Mongi Saoudi

Characterization of bioactive compounds and ameliorative effects of Ceratonia siliqua leaf extract against CCl4 induced hepatic oxidative damage and renal failure in rats

Ceratonia siliqua is a typical Mediterranean plant, mainly used in food and Tunisian traditional folk medicine. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction (EACs) exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoids content. The antioxidant activity in vitro systems showed a more significant potent free radical scavenging activity of this extract than other analysis fractions. The HPLC finger print of EACs active extract showed the presence of six phenolic compounds. The in vivo results showed that oral administration of CCl(4) enhanced levels of hepatic and renal markers (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, γ-GT, urea and creatinine) in the serum of experimental animals. It also increased the oxidative stress markers resulting in increased levels of the lipid peroxidation with a concomitant decrease in the levels of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx) in both liver and kidney. The pre-treatment of experimental rats with 250 mg/kg (BW) of the EACs, by intraperitoneal injection for 8 days, prevented CCl(4) induced disorders in the levels of hepatic and kidney markers. The biochemical changes were in accordance with histopathological observations suggesting a marked hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effect of the EACs extract.

Oxidative stress induced by thyroid dysfunction in rat erythrocytes and heart.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of thyroid dysfunction induce oxidative stress in the blood and heart of male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: group I served as control rats. Group II was treated daily with 0.05% benzythiouracile (BTU) administered in drinking water. Rats of group III have received l-thyroxine sodium salt (0.0012%), in drinking water. The results showed that thyroid dysfunction rats had poor growth performance. On the other hand, in hyperthyroid rats, a marked decrease compared with control occurred of some hematological parameters such red blood cell number (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and haematocrit (Ht). There was also a significant increase in erythrocyte numbers and heart TBARS concentrations in hypothyroid rats compared with control. These results were associated with a fall in the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of the hyperthyroid rats. Alteration of the antioxidant system in the hypo-/hyperthyroidism-induced rats was confirmed by the significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and a decline in glutathione (GSH) content in both tissues were detected in hyperthyroid group compared to controls. On the other hand, serum transaminase activities (aspartate transaminase (AST); alanine transaminase (ALT)) were elevated indicating hepatic cellular damage after treatment with exogenous L-thyroxine. Moreover, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities were increased in the hyperthyroidism rats. These results indicated that excessive thyroxin (long term) ingestion had an adverse effect on animal health and performance. We conclude that thyroid dysfunction induces oxidative stress and modifies some biochemical parameters of erythrocytes, heart and liver disease; our results show the occurrence of a state of oxidizing stress in relation to hyperthyroidism.

Green tea extract alleviates arsenic-induced biochemical toxicity and lipid peroxidation in rats

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of an aqueous extract of green tea (GT, Camellia sinensis) leaves against arsenic (NaAsO2)-induced biochemical toxicity and lipid peroxidation production in experimental rats. The treatment with arsenic exhibited a significant increase in some serum hepatic and renal biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, urea and creatinine). But the co-administration of GT has increased the level of plasmatic concentration of biochemical parameters. Exposure of rats to arsenic caused also a significant increase in liver, kidney and testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to control. However, the co-administration of GT was effective in reducing its level. To conclude, our data suggest that arsenic exposure enhanced an oxidative stress by disturbing the tissue antioxidant defense system, but the GT co-administration alleviates the toxicity induced by arsenic exposure.

Tetrodotoxin: a potent marine toxin

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxin found in puffer fish and other marine animals. This toxin is predominantly isolated from the skin, viscera, ovaries, and liver of the puffer fish. The toxin is produced by various species of bacteria, and TTX-bearing animals may have absorbed and accumulated it through the food chain. TTX is widely used in many laboratories as an important pharmacological reagent because of its ability to selectively block the sodium channels on the nerve membrane. No antidote is available for clinical use. The mainstay of treatment is careful observation and serial neurological assessment to monitor the progression of the clinical effects so that respiratory failure or cardiac effects are appropriately treated.

Protective Role of Ficus carica Stem Extract against Hepatic Oxidative Damage Induced by Methanol in Male Wistar Rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Ficus carica stem extract (FE) in methanol-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two batches: 16 control rats (C) drinking tap water and 16 treated rats drinking Ficus carica stem extract for six weeks. Then, each group was divided into two subgroups, and one of them was intraperitoneally injected (i.p.) daily methanol at a dose of 2.37 g/kg body weight i.p. for 30 days, for four weeks. The results showed that FE was found to contain large amounts of polyphenols and carotenoids. The treatment with methanol exhibited a significant increase of serum hepatic biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH) and hepatic lipid peroxidation. Hepatic antioxidant enzymes, namely, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, were significantly decreased in methanol-treated animals. FE treatment prior to methanol intoxication has significant role in protecting animals from methanol-induced hepatic oxidative damage.

Toxicity assessment of the puffer fish Lagocephalus lagocephalus from the Tunisian coast

This study was undertaken to assess the risk of poisoning due to consumption of the puffer fish Lagocephalus lagocephalus collected along the Tunisian coast. Wistar rats were daily intraperitoneally injected, for 10 days, with acidic extracts of liver or flesh (muscles + skin) of L. lagocephalus. Control rats received injections of NaCl (0.9%). No mortality and no evident signs of neurotoxicity were recorded in treated rats. Conversely, treatment led to: (1) diarrhoea and body and organ (liver, kidney) weights loss; (2) oxidative stress evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and conversely a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, catalase, GSH-Px) in tissues (blood cells, liver, kidneys); (3) a decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in blood plasma.

Haematological and biochemical toxicity induced by methanol in rats: ameliorative effects of Opuntia vulgaris fruit extract.

The ameliorative effects of Opuntia vulgaris fruit extract (OE) were evaluated against methanol-induced haematological and biochemical toxicity in rats. The methanol-induced haematological and biochemical perturbation significantly decreased the levels of red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), serum total protein and increased glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in serum. Treatment of rats with methanol significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocytes. OE treatment could increase significantly the levels of RBC, Hb, Ht and total protein, and decrease glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum, and increase the activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in erythrocytes, when compared with methanol-treated group. Spleen histopathology showed that OE could significantly reduce the incidence of spleen lesion induced by methanol. These results suggested that OE could exhibit a potential source of natural antioxidants against methanol-induced haematological and biochemical disruption in rats. The protective effects of OE may be due to the modulation of antioxidant enzymes activities and inhibition of LPO.

Protective effects of aqueous extract of Artemisia campestris against puffer fish Lagocephalus lagocephalus extract-induced oxidative damage in rats

The aerial parts of Artemisia campestris are often used in Tunisian poisoning cases and are known to possess significant antioxidant activities. The objective of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of an aqueous extract (5g/l) of A. campestris leaves and stems (AE), on oxidative damages induced by liver extract (LT) from poisonous fish Lagocephalus lagocephalus in Wistar rats. AE was found to contain large amounts of K(+), Na(+), Ca(++) and significant antioxidant capacities highlighted by high level of polyphenols and scavenging activities for DPPH and superoxide anion. LT-injected rats (1ml/100g body wt) for 10 days showed (1) a reduced appetite and diarrhea resulting in a lower growth rate than controls, (2) a decrease in serum ALT and AST activities suggesting liver functional disorders, (3) an increase of serum urea and creatinine and reduced serum sodium and potassium concentrations highlighting renal insufficiency and (4) an oxidative stress as evidenced by the raise of TBARS and the inhibition of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in liver, kidney and brain tissues Absorption of AE as a drink, for 20 days (10 pre-treatment days+10 experiment days) did not lead significant change of studied parameters but prevented all the disorders induced by LT.

Effect of Nigella sativa seeds on reproductive system of male diabetic rats

This study aims to investigate the effects of Nigella sativa seeds (NSS) on fertility of male diabetic rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups, one group was kept as control and the two other were rendered diabetic by alloxan (120 mg/kg b.wt). One group was left as diabetic control (Diab) and the second were treated (Diab+N) with 2% of NSS in diet for 30 days. Blood samples were collected for glucose and testosterone levels. Testis, epididymis, prostates and seminal vesicles were removed for sperm parameters and oxidant/antioxidant status. NSS improve semen quantity and mobility, and testosterone levels and testis; they decrease blood glucose and lipid peroxidation product level (LPO) and improve antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST and ALT). NNS as a diet may be beneficial for diabetic fertility.

Chitosan-based bioglass composite for bone tissue healing : Oxidative stress status and antiosteoporotic performance in a ovariectomized rat model

Tissue engineering has opened up a new therapeutic avenue promising a revolution in regenerative medicine. Considerable attention has been given to chitosan composite materials and their applications in the field of the bone graft substitutes. We evaluated the antioxidative properties of chitosan-doped bioactive glass (BG-CH) with 17 wt% chitosan, and their applications in the guided bone regeneration. BG-CH was produced by a freeze-drying process and implanted in the femoral condyles of ovariectomized rats. Grafted bone tissues were carefully removed to evaluate the oxidative stress analysis, histomorphometric profile and mineral bone distribution by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). A significant decrease of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) was observed after BG-CH implantation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities significantly increased in ovariectomized group implanted with chitosan-doped bioactive glass (OVXBG-CH) as compared to ovariectomized group implanted with bioactive glass (OVX-BG). The histomorphometric analysis showed that bone/tissue volume (BV/TV), osteoblast number (N.Ob) and osteoblast surface/bone surface (Ob.S/BS) were significantly higher in OVX-BG-CH group than in OVX-BG group. On the other hand, a rise in Ca and P ion concentrations in the implanted microenvironment was shown to lead to the formation/deposition of Ca-P phases. Trace elements such as Sr and Fe were detected in the newly formed bone and involved in bone healing. These results suggested that BG-CH composites could become clinically useful as a therapeutic and implantable material.