Therapeutic potential of Opuntia ficus indica extract against cadmium-induced osteoporosis and DNA bone damage in male rats

The purpose of the present study was to assess the protective effects of ‘Opuntia ficus indica’ (family Cactaceae) against osteoporosis induced by cadmium chloride in female Wistar rats. Experiments were carried out on 36 male Wistar rats (6-8 weeks old) divided into four groups of nine each: a control group, a group treated with cadmium (3,5 mg/kg /day) by subcutaneous injection, a group treated with Opuntia ficus indica extract (100 mg/Kg/day) by gavage, and a group treated with opuntia extract then treated with cadmium. After 10 weeks of treatment, animals from each group were rapidly sacri?ced by decapitation. Blood serum was obtained by centrifugation. Bone toxicity was estimated by examining femoral length and weight, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3 and alkaline phsphatase (ALP) levels, oxidative status and DNA aspects in femur tissue. Results showed that cadmium could induce hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, Vit D deficiency, increase in ALP level, and decrease in femur weight and length. Also, an oxidative stress evidenced by statistically signi?cant losses in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide-dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (GPX) activities and an increase in lipids peroxidation level in bone tissue of cadmium-treated group compared with the control group. In addition, histological analysis in bone tissue of cadmium-induced rats revealed pronounced morphological alterations with areas of bone resorption and a loss of normal architecture of femur diaphysis bone as well as DNA fragmentation. However, administration of cactus extract attenuated cadmium-induced bone damage. The protective effect of the plant can be attributed to its antioxidant properties and the existence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, as highlighted by HPLC-based analysis. These findings indicate that ‘Opuntia ficus indica’ extract, can be used as a new option in nutraceutical field.

Phytochemical, antioxidant and protective effect of cactus cladodes extract against lithium-induced liver injury in rats

CONTEXT

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Castaceae) (cactus) is used in Tunisian medicine for the treatment of various diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study determines phytochemical composition of cactus cladode extract (CCE). It also investigates antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of CCE against lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃)-induced liver injury in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four Wistar male rats were divided into four groups of six each: a control group given distilled water (0.5 mL/100 g b.w.; i.p.), a group injected with Li₂CO₃ (25 mg/kg b.w.; i.p.; corresponding to 30% of the LD₅₀) twice daily for 30 days, a group receiving only CCE at 100 mg/kg of b.w. for 60 days and then injected with distilled water during the last 30 days of CCE treatment, and a group receiving CCE and then injected with Li₂CO₃ during the last 30 days of CCE treatment. The bioactive components containing the CCE were identified using chemical assays.

RESULTS

Treatment with Li₂CO₃ caused a significant change of some haematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and mean corpuscular volume (VCM) compared to the control group. Moreover, significant increases in the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were observed in the blood of Li₂CO₃-treated rats. Furthermore, exposure to Li₂CO₃ significantly increased the LPO level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the hepatic tissues.

CONCLUSION

CCE possesses a significant hepatoprotective effect.

Lithium induced, oxidative stress and related damages in testes and heart in male rats: The protective effects of Malva sylvestris extract

Malva sylvestris is widely used in Mediterranean and European traditional medicine and ethnoveterinary for the treatment of various diseases. This study, carried out on male Wistar rats, evaluates the beneficial effects of Malva sylvestris extract upon lithium carbonate-induced damages in testes and heart. For this purpose, Malva sylvestris extract at a dose of 0.2g/kg was orally administrated, followed by 25mg/kg lithium carbonate (intraperitoneal injection, twice daily). Lithium carbonate treatment significantly (p<0.01) decreased the weight of testes, accessory sex organ and heart, sperm count and motility, and serum testosterone level. In addition, exposure to lithium carbonate significantly (p<0.01) increased lipid peroxidation level (LPO) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in testes and heart. Treatment with M. sylvestris extract affords substantial protection in testes and heart by altering all the parameters to near normal levels that were further confirmed by histological examination. The beneficial effect of M. Sylvestris extract in several organs could be attributed to the interaction of antioxidant components, such as complex polysaccharides, as confirmed by phytochemical analysis.

[Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and epidural/spinal anesthesia. The efficacy viewpoint]

OBJECTIVES

To compare the frequency of DVT and PE (pulmonary embolism) events in patients who had undergone gynecological operations under epidural/spinal anaesthesia without LMWH prophylaxis with patients receiving LMWH prophylaxis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, hospital record based study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The majority of patients had undergone vaginal operations. 441 consecutive, unselected patients without LMWH prophylaxis vs. 463 ones treated with LMWH. The patients were given Fraxiparine a 7,500 ICU s.c. 2 h before operation. The same doses were repeated every 24 h during 5-7 days or to the regaining by the patient sufficient physical activity. DVT diagnosis was based on the clinical signs and ultrasound techniques. PE was stated on clinical symptoms, ECG chest x-ray characteristics and gasometric data.

RESULTS

Among the patients without LMWH prophylaxis 2 cases of PE occurred (0.45%), one of these was fatal. 1 case of proximal DVT (0.23%) and 3 distal DVT complications (0.68%) were stated. In the LMWH group 1 proximal DVT (0.22%) and 2 distal DVT (0.43%) developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative LMWH prevention proved to be efficient. The clinically expressed incidence of DVT expressively diminished: 8 cases-(1.66%) vs. 3 cases-(0.53%). The pulmonary embolism was avoided.

Skin conductance reaction (SCR)-habituation test, a tool to detect anxiolytic activity. Its justification by the correlation between SCR-habituation test activities and specific binding potencies in benzodiazepines

Correlation between specific binding potencies "in vitro" of several benzodiazepines and activities in SCR-habituation test is very satisfactory. As the SCR-habituation test might be considered as an elementary model of anxiety state, the test is suggested to be used as an intermediate psychopharmacological tool before clinical study. SCR-magnitude test exhibits no correlation of this kind proving that sedative activity is of a different mechanism.