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The objective of this work was to demonstrate the effect of fluoride and propolis extract on the corrosion behavior of commercially pur titanium (cp-Ti grade 2) in artificial saliva. The inhibition studies were approved out on cp-Ti as dental implant in Fusayama- Meyer with the propolis extract using potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Parameters, such as concentration of the inhibitor, time of immersion were varied and optimized. The results showed that either the NaF or the presence of propolis extract in medium saliva had a significant influence on the corrosion rate (Icorr) and polarization resistance (Rp): the Icorr value increased and Rp decreased in medium containing fluoride, but the presence of propolis in media improved the corrosion resistance of this metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ferula vesceritensis is an indigenous plant of Algerian Sahara riche in sesquiterpene coumarins. Objective: In this study, we investigated the biological activity of sesquiterpene coumarins; coladin, ferulenol, and lapiferin (10_-acetoxy-6_-angeloyloxy-8_,9_-epoxy-trans-caxotan-4_-ol) isolated for the first time from the crude extract CH2Cl2—MeOH (1:1) of the roots of F. vesceritensis Coss. et Dur. Materials and Methods: Structures of coladin, ferulenol, and lapiferin were determined by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, including 1D-(1H and13C) and 2D-NMR experiments (correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single-quantum coherence, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), and nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy) as well as high-resolution electron ionization mass spectra and mass spectroscopy analyses. Results: Tested on mouse B16F1 melanoma cells, ferulenol, coladin, and lapiferin exhibited a significant decrease in cell proliferation and a decrease of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity evaluated on living FAO cells and B16F1 melanoma cells with the WST-1 throughout an apoptotic pathway. They displayed pro-apoptotic effects observed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the mitochondrial respiratory rate on isolated liver mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of the sesquiterpene coumarins extracted from F. vesceritensis as new biologically active natural products against cancer cells. Abbreviations used: FAO: Hepatoma cell line; B16F1: Pulmonary metastasis melanoma cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endosulfan (EDS) is one of the most widely organochlorine insecticide used in many parts of the world, although it is currently banned or severely restricted in use in some countries. EDS causes a variety of negative effects in non-target species including humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects ofLactobacillus plantarumBJ0021 on toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by EDS intoxication on liver and kidneys of pregnant rats. This pesticide induced a significant increase in total cholesterol, alanine-amino transferase (ALAT), aspartate-amino transferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), urea and creatinine in serum, while urinary urea and creatinine were lower than those of the control group. In the liver and kidney, lipid peroxidation increased significantly, the antioxidant levels, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were markedly depressed and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) revealed more apoptotic cells. In contrast, co-administration ofL. plantarumBJ0021 to EDS-treated animals ameliorated most of these biochemical parameters, but the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) did not modify and the number of apoptotic nuclei remained significantly raised in kidney compared to control. In conclusion, the administration ofL. plantarumBJ0021 decreased apoptosis and might play a protective role in reducing toxicity of EDS in pregnant rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with disease, toxic process and aging, in vivo and in vitro preventive effect of propolis extract against mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by two anticancer drugs (doxorubicin and vinblastin) have been investigated in female wistar rat using liver and heart mitochondria. The results show that doxorubicin and vinblastin altered mitochondrial functions as observed by a decrease in respiratory control value, an activation of swelling and overproduction of superoxide anion. Myocardial tissue from doxorubicin treated rats showed a marked increase in malondialdehyde production, a depletion of reduced glutathione contents and an inhibition of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Similar results were also observed in liver tissue. Pretreatment of rats with propolis extract (100 mg/kg/day po) (10(-4) M ip) administered 4 days prior to doxorubicin (20 mg/kg) and/or vinblastin (2 mg/kg) injection, substantially reduced the peroxidative damage in myocardium and hepatic tissues and markedly restored the tissues catalase and SOD activities. The results strongly suggest that propolis extract protects heart and liver tissues from oxidative stress by protecting the mitochondria.