Honey prevents neurobehavioural deficit and oxidative stress induced by lead acetate exposure in male Wistar rats- a preliminary study

Effect of Bee Bread on Corticosterone Level in Rat Dams Exposed to Gestational Heat Stress

Environmental temperature rises are powerful stimuli that can alter both the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA). Heat stress has been shown to harm pregnancy outcomes such as causing spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, growth retardation and stillbirth. Supplementation of bee bread in pregnant rats under heat stress exposure has been shown to improve the pregnancy outcomes. However, whether supplementation of bee bread during heat stress exposure may also reduce the level of the stress hormone, corticosterone has yet been reported. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of bee bread on corticosterone level, progesterone level, oestradiol level and zonation of the adrenal cortex of pregnant rats under heat stress exposure. Pregnant rats were randomly categorised into four groups (n = 6): Control (C: standard feeding), Treatment 1 (T1: 0.5 g bee bread/kg body weight/day), Treatment 2 (T2: standard feeding with heat exposure), and Treatment 3 (T3: 0.5 g bee bread/kg body weight/day with heat exposure). Bee bread (0.5 g/kg body weight/day) was force-fed to pregnant rats through oral gavage beginning on day 0 of pregnancy and continuing until delivery. Heat stress was generated experimentally by putting both T2 and T3 rats in an egg incubator for 45 min daily at a temperature of 43°C till delivery. On a postnatal Day 21, dams were euthanised to assess serum corticosterone, progesterone, oestradiol levels and adrenal gland histology. Rats in the T2 group had a significantly (P < 0.05) increase in the zona fasciculata thickness (94.95 ± 1.55 μm) and higher corticosterone levels (49.57 ± 1.57 ng/mL) compared with control. However, supplementation of bee bread during heat stress was able to show an improvement in adrenal zona fasciculata thickness by decreasing to 79.89 ± 3.08 μm and corticosterone level reduced to 35.31 ± 1.73 ng/mL significantly (P < 0.05). Therefore, these findings may imply that bee bread is effective as a neutralizer in lowering the production of stress hormone.

Evaluation of the effects of a honey‑based gel on blood redox biomarkers and the physiological profile of healthy adults: A pilot study

Honey is a natural product derived from the insect Apis mellifera. Approximately 200 different compounds are included, making it a complex mixture with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activity. Flavonoids and phenolic acids contained in honey are associated with its antioxidant capacity via mechanisms such as hydrogen donation and metallic ion chelation, although the exact antioxidant mechanism remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to: i) Estimate the antioxidant activity of a natural honey-based gel, commercially available under the trade name of 'Bear Strength honey gel' and to ii) assess the physiological and redox adjustments obtained after its consumption in healthy adult participants. For this purpose, 20 healthy participants (10 men and 10 women) included in their habitual diet 70 g of the honey-based gel for 14 days in a row. Pre- and post-consumption, physiological [weight, height, body mass index, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, resting heart rate and blood pressure (BP)] and hematological (complete blood count) data were evaluated, along with the levels of five redox biomarkers: Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyls (PCARBS) and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS). The results revealed that the honey-based gel decreased the diastolic and mean arterial BP, especially in women, without affecting the rest of the physiological and hematological variables. Regarding the changes observed in antioxidant status variables, GSH was increased both in the total and women's group, while TAC was increased in all groups post-consumption. No changes were detected in the levels of CAT. Regarding oxidative stress, a decrease in the levels of TBARS in the total and women's group, was observed. PCARBS levels were decreased post-consumption only in the women's group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential positive effects of a honey-based gel on BP and redox status of healthy adults in a sex-specific manner.

A novel mushroom (Auricularia polytricha) glycoprotein protects against lead-induced hepatoxicity, promotes lead adsorption, inhibits organ accumulation of lead, upregulates detoxifying proteins, and enhances immunoregulation in rats

Introduction

Lead is a ubiquitous environmental and industrial pollutant. Its nonbiodegradable toxicity induces a plethora of human diseases. A novel bioactive glycoprotein containing 1.15% carbohydrate, with the ability of adsorbing lead and effecting detoxification, has been purified from Auricularia polytricha and designated as APL. Besides, its mechanisms related to regulation of hepatic metabolic derangements at the proteome level were analyzed in this study.

Methods

Chromatographic techniques were utilized to purify APL in the current study. For investigating the protective effects of APL, Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of lead acetate for establishment of an animal model, and different dosages of APL were gastrically irrigated for study of protection from lead detoxification. Liver samples were prepared for proteomic analyses to explore the detoxification mechanisms.

Results and discussion

The detoxifying glycoprotein APL displayed unique molecular properties with molecular weight of 252-kDa, was isolated from fruiting bodies of the edible fungus A. polytricha. The serum concentrations of lead and the liver function biomarkers aspartate and alanine aminotransferases were significantly (p<0.05) improved after APL treatment, as well as following treatment with the positive control EDTA (300 mg/kg body weight). Likewise, results on lead residue showed that the clearance ratios of the liver and kidneys were respectively 44.5% and 18.1% at the dosage of APL 160 mg/kg, which was even better than the corresponding data for EDTA. Proteomics disclosed that 351 proteins were differentially expressed following lead exposure and the expression levels of 41 proteins enriched in pathways mainly involved in cell detoxification and immune regulation were normalized after treatment with APL-H. The results signify that APL ameliorates lead-induced hepatic injury by positive regulation of immune processing, and suggest that APL can be applied as a therapeutic intervention of lead poisoning in clinical practice. This report represents the first demonstration of the protective action of a novel mushroom protein on lead-elicited hepatic toxicity.

Honey Can Obviate Heavy Metal Toxicity: A Review

Toxicity caused by heavy metals inflicts a grave global menace to the habitat and inhabitants. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) are the non-essential yet harmful heavy metals commonly associated with pollution and resultant health complications. Typical chelating/complexing agents are not worthy of combating heavy metal-induced sub-chronic and chronic toxicities. It transpires from scientific data mining that, honey obviates investigational heavy metal toxicity. This review aims to collate such investigations conducted against As, Cd, and Pb toxicity. There is a total of 19 pre-clinical works demonstrating the ameliorative effect of honey against empirical As, Cd, and Pb toxicity. Pre-clinical reports against Hg and clinical study against these heavy metals could not found. From the outcome of the current literature investigation, it seems that honey has a marked heavy metal toxicity meliorative effect which is chiefly ascribed to its innate antioxidant effect due to its diverse polyphenol content.

The potential neuroprotective effects of stingless bee honey

Tropical Meliponini bees produce stingless bee honey (SBH). Studies have shown beneficial properties, including antibacterial, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, neurotherapeutic, neuroprotective, wound, and sunburn healing capabilities. High phenolic acid and flavonoid concentrations offer SBH its benefits. SBH can include flavonoids, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, organic acids, amino acids, and protein, depending on its botanical and geographic origins. Ursolic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid may diminish apoptotic signals in neuronal cells, such as nuclear morphological alterations and DNA fragmentation. Antioxidant activity minimizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and lowers oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation by decreasing enzymes generated during inflammation. Flavonoids in honey reduce neuroinflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine and free radical production. Phytochemical components in honey, such as luteolin and phenylalanine, may aid neurological problems. A dietary amino acid, phenylalanine, may improve memory by functioning on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways. Neurotrophin BDNF binds to its major receptor, TrkB, and stimulates downstream signaling cascades, which are crucial for neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Through BDNF, SBH can stimulate synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis, promoting learning and memory. Moreover, BDNF contributes to the adult brain's lasting structural and functional changes during limbic epileptogenesis by acting through the cognate receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). Given the higher antioxidants activity of SBH than the Apis sp. honey, it may be more therapeutically helpful. There is minimal research on SBH's neuroprotective effects, and the related pathways contribute to it is unclear. More research is needed to elucidate the underlying molecular process of SBH on BDNF/TrkB pathways in producing neuroprotective effects.

Honey polyphenols: regulators of human microbiota and health

A comprehensive review of research over the last decade was conducted to carry out this work. The main objective of this work is to present relevant evidence of the effect of honey intake on the human intestinal microbiota and its relationship with the improvement of various chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, among others. Therefore, this work focuses on the health-improving honey dietary supplementation implications associated with specific changes in the human microbiota and their biochemical mechanisms to enhance the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms. Consumption of honey polyphenols significantly improves people's health conditions, especially in patients with chronic disease. Hence, honey intake unequivocally constitutes an alternative way to enhance health and could be used to prevent some relevant chronic diseases.

Honey on brain health: A promising brain booster

Since ancient times, honey has been employed in many aspects of everyday life, the most popular of which is as a natural sweetener. Honey is used not only as a nutritional product but also in health as a supplement and in various applications, especially related to brain booster health. Brain health is the capacity to carry out all mental functions necessary for cognition, such as learning and judging, utilizing language, and recalling. This review presents the current trend of research on honey, particularly the interest in underlying mechanisms related to brain booster health. A total of 34 original articles addressing brain health from the consumption of honey were analyzed. We identified four main brain health benefits, which are memory booster, neuroprotective effect, anti-stress, and anti-nociceptive potentials with the proposed underlying mechanism. A lot of attention has been paid to the role that honey plays in brain health research, with the goal of examining the link between honey and brain health as well as the mechanism underlying it, the findings from this review may be potentially beneficial to develop new therapeutic roles for honey to help determine the best and most promising to benefit and boost overall brain health.

The synergistic ameliorative activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and gamma agonists, fenofibrate and pioglitazone, on hippocampal neurodegeneration in a rat model of insulin resistance

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists have been proven to mitigate the neuronal pathology associated with IR. However, the synergetic efficacy of these agonists is yet to be fully described. Hence, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of PPARα/γ agonists (fenofibrate and pioglitazone) on a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration. Male Wistar rats (200 ± 25 mg/body weight [BW]) were divided into five groups. The experimental groups were fed on an HFD for 12 weeks coupled with 5 days of an STZ injection (30 mg/kg/BW, i.p) to induce IR. Fenofibrate (FEN; 100 mg/kg/BW, orally), pioglitazone (PIO; 20 mg/kg/BW, orally), and their combination were administered for 2 weeks postinduction. Behavioral tests were conducted, and blood was collected to determine insulin sensitivity after treatment. Animals were killed for assessment of oxidative stress, cellular morphology characterization, and astrocytic evaluation. HFD/STZ-induced IR increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels. Evidence of cellular alterations and overexpression of astrocytic protein was observed in the hippocampus. By contrast, monotherapy of FEN and PIO increased the GSH level (p < 0.05), decreased the MDA level (p < 0.05), and improved cellular morphology and astrocytic expression. Furthermore, the combined treatment led to improved therapeutic activities compared to monotherapies. In conclusion, FEN and PIO exerted a therapeutic synergistic effect on HFD/STZ-induced IR in the hippocampus.

History, phytochemistry, experimental pharmacology and clinical uses of honey: A comprehensive review with special reference to Unani medicine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Honey is one of the most popular functional foods, speculated to be in use since the advent of human civilization. Its health-protective activity is endorsed by many religions and traditional medicines. In Unani medicine, honey is prescribed for many health conditions as wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, etc. In the present era, honey is gaining popularity over sugar for its myriad health benefits and low glycemic index. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the biological activities and potential therapeutic uses of honey, with scientific evidence.

METHODOLOGY

In this paper, we have provided a comprehensive overview of historical uses, types, physical characteristics, bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities of honey. The information was gathered from Classical Unani textbooks and leading scientific databases. There is a plethora of information regarding various therapeutic activities of honey, and it is daunting to draw practical conclusions. Hence, in this paper, we have tried to summarize those aspects which are most relevant to clinical application.

OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Many important bioactive constituents are identified in different honey types, e.g. phenolics, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc., which exert important biological activities like anti-microbial, wound healing, immunomodulatory, anti-toxin, antioxidant, and many others. Honey has the potential to alleviate many lifestyle disorders, mitigate the adverse effects of drugs and toxins, and also provide healthy nutrition. Although conclusive clinical evidence is not available, yet honey may potentially be a safer alternative to sucrose for diabetic patients.

Apple phenolic extract ameliorates lead-induced cognitive impairment, depression- and anxiety-like behavior in mice through abating oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis via miR-22-3p/SIRT1 axis

Lead can lead to neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. In this study, for the first time, the protective effects and working mechanisms of apple phenolic extract (APE) against lead acetate (Pb(Ac)2)-induced...

Stingless Bee Honey Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory of the Metabolic Disease-induced Rats

BACKGROUND

Scientific studies support the evidence of the involvement of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases through oxidative stress. Consumption of antioxidant compounds was found to be beneficial for brain-health as it reduced the brain oxidative stress level and improved cognitive performance in animals. Stingless bee honey or locally known as Kelulut Honey (KH) has high phenolic content and is widely used as a food supplement.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of KH on the brain of MetS-induced rats.

METHODS

Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; 8 weeks (C8) and 16 weeks control groups (C16), groups that received High-Carbohydrate High Fructose (HCHF) diet for 8 weeks (MS8) and 16 weeks (MS16), and a group that received HCHF for 16 weeks with KH supplemented for the last 35 days (KH).

RESULTS

Serum fasting blood glucose decreased in the KH group compared to the MS16 group. HDL levels were significantly decreased in MetS groups compared to control groups. Open field experiments showed that KH group exhibits less anxious behavior compared to the MetS group. Probe trial of Morris water maze demonstrated significant memory retention of KH group compared to the MS16 group. Nissl staining showed a significant decrease in the pyramidal hippocampal cells in the MS16 compared to the KH group.

CONCLUSION

KH has the ability to normalise blood glucose and reduce serum triglyceride and LDL levels in MetS rats, while behavior studies complement its effect on anxiety and memory. This shows a promising role of KH in attenuating neurodegenerative diseases through the antioxidant activity of its polyphenolic content.

The roles of strawberry and honey phytochemicals on human health: A possible clue on the molecular mechanisms involved in the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the etiopathogenesis of several human chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Besides classic stimuli, such as reactive oxidant species, endotoxins (i.e., bacteria lipopolysaccharide), cytokines or carcinogens, oxidative stress and inflammation can be triggered by a poor diet and an excess of body fat and energy intake. Strawberry and honey are common rich sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds, widely studied for their roles exerted in health maintenance and disease prevention.

PURPOSE

This review aims to summarize and update the effects of strawberry and honey against oxidative stress and inflammation, with emphasis on metabolism and on the main molecular mechanisms involved in these effects.

METHODS

A wide range of literature, published in the last 10 years, elucidating the effects of strawberry and honey in preventing oxidative stress and inflammation both in vitro (whole matrix and digested fractions) and in vivo was collected from online electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and reviewed.

RESULTS

Strawberry and honey polyphenols may potentially prevent the chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Several in vitro and in vivo studies reported the effects of these foods in suppressing the oxidative stress, by decreasing ROS production and oxidative biomarkers, restoring the antioxidant enzyme activities, ameliorating the mitochondrial antioxidant status and functionality, among others, and the inflammatory process, by modulating the mediators of acute and chronic inflammation essential for the onset of several human diseases. These beneficial properties are mediated in part through their ability to target multiple signaling pathways, such as p38 MAPK, AMPK, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and Nrf2.

CONCLUSIONS

Available scientific literature show that strawberry and honey may be effective in preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. The deep evaluation of the factors that affect their metabolism as well as the assessment of the main molecular mechanisms involved are of extreme importance for the possible therapeutic and preventive benefit against the most common human diseases. However, published literature is still scarce so that deeper studies should be performed in order to evaluate the bioavailability of these food matrices and their effects after digestion.

Alzheimer's Disease and Functional Foods: An Insight on Neuroprotective Effect of its Combination

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which impairs memory and cognitive function. Currently, AD has no cure and treatments are focused on relieving its symptoms. Several functional plants and foods, such as pomegranate, date fruits, honey, black seeds and figs, possess nutritious properties which alleviate AD. In vitro and in vivo studies reported that these functional foods exert neuroprotective effects through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review are going to discusses the bioactive components and neuroprotective activities of the functional foods such as pomegranate, dates, honey, black seeds and figs and the potential of functional foods combinations to alleviate AD. Functional food combinations have potential to be consumed for health benefit for the prevention and treatment of AD. This review summarises the functional foods which can be useful for the prevention, treatment and management of AD via oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. Besides, it provides a new insight on the potential of functional food combinations for the prevention and treatment of AD.

Forced swimming stress increases natatory activity of lead-exposed mice

Recent evidence points to the relationship between lead toxicity and the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which suggests that lead exposure could influence how an individual cope with stress. Here we test this hypothesis by investigating the behavioral effects of lead exposure in mice during the forced swimming test (FST), a parading in which animals are exposed to a stressful situation and environment. Swiss mice received either 180 ppm or 540 ppm of lead acetate (Pb) in their ad-lib water supply for 60-90 days, starting at postnatal day 30. Control (Ctrl) mice drank tap water. At the end of the exposure period, mice were submitted to a 5-min session of FST or to an open-field session of the same duration. Data from naïve animals showed that corticosterone levels were higher for animals tested in the FST compared to animals tested in the open-field. Blood-lead levels (BLL) in Pb-exposed mice ranged from 14.3 to 106.9 µg/dL. No differences were observed in spontaneous locomotion between Ctrl and Pb-exposed groups in the open-field. However, in the FST, Pb-treated mice displayed higher swimming activity than Ctrl ones and this effect was observed even for animals with BLL higher than 20 µg/dL. Furthermore, significant differences in brain glutathione levels, used as an indicator of led toxicity, were only observed for BLL higher than 40 µg/dL. Overall, these findings suggest that swimming activity in the FST is a good indicator of lead toxicity and confirm our prediction that lead toxicity influences behavioral responses associated to stress.

Histomorphological study of the effects of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa on highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced testicular toxicity

This study evaluates the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and Curcuma longa on testicular histology, stereological parameters, body weight and relative organ weights, seminal fluid, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, the antioxidant marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in adult male Wistar rat. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were grouped into A: distilled water (control); B: 100 mg/kg C. longa; C: 200 mg/kg C. longa; D: HAART only; E: HAART + 100 mg/kg C. longa; and F: HAART + 200 mg/kg C. longa. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks. Results showed a significant increase in abnormal morphology in group D when compared with group A. In group D, progressive sperm motility was significantly decreased compared with group F. The GSH level was significantly increased in group D compared with control group A, group E and group F. Histomorphological studies showed that HAART caused loss of germ cells and widening tubule lumen which were improved and partially restored by C. longa. This study suggests that C. longa improves testicular morphology and ameliorates HAART-induced toxicity. Further studies confirming putative mechanisms are required.

Serum Metabolomics Profiling of Commercially Mixed Functional Foods—Effects in Beta-Amyloid Induced Rats Measured Using 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Functional foods such as pomegranate, dates and honey were shown by various previous studies to individually have a neuroprotective effect, especially in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this novel and original study, an ¹H NMR spectroscopy tool was used to identify the metabolic neuroprotective mechanism of commercially mixed functional foods (MFF) consisting of pomegranate, dates and honey, in rats injected with amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aβ-42). Forty-five male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: NC (0.9% normal saline treatment + phosphate buffer solution (PBS) solution injection), Abeta (0.9% normal saline treatment + 0.2 µg/µL Aβ-42 injection), MFF (4 mL/kg MFF treatment + PBS solution injection), Abeta–MFF (4 mL/kg MFF treatment + 0.2 µg/µL Aβ-42 injection) and Abeta–NAC (150 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine + 0.2 µg/µL Aβ-42 injection). Based on the results, the MFF and NAC treatment improved the spatial memory and learning using Y-maze. In the metabolic analysis, a total of 12 metabolites were identified, for which levels changed significantly among the treatment groups. Systematic metabolic pathway analysis found that the MFF and NAC treatments provided a neuroprotective effect in Aβ-42 injected rats by improving the acid amino and energy metabolisms. Overall, this finding showed that MFF might serve as a potential neuroprotective functional food for the prevention of AD.

Honey and obesity-related dysfunctions: a summary on health benefits

Honey is a natural product, containing flavonoids and phenolic acids, appreciated for its therapeutic abilities since ancient times. Although the bioactive potential is linked to the composition, that is variable depending on mainly the botanical origin, honey has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, honey, administered alone or in combination with conventional therapy, might result useful in the management of chronic diseases that are commonly associated with oxidative stress and inflammation state. Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterized by visceral adiposity. The adipose tissue becomes hypertrophic and undergoes hyperplasia, resulting in a hypoxic environment, oxidative stress and production of pro-inflammatory mediators that can be responsible for other disorders, such as metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration. Experimental evidence from animals have shown that honey improves glycemic control and lipid profile with consequent protection from endothelial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the current literature concerning the beneficial effects of honey in the management of the obesity-related dysfunctions, including neurodegeneration. Based on the key constituents of honey, the paper also highlights polyphenols to be potentially responsible for the health benefits of honey. Further well-designed and controlled studies are necessary to validate these benefits in humans.

Developmental exposure to lead at environmentally relevant concentrations impaired neurobehavior and NMDAR-dependent BDNF signaling in zebrafish larvae

Lead (Pb) is one of the predominant heavy metals in e-waste recycling arears and recognized as a notorious environmental neurotoxic substance. However, whether Pb at environmentally relevant concentrations could cause neurobehavioral alteration and even what kind of signaling pathway Pb exposure would disrupt in zebrafish were not fully uncovered. In the present study, 6 h postfertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos were exposed to Pb at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 20 μg/L until 144 hpf. Then the neurobehavioral indicators including locomotor, turnings and social behaviors, and the expressions of selected genes concerning brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling were investigated. The results showed that significant changes were obtained under 20 μg/L Pb exposure. The hypoactivity of zebrafish larvae in locomotor and turning behaviors was induced during the dark period, while hyperactivity was observed in a two-fish social assay during the light period. The significantly downregulation of genes encoding BDNF, its receptor TrkB, and N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) suggested the involvement of NMDAR-dependent BDNF signaling pathway. Overall, our study demonstrated that developmental exposure to Pb at environmentally relevant concentrations caused obvious neurobehavioral impairment of zebrafish larvae by disrupting the NMDAR-dependent BDNF signaling, which could exert profound ecological consequences in the real environment.

Antidotal or protective effects of honey and one of its major polyphenols, chrysin, against natural and chemical toxicities

OBJECTIVE

Honey and its polyphenolic compounds are of main natural antioxidants that have been used in traditional medicine. The aim of this review was to identify the protective effects of honey and chrysin (a polyphenol available in honey) against the chemical and natural toxic agents.

METHOD

The scientific databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched to identify studies on the antidotal effects of honey and chrysin against toxic agents.

RESULTS

This study found that honey had protective activity against toxic agents-induced organ damages by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways. However, clinical trial studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of honey and chrysin as antidote agents in human intoxication.

CONCLUSION

Honey and chrysin may be effective against toxic agents. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Modulation of caspase-3 gene expression and protective effects of garlic and spirulina against CNS neurotoxicity induced by lead exposure in male rats

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous environmental and industrial pollutant with worldwide health problems. The present study was designed to investigate the neurotoxic effects of Pb in albino rats and to evaluate the ameliorative role of garlic as well as Spirulina maxima against such toxic effects. Forty adult male rats were used in this investigation (10 rats/group). Group I: served as control, Group II: rats received lead acetate (100 mg/kg), Group III: rats received both lead acetate (100 mg/kg) and garlic (600 mg/kg) and Group IV: rats received both lead acetate (100 mg/kg) and spirulina (500 mg/kg) daily by oral gavage for one month. Exposure to Pb acetate adversely affected the measured acetyl cholinesterase enzyme activity, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation parameters as well as caspase-3 gene expression in brain tissue (cerebrum and cerebellum). Light and electron microscopical examination of the cerebrum and cerebellum showed various lesions after exposure to Pb which were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. On the other hand, administration of garlic and spirulina concomitantly with lead acetate ameliorated most of the undesirable effects. It could be concluded that, the adverse effects induced by lead acetate, were markedly ameliorated by co-treatment with S. maxima more than garlic.

Glucocorticoid receptor activation selectively influence performance of Wistar rats in Y-maze

Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are ubiquitously expressed in metazoans. Different and contrasting phenotypes have been reported upon their activation. This study investigated the behavioral phenotypes characteristic of GR stimulation in male Wistar rats. Rats in each of the four groups of rats received one of the following treatments: distilled water (control) or one of three doses of dexamethasone (treatment) injected intraperitoneally for 7 days. The Rats were afterwards subjected to the Y maze, the elevated plus maze (EPM), the Morris water maze (MWM), and the novel object recognition (NOR) test. At the end of the study, the animals were anesthetized and neural activity from the prefrontal cortex recorded. Blood was collected via cardiac puncture to evaluate the levels of plasma insulin and glucose, and the prefrontal cortexes excised to determine the levels of insulin, markers of oxidative stress, and calcium in the homogenate. This study showed that treatment with dexamethasone significantly reduced the total and percentage alternation in the Y maze, but had no significant effect on object recognition in the NOR test, long-term and short-term spatial memory in the MWM, or anxiety-like behavior in the EPM. Plasma and brain insulin and calcium levels were elevated moderately following treatment with the lowest dose of dexamethasone. All doses of dexamethasone decreased brain superoxide dismutase and increased lactate dehydrogenase levels. No significant change in neural activity was observed. This study shows that activation of glucocorticoid receptors differentially affects different behavioral paradigms and provides evidence for a role for glucocorticoids in mediating insulin function in the brain.

In vivo immunoprotective role of Indigofera tinctoria and Scoparia dulcis aqueous extracts against chronic noise stress induced immune abnormalities in Wistar albino rats

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Chronic noise stress was suppressed both innate and adaptive immune response of wistar albino rats.

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Noise stress also caused DNA damage in the liver and spleen tissues.

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Aqueous extracts of I. tinctoria and S. dulcis prevent the immune abnormalities caused by noise stress.

Indigofera tinctoria and Scoparia dulcis are being widely used in Indian folk medicine for the treatment of various disorders. Environmental noise pollution is thought to be an important factor for many health problems and it causes immune abnormalities. In the present study immune-regulating potential of I. tinctoria and S. dulcis aqueous extracts on innate and adaptive immune system of wistar albino rats was evaluated during normal and chronic noise induced stress conditions. The results demonstrated that both I. tinctoria and S. dulcis aqueous extracts (200 mg/kg b.w) showed immunostimulant effect on both innate and adaptive immune response of wistar albino rat compared to control group under normal condition. The noise stress (100 dB for 1 h, 20 days) induced animals showed suppressive effects on immune response by decreasing macrophage phagocytosis, antibody secretion by spleen cells, humoral immune response, proliferation of lymphocytes, cytotoxicity, TNF α expression, granzyme B and perforin expression in splenic NK cells. Similarly, noise stress also caused DNA damage in tissues. However, the suppressed effects induced by noise stress on rat immune system were significantly prevented by oral administration of both I. tinctoria and S. dulcis aqueous extracts. Considering all these results it is suggested that the selected medicinal plant’s aqueous extracts have the potential to prevent the effects of noise stress induced rat immune system and explore a strong immunostimulant potential applicable to clinical practices.

Cannabis-induced Moto-Cognitive Dysfunction in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Efficacy of Nigella Sativa

BACKGROUND

Cannabis is a widely used illicit drug with various threats of personality syndrome, and Nigella sativa has been widely implicated as having therapeutic efficacy in many neurological diseases. The present study investigates the ameliorative efficacy of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on cannabis-induced moto-cognitive defects.

METHODS

Scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.) was given to induce dementia as a standard base line for cannabis (20 mg/kg)-induced cognitive impairment, followed by an oral administration of NSO (1 ml/kg) for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) paradigm was used to assess the memory index, the elevated plus maze was used for anxiety-like behaviour, and the open field test was used for locomotor activities; thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed for histopathologic studies.

RESULTS

Cannabis-like Scopolamine caused memory impairment, delayed latency in the MWM, and anxiety-like behaviour, coupled with alterations in the cerebello-hippocampal neurons. The post-treatment of rats with NSO mitigated cannabis-induced cognitive dysfunction as with scopolamine and impaired anxiety-like behaviour by increasing open arm entry, line crossing, and histological changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed ameliorative effects of NSO make it a promising agent against moto-cognitive dysfunction and cerebelo-hippocampal alterations induced by cannabis.