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Abdel-Reheim MA, Ali ME, Gaafar AGA, Ashour AA. Quillaja saponin mitigates methotrexate-provoked renal injury; insight into Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway modulation with suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. J Pharm Health Care Sci 2024; 10:17. [PMID: 38594773 PMCID: PMC11003044 DOI: 10.1186/s40780-024-00330-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic/immunosuppressive drug, whose clinical use is impeded owing to its serious adverse effects; one of which is acute kidney injury (AKI). Most of MTX complications emerged from the provoked pro-oxidant-, pro-inflammatory- and pro-apoptotic effects. Quillaja saponaria bark saponin (QBS) is a bioactive triterpene that has been traditionally used as an antitussive, anti-inflammatory supplement, and to boost the immune system due to its potent antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the protective/therapeutic potential of QBS against AKI has not been previously evaluated. This study aimed to assess the modulatory effect of QBS on MTX-induced reno-toxicity. METHODS Thirty-two male rats were divided into 4-groups. Control rats received oral saline (group-I). In group-II, rats administered QBS orally for 10-days. In group-III, rats were injected with single i.p. MTX (20 mg/kg) on day-5. Rats in group-IV received QBS and MTX. Serum BUN/creatinine levels were measured, as kidney-damage-indicating biomarkers. Renal malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced-glutathione (GSH) and nitric-oxide (NOx) were determined, as oxidative-stress indices. Renal expression of TNF-α protein and Nrf-2/Keap-1 mRNAs were evaluated as regulators of inflammation. Renal Bcl-2/cleaved caspase-3 immunoreactivities were evaluated as apoptosis indicators. RESULTS Exaggerated kidney injury upon MTX treatment was evidenced histologically and biochemically. QBS attenuated MTX-mediated renal degeneration, oxidant-burden enhancement, excessive inflammation, and proapoptotic induction. Histopathological analysis further confirmed the reno-protective microenvironment rendered by QBS. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our results suggest the prophylactic and/or therapeutic effects of QBS in treating MTX-induced AKI. Such reno-protection is most-likely mediated via Nrf-2 induction that interferes with oxidant load, inflammatory pathways, and proapoptotic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, 11961, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Merhan E Ali
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Gaafar A Gaafar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Amine Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, El-Nasr Road, P.O. 11751, Cairo, Egypt.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University - Kantara Branch, Ismailia, 41636, Egypt.
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Armağan İ, Aşcı H, Erzurumlu Y, Özkula S, Hasseyid N, Kumbul Doğuç D, Okuyucu G, Varel A. Ramelteon and mechanism of its restorative effect in an experimental lung disease model. Toxicol Mech Methods 2023; 33:239-247. [PMID: 36482745 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2022.2156006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an anticancer agent widely used in clinical practice for various oncological, rheumatological, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. However, the side effects of MTX limit its usage for treatment. In addition, diffuse alveolar damage, interstitial pneumonia, fibrosis, and pleural reactions may be encountered in MTX-induced pulmonary toxicity. Ramelteon (RML), a melatonin receptor agonist, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects are shown by several studies. This study aimed to show the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of RML and its effect on the airway surface liquid volume homeostasis via aquaporins (AQP) in MTX-induced lung injury. Thirty-two female Wistar Albino rats were grouped into four groups as control, MTX (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, a single dose), MTX + RML, and RML (10 mg/kg, via oral gavage, for seven days) groups. Once the experiment ended, the rats' lung tissues were taken for biochemical, genetic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. MTX significantly increased oxidative stress index and total oxidative status, and decreased total antioxidant status levels by 202.0%, 141.4%, 20.2%, respectively, relative to the control (p ˂ 0.001 for all). AQP-1/5, which is an indicator of lung damage, was also found to decrease significantly (p ˂ 0.001). In addition, a significant increase was observed in interleukin-1β, interferon-beta, and caspase-8 expressions and histopathological changes as a result of immunohistochemical and histochemical examinations (p ˂ 0.001). RML treatment ameliorated all these changes and significantly regressed lung damage. Our results suggest that RML might be used as a lung-protective agent in various models of lung and tissue injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- İlkay Armağan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Halil Aşcı
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Yalçın Erzurumlu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Songül Özkula
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Nursel Hasseyid
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Duygu Kumbul Doğuç
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Gözde Okuyucu
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Ahmetcan Varel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
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El-Kashef DH, Sewilam HM. Empagliflozin mitigates methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity: Targeting ASK-1/JNK/Caspase-3 pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109494. [PMID: 36462340 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) administration causes hepatotoxicity, a serious side effect limiting its clinical use. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the beneficial effect of empagliflozin (Empa) against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Adult male albino mice were pre-treated with Empa (at 10 or 25 mg/kg/d, orally) for 6 days and then received a single MTX injection (at 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Empa effectively ameliorated MTX-induced structural and functional alterations. It significantly decreased transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and increased albumin levels in the serum. Moreover, Empa restored the oxidant/antioxidant balance as indicated by reduced malondialdehyde and total nitrite/nitrate contents and elevated reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity. Additionally, Empa (10 and 25 mg/kg) markedly suppressed the elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, BCL2 associated X protein, and Caspase-3 in hepatic tissues and increased the hepatic interleukin-10 levels. Furthermore, Empa substantially decreased nuclear factor kappa B expression in hepatic tissues. These biochemical findings were further confirmed by histopathological and transmission electron microscopy observations. Therefore, Empa might be used as an adjuvant to ameliorate MTX-induced hepatotoxicity after further clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia H El-Kashef
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Haitham M Sewilam
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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Mohamed Kamel GA, Harahsheh E, Hussein S. Diacerein ameliorates acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in rats via inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB and upregulating PPAR-γ signal. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:5863-5874. [PMID: 35366176 PMCID: PMC8975726 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07366-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acetaminophen (APAP) is a worldwide antipyretic as well as an analgesic medication. It has been extensively utilized during the outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). APAP misuse would lead to liver injury. Diacerein (DIA), an anthraquinone derivative, has antioxidant and inflammatory properties. Hence, this study attempted to evaluate the impact of DIA treatment on liver injury induced by APAP and its influence on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) /toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/high mobility group box-1(HMGB-1) signaling as well as the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) expression. METHODS Male albino rats received 25 as well as 50 mg/kg/day DIA orally for seven days. One hour after the last administration, rats received APAP (1gm/kg, orally). For histopathological analysis, liver tissues and blood were collected, immunohistochemical (IHC) assay, biochemical assay, as well as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS DIA markedly reduced liver injury markers and ameliorated histopathological changes. Moreover, DIA dose-dependently alleviated oxidative stress status caused by APAP administration along with inflammatory markers, including the level of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Furthermore, DIA downregulated protein levels as well as mRNA of HMGB-1, TLR4, NF-κB p65 expression, and enhanced PPAR-γ expression. Moreover, DIA ameliorated apoptotic (Bax) and caspase-3 expressions and increased the anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) expression. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that DIA exerts anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties against liver injury induced by APAP that is attributed to inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, besides upregulation of the expression of PPAR-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gellan Alaa Mohamed Kamel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, 11754, Egypt.
| | - Eman Harahsheh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Shaimaa Hussein
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
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Evaluation of the antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of chitosan in methotrexate-induced oral mucositis in rats. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:3237-3245. [PMID: 35064410 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07158-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methotrexate (MTX), a chemotherapeutic agent, is known to cause oral mucositis. Chitosan has been shown to have a protective effect in inflammatory animal models. This research aimed to examine the protective effect of chitosan against oral mucositis caused by MTX. METHODS AND RESULTS Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Control (n = 8), (saline via oral gavage for 5 days), MTX (n = 8), (60 mg/kg single dose MTX intraperitoneally on the 1st day and for the following 4 days saline via oral gavage), and MTX + chitosan (n = 8), (1st day single dose 60 mg/kg MTX intraperitoneally and followed with 200 mg/kg chitosan via oral gavage for 4 days). After 24 h of the last dose, the animals were euthanised. Blood, tongue, buccal and palatal mucosa tissues were collected. Serum interleukin 1-beta (IL1-β), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1, and MMP-2) activities, tissue bcl-2/bax ratio and the expression of caspase-3 (casp-3), and casp-9 were detected. The tissues were also examined histologically. Serum TNF-α, IL1-β, MMP-1 and MMP-2 activities and tissue casp-3 and casp-9 activities significantly increased but the bcl-2/bax ratio significantly decreased in the MTX group compared those of the control group. Histologically, diffuse inflammatory cells were observed in MTX group. However, In the MTX + chitosan group, all the values were close to those of the control group. CONCLUSION It was demonstrated that chitosan has a protective effect against oral mucosal damage caused by MTX. Thus, it may be a candidate agent against MTX induced oral mucositis.
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Wang J, Yuan W, Shen Q, Wu Q, Jiang Z, Wu W, Zhang L, Huang X. The key role of organic anion transporter 3 in the drug-drug interaction between tranilast and methotrexate. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2022; 36:e22983. [PMID: 35019195 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tranilast, N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamoyl)-anthranilic acid, is an anti-allergic drug and is considered for use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate, an antimetabolite and folate antagonist to treat some cancers, is also a first-line drug for RA. The aim of this study was to understand whether tranilast could inhibit renal uptake transporters (Oat1, Oat3, and Oct2) and whether MTX combined with TL would have drug-drug interactions. The results of kidney slices and HEK293T-OAT3 cell uptake experiments showed that TL (10 μM) could inhibit the uptake of penicillin G and MTX, which are substrates of OAT3. When TL (10 mg/kg) was combined with MTX (5 mg/kg), the area under the curve and peak concentration of MTX increased by 46.46% and 113.51%, respectively, while the pharmacokinetic process of tranilast (10 mg/kg) was not changed by methotrexate (5 mg/kg). TL could increase plasma exposure of MTX by inhibiting Oat3 in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Wenjing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Qingqing Shen
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Qipeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhenzhou Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Wei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Luyong Zhang
- Center for Drug Screening and Pharmacodynamics Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Xin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,New Drug Screening Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
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Makled MN, Said E. Tranilast abrogates cisplatin-induced testicular and epididymal injuries: An insight into its modulatory impact on apoptosis/proliferation. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22817. [PMID: 34047436 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent whose therapeutic use is greatly limited by the associated organs' toxicity and particularly, testicular toxicity. Cisplatin-induced testicular damage reported being mediated through mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Evidence showed that tranilast (TRN) has the ability to restore the oxidative status and modulate TRAIL/caspase-8 signaling. This led us to hypothesize that TRN could abrogate cisplatin-induced testicular and epididymal injuries via inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating proliferation and TRAIL/caspase-8/cJNK signaling. Cisplatin injection induced oligospermia and abnormalities in testicular and epididymal structure along with impaired oxidative status. TRN administration (100 or 300 mg/kg) for 7 days post-cisplatin injection preserved spermatogenesis and restored testicular and epididymal architecture, but restoration was more so in TRN300 than TRN100. This was in line with the restoration of balanced oxidative status as indicated by the increased total antioxidant capacity, glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, and the decreased malondialdehyde content in testes (p < 0.05 vs. cisplatin). TRN increased the cell proliferation revealed by the increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05 vs. cisplatin) whereas only TRN300 decreased testicular cJNK, TRAIL, and caspase-8 expression (p < 0.05 vs. cisplatin). Moreover, TRN dose-dependently inhibited the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kB and the cytokine TNF-α expressions in testes. In conclusion, TRN300 was more effective than TRN100 in alleviating cisplatin-induced testicular and epididymal injuries and in enhancing spermatogenesis. This curative effect of TRN might be mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impacts along with its modulatory impact on cJNK/TRAIL/caspase-8 signaling favoring proliferation rather than apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirhan N Makled
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Eman Said
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Samra YA, Amin MN, Said E. Cardio-protective impact of gabapentin against doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in rats; emphasis on modulation of inflammatory-apoptotic signaling. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 90:107125. [PMID: 33199237 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cardiotoxicity is one of the most commonly encountered adverse effects observed alongside the therapeutic use of doxorubicin (DOX), thus curbing its therapeutic utility. METHODS The current study was conducted to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of gabapentin (Gaba), a Ca + 2 channel blocker with emerging pharmacological merits, against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Gaba was orally administered at two dose levels (10 and 30 mg/kg) for 21 days parallel to DOX injection. RESULTS DOX induced significant functional, biochemical, and histopathological injury to the myocardium. Gaba treatment revealed a cardioprotective effect as manifested in the significant restoration of electrocardiogram parameters, including the heart rate, ST segment elevation, QRS and T wave amplitudes, and QT and PR intervals. The biomarkers of myocardial injury, namely serum creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities, significantly declined as well as the concomitant improvement of the myocardial oxidative status. Mechanistically, Gaba treatment significantly reduced the myocardial contents of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), the major modulator of inflammatory/apoptotic signaling. However, the myocardial contents of the apoptotic biomarkers caspase-8 and TRAIL also significantly declined. In isolated cardiomyocytes, Gaba treatment maintained the morphological characteristics of the cardiomyocytes and preserved their spontaneous beating characteristics. Nevertheless, the protein expression of caspase-8, JNK 1/2, and CD95L significantly declined with Gaba treatment. CONCLUSION Gaba confers cardioprotective effects against DOX-induced myocardial injury and cardiotoxicity by modulating the inflammatory/apoptotic signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara A Samra
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed N Amin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Eman Said
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt.
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