due to the interaction of these bioactive molecules (polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannin compounds) and the enzyme system which could be determined by phytochemical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites have long been a rich source of biologically active compounds that can prevent many diseases. In this context, we investigated the antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Lavandula officinalis and tested its potency against hepatic and renal toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in adult male mice based on measurements of biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in both organs. We proved a remarkable antioxidant power of this plant (in vitro) by correcting the harmful effects of the prooxidant (in vivo). It can be concluded that lavender is an aromatic plant capable of reducing the stress caused by reactive oxygen species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain is the main organ that manages all other organs and has significant oxygen requirements, which makes it vulnerable to reactive oxygen species, thus causing different neurological disorders. The aim of this work is the evaluation of Lavandula officinalis essential oil neuroprotective effect against hydrogen peroxide (HP)-induced toxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Essential oil analysis is performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Biological activity evaluation carried out the ferric reducing antioxidant power test, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation assay, the histopathological study of the brain, and determination of antioxidant enzyme activities. Results: Chemical characterization of essential oil using GC-MS identified 47 compounds, accounting for almost 80% of the total oil and indicates the occurrence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The identified major compounds are pentanone (16.55%), propanal (15.89%), methyl ethyl ketone (13.51%), naphthalene (10.81%), terpinen-4-ol (6.55%), cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (4.77%), and isoborneol (2.27%). This study allowed us to investigate the effects of HP on brain function in Mus musculus adult mice by assessing DNA degradation, cell morphology, oxidative balance and brain weight variation. Furthermore, we have highlighted the beneficial effects of L. officinalis essential oil, which could significantly counteract all these alterations by its active compounds, which are endowed with potent biological activities. Conclusion: We can conclude that HP-induced damage in histomorphological changes in mice brain, significant atrophy, as well as an important alteration of the genetic expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Essential oils from Pinus species have been reported to have various therapeutic properties. Objective:This study was undertaken to identify the chemical composition and cytoprotective effects of the essential oil ofPinus halepensisL. against aspirin-induced damage in cellsin vitro. Material and methods:The cytoprotection of the oil against toxicity of aspirin on the small intestine epithelial cells IEC-6 was tested. Results:The obtained results have shown that 35 different compounds were identified. Aspirin induced a decrease in cell viability, and exhibited significant damage to their morphology and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. However, the co-treatment of aspirin with the essential oil ofPinusinduced a significant increase in cell viability and a decrease in SOD and CAT activities. Conclusion:Overall, these finding suggest that the essential oil ofPinus halepensisL. has potent cytoprotective effect against aspirin-induced toxicity in IEC-6 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary cholesterol is known to be one of the main risk factors that accelerate oxidation process leading to hypercholesterolemia and attendant cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of supplementation with aqueous of Cleome arabica leaf extract on hypercholesterolemia. After 3 months of treatment, animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Blood serum was obtained by centrifugation. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Cleome arabica leaf extract decreased the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-chol) and triglycerides (TG) levels by 27 %, 52 %, 37 %, respectively, and reduced SGOT, SGPT, LDH and PAL levels in blood serum compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. TBARS concentrations decreased by 21 % in liver, 22 % in heart and 30 % in kidney in a group of rats treated with cholesterol and Cleome arabica (Chol C.ar) compared to a Chol-treated group. The same treatment with Cleome arabica leaf extract increased superoxide dismutase and enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity. Catalase activity was found to increase in liver, heart and kidney by 17 %, 16 % and 23 %, respectively, in the C.ar Chol-treated group. The protective effect of Cleome arabica on hypercholesterolemia inducing oxidative stress in several organs was mainly attributed to antioxidant properties. The latter were due to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids shown by the obtained HPLC profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of thePelargonium graveolensessential oil allowed the identification of 15 compounds (93.86% of the total essential oil). The major fractions were citronellol (35%) and geraniol (28.8%). The chemical composition of theArtemisia arborescensessential oil revealed twenty-one compounds representing 93.57% of the total essential oil. The main compounds were chamazulene (31.9%) and camphor (25.8%). The insecticidal effects were tested towards the insectRhysopertha dominica.Results revealed that these two essential oils were highly effective againstR. dominicaat the dose of 50 µL on Petri dish of 8.5 cm of diameter. The antifungal activity was evaluated againstRhizoctonia solaniand results showed that both of the essential oils were highly active at a dose of 12.5 µL/20 mL of PDA. Moreover, the inhibitory effect ofP. graveolensessential oil was evidenced as stronger than that of theA. arborescensoil for all the tested doses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]