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Background and Aims: The use of Moringa oleifera as nutraceuticals in alternative medicine has received tremendous attention in recent years. Its diverse bioactive composition, multipurpose benefits and ease of cultivation give it a superior advantage over other herbs. Methods: Fresh leaves and roots were obtained from M. oleifera grown in northwestern Nigeria. The inhibitory effect of M. oleifera extracts on the activities of neuraminidase, xanthine oxidase, and adenosine deaminase were determined. Results:: The present study explored the aqueous, methanol, and hexane extract of M. oleifera leaves and roots for the inhibition of neuraminidase, xanthine oxidase, and adenosine deaminase. In comparison to quercetin (Half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 14.28 ± 2.30 µg/mL), aqueous (IC50= 0.12 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and methanol (IC50 = 0.57 ± 0.13 µg/mL) the extract of the moringa root strongly inhibited neuraminidase activity. The enzyme was moderately inhibited by aqueous (IC50 = 89.56 ± 9.77 µg/mL) and hexane (IC50 = 104.33 ± 3.39 µg/mL) extracts of the plant leaf. The inhibition of xanthine oxidase by aqueous (IC50 = 7543.86 ± 1127.19 µg/mL), and methanol (IC50 = 1779.48 ± 126.50 µg/mL) leaf extracts were far below that of a standard inhibitor - allopurinol (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.01 µg/mL). Amongst the extracts used, only the hexane extract of the moringa leaf (IC50 = 4580.38 ± 75.69 µg/mL) inhibited adenosine deaminase and was less effective than erythro-9-(2-Hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine hydrochloride (EHNA) (IC50 = 53.00 ± 1.83 µg/mL). Conclusion: The findings suggest that moringa roots and leaves can be an excellent source of agents against microbial infection and viral induced respiratory syndrome. The extracts may also attenuate influenza A infection, the progression of oxidative stress, cancer, inflammation, diabetes, cardiac failure, and coronary artery disease, since they have an effect on neuraminidase, xanthine oxidase, adenosine deaminase, and possibly superoxide levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Valproic acid/valproate (VPA) is an antiepileptic agent that is structurally a short-chain fatty acid. It triggers the generation of reactive oxidants that can affect lens tissue. Moringa oleifera Lam. is a prevalent plant that grows in Asia, Africa and South Africa. The plant has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardioprotective activities. Materials and Methods: The effect of 70% ethanol extract of the Moringa oleifera leaves was examined on VPA-induced lens tissue damage in this study. Experimental rats were grouped into four: the control (C), Moringa extract (M), VPA, and VPA+M group.Mextract and VPA respectively were administered orally at a dose of 0.3 and 0.5 grams per kg body weight daily for fifteen days. The lens tissues of the rats were taken after sacrifice. Oxidative stress markers including glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and advanced oxidation protein products levels, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase activities, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide levels and aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were determined. Results: Tissue homogenates showed a significant decrease in glutathione and total antioxidants, as well as an altered activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-related enzymes in VPA groups. Moreover, a significant rise in the concentration of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and total oxidants, coupled with higher aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were detected. In contrast, changes in the levels of these parameters were offset in the VPA+M group by Moringa extract. Conclusion: This suggests that Moringa oleifera leaves are an excellent nutritional composite for mitigating the damaging properties of VPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valproic acid (VPA) is a drug used for the treatment of epilepsy worldwide. Depending on usage, it can cause complications such as coagulopathies, hepatotoxicity, and encephalopathy. Moringa oleifera has been shown to have antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activities. The current study investigated the effects of Moringa leaves extract (70% ethanol) on antioxidant systems against valproate-induced oxidative damage in muscle tissues of rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I: control group; Group II: animals given only Moringa extract; Group III: animals that received only sodium valproate; Group IV: animals administered with sodium valproate + Moringa extract. Moringa extract and sodium valproate were administered orally. Muscle tissues were collected after sacrificing the animals. Biochemical analysis of muscle tissue homogenates of the valproate group revealed elevated levels/activities of lipid peroxidation, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, reactive oxygen species, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sialic acid, protein carbonyl, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase. While glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant status, aryl esterase and sodium/potassium ATPase were decreased. The administration of Moringa extract reversed these biochemical changes. These results indicate that Moringa leaves extract had a protective effect on muscle tissues against valproate-induced damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: For many centuries herbs and spices have traditionally been used to treat or manage a variety of diseases. The formulation of food supplements containing single or multiple herbs or spices is now popular. These formulations provide biochemical, pharmacological and medicinal benefits due to their diverse phytochemical constituents. Methods: In the present study, Diapin® -- a food supplement containing Olea europaea L. leaves extract, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl stem extract, Nigella sativa L. seed oil, Cocos nucifera L. oil and vitamin D3 -- dissolved in absolute ethanol was evaluated for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, elastase, neuraminidase, adenosine deaminase and arginase inhibitory activity. Results: The supplement strongly inhibited neuraminidase (IC50 = 0.272 ± 0.007 mg/mL), while adenosine deaminase, acetylcholinesterase, elastase and arginase were moderately inhibited (with an IC50 of 4.562 ± 0.052, 5.396 ± 0.563, 5.783 ± 0.058 and 6.800 ± 0.067 mg/mL respectively). The less inhibition activity was on α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 9.593 ± 0.582 and 14.010 ± 2.280 mg/mL respectively). Conclusion: The pharmacological activities of Diapin® can be attributed to its opulent phytochemical composition. The present findings support the folkloric claim of Diapin® supplement having antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-ageing, and immune bolstering properties, in addition to the mitigation of Alzheimer's disease and the alleviation of neurological dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Unilateral spinal anesthesia is performed to provide restriction of sympathetic and motor block. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of different speeds of intrathecal injection on unilateral spinal anesthesia. Methods The patient cohort comprised 66 patients who were placed in the lateral position with the side to be operated on dependent. After dural puncture, the needle aperture was turned towards the dependent side, and hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine was injected at a rate of 1 ml/min in Group Slow patients (Group S, n = 33) or 0.5 ml/min in Group Extra Slow patients (Group ES, n = 33). The lateral position was maintained for 15 min. Skin temperature, loss of pinprick sensation, and degree of motor block were recorded. Results There were significant differences in the characteristics of the non-operative side between the groups when on the block. Sensorial block was unilateral in 25 (75.8%) patients in Group S and in 29 patients in Group ES (87.9%) 15 min post-injection. At the end of the operation (approximately 50 min after spinal anesthesia), strictly unilateral anesthesia was present in 31 patients in Group ES (93.9%) and in 22 patients in Group S (66.6%) (p < 0.05). Unilateral sensory and motor block were observed in both groups, and the incidence of strict unilateral block was significantly higher in group ES patients. Conclusions The result of the study show that the extra-slow injection of hyperbaric bupivacaine provided strictly unilateral sensorial and sympathetic block in 93.9 and 87.9% of the patients, respectively, and that a slow injection of low doses of hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine 1 ml was sufficient to provide unilateral spinal anesthesia. Keywords Anesthetics * Subarachnoid * Anaesthetics * Local * Bupivacaine, Introduction There are many factors affecting the distribution of local anesthetics through the intrathecal space, including patients' characteristics (age, height, weight, gender, and intra-abdominal pressure), technique of injection (site of [...]

Symmetric bisthiocarbohydrazone compounds (1, 2, 3) were obtained by the condensation of thiocarbohydrazide with carbonyl compounds such as isatin (a heterocyclic ketone) and two hydroxyl aldehydes (2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde) respectively, according to the previously reported methods. These synthesized compounds were evaluated in terms of their anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase and antioxidant potentials in vitro. All of the tested compounds exhibited antityrosinase and anti-elastase activities. It was observed that the inhibition increased with the increase of bisthiocarbohydrazone concentrations. Compound 1 showed the highest anti-tyrosinase activity. The anti-tyrosinase activity is decreasing in the following order; 2<3<1. Compound 1 showed also the highest anti-elastase activity. The anti-elastase activity is decreasing as 3<2<1. As a result, the most effective compound in terms of anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities is bisthiocarbohydrazone derived from isatin. Compounds 2 and 3 with the hydroxyl substitution showed antioxidant activity close to Trolox. These compounds were found to have significant reducing effects and to be effective scavengers of DPPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the current work is to examine the protective effects of S-methyl methionine sulfonium chloride (MMSC) on brain in galactosamine (GalN)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty two female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups as follows: Group I (n=5), intact control animals; Group II (n=6), animals that received 50 mg/kg/day of MMSC by gavage technique for 3 consecutive days; Group III (n=5), animals injected with a single dose of 500 mg/kg of GalN intraperitoneally (i.p.); and Group IV (n=6) are animals injected with the same dose of GalN (i.p.) 1 hour after MMSC treatment. At the end of the experiments (after 6 hours of the last GalN treatment), all animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia, and brain tissues were dissected out. Results: A statistically remarkable increase in lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, and nitric oxide levels, was detected while a notable decline in the activities of sodium/potassium ATPase was observed in GalN group in comparison with control rats. In contrast, all alterations observed were reversed when MMSC was given to GalN groups. Conclusion: Consequently, it may be considered that MMSC has a protective role on brain in GalN-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Goksel Sener (1), Ozlem Sacan (2), Refiye Yanardag (2), Gul Ayanoglu-Dulger (1) Keywords: glutathione; lipid peroxidation; parsley; streptozotocin Abstract: Parsley is one of the medicinal herbs used by diabetics in Turkey. It has been reported to reduce blood glucose levels. In this study the effects of feeding parsley on diabetes-induced free radical mediated injury in rat aorta and heart tissues were investigated. Swiss albino rats were divided into six groups: Control, diabetic, parsley, diabetic + parsley, glibornurid, and diabetic + glibornurid. Rats were subjected to i.p. streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. On the fourteenth day of the study, either parsley (2 g/kg) or glibornurid (5 mg/kg) were given for 28 days to the diabetic rats. Aorta and heart tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as well as blood glucose levels were determined. The results of the present study indicate that lipid peroxidation was increased and glutathione levels were decreased in both aorta and heart tissue of the diabetic rats. However, treatment of the diabetic rats with either parsley or glibornurid reversed the effects of diabetes on blood glucose, and tissue lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, 81010, Adegstanbul-Turkey (2) Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Adegstanbul University, 34850, AvcA+-, Adegstanbul-Turkey Article History: Registration Date: 23/12/2004

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Copyright of Experimed is the property of Experimed and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Diabetes mellitus is a serious worldwide metabolic disease, which is accompanied by hyperglycaemia and affects all organs and body system. Zinc (Zn) is a basic cofactor for many enzymes, which also plays an important role in stabilising the structure of insulin. Liver is the most important target organ after pancreas in diabetic complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective role of Zn in liver damage in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes mellitus. There are four experimental groups of female Swiss albino rats: group I: control; group II: control + ZnSO4; group III: STZ‐induced diabetic animals and group IV: STZ‐diabetic + ZnSO4. To induce diabetes, STZ was injected intraperitoneally (65 mg/kg). ZnSO4 (100 mg/kg) was given daily to groups II and IV by gavage for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were killed under anaesthesia and liver tissues were collected. In the diabetic group, hexose, hexosamine, fucose, sialic acid levels, arginase, adenosine deaminase, tissue factor activities and protein carbonyl levels increased, whereas catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and Na+/K+‐ATPase activities decreased. The administration of Zn to the diabetic group reversed all the negative effects/activities. According to these results, we can suggest that Zn has a protective role against STZ‐induced diabetic liver damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]