Ayman Saber Mohamed

Protective and Curative Effects of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria atra Extract against DMBA-Induced Hepatorenal Diseases in Rats

Oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage. Hence there is a great demand for the development of agents with potent antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of Holothuria atra extract (HaE) as an antioxidant against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene- (DMBA-) induced hepatorenal dysfunction. Experimental animals were divided into two main groups: protective and curative. Each group was then divided into five subgroups pre- or posttreated either with distilled water (DMBA subgroups) or with HaE (200 mg/kg body weight) for seven and fourteen days. Single oral administration of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats resulted in a significant increase in the serum liver enzymes and kidney functions parameters. DMBA increased level of liver malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissue, and induced liver histopathological alterations. Pre- or posttreatment with HaE orally for 14 days significantly reversed the hepatorenal alterations induced following DMBA administration. In conclusion, HaE exhibits good hepatoprotective, curative, and antioxidant potential against DMBA-induced hepatorenal dysfunction in rats that might be due to decreased free radical generation.

Mechanisms of echinochrome potency in modulating diabetic complications in liver

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is one of the most public metabolic disorders. It is mainly classified into type 1 and type 2. Echinochrome is a pigment from sea urchins that has antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and chelating abilities. AIMS The present study aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of echinochrome pigment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MAIN METHODS Thirty six male Wistar albino rats were divided into two main groups, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes groups. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups (6 rats/subgroup); control, diabetic and echinochrome groups. Diabetic model was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (60mg/kg, i.p) for type 1 diabetes and by a high fat diet for 4weeks before the injection with streptozotocin (30mg/kg, i.p) for type 2 diabetes. Diabetic groups were treated orally with echinochrome extract (1mg/kg body weight in 10% DMSO) daily for 4weeks. KEY FINDINGS Echinochrome groups showed a reduction in the concentrations of glucose, MDA and the activities of arginase, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT. While it caused general increase in the levels of insulin, TB, DB, IB, NO and the activities of G6PD, GST, GPx, SOD and GSH. The histopathological investigation showed partial restoration of pancreatic islet cells and clear improvement in the hepatic architecture. SIGNIFICANCE The suggested mechanism of Ech action in the reduction of diabetic complications in liver involved two pathways; through the hypoglycemic activity and the antioxidant role of Ech.

Antioxidant Effect of Sepia Ink Extract on Extrahepatic Cholestasis Induced by Bile Duct Ligation in Rats

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to assess the complications of hepatic fibrosis associated with bile duct ligation and the potential curative role of sepia ink extract in hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation. METHODS Rattus norvegicus rats were divided into 3 groups: Sham-operated group, model rats that underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL rats treated orally with sepia ink extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7, 14, and 28 d after BDL. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in hepatic enzymes, ALP, GGT, bilirubin levels, and oxidative stress in the BDL group after treatment with sepia ink extract. Collagen deposition reduced after sepia ink extract treatment as compared to BDL groups, suggesting that the liver was repaired. Histopathological examination of liver treated with sepia ink extract showed moderate degeneration in the hepatic architecture and mild degeneration in hepatocytes as compared to BDL groups. CONCLUSION Sepia ink extract provides a curative effect and an antioxidant capacity on BDL rats and could ameliorate the complications of liver cholestasis.

The Possible Hypoglycemic Mechanisms of Echinochrome

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is the main reason of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years great attention has been paid to bioactivity of natural products due to their potential pharmacological utilization. Echinochrome is a natural compound isolated from sea urchins and possesses many biological effects. The hypoglycemic activity of echinochrome reported in many recent experiments. OBJECTIVE In our study, we tried to collect all the possible hypoglycemic mechanism of echinochrome. CONCLUSION The hypoglycemic effect of echinochrome involving four main pathways; regeneration of pancreas, decrease insulin resistant, increase insulin production and improve glucose homeostasis.