Promising role of Lawsonia inermis L. leaves extract and its nano-formulation as double treatment against aflatoxin toxicity in ulcerated-rats: Application in milk beverage

The protective effects of some herbs on mitigating HFD-induced obesity via enhancing biochemical indicators and fertility in female rats

The potential of plant-based diets and drugs to prevent and control obesity has been attributed to the presence of several biologically active phytochemicals. The study aimed to assess herb consumption's impact on alleviating the risks and hazards associated with obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and the promotion of fertility. Eighty rats were allocated into four distinct groups. Group 1 (G1) was provided with a basal diet and acted as the control group. Group 2 (G2) was provided with an HFD. Group 3 (G3) was provided with HFD supplemented with chia seeds and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. The fourth group of subjects was provided with HFD supplemented with Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander). The feeding session was sustained for 10 weeks, and the biochemical parameters were evaluated. The administration of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) (G4) resulted in a more significant reduction in all biochemical parameters compared to G3, which received a diet consisting of chia seeds and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Additionally, the average number of embryonic lobes and the average number of offspring after birth were found to be considerably more significant in the normal control group (G1) and group (G4) compared to the HFD group (G2) and group (G3) (P < 0.01). Group 4 (G4) was administered a diet enriched with Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), which demonstrated superior outcomes in many biochemical indicators and the promotion of fertility in obese female rats.

Mitigation of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by 17α-ethinylestradiol via nanoformulation of Silybum marianum L

BACKGROUND

Cholestasis is an important predisposing factor for hepatocyte damage, liver fibrosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and even liver failure. Silybum marianum L. (SM) plant is used in teas or eaten in some countries due to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Because of its low and poor oral bioavailability, so we improve the therapeutic activity of Silybum marianum L. extract (SM) by studying the potential effects of nanoformulation of Silybum marianium L. extract (nano-SM) on 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis.

METHODS

Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (6 rats/group). Group I: Rats were received the treatment vehicle and served as normal group. Group II:Rats were injected daily with EE (10 mg/kg) for five successive days. Group III-V: Rats were injected daily with EE (10 mg/kg) and treated with either Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (40 mg/kg), SM (100 mg/kg) and nano-SM (100 mg/kg) orally once/day throughout the trialfor five successive days, respectively.

RESULTS

Nano-SM greatly dampened the increase in serum levels of total and direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, and alkaline phosphatase caused by EE. Furthermore, nano-SM increased the hepatic contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) and also upregulated the relative hepatic gene expressions of Rho-kinase (ROCK-1), myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), and myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1) compared to the EE-induced group. Administration of nano-SM reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation and downregulated the relative hepatic expressions of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ҡB) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In addition, nano-SM improved the histopathological changes induced by EE.

CONCLUSION

Nano-SM possessed a superior effect over SM, which can be considered an effective protective modality against EE-induced cholestatic liver injury through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and enhancing bile acid (BA) efflux.