Reproductive toxicity of Carlina gummifera L. incense inhalation in adult male wistar rats

Background:

Burning incense of Carlina gummifera L. is a traditional practice in North African countries for religious or ritual intentions.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of smoke incense of this plant on the reproductive function in adult male rats.

Setting and Design:

This study was conducted in the Integrated Physiology Laboratory.

Materials and Methods:

Plant roots were collected, dried and finely ground in powder form. Adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to treated groups exposed daily during 60 min for 15 consecutive days to smoke incense at 2, 4 and 6 g and a control group was subjected to the same conditions in the absence of smoke.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison as the post hoc test.

Results:

Exposure to the incense of Carlina gummifera L. seriously affected dose dependently the reproductive function in male rats. It was found that in treated groups, the testicle relative weight decreased, while those of seminal vesicles and prostate increased when compared to the untreated group. Carlina gummifera L. incense inhalation reduced the total number, viability and mobility of epididymis spermatozoa compared to control. Furthermore, incense exposure induced various histological changes in the testes, prostate and seminal vesicles, including in particular a decrease in the number of gametes in the seminiferous tubes, the reduction of prostatic secretions and the macrophagic resorption of the seminal secretions. The effect of Carlina incense on the antioxidant system was evaluated by assaying the two antioxidant enzyme activities catalase and superoxide dismutase as well as thiol group levels in the testicles. Our results showed that fumigation affected these parameters, suggesting that the morphological and functional modifications in the male reproductive system induced by Carlina gummifera L. incense may be related, in part, to the alteration of the oxidative balance in the testicle.

Conclusion:

Smoke incense of Carlina gummifera L. caused marked reproductive toxicity in adult male rats associated with induced oxidative stress.

Pecan pericarp extract protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury through oxidative mechanism in rats

The purpose of this study was to quantify the proanthocyanidin content of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) pericarp extract (PPE) and to assess its useful impacts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1: received intraperitoneal injection of saline solution, Group 2: was injected with PPE (25 mg/kg body weight) for 10 consecutive days, Group 3: received CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg, subcutaneous injection), Group 4: was coadministred with PPE + CCl4. The CCl4 was administered every 3 days during 10 days. Results revealed the presence of a high amount of total proanthocyanidins in the PPE (81.01 ± 0.21 mg TAE.g-1DW). CCl4 injection induced significant reductions in hepatic antioxidants but increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as serum injury biomarkers. However, cotreatment with PPE significantly (P < 0.05) inverted CCl4-induced increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities, respectively to 74%, 77%, 60%, and 82% compared with CCl4 group. No significant toxic effects were observed following treatment with plant extract alone. PPE cotreatment also decreased significant (P < 0.05) the hepatic malondialdehyde formation (21%) and enhanced the liver catalase activity (107%) in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The histopathological examination showed inflammatory infiltration and degenerative changes in the hepatic tissue following CCl4 injection. The hepatoprotective activity of PPE against CCl4 exposure was supported by the maintenance of structural integrity of liver histopathology. In conclusion, the current study illustrated that PPE pretreatment significantly improved all examined parameters, restored the hepatic architecture and successfully alleviates oxidative damage induced by CCl4 intoxication.

Aldrin and dieldrin: a reevaluation of the cancer and noncancer dose-response assessments

The dose-response analyses of cancer and noncancer health effects of aldrin and dieldrin were evaluated using current methodology, including benchmark dose analysis and the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) guidance on body weight scaling and uncertainty factors. A literature review was performed to determine the most appropriate adverse effect endpoints. Using current methodology and information, the estimated reference dose values were 0.0001 and 0.00008 mg/kg-day for aldrin and dieldrin, respectively. The estimated cancer slope factors for aldrin and dieldrin were 3.4 and 7.0 (mg/kg-day)(-1), respectively (i.e., about 5- and 2.3-fold lower risk than the 1987 U.S. EPA assessments). Because aldrin and dieldrin are no longer used as pesticides in the United States, they are presumed to be a low priority for additional review by the U.S. EPA. However, because they are persistent and still detected in environmental samples, quantitative risk assessments based on the best available methods are required. Recent epidemiologic studies do not demonstrate a causal association between aldrin and dieldrin and human cancer risk. The proposed reevaluations suggest that these two compounds pose a lower human health risk than currently reported by the U.S. EPA.