The Hepatoprotective effect of Aganosma cymosa and Plumeria rubra methanol extracts investigated on Carbon tetra chloride (CCl4), Paracetamol (PCM) and Antitubercular drugs induced liver damage in rats. The variations in the level of hepatic biomarkers viz. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Bilirubin levels were measured in a normal and treated group of rats. The potency of the plant extract in two different doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w.) were compared with a popular hepatoprotective drug silymarin. From the results, the plant extract were found to be effective in reducing the elevated enzyme levels that were caused due to CCl4, PCM and Antitubercular drug intoxication. Among the two administered doses of Aganosma cymosa methanol extract (ACE) and Plumeria rubra methanol extract (PRE), 400 mg/kg b.w. of ACE and PRE gave significant (p<0.001) results. The Histopathological studies also support the results with reversal of damaged liver cell architecture in the ACE and PRE treated groups. Hence, both the plants selected showed good Hepatoprotective effect.

Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance are elements of metabolic syndrome (MS). The present study investigated the effect of ginseng extract (G115) in protection against the development of high fructose-induced MS in rats and its possible antioxidant role in this model. Albino rats were divided into 6 groups: normal control (group 1: received normal diet); high fructose fed (HF) (group 2: received 20% fructose plus saline as untreated MS model; Ginseng extract (G115)-treated (received HF at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), visceral fat index (visceral fat weight /body weight ratio), insulin resistance, activities of glutathione peroxidase & catalase enzymes & superoxide dismutase enzyme in red blood cells (RBCs) lysates and glutathione replenishing abilities of hepatic cells of tested groups were measured. The results showed that G115 provided a protection against the development of high fructose-induced MS. It significantly reduced SBP to levels comparable to control group on normal diet. It also significantly modified visceral fat index, insulin resistance. Additionally, it increased the activities of tested antioxidant enzymes. These results indicated that high fructose-induced MS could possibly be regulated by ginseng extract (G115) with its ability to lower high blood pressure with a significant antioxidant activity.

Aim: Quetiapine is novel antipsychotic drug. However, there is limited clinical evidence regarding prescribing patterns for quetiapine when used as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder. The present study investigated the changes in forced swimming test and the alteration of glutamate and GABA contents by this antidepressant drug in nucleus accumbens, as a part of the limbic system, from albino rats exposed to chronic mild stress(CMS)-induced anhedonia. Methods: Albino rats were divided into 3 groups; Group-1 received vehicle without exposure to CMS, Group-2 received vehicle with exposure to CMS, Group-3 received quetiapine 10 mg/kg/day ip dissolved in DMSO for 3 weeks during exposure to CMS. Results: Reversal of CMS-induced anhedonia after 3 weeks i.p. administration of 10 mg/kg/day quetiapine. It reduces the duration of immobility recorded by the forced swimming test (FST) as well as the modifies the contents of glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in their isolated nucleus accumbens. Conclusion: The present study proposes the presence of a possible GABAergic role of quetiapine in nucleus accumbens in the treatment of chronic mild stress-exposed albino rats.

In the present investigation an attempt was made to assess the possible ameliorative role of curcumin on nephrotoxicity and histopathological alterations caused by Chlorpyrifos in the kidney tissue of albino rats. Chlorpyrifos (0,0-diethyl-0-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate; (CPF) is an insecticide used in agriculture against wide variety of insects. Rats were given daily doses of intragastric and sublethal concentrations of CPF (1/20 LD50, 6.7 mg/kg b.w. 5 days/ week for 6 weeks respectively). Several endpoints related to the histoarchitectural profile in the kidney tissues were evaluated. Histological examination showed alterations in the treated kidney such as degeneration of the renal tubules, atrophy and hypertrophy of glomeruli and intertubular leucocytic infiltrations. The histopathological changes were more pronounced with higher concentrations of CPF. The degree of degeneration of renal tubules found in higher concentration treatment of CPF was more pronounced. These alterations of the renal tubules and glomeruli affected the functioning of motor coordination of the rat body. Moreover, histochemical examination of the renal tubules showed depletion of glycogen and total proteins content and marked elevation in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. However, treating animals with CPF and curcumin (150 mg/kg b. w. 5 days / week for 6 weeks) caused an improvement in histological and histochemical appearance of the kidney together with decrease of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. It is concluded from the obtained results that CPF is highly toxic to albino rats by causing nephrotoxicity and may leads to oxidative stress and affect their population survival in environment. This effects appeared to be prevented and ameliorated by curcumin.

Background and Aim: Depressed mood could affect the progression and severity of several diseases e.g. hypertension, myocardial infarction, gastritis, peptic ulcer etc. Liver is one of the major organ that could be affected by chronic exposure to stress because stress may result in hepatic inflammation in particular due to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study was done to investigate the potential antioxidant effect of paroxetine, as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), to protect against chronic restraint stress-induced oxidative damage in the liver. Methods: Thirty wister albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Group-1 was control, non-stressed non-treated group. Group-2 was exposed to chronic restraint model by placing them in wire mesh cages exactly fit to their size for 6 hours daily for 21 days. Group-3 were also exposed to chronic restraint model for 21 days while they were administered by paroxetine 1 mg/kg/day ip during the restraint period. At the end of the study, liver transaminases (ALT and AST) were determined by commercial kits. The hepatic levels of GPx, catalase and TBARS were also determined by spectrophotometric methods. Glutathione repletion ability by hepatic cells with and without paroxetine treatment was also determined in all tested groups. Results: The results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum levels of ALT & AST and liver levels of GPx and catalase enzymes while levels of TBARS were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in paroxetine-treated group compared with non-stressed non-treated control rats. Glutathione repletion ability was also significantly (p<0.05) increased in treated group to a level comparable to the control non-stressed non-treated values. Conclusion: Paroxetine could possess a protective effect to liver tissue of chronic restrained rats. This hypothesis may help its use to reduce oxidative stress caused by exposure to chronic stress.