Thyme oxymel by improving of inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia and homeostasis of some trace elements ameliorates obesity induced by high-fructose/fat diet in male rat

Serum biochemical evaluation following administration of imidazolyl thiazolidinedione in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus represents a prominent global health concern, characterized by a rising prevalence rate. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is purported to be associated with an intricate interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While some progress have been made in T2DM management, controlling associated complications remains a great challenge in medicine.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated a synthesized Imidazolyl Thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent (PA9), focusing on serum parameters.

METHODS

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) were subjected to orally treatment with PA9 (synthesized by Shakour et al. in an equal dose of a standard drug, 0.011 mmol/kg). The study conducted to measure some specific serum factors, including lipid profiles, liver and kidney enzymes, cardiac enzymes, and oxidative stress markers, both before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The study findings indicated that PA9 effectively ameliorates hyperlipidemia by significantly reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum. Additionally, PA9 demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against TZD-induced injuries, as evidenced by decreased levels of alanine transaminase and, alkaline phosphatase. In addition, PA9 also exhibited a modulatory effect on a cardiac injury marker, creatine kinase MB. Moreover, PA9 demonstrated antioxidant properties by reducing oxidative stress markers and enhancing the activities of catalase, thiol, and superoxide dismutase.

CONCLUSIONS

The synthesized TZD compound (PA9) stands out as a highly promising agent for the management of diabetes. Its significant antihyperlipidemic effects, preventive influences on organ injuries, and demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative stress marker (SOD) make it therapeutic agent in diabetes management. This study lays the groundwork for innovative strategies in diabetes management.

Growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) supplemented with essential oils: A meta-analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with essential oils (EOS) on growth performance, antioxidant status in blood serum, intestinal morphology, and whole-body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) through a meta-analytic approach. The search and collection of scientific articles were conducted using the PRISMA methodology, and 45 full-text scientific articles were obtained. The data used in the meta-analysis were extracted from these 45 documents. The effect size was assessed through weighted mean differences (WMD) using Der-Simonian and Laird random effects models. Dietary supplementation with EOS increased (P < 0.001) final weight, body weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio, and survival but decreased (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio. In blood serum, EOS supplementation decreased (P < 0.001) the concentration of malondialdehyde and increased (P < 0.001) the concentration of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. In the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, greater (P < 0.01) villus height, villus width, and number of goblet cells were observed in response to EOS supplementation. EOS supplementation increased (P < 0.01) crude protein content and decreased (P < 0.05) crude lipid content in the whole-body. In conclusion, essential oils can be used as a dietary additive to improve growth performance, antioxidant status in blood serum, and intestinal morphology in Nile tilapia. Likewise, supplementation with essential oils increases the protein content and decreases the fat content in the whole-body of Nile tilapia.

Oxymel: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies

Background

Oxymel is a functional beverage with a rich historical background of use in multiple societies. Various simple and compound oxymels are prescribed in certain complementary and traditional medical systems, including traditional Persian Medicine. In recent years, numerous clinical and preclinical studies have been conducted in the pharmacy and food industry to investigate the efficacy of various oxymel formulations. This article aims to systematically review and summarize interventional studies on oxymel in both clinical research and animal models.

Methods

Relevant articles were searched in Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2023 using the keyword "Oxymel" and its equivalents in other languages. Animal and human interventional studies were selected from the search results for review.

Results

This review includes twenty studies, comprising twelve clinical trials, two case studies, and six animal studies. The most commonly reported actions of oxymel include positive effects on the cardiovascular system, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, compound oxymel formulations have demonstrated additional benefits depending on the inclusion of specific medicinal herbs.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, oxymel appears to be a valuable functional food for healthy individuals and a potentially effective and safe treatment option for managing certain diseases such as asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. However, further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to fully elucidate the potential side effects and benefits of both simple and compound oxymels in various disease states.

Sweet and sour synergy: exploring the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of acetic acid and vinegar combined with medical-grade honeys

Oxymel, a combination of honey and vinegar, has been used as a remedy for wounds and infections in historical and traditional medical settings. While honey is now clinically used to treat infected wounds, this use of a complex, raw natural product (NP) mixture is unusual in modern western medicine. Research into the antimicrobial activity of NPs more usually focuses on finding a single active compound. The acetic acid in vinegar is known to have antibacterial activity at low concentrations and is in clinical use to treat burn wound infections. Here, we investigated the potential for synergistic activity of different compounds present in a complex ingredient used in historical medicine (vinegar) and in an ingredient mixture (oxymel). We conducted a systematic review to investigate published evidence for antimicrobial effects of vinegars against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. No published studies have explicitly compared the activity of vinegar with that of a comparable concentration of acetic acid. We then characterized selected vinegars by HPLC and assessed the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the vinegars and acetic acid, alone and in combination with medical-grade honeys, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. We found that some vinegars have antibacterial activity that exceeds that predicted by their acetic acid content alone, but that this depends on the bacterial species being investigated and the growth conditions (media type, planktonic vs. biofilm). Pomegranate vinegars may be particularly interesting candidates for further study. We also conclude that there is potential for acetic acid, and some vinegars, to show synergistic antibiofilm activity with manuka honey.

Evaluation of Expression of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase and Inflammatory, Oxidative, and Apoptotic Markers in Testicular Tissue of Obese Rats (Pre)Treated with Garlic Powder

Today, adolescent obesity is recognized as an epidemic and a cause of reproductive disorders. Decreased testosterone levels occur due to functional defects in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, excessive activity of cytochrome P450 aromatase enzyme, and testicular dysfunction in these people. Oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis are also the main mechanisms of testicular damage during obesity. The use of herbal products such as garlic can improve this disorder due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of pretreatment and treatment of garlic powder on the expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase enzyme and the expression of genes involved in testosterone synthesis, inflammation, oxidative damage, apoptosis in testicular tissue, and metabolic function of liver tissue in young male obese rats. Eighty male Wistar rats were divided into the controlled and treated groups. Serum levels of lipid, glucose, and insulin as metabolic factors were measured along with the testicular antioxidant and inflammation markers. The expression of Bcl2, Bax, and caspase-3 along with NF-κB, SREBP-1c, CPT-1beta, Nrf-2, CD36, FAS, CYP19A1, P450scc, StAR, 17βHSD, PPARα, and aromatase (CYP19, P450arom) was also measured. Testicular histological evaluation and spermatogenic process was also performed. The results showed that oxidative, inflammatory, and metabolic factors significantly increased in obese rats. The testicular expression of aromatase, NF-κB, Bax, and caspase 3 increased and Nrf2 expression decreased in obese rats, while (pre) treatment with garlic powder significantly decreased the expression of these genes in obese rats. These results were also confirmed by the findings of the histological evaluation and sperm analysis. It can be concluded that garlic powder could improve reproductive dysfunction in obese rats.

Investigation of risk factors associated with impaired glucose regulation: Using the momentum equation to assess the impact of risk factors on community residents

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and assess their impact on community residents, this study used a questionnaire to conduct cross-sectional surveys and analysis.

METHODS

Overall, 774 residents of an urban community in northern China (Jian city) participated in this study. Trained investigators conducted surveys using questionnaires. Based on their medical history, respondents were divided into three glucose status groups as follows: normal (NGT), IGR, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Statistical analysis of survey data was performed using SPSS v. 22.0.

RESULTS

Age, hypertension, family history of diabetes (FHD), dyslipidemia, obesity, and cardiovascular and cerebral disease (CVD) were positively correlated with IGR in men and women. IGR was negatively correlated with a sedentary lifestyle in men and positively correlated with being overweight in women. The number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) risk factors per subject was positively correlated with age in the NGT group. Glucose status deteriorated with increasing age and the number of risk factors. FHD was the strongest risk factor in both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of IGR includes weight control, physical activity, and prevention of hypertension and dyslipidemia, especially in subjects with FHD.

Relationship of Serum Zinc Levels with Cardiometabolic Traits in Overweight and Obese Schoolchildren from Mexico City

Zinc (Zn) participates as a cofactor for many enzymes in the cellular metabolism, and its serum levels have been associated with different metabolic diseases, especially obesity (OB). Nevertheless, its associations are not clear in the children population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between serum Zn levels (SZn) with overweight/obesity status (OW/OB), as well as its cardiometabolic traits in a population of children in Mexico City. Anthropometrical data (body mass index z score (BMIz)), demographic variables (age and sex), and cardiometabolic traits (total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and insulin) were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. SZn were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The population included 210 children from Mexico City (girls (n = 105) and boys (n = 105)) between ages 6 and 10 years. Normal-weight (NW) schoolchildren had higher SZn concentrations (66 µg/dL; IQR: 48 to 91) compared to OW or OB schoolchildren (61 µg/dL; IQR: 45 to 76). The data showed a significant negative association between SZn and BMIz without sex exclusion (r =  - 0.181 and p = 0.009). The boy's population did not show an association between the SZn and BMIz compared to the girl's population which showed a significant negative association (r =  - 0.277 and p = 0.004). In addition, other associations were found between SZn and TC (boys (r = 0.214 and p = 0.025), LDLc (boys (r = 0.213 and p = 0.029), and TG (girls (r =  - 0.260 and p = 0.007)). Moreover, 38.6% of the total children in our population study had Zn deficiency (ZnD). NW schoolchildren had higher SZn concentrations compared to OW or OB schoolchildren. A diet low in Zn can be a factor to evaluate in the development of childhood OB in Mexico. However, further studies need to be performed on the children Mexican population to replicate and confirm our findings.

Ginger Could Improve Gestational Diabetes by Targeting Genes Involved in Nutrient Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and the WNT/β-Catenin/GSK3β Signaling Pathway

This study aimed to evaluate the effect in female rats of 6 weeks of ginger consumption on gestational diabetes by assessing glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative damage, inflammation, and the WNT/β-catenin/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) signaling pathway. In this study, 40 adult female rats were divided into 4 equal groups as follows: pregnant rats, pregnant rats with diabetes, pregnant rats consuming ginger, and pregnant rats with diabetes consuming ginger. Induction of diabetes on day 0 of pregnancy was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles as metabolic factors were measured along with the hepatic expression of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORc1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α), β-catenin, GSK3β, PPAR-g, nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and oxidative parameters were measured in the liver. The level of metabolic factors was significantly impaired in diabetic pregnant rats compared to the control group. However, ginger improved these parameters in the diabetic pregnant—ginger group compared to the diabetic pregnant group. The hepatic expression of genes involved in metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the wingless and int-1 (WNT) signaling pathway was significantly impaired in diabetic pregnant rats, while ginger improved them in the hepatic tissue of diabetic pregnant rats. It can be concluded that ginger could improve gestational diabetes by genes involved in metabolism, the WNT signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These results suggest that ginger can be an adjunct drug during pregnancy as a metabolic modulator.

Green tea could improve elderly hypertension by modulating arterial stiffness, the activity of the renin/angiotensin/aldosterone axis, and the sodium-potassium pumps in old male rats

Hypertension is a major health problem common in the elderly people. Green tea is a popular beverage recommended in folk medicine for lowering blood pressure. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the antihypertensive effects of green tea are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the antihypertensive effects of green tea on high-salt diet-induced hypertension in old male rats. Forty old male rats were divided into five groups: control, hypertensive, and hypertensive-green tea (2, 4, and 6 g/kg). Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured. Cardiac and renal histology were also performed. Lipid profile, NO, angiotensin II (Ang II), and aldosterone were determined, and the expression of eNOS, ATIR and ATIIR, aldosterone receptor, and Atp1a1 were measured. Green tea could significantly decrease HR and SBP, lipid profiles, renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system activity, and Ang II signaling in kidney tissue of hypertensive rats (p < .01). It also increased Atp1a1, Nrf2, and eNOS expression along with antioxidant enzymes activity and NO concentration (p < .05) and decreased NF-ĸB and iNOS expression and IL-1β levels in the heart, kidneys, and aorta of rats with hypertension. It can be concluded that green tea can improve salt-induced blood pressure by modulating the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, enhancing the synthesis of nitric oxide in the endothelium, increasing antioxidant activity and suppressing inflammation in the heart and kidney, improving the expression of the sodium-potassium pump, and reduction in serum lipids and glucose in aged male rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The results of this study showed that green tea could improve hypertension in elderly rats by modulating (1) the expression of the sodium-potassium pump in the heart, kidney, and aortic tissues, (2) the activity of the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system in kidney, (3) enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in the heart, aorta, and kidneys, (4) enhancing the synthesis of nitric oxide in the endothelium, and (5) lowering lipid profile. The results of these studies show that the consumption of green tea and its products can be a good candidate for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension in the elderly. In addition, attention to its bioactive compounds can be considered by researchers as an independent therapeutic strategy or adjunctive therapy for the treatment of hypertension.

Comparison of the effect of vitamin C and selenium nanoparticles on gentamicin-induced renal impairment in male rats: A biochemical, molecular and histological study

Renal failure caused by gentamicin is mainly mediated through oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. Hence, vitamin C and selenium, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, and their nanoparticle forms, which have recently received attention, may reduce gentamicin-induced side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of vitamin C and selenium, and their nanoparticles on gentamicin-induced renal damage in male rats. 128 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into equal sixteen controlled and treated groups. Serum levels of uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, urea, and creatinine were measured. Renal levels of oxidative parameters such as MDA, SOD, and CAT and inflammatory parameters including IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured. Renal expression of Nrf2, NF-κB, Bcl-2, caspase-3, BAX and mTORc1 was also evaluated. The results showed that gentamicin causes oxidative damage, inflammation, apoptosis and disruption of autophagy in kidney tissue in a dose-dependent manner. However, treatment with vitamin C, selenium and their nanoparticles could significantly improve these effects. Also, the results showed that the inflammatory and oxidative parameters and the expression of genes involved in them and apoptosis in the gentamicin groups treated with vitamin C nanoparticles and selenium nanoparticles reduced significantly compared to those treated with vitamin C and selenium. It can be concluded that vitamin C, selenium and their nanoparticles can improve gentamicin-induced kidney damage by inhibiting oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis-induced by autophagy, and can be a good option for kidney damage caused by gentamicin or as an adjunctive treatment to reduce its side effects.

Evaluation the Protective Effect of Withania somnifera Extract on the Level of Sex Hormone in Morphine Addicted Female Rats

Morphine is one of the most types of phenanthrene alkaloid opioid used to soothe the acute and chronic pain via narcotic and analgesic medical employment. Increasingly constantly used of opioid in the public and medication practical important knowledge improve that. Morphine show pernicious has effects on numerous tissue for instance ovary, liver and lung morphine side effects instruct for existence of oxidative role due to generation of reactive oxygen species in the affected tissue. Last decades researchers proved that natural substance provides protective role against toxic effect. Thus, withania somnifera consider as antioxidant substance provide protective versus the toxic substance as morphine. The present study wase aimed to evaluate the protective role of withania somnifera extract on the level of sex hormone in morphine addicted female rats. In conclusion, the present study confirmed a truth evidence of a protective roles of withania somnifera  against the morphine addiction in female rats.

Cinnamon could improve hepatic steatosis caused by a high-fat diet via enhancing hepatic beta-oxidation and inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative damage, and inflammation in male rats

Obesity is a health and medical problem and is known as the accumulation of fat that increases the risk of cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and infertility. Cinnamon is a spice that is used mainly as a flavoring additive and folk remedies to treat diabetes. Molecular mechanisms of its effects on hepatic lipogenesis and beta-oxidation, inflammation, and oxidative damage are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effect of different doses of cinnamon in obese male rats. Forty-eight adult male Wister rats were randomly assigned into eight controlled and treated groups. Serum levels of lipid, glucose, and insulin profiles were measured along with liver levels of antioxidant enzymes, MDA and TNF-α. Hepatic expression of genes involved in beta-oxidation, lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation was also evaluated. Hepatic levels of oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers and serum levels of glucose, liver enzymes, insulin, and lipid profiles increased significantly in obese rats. Moreover, hepatic expression of SREBP-1c and NF-κB increased, and PPAR-alpha, CD36, FAS, CPT-1, and Nrf-2 decreased in obese rats. However, pretreatment and treatment with different doses of cinnamon in obese rats could significantly ameliorate them in obese rats. It can be concluded that cinnamon could improve hepatic steatosis caused by a high-fat diet via enhancing hepatic beta-oxidation and inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative damage, and inflammation in male rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity as a medical and psychiatric problem is seen in more than a third of the world's population. Obesity leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and in some cases even death. Cinnamon as a spice and folk remedy has long been used as a treatment for obesity and liver disease. Cinnamon has received a great of attention from the past to the present due to its pharmacological properties and in addition to its availability, cheapness and low side effects. Cinnamon can prevent dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, oxidative damage, and inflammation by modulating multiple signaling pathways. Our results showed that cinnamon could improve hepatic steatosis caused by HFD via enhancing hepatic beta-oxidation and inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative damage, and inflammation. Therefore, it can be recommended that cinnamon and its products can be used as a very suitable option for the production of pharmaceutical supplements for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Relationship of Inflammatory Markers and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women

The increased deposition of visceral fat in the postmenopause period increases the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decrease in IL-10. This study investigated the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic syndrome (MS) in postmenopausal women considering different diagnostic criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on STROBE. Data were collected regarding the diagnostic criteria for MS (International Diabetes Federation; NCEP (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III), and Harmonized criteria), body composition, comorbidities, time without menstruation, values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Levene tests, ROC, and odds ratio were performed to analyze the data. The results showed no significant difference between the methods and no interaction between the method and the presence of MS. However, for the values of WC, body fat percentage, TNF-α, and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, a significant effect of MS was observed. In subjects with MS, lower values of body fat percentage and TNF-α and higher values of the IL-10/TNF-α ratio were also observed. The higher IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the MS group is related to the greater anti-inflationary action of IL-10. The IL-10/TNF-α ratio showed significant accuracy to discriminate patients with MS according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria.

Safflower seed oil improves steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in rats with type II diabetes mellitus by modulating the genes expression involved in steroidogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetes mellitus (DM), as a multiorgan syndrome, is an endocrine and metabolic disorder that is associated with male reproductive system dysfunction and infertility. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as an herbal remedy improves DM and infertility-related disorders. The anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties of this herb have been well documented, but its role in testosterone production, male reproductive system and zinc homeostasis has not been fully illustrated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic properties of different doses of safflower seed oil against reproductive damage caused by type II DM by investigating zinc element homeostasis, inflammation and oxidative damage in testis tissue and their relationship with testosterone production and sperm parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups and treated daily for 12 and 24 weeks in protective and therapeutic studies, respectively. Type II DM was induced by a High Fat Diet (HFD) in normoglycemic rats for three months. At the end of each study, serum level of glucose, testosterone, gonadotropins, TNF-α, insulin, and leptin were measured. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, zinc and testosterone along with the expression of Nrf-2, NF-κB, TNF-α, StAR, P450scc, and 17βHSD3 genes in the testis were detected.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of testosterone and gonadotropins significantly decreased in the rats with DM in comparison to the others. However, lipid peroxidation and serum level of insulin, leptin and TNF-α increased and the testicular level of zinc significantly changed in the rats with DM compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). The gene expression of NF-κB and TNF-α were also significantly increased and the gene expression of Nrf2, StAR, P450scc and 17βHSD3 were decreased in the testis of diabetic rats (p < 0.05). The results showed that pretreatment and treatment with safflower seed oil could improve these parameters in diabetic rats compared with untreated diabetic rats (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HFD could impair the production of testosterone and sperm, and reduce gonadotropin by increasing the serum level of leptin and inducing insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation. However, safflower oil in a dose-dependent manner could improve testosterone level and sperm parameters by improving the level of leptin, zinc and insulin resistance, and the genes expression involved in testosterone synthesis, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Thyme oil alleviates Ova-induced bronchial asthma through modulating Th2 cytokines, IgE, TSLP and ROS

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a heterogeneous allergic respiratory disease with diverse inflammatory symptoms, pathology, and responses to treatment. Thyme is a natural product which is consisted of multiple phenolic compounds of therapeutic significance for treatment of cough and bronchitis. This study evaluated the efficacy of thyme oil against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced BA in an experimental rabbit model. Forty male rabbits were divided into four equal groups [control group (G1), OVA (G2), thyme oil (G3), and OVA plus thyme oil (G4)]. Animals were treated for 30 days, and clinical, histopathological (HP), histochemical (HC), immunohistochemical (IHC), morphometric, biochemical and flow cytometry methods were performed, followed by statistical analysis. All used methods revealed normal structure of the lung tissues in rabbits of G1 and G3. In contrast, the clinical examination of G2 rabbits revealed an obvious increase in the respiratory rate, sneezing and wheezing, whereas the HP, HC and IHC techniques exhibited substantial inflammatory changes in the peribronchio-vascular lung tissues with thinning, degeneration, apoptosis (using the TUNEL assay), necrosis, and shedding of the airway epithelium. Furthermore, the morphometric results confirmed significant increases in the numbers of inflammatory cells, goblet cells, eosinophils and apoptotic cells from (12, 0, 2, 2 cells) to (34,10, 16, 18 cells) respectively, as well as the area percentage of collagen fiber deposition and immunoexpression of eotaxin-1/10 high power fields. Additionally, the biochemical results revealed significant increases in the serum levels of TSLP, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IgE and eotaxin-1 cytokines from (140, 40, 15, 38, 120, 100, 48) pg./ml to (360, 270, 130, 85, 365, 398, 110) pg./ml respectively, while analysis of ROS by flow cytometry revealed remarkable oxidative stress effects in G2 rabbits. On the other hand, treatment of rabbits with thyme oil in G4 substantially alleviated all OVA-induced alterations. Overall, our findings indicate for the first time that thyme oil can ameliorate OVA-induced BA via its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant effects on the lung tissues of rabbits.

The new coumarin compound Bis 3 ameliorates cognitive disorder and suppresses brain-intestine-liver systematic oxidative stress in high-fat diet mice

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced systemic oxidative damage is critical to the pathological process of obesity and is associated with energy metabolism and cognitive disorders. In our previous research, the coumarin derivative Bis 3 was shown to improve neurological disorders as a potent free radical scavenger. In this study, a 12-week high-fat diet model was established, and mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: standard diet, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet with Bis 3 treatment. Our results demonstrated that Bis 3 attenuated body weight gain and inhibited the development of insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice. Bis 3 protected against high fat-induced intestinal barrier integrity damage and lipid content disorder. HFD-induced hepatocyte lipid metabolism disorder and hepatocyte damage were also alleviated by Bis 3. Moreover, the results of cognitive tests indicated that Bis 3 attenuated high fat-induced cerebral dysfunction, such as cognitive disorders. Importantly, Bis 3 simultaneously ameliorated oxidative stress in the digestive and central nervous systems. These findings suggest that Bis 3 protects against systematic oxidative stress in HFD-induced obese mice, balancing insulin resistance, lipid metabolic disorders, and cognitive disorders through its antioxidative effects, indicating that Bis 3, a novel free radical scavenger, might represent a new therapeutic strategy for high fat-induced chronic systemic redox imbalance.

Dyslipidemia influences the effect of physical exercise on inflammatory markers on obese women in post-menopause: A randomized clinical trial

The hormonal modifications observed in post-menopausal are related to increased adiposity and alteration in the lipid profile besides physical and psychological changes. Physical exercises may attenuate these conditions and have been associated with low-grade inflammatory status, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dyslipidemia on the effect of physical exercise on inflammatory markers IL6, IL10, and TNF-α in obese post-menopausal women. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in seventy women divided into four groups: exercise without dyslipidemia (EG/n = 11); exercise with dyslipidemia (EGD = 24); control with dyslipidemia (CGD/n = 22); and control without dyslipidemia (CG/n = 13). The serum values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were measured before and after the intervention period, and the exercise program lasted 20 weeks, in three weekly sessions of 75 min each, with aerobic and strength exercises. The comparison of means was performed using the ANOVA test, repeated measures to analyze the interaction between the group and intervention time. There were a significant reduction in IL-6 values and an increase in IL-10/IL-6 and IL-10/TNF-α ratios only in the EG group. For serum TNF-α values, the EG and EGD groups showed significant reductions. The groups that practiced exercises did not present significant variation in the levels of IL-10. However, the CGD and GC groups showed a significant reduction in IL-10 after the intervention period.

The combination of ginger powder and zinc supplement improves the fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats by modulating the hepatic expression of NF-κB, mTORC1, PPAR-α SREBP-1c, and Nrf2

Although studies have shown that ginger, as an herbal remedy and zinc are able to improve inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, and metabolism of lipid and glucose, their molecular mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of ginger with zinc supplement for eight weeks on fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MS). Ninety-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats (220 g ± 20) were randomly assigned to twelve controlled and treated groups. After the last treatment session, the level of lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, and leptin as metabolic factors and liver enzymes as biomarkers to evaluate liver function in serum were measured. The level of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation to evaluate the oxidative status and the TNF-α level as a biomarker to assess the state of inflammation in liver were also measured. The level of zinc along with the expression of NF-κB, mTORC1, PPAR-α, SREBP-1c, and Nrf2 in liver was also evaluated. The level of metabolic factors and liver enzymes in serum along with lipid peroxidation and TNF-α in liver increased; zinc and antioxidant enzymes levels decreased in rats with MS compared to control rats (p < .05). The hepatic expression of SREBP-1c, NF-κB and mTORC1 were upregulated and the expression of PPAR-α and Nrf2 were downregulated in rats with MS compared to control rats (p < .05). Treatment with different doses of ginger, zinc, and the combination of them could improve metabolic, inflammatory oxidative stress factors, and expression of the above genes in rats with MS compared to the MS group (p < .05). It can be concluded that ginger, zinc, and the combination of them could improve oxidative damage, inflammation, and autophagy induced by fructose and could adjust the glucose and lipid metabolism and the homeostasis of zinc in rats with MS. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Due to the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases, the use of plant compounds such as ginger has attracted widespread attention. Ginger as an herbal remedy with predominant pharmacological properties due to its availability, cheapness, and lack of side effects is also very popular for the treatment of metabolic disorders in folk medicine. Moreover, enhancing its medicinal properties with supplements such as zinc can be widely welcomed. This study was actually performed with the aim of investigating the effects of ginger + zinc supplement on MS. The results showed that the ginger + zinc supplement could improve oxidative damage, inflammation, and autophagy caused by fructose and adjust the glucose and lipid metabolism and the homeostasis of zinc in rats with MS. The results of this study support the hypothesis that ginger can be used as a very suitable option for the production of medicinal supplements to maintain human health.