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

Evaluation of anti-lice topical lotion of ozonated olive oil and comparison of its effect with permethrin shampoo

BACKGROUND

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice affecting mostly children and spreads by direct contact with the hair of someone infected. Although topical application of a pediculicide such as permethrin shampoo is the most common cure for head lice, the addition of alternative treatments is necessary due to permethrin resistance and some safety concerns, including irritation, burning sensation, tingling, and breathing problems. Recent studies have indicated that ozone, which is an allotropic form of oxygen, may have anti-pediculosis effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study focused on the evaluation of an ozonated olive oil topical lotion for the treatment of pediculosis and the comparison of its effects with permethrin shampoo.

METHODS

121 patients with proven head pediculosis were divided into two groups. They were treated with either topical ozonated olive oil lotion or permethrin shampoo for one week.

RESULTS

It was shown that the ozonation process enormously improved the physico-chemical properties of olive oil. Specifically, acid and peroxide values increased 60 fold and 200 fold, respectively, while there was a sharp decline for the iodine index (81.8±1.28 to 0 g iodine per 100 g). Additionally, all patients who received the ozonated olive oil lotion were entirely cured after one week of treatment, while those who were treated with permethrin, required to receive more. Statistical analysis of the data also proved this claim.

CONCLUSION

The prepared lotion has shown significant effects in controlling head lice. Thus, it can be prescribed as an effective anti-pediculosis medicine which is biocompatible and has high potential.

Lansoprazole a Proton Pump Inhibitor Prevents IBD by Reduction of Oxidative Stress and NO Levels in the Rat

The inflammatory disease’s increased prevalence leads to a major concern around the world. Still, there is a lack of effective and successful therapy in the reversal of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms. Whereas, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and muddled defense capacity of antioxidants in IBD subjects reported several times. Many proton pump inhibitors have been reported previously for their anti-inflammatory effect. The present study is aimed to assess the ameliorative effect of lansoprazole in experimentally induced IBD in rats. Thirty-six female Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into six groups based on their body weight. Lansoprazole (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) served as standard control respectively, given for 18 days once a day. On the 11th day of the study, colitis was induced by intrarectal instillation of 2, 4-Dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS), and treatment was continued for the next 7 days. Administration of lansoprazole (at 5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced DAI (Disease Activation Index) and CMDI (Colon Macroscopic Damage Index); which further justifies a reduction in colon inflammation grades, as well as histopathological changes, and reflected by the stalling of body weight. The anti-inflammatory effects were indicated by lowered MPO (myeloperoxidase) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) in colon tissue as well as restores colonic NO (nitric oxide) level. The study shows lansoprazole improved DAI and CMDI scores, reduction of neutrophil infiltration, and an improved antioxidant status indicating an anti-ulcerative effect in DNBS-induced experimental colitis that is comparable with 5-ASA treatment.

Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Profile of Oleuropein in Experimentally Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Oleuropein is one of the main phenolic secoiridoid of the olive leaf extract, which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of oleuropein in the ulcerative colitis treatment. An experimental study was designed on rats, which were divided into three groups, group 1 (normal control), group 2 (induced for ulcerative colitis and untreated), and group 3 (induced for ulcerative colitis and treated with oleuropein). Colonic tissue samples were collected from all studied groups and the oxidative stress and antioxidant activity were assessed by evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, COX-2, iNOS, TGF-β1, MCP-1, and NF-κB, the pro-apoptotic gene Bax, and the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 were assessed in colon tissues to evaluate the effectiveness of oleuropein treatment. Oleuropein was effective on reducing the mortality rate and disease activity index. Oleuropein caused a significant reduction in colon MDA, MPO, and NO levels and a significant elevation in SOD, CAT, and GPX levels and induced the down regulation of analyzed proinflammatory cytokines. Also, downregulation of Bax and upregulation of Bcl2 were observed as a result of oleuropein treatment in comparison with untreated acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis group. Oleuropein showed intestinal anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects in ulcerative colitis experimental model.

Protective effects of Huangqin Decoction against ulcerative colitis and associated cancer in mice

Individuals with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at a high risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Huangqin Decoction (HQD), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula chronicled in the Shang Han Lun, is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms. However, experimental evidence for supporting the clinical practice is lacking. This study used modern biomedical approaches to investigate the protective/preventive effects of HQD in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute/chronic UC and azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced CRC in mice. HQDs were prepared in 4 different ways: HQD-1 and HQD-2 were prepared in boiling water, whereas HQD-3 and HQD-4 were prepared in heated ethanol (70%). For HQD-1 and HQD-3, the 4 constituent herbs were processed together, whereas for HQD-2 and HQD4, these herbs were processed individually and then combined. The mice were administered 9.1 g/kg HQD via oral gavage daily. HQD-1 significantly inhibited DSS-induced acute UC, whereas HQD-3 and HQD-4 exhibited mild ameliorative effects; but HQD-2 had no protective effect and resulted in a higher mortality rate. This higher mortality rate may be due to the greater abundance of baicalein and wogonin in HQD-2 than HQD-1. Furthermore, HQD-1 protected against DSS-induced chronic UC and significantly inhibited AOM/DSS-induced CRC in mice. HQD-1 also inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines and increased antioxidant capacity both in chronic DSS and AOM/DSS treated mice. Overall, HQD-1 inhibits the development of acute/chronic colitis and prevents colitis-associated CRC, possibly by inhibiting inflammation and preventing oxidative stress induced cellular damage.

Impact of phenolic composition on hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of four desert medicinal plants

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids and other polyphenols play a protective role in liver diseases and possess a high antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVE

To compare and evaluate the antioxidant and hepatotoprotective activities of 4 deserts plants, Fagonia indica Burm. f., Calotropis procera R.Br., Zygophylum hamiense Schweinf. and Salsola imbricata Forssk. in correlation to their composition especially their phenolic content.

METHODS

The influence of extracting solvent on total phenolic and flavonoidal contents was assessed spectrophotometrically. The flavonoid and other polyphenolic components of the methanol extracts were analyzed by RP-HPLC. DPPH radical scavenging potential of the different extracts was estimated. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extracts against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice were evaluated.

RESULTS

The flavonol quercitrin and rosmarinic acid were major in the F. indica, C. procera and S. imbricata samples, while rutin prevailed in that of Z. hamiense. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed noticeable DPPH radical-scavenging activity as compared to ascorbic acid. Assessment of liver enzymes revealed that oral administration of the extracts did not show any evidence of hepatotoxicity. Moreover, protection against CCl4-induced liver damage was evident upon administration of three plants extracts namely, F. indica, C. procera and S. imbricata.

CONCLUSION

Overall, hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 was effectively prevented by the three plants extracts through scavenging of free radicals and by boosting the antioxidant capacity of the liver. The protective effect of the plants could be attributed to their high quercitrin and rosmarinic acid contents.