Antioxidant mechanism is involved in the gastroprotective effects of ozonized sunflower oil in ethanol-induced ulcers in rats

Neuroprotective effect of ranolazine improves behavioral discrepancies in a rat model of scopolamine-induced dementia

Background

Ranolazine (Rn), an antianginal agent, acts in the central nervous system and has been used as a potential treatment agent for pain and epileptic disorders. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases and the leading factor in dementia in the elderly.

Aim

We examined the impact of Rn on scopolamine (Sco)-induced dementia in rats.

Methods

Thirty-two albino male rats were divided into four groups: control, Rn, Sco, and Rn + Sco.

Results

A significant decrease in the escape latency in the Morris water maze test after pre-treatment with Rn explained better learning and memory in rats. Additionally, Rn significantly upregulated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the treated group compared to the Sco group but substantially reduced acetylcholinesterase activity levels in the hippocampus. Moreover, Rn dramatically reduced interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and IL-6 and upregulated the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Furthermore, in the Sco group, the hippocampal tissue's immunohistochemical reaction of Tau and glial factor activating protein (GFAP) was significantly increased in addition to the upregulation of the Caspase-3 gene expression, which was markedly improved by pre-treatment with Rn. The majority of pyramidal neurons had large vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli and appeared to be more or less normal, reflecting the all-beneficial effects of Rn when the hippocampal tissue was examined under a microscope.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that Rn, through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as the control of the expression of GFAP, BDNF, and Tau proteins, has a novel neuroprotective impact against scopolamine-induced dementia in rats.

Long-Term Supplementation of Ozonated Sunflower Oil Improves Dyslipidemia and Hepatic Inflammation in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish: Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation against Carboxymethyllysine Toxicity

Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is a well-known functional oil with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and skin-moisturizing properties. However, studies on the effects of OSO on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced metabolic disorders have been scarce. In the current study, we aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of OSO on lipid metabolism in adult hypercholesterolemic zebrafish and its embryos. Microinjection of OSO (final 2%, 10 nL) into zebrafish embryos under the presence of carboxymethyllysine (CML, 500 ng) protected acute embryo death up to 61% survival, while sunflower oil (final 2%) showed much less protection at around 42% survival. The microinjection of OSO was more effective than SO to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in the CML induced embryo toxicity. Intraperitoneal injection of OSO under the presence of CML protected acute death from CML-induced neurotoxicity with improved hepatic inflammation, less detection of ROS and interleukin (IL)-6, and lowering blood total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), while the SO-injected group did not protect the CML-toxicity. Long-term supplementation of OSO (final 20%, wt/wt) with HCD for 6 months resulted in higher survivability than the HCD alone group or HCD + SO group (final 20%, wt/wt) with significant lowering of plasma TC and TG levels. The HCD + OSO group showed the least hepatic inflammation, fatty liver change, ROS, and IL-6 production. In conclusion, short-term treatment of OSO by injection exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity against acute neurotoxicity of CML in zebrafish and their embryo. Long-term supplementation of OSO in the diet also revealed the highest survivability and blood lipid-lowering effect through potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Gastroprotective effect methanol extract of Caesalpinia coriaria pods against indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric lesions in Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd is widely used as a traditional medinal plant in Mexico for protective and healing purposes and the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the gastroprotective effect of extract of Caesalpinia coriaria pods against ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced gastric lesion models, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities, and its main compounds through LC-MS analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were orally administered a methanol extract obtained from the pods of C. coriaria at doses of 10, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg prior to inducing gastric lesions with ethanol or indomethacin. Gastric mucosal lesions were evaluated by macroscopic and histopathological alterations. Determination of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), alpha tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), nitrites/nitrates, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and H₂S gastric levels were investigated. Its main compounds of the active extract through LC-MS analysis.

RESULTS

Phenolic compounds were identified as major components of methanol extract. LC-MS analysis identified 15 constituents, and the significant compounds were gallic acid, 3-O-galloylquinic acid, digalloylglucose, tetragalloylglucose, valoneic acid dilactone, pentagalloylglucose, digalloylshikimic acid, and ellagic acid. Pretreatment with the extract at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly reduced gastric ulcer lesions in both models. Compared with the reference drugs (omeprazole or ranitidine, respectively), no significant difference was found (p < 0.05). The extract's gastroprotective effect was accompanied by significant decreases in leukocyte recruitment, and gastric levels of TNF-α and LTB₄ by two to fourfold (p < 0.05). Also, gastric levels of PGE₂ gastric levels were maintained and the antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and nitrate/nitrite in the gastric tissue were improved (p < 0.05). The LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of hydrolyzable tannins (mainly gallic acid derivatives).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the gastroprotective effect of the methanol extract of C. coriaria pods occurs through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and NO modulation properties, and gallic acid derivatives may be the main possible compounds responsible for its actions.

Amelioration of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by quercetin: implication of Nrf2/HO1 and HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathways

Gastric ulcer is a serious medical condition that can be developed due to an imbalance in the protective and destructive factors of the gastric system. Available therapies do not provide definite cure, thus, there is an urge to seek for alternative treatments. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the current study, the antiulcerogenic effect of quercetin in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer (EI-GU) rat model was compared to Antodine® (a reference drug), to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms. Quercetin (50 mg/kg) and Antodine® (20 mg/kg) were given orally for one week post ulcer induction by ethanol. EI-GU was associated with downregulation of SOD, CAT, Nrf2 and HO1, and accompanied by upregulation of inflammatory markers (i.e., HMGB1, NF-κB and TNFα) and an increase in Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Administration of quercetin resulted in a significant reduction in gastric volume in the stomach of ulcerative rats by 86% and a significant decrease in gastric lesion count by 3.5- folds, as compared with the ulcerative rats. Moreover, rats treated with quercetin showed upregulation of Nrf2 by 3.3-fold change and in HO1 by 3.5-fold change when compared to ulcerated rats, and decreased HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α by 50%, 53%, 52.9% and 54.9%, respectively. Treatment of rats with quercetin reduced Bax and Bax/Bcl2 ratio and increased Bcl2 relative to ulcerated rats. Thus, it can be concluded that the ulcerogenic curative properties of quercetin were mediated by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ozone Therapy for Dermatological Disorders: A Literature Review of Clinical Trials

Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent, capable of promoting therapeutic effects such as antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant and healing activities, with low probability of toxicity when used in a specific dosage range. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review to assess clinical trials available over the past 10 years regarding the effectiveness and safety of ozone therapy to treat dermatological disorders. The search for bibliographic material was carried out through PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar electronic databases. The inclusion criteria covered only controlled clinical trials published from 2011 to 2021 and written in English. The 18 selected clinical trials included 1279 patients (ranging from 12 to 400 patients per study), of which 1185 patients were adults and 94 were children. Ozone therapy was evaluated regarding the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, digital ulcers, chronic venous leg ulcers, atopic dermatitis, skin burns, onychomycosis, tinea pedis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, balanitis xerotica obliterans and multiple common warts. Only three studies, addressing the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, skin ulcers and skin burns, evidenced lack of effectiveness of ozone treatment. Mild adverse effects occurred in three clinical trials, whereas severe side effects occurred in only one clinical trial, regarding skin ulcers. Therefore, ozone therapy may be suggested as an alternative or complementary treatment in some types of dermatological conditions specially affecting refractory patients. Though, a greater number of high-quality clinical trials is needed to clearly establish the safety of ozone therapy in dermatological disorders.

Ozonated Sunflower Oil Exerted Protective Effect for Embryo and Cell Survival via Potent Reduction Power and Antioxidant Activity in HDL with Strong Antimicrobial Activity

Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) has potent antimicrobial effects, making it useful for topical applications to treat various skin diseases. On the other hand, regarding mechanistic insight, the antioxidant activity and cytoprotective effects of OSO are relatively less known. The current study compared the antioxidant ability and protective ability of OSO on cells and embryos against oxidative stress, such as H₂O₂ and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL), to investigate its potential applications for wound-healing and anti-infection. OSO showed potent radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reduction ability that was up to 35% and 42% stronger than sunflower oil (SO) as a control in a dose-dependent manner. Measurement of the wavelength-maximum fluorescence (WMF) of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) revealed different behavior between OSO and SO treatment (final 1–16%). The OSO treatment caused a 12 nm red shift of Trp movement from 345 nm (at 0%) to 357 nm (at 16%), while SO caused a 12 nm blue shift of Trp movement from 345 nm (at 0%) to 333 nm (at 16%). The fluorescence intensity of HDL₃ was diminished remarkably by the OSO treatment by up to 80% from the initial level, while SO-treated HDL did not. OSO-treated HDL₃ showed slower electromobility with stronger band intensity and bigger HDL particle sizes than those of SO-treated HDL₃. The paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity of HDL₃ was enhanced by a co-treatment of OSO that was up to 2.3 times higher than HDL₃ alone in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the co-treatment of SO even inhibited the PON activity. The cell viability of RAW264.7 by the OSO treatment was 3.3 times higher than the SO treatment at a high dose range (from 10% to 50%, final). The OSO also exhibited more cytoprotective effects than SO in brain microglial cells in the presence of H₂O₂ (final 0.03%); treatment with OSO impeded apoptosis and reduced ROS production more than an SO treatment did. In the presence of H₂O₂ alone, 86 ± 5% of the embryos were killed by cell explosion after 24 h, but a co-treatment of OSO (final 4%) resulted in almost no embryo death (98% survivability). Injection of oxLDL (15 ng of protein) into zebrafish embryos caused acute death, while the co-injection of OSO (final 2%) resulted in 2.8 times higher survivability than oxLDL alone. These results suggest new effects of ozonated oil, such as enhanced antioxidant activity, more cytoprotective ability, and higher embryo protection against oxidative stress. These results may be useful in developing new methods for the quality control of ozonated oil and an assessment of its efficacy.

The Role of Nrf2 in the Antioxidant Cellular Response to Medical Ozone Exposure

Ozone (O₃) is a natural, highly unstable atmospheric gas that rapidly decomposes to oxygen. Although not being a radical molecule, O₃ is a very strong oxidant and therefore it is potentially toxic for living organisms. However, scientific evidence proved that the effects of O₃ exposure are dose-dependent: high dosages stimulate severe oxidative stress resulting in inflammatory response and tissue injury, whereas low O₃ concentrations induce a moderate oxidative eustress activating antioxidant pathways. These properties make O₃ a powerful medical tool, which can be used as either a disinfectant or an adjuvant agent in the therapy of numerous diseases. In this paper, the cellular mechanisms involved in the antioxidant response to O₃ exposure will be reviewed with special reference to the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its role in the efficacy of ozone therapy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: The alleviating effect and its mechanism of Polygonatum kingianum

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Developing mitochondrial regulators/nutrients from natural products to remedy mitochondrial dysfunction represent attractive strategies for NAFLD therapy. In China, Polygonatum kingianum (PK) has been used as a herb and food nutrient for centuries. So far, studies in which the effects of PK on NAFLD are evaluated are lacking. Our study aims at identifying the effects and mechanism of action of PK on NAFLD based on mitochondrial regulation.

METHODS

A NAFLD rat model was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and rats were intragastrically given PK (1, 2 and 4 g/kg) for 14 weeks. Changes in body weight, food intake, histological parameters, organ indexes, biochemical parameters and mitochondrial indicators involved in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and apoptosis were investigated.

RESULTS

PK significantly inhibited the HFD-induced increase of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum, and TC and triglyceride in the liver. In addition, PK reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver enlargement without affecting food intake. PK also remarkably inhibited the HFD-induced increase of malondialdehyde and the reduction of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ATP synthase, and complex I and II, in mitochondria. Moreover, mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and uncoupling protein-2 was significantly up-regulated and down-regulated after PK treatment, respectively. Finally, PK notably inhibited the HFD-induced increase of caspase 9, caspase 3 and Bax expression in hepatocytes, and the decrease of expression of Bcl-2 in hepatocytes and cytchrome c in mitochondria.

CONCLUSION

PK alleviated HFD-induced NAFLD by promoting mitochondrial functions. Thus, PK may be useful mitochondrial regulators/nutrients to remedy mitochondrial dysfunction and alleviate NAFLD.

Antiulcer Activity and Potential Mechanism of Action of the Leaves of Spondias mombin L

Spondias mombin L. is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases. Our study investigated the antiulcer activity of S. mombin ethanolic extract (SmEE) and its majority compounds gallic acid (GA) and ellagic acid (EA). Phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC. The SmEE was screened for in vitro antioxidant activities using phosphomolybdenum, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antiulcer activity of SmEE, GA, EA, or GA + EA was evaluated by gastric lesion models induced by absolute ethanol and indomethacin. Following this, it is capable of stimulating mucus production, antisecretory capacity, and the influence of −SH groups and NO in the effect of SmEE. Its healing activity was demonstrated by acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was assessed by determining the MIC of the SmEE (64–1024 μg/mL). The HPLC results identified the presence of gallic acid and ellagic acid in SmEE. The extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro. SmEE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) reduced the area of ulcerative lesions induced by ethanol in 23.8, 90.3, and 90.2%, respectively. In NSAID model, the SmEE induced protection of 36.8, 49.4, and 49.9%, respectively. GA (10 mg/kg) or EA (7 mg/kg) or the association of GA + EA (10 + 7 mg/kg) inhibited the ethanol-induced lesions in 71.8, 70.9, and 94.9%, respectively, indicating synergistic action. SmEE (100 mg/kg) decreased acid secretion and H⁺ concentration in the gastric contents, increased levels of mucus, and showed to be dependent of −SH groups and NO on the protection of the gastric mucosa. In chronic ulcer model, SmEE reduced the gastric area lesion. SmEE showed anti-H. pylori activity. In conclusion, our study showed that SmEE has antiulcerogenic activity. GA and EA are isolated gastric protectors and, when associated, acted synergistically to protect the gastric mucosa.

Antioxidant potential of Himanthalia elongata for protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the small bowel

BACKGROUND

Seaweed has been associated with the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases related to oxidative stress because of its antioxidant activity. We investigated the protective potential of extract of Himanthalia elongata against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the intestine of rats.

METHODS

Seventy-two (72) male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into 12 groups as follows: sham, I/R only, I/R plus vehicle at 3 time points, and I/R plus extract at 3 time points. The degree of intestinal injury was determined by oxidative stress using lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase after mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion. A histological study was also performed.

RESULTS

The algae extract helps to maintain normal enzymatic levels because, for all the studied parameters, groups treated with the extract showed significant differences (P < .05) compared with the I/R groups, and there were no differences compared with the sham group. The histological study showed that damage to the intestinal mucosa was less severe in animals treated with extract of H elongata after up to 24 hours of reperfusion compared with the I/R group.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the extract of H elongata can protect intestinal tissue against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Autophagy protects gastric mucosal epithelial cells from ethanol-induced oxidative damage via mTOR signaling pathway

Alcohol abuse is an important cause of gastric mucosal epithelial cell injury and gastric ulcers. A number of studies have demonstrated that autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism, has a protective effect on cell survival. However, it is not known whether autophagy can protect gastric mucosal epithelial cells against the toxic effects of ethanol. In the present study, gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1 cells) and Wistar rats were treated with ethanol to detect the adaptive response of autophagy. Our results demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced gastric mucosal epithelial cell damage, which was accompanied by the downregulation of mTOR signaling pathway and activation of autophagy. Suppression of autophagy with pharmacological agents resulted in a significant increase of GES-1 cell apoptosis and gastric mucosa injury, suggesting that autophagy could protect cells from ethanol toxicity. Furthermore, we evaluated the cellular oxidative stress response following ethanol treatment and found that autophagy induced by ethanol inhibited generation of reactive oxygen species and degradation of antioxidant and lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence that ethanol can activate autophagy via downregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway, serving as an adaptive mechanism to ameliorate oxidative damage induced by ethanol in gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Therefore, modifying autophagy may provide a therapeutic strategy against alcoholic gastric mucosa injury. Impact statement The effect and mechanism of autophagy on ethanol-induced cell damage remain controversial. In this manuscript, we report the results of our study demonstrating that autophagy can protect gastric mucosal epithelial cells against ethanol toxicity in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that ethanol can activate autophagy via downregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway, serving as an adaptive mechanism to ameliorate ethanol-induced oxidative damage in gastric mucosal epithelial cells. This study brings new and important insights into the mechanism of alcoholic gastric mucosal injury and may provide an avenue for future therapeutic strategies.

Protective Effect of Amphipterygium adstringens Extract on Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Amphipterygium adstringens is an endemic species in Mexico commonly known as “cuachalalate.” Healers to treat gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastrointestinal cancer have traditionally used the bark. We investigated the effects of alcoholic extract of A. adstringens (AaEE) in DSS-induced colitis in mice. The protective effect of AaEE was determined at 200 mg/kg by oral gavage for 10 days. We determine the effect of AaEE on clinical features (disease activity index), antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities in relation to the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPx, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and changes both macroscopic and microscopic of the colonic mucosa. AaEE significantly reduced the inflammation of colon and significantly increased SOD and GPx activities. AaEE also significantly decreased TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β cytokine levels compared to DSS-treated mice and reduced both infiltration of inflammatory cells and the mucosal damage in colon. The results suggested the protective potential of AaEE in DSS-induced colitis and this might be attributed to its phytochemicals compounds that have been found to induce a wide spectrum of activities such as reduction in oxidative stress, suppression of inflammation, modulating numerous signal transduction pathways, and induction of apoptosis. The findings of this study suggest that AaEE has substantial potential for the treatment of inflammatory colitis.

Anti-fungal potential of ozone against some dermatophytes

Dermatophytes are classified in three genera, Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton. They have the capacity to invade keratinized tissue to produce a cutaneous infection known as dermatophytoses. This investigation was performed to study the effect of gaseous ozone and ozonized oil on three specific properties of six different dermatophytes. These properties included sporulation, mycelia leakage of sugar and nutrients and the activity of their hydrolytic enzymes. Generally, ozonized oil was found to be more efficacious than gaseous ozone. Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis were the most susceptible, while Trichophyton interdigitale and T. mentagrophytes were relatively resistant. The study revealed a steady decline in spore production of M. gypseum and M. canis on application of ozonated oil. An increase in leakage of electrolytes and sugar was noticed after treatment with ozonized oil in the case of M. gypseum, M. canis, T. interdigitale, T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. The results also revealed loss in urease, amylase, alkaline phosphatase, lipase and keratinase enzyme producing capacity of the investigated fungi.

Curcuma aromatica Water Extract Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Gastritis via Enhancement of Antioxidant Status

Curcuma aromatica is an herbal medicine and traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases in Asia. We investigated the effects of C. aromatica water extract (CAW) in the stomach of rats with ethanol-induced gastritis. Gastritis was induced in rats by intragastric administration of 5 mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol. The CAW groups were given 250 or 500 mg of extract/kg 2 h before administration of ethanol, respectively. To determine the antioxidant effects of CAW, we determined the level of lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), the activities of catalase, degree of inflammation, and mucus production in the stomach. CAW reduced ethanol-induced inflammation and loss of epithelial cells and increased the mucus production in the stomach. CAW reduced the increase in lipid peroxidation associated with ethanol-induced gastritis (250 and 500 mg/kg, p < 0.01, resp.) and increased mucosal GSH content (500 mg/kg, p < 0.01) and the activity of catalase (250 and 500 mg/kg, p < 0.01, resp.). CAW increased the production of prostaglandin E₂. These findings suggest that CAW protects against ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury by increasing antioxidant status. We suggest that CAW could be developed for the treatment of gastritis induced by alcohol.

Gastroprotective effect of the traditional herbal medicine, Sipjeondaebo-tang water extract, against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury

Background

Sipjeondaebo-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, has been reported to activate the immune response. Although, most research has focused on its anticancer activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Sipjeondaebo-tang exerts antioxidant activity against ethanol-induced gastric injury.

Methods

Gastric mucosal injury was induced by the oral administration of absolute ethanol at 5 mL/kg to rats after 18 h fast. Sipjeondaebo-tang water extract (SDTW; 200 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to rats 2 h before the oral administration of absolute ethanol. Gastric mucosal injury was evaluated by measuring the gastric injury, such as extent of lesions, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, glutathione (GSH) content and activities of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase in stomach tissue.

Results

Oral administration of SDTW markedly decreased the damage by conditioning the gastric mucosa such as hemorrhage, hyperemia. Pretreatment with SDTW significantly reduced MDA concentration and significantly increased GSH content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In an acute toxicity study, no adverse effects of SDTW were observed at doses up to 5000 mg/kg/day.

Conclusions

SDTW may protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury. These results suggested that SDTW might also play an important role in the gastroprotection based on their antioxidant effect.

Alleviation of antioxidant defense system by ozonized olive oil in DNBS-induced colitis in rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of ozonized olive oil (OZO) in 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulphuric acid (DNBS) induced colitis in rats and to elucidate the role of some antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase "SOD," glutathione peroxidase "GSH-Px," and catalase "CAT") in these effects. The physicochemical parameters including viscosity, peroxide, and acid values of olive oil and OZO were evaluated. The animals were divided into several groups and the colitis was induced in the rats by intracolonic instillation of DNBS at dose of 15 mg/rat. Olive oil (OO) at dose of 6 mg/kg and OZO at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg was administered orally for 7 days, starting the day before induction of colitis. Our results showed that macroscopic and microscopic damage scores were significantly reduced in a dose response manner in rats pretreated with OZO only. In contrast, CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD activities were significantly increased in the distal colon of inflamed animals pretreated with OZO with respect to control group dose dependently. Results demonstrate that OZO pretreatment exerts protective effects in DNBS induced colitis in rats and provide evidence that the protective effects of OZO are mediated by stimulation of some antioxidant enzymes.

Increased growth factors play a role in wound healing promoted by noninvasive oxygen-ozone therapy in diabetic patients with foot ulcers

Management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a great challenge for clinicians. Although the oxygen-ozone treatment improves the diabetic outcome, there are few clinical trials to verify the efficacy and illuminate the underlying mechanisms of oxygen-ozone treatment on DFUs. In the present study, a total of 50 type 2 diabetic patients complicated with DFUs, Wagner stage 2~4, were randomized into control group treated by standard therapy only and ozone group treated by standard therapy plus oxygen-ozone treatment. The therapeutic effects were graded into 4 levels from grade 0 (no change) to grade 3 (wound healing). The wound sizes were measured at baseline and day 20, respectively. Tissue biopsies were performed at baseline and day 11. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) proteins in the pathologic specimens were determined by immunohistochemical examinations. The effective rate of ozone group was significantly higher than that of control group (92% versus 64%, P < 0.05). The wound size reduction was significantly more in ozone group than in control group (P < 0.001). After treatment, the expressions of VEGF, TGF-β, and PDGF proteins at day 11 were significantly higher in ozone group than in control group. Ozone therapy promotes the wound healing of DFUs via potential induction of VEGF, TGF-β, and PDGF at early stage of the treatment. (Clinical trial registry number is ChiCTR-TRC-14004415).

Banhabaekchulchunma-tang, a traditional herbal formula attenuates absolute ethanol-induced gastric injury by enhancing the antioxidant status

Background

Banhabaekchulchunma-tang (hange-byakujutsu-tenma-to in Japanese and banxia-baizhu-tianma-tang in Chinese) is a mixture of fourteen herbs. It is used traditionally for the treatment of anemia, anorexia, general weakness, and female infertility in China, Japan, and Korea. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of a Banhabaekchulchunma-tang water extract (BCT) against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury in rats.

Methods

Gastric injury was induced by intragastric administration of 5 mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol to each rat. The positive control group and the BCT group were given oral doses of omeprazole (50 mg/kg) or BCT (400 mg/kg), respectively, 2 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. The stomach of each animal was excised and examined for gastric mucosal lesions. To confirm the protective effects of BCT, we evaluated the degree of lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in the stomach. In addition, we conducted an acute toxicity study to evaluate the safety of BCT according to OECD guideline.

Results

BCT reduced ethanol-induced hemorrhage, hyperemia, and loss of epithelial cell in the gastric mucosa. BCT reduced the increased lipid peroxidation associated with ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions, and increased the mucosal GSH content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, BCT did not cause any adverse effects at up to 5000 mg/kg.

Conclusions

These results indicate that BCT protects the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced gastric injury by increasing the antioxidant status. We suggest that BCT could be developed as an effective drug for the treatment of gastric injury caused by alcohol intake.

Healing, antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Indigofera truxillensis in different models of gastric ulcer in rats

The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic activity and mechanisms of the aqueous (AqF 100 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate (AcF 50 mg/kg) fractions from Indigofera truxillensis leaves. This dose was selected to assess its activity on ulcer healing and its action on gastric acid and mucus secretion, prostaglandin production and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd)). Gastric ulcer was induced by absolute ethanol. Antisecretory action, mucus and prostaglandin production, healing and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated for both fractions. AqF and AcF significantly inhibited the gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant at 100 and 50 mg/kg compared with the vehicle. Neither fraction interfered with gastric secretion. AcF increased the PGE(2) production, and both fractions increased mucus production. l-NAME did not alter the gastroprotection exerted by the fractions, but N-ethylmaleimide attenuated only AcF. In the ischemia/reperfusion model both fractions inhibited the mucosal damage. AcF increased SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activity, but AqF increased only SOD and GSH-Px. In the acetic acid-induced ulcer model AcF only accelerated ulcer healing. These results showed that Indigofera truxillensis acted as a gastroprotective agent, stimulating protective factors and antioxidants enzymes.

Antioxidant action of mangrove polyphenols against gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol and ischemia-reperfusion in the rat

Rhizophora mangle, the red mangrove, has long been known as a traditional medicine. Its bark has been used as astringent, antiseptic, hemostatic, with antifungic and antiulcerogenic properties. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of a buthanolic fraction of the R. mangle bark extract (RM) against experimental gastric ulcer in rats. Unib-Wh rats received pretreatment of R. mangle after the induction of gastric injury with absolute ethanol and ischemia-reperfusion. Gastric tissues from both methods were prepared to the enzymatic assays, the levels of sulfhydril compounds (GSH), lipid peroxides (LPO), and the activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured. The RM protected the gastric mucosa in both methods used, ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and ischemia-reperfusion, probably, by modulating the activities of the enzymes SOD, GPx, and GR and increasing or maintaining the levels of GSH; in adittion, LPO levels were reduced. The results suggest that the RM antioxidant activity leads to tissue protection; thus one of the antiulcer mechanisms present on the pharmacological effects of R. mangle is the antioxidant property.

Effect of four different vegetable oils (red palm olein, palm olein, corn oil, coconut oil) on antioxidant enzymes activity of rat liver

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of four different vegetable oils [red palm olein (RPO), palm olein (PO), corn oil (CO), coconut oil (COC)] on antioxidant enzymes activity of rat liver. Sixty six Sprague Dawley male rats which were randomly divided into eleven groups of 6 rats per group and were treated with 15% of RPO, PO, CO and COC for 4 and 8 weeks. Rats in the control group were given normal rat pellet only while in treated groups, 15% of additional different vegetable oils were given. After 4 weeks of treatment the catalase (CAT) activity results showed that there was no significance difference (p > or = 0.05) between the control group and treated groups while after 8 weeks of treatment showed that there was no significant different (p > or = 0.05) between control group and RPO group but the treated rat liver with PO, CO and COC groups were the lowest and it were significantly lower (> or = 0.05) than control group. For superoxide dismutase (SOD) there was no significance difference (p > or = 0.05) between the control group and treated groups of vegetable oils after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Thus the study indicated that there was no significant (p > or = 0.05) effect on antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) but there was significant effect (p > or = 0.05) on catalase in rat liver.

Investigation of the relationship of some antihypertensive drugs with oxidant/antioxidant parameters and DNA damage on rat uterus tissue

BACKGROUND

In this study, we investigated the effects of treatment with chronic antihypertensive drugs (clonidine, methyldopa, amlodipine, ramipril and rilmenidine) on oxidant-antioxidant parameters and toxic effects on DNA in rat uterus tissue. In addition, uterus tissues were examined histopathologically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 albino Wistar rats were divided into the following six groups: 0.075 mg/kg clonidine group; 100 mg/kg methyldopa group; 2 mg/kg amlodipine group; 2.5 mg/kg ramipril group; 0.5 mg/kg rilmenidine group; and the healthy group. Rats underwent chronic drug administration for 30 days and at the end, biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed. All data were subjected to one-way ANOVA test.

RESULTS

We divided these drugs into the following three groups according to their effects on rat uteri: (I) mild negative effects (clonidine), (II) moderate negative effects (rilmenidine, methyldopa) and (III) drugs which had severe negative effects (amlodipine, ramipril).

CONCLUSION

These data may help with selection of antihypertensive drugs, in order to determine which drugs have the lowest toxicity in pregnant and non-pregnant (pre-pregnancy) women.