Investigation of the biochemical and histopathological effects of vitamin C, selenium, and therapeutic ultrasound on muscle damage in rats

Muscle injury is a common type of soft tissue injury. Increased oxidative damage has been reported after muscle injuries. Therapeutic ultrasound is commonly used for such injuries. This study compared the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound treatment and various antioxidant agents in experimental muscle injuries. For this purpose, some serum enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were evaluated together with histopathological examinations. Six groups were formed with 6 male Wistar albino rats in each group. These groups were control, only injury (OI), ultrasound (U), vitamin C (Vit C), selenium (S), and mixture (M). Muscle injury was caused by a laceration of the gastrocnemius muscle in all groups except the control group. No treatment was performed in the OI group. At the end of the 6-day application, all rats were sacrificed. As for serum enzymes, CK, ALT, and AST levels returned to control values in almost all treatment groups. Total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) increased in the OI group, while they decreased in the S and M groups. In addition, the decrease in MPO activity in the blood tissue of the Vit C group was statistically significant. There were no significant changes between groups in terms of serum inflammatory markers and histological findings. This study has shown that the ingestion of vitamin C and selenium may contribute to the treatment of muscle injury in addition to therapeutic ultrasound treatment. However, further studies are needed to support these results.

Antihyperglycemic activity of 14-deoxy, 11, 12-didehydro andrographolide on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetic Mellitus is characterized by a lack or failure of insulin to bind to its target receptor or failure of the pancreas to yield insulin. This study evaluated the antihyperglycemic activity of 14-deoxy, 11, 12-didehydro andrographolide on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Diabetic conditions were induced by administering streptozotocin at a dosage of 45 mg/kg body weight and nicotinamide at a dosage of 110 mg/kg body weight through intraperitoneal injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetic-induced rats were treated with 14-deoxy, 11, 12-didehydro andrographolide concentrations between 10 and 500 mg/kg body weight. The blood glucose level and body weight of the rats were periodically examined. The pancreas was isolated and the histopathological staining was performed after making fine sections of the pancreas using a microtome. The influence of 14-deoxy, 11, 12-didehydro andrographolide on the expression level of various insulin signaling cascades was determined with q-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

The blood glucose level of the diabetic-induced rats was significantly (p < 0.05) higher when compared with the control group and resulted in a drop in the blood glucose level of the diabetic rats. Oral glucose level was also reduced in the treatment group and no significant reduction was noted in the untreated. The lipid profiling revealed that the atherogenic index and cholesterol ratio was increased in the diabetic group over the control group. Upregulation of the insulin cascades like IRTK and GLUT4 was observed by the q-PCR and upregulation of GLUT4 and IR-β was observed by the western blot analysis.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the finding indicates that 14-deoxy, 11, 12-didehydro andrographolide exhibited antihyperglycemic activity by modulating the expression of insulin cascades.

Chemical profile and in vivo anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of chloroform fraction of Zygophyllum indicum in Triton X-100 induced hyperlipidaemic rats

Anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of chloroform fraction of aerial parts of Zygophyllum indicum (Fagonia indica Burm.f.) was studied in rats. Adult Wistar albino rats were distributed into five groups. Rats of all groups except group I were given an intraperitoneal injection (Triton X-100) to induce hyperlipidaemia. Groups (I and II) served as normal and hyperlipidaemic control groups respectively. Group III and group IV were administered with 250 and 500 mg/kg chloroform fraction of the plant respectively after 18 h of inducing hyperlipidaemia. Group V was given 10 mg/kg of the standard atorvastatin. Chloroform fraction had significant (p < 0.05) hypolipidaemic effects on lipid profile and biochemical parameters with a protective effect on the liver in comparison to group II. F. indica with hypolipidaemic effect is useful in the management of hyperlipidaemia. Chloroform fraction with its constituents can be used as an antihyperlipidaemic supplement in developing countries for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Development of nanobiomaterial for wound healing based on silver nanoparticles loaded on chitosan hydrogel

The objective of this study was to develop nanobiomaterial containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for wound healing. AgNPs were synthesized using Saussurea lappa (Sl) aqueous root extract as reducing agent and were characterized physico-chemically using UV-vis spectral studies, XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR spectral analysis, DLS, and TG-DSC. Sl AgNPs production was optimized using response surface methodology. The cytotoxicity of Sl AgNPs was assessed by THP1 cell lines, which showed that Sl AgNPs were nontoxic with an IC50 of 151.10 μg/mL at 24 h. For topical application, Sl AgNPs was loaded on chitosan hydrogel was characterized through spreadability, in vitro release, antibacterial activity, swelling behavior, and SEM analysis. The chitosan Sl AgNPs hydrogel was subjected acute dermal toxicity test using Wistar albino rats and was found to be nontoxic. The excisional wound model was created along with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an inoculant in Wistar albino rats. The chitosan Sl AgNPs hydrogel treated rats showed excellent wound healing qualities, lower bacterial counts, and enhanced production of connective tissues. Our findings strongly suggest that AgNPs synthesized from Saussurea lappa root extract loaded on chitosan hydrogel possibly applied for the remedy of infectious wounds at a concentration of 0.1 mg of Sl AgNPs/g of hydrogel.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-03030-0.

Pharmacokinetic study and brain tissue analysis of Zolmitriptan loaded chitosan nanoparticles in rats by LC-MS method

INTRODUCTION

Migraine has recently become a major interest to the neuroscientists. Zolmitriptan is an effective medicine used in the treatment of migraine. The nasal spray was prepared from Zolmitriptan loaded chitosan nanoparticles and evaluated for pharmacokinetic properties.

METHODS

In this study male Wistar albino rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were taken and divided into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group. Nasal spray containing Zolmitriptan loaded Chitosan nanoparticles were administered nasally (using specific inhalation mask) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg as a test formulation and compared with the control groups which received either water for injection or marketed standard drug (Zolmist) or standard drug solution at a same dose. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as C_max, T_max, and brain tissue analyses for accumulation of drug were performed for Zolmitriptan by LC-MS method.

RESULTS

Amount of drug in the plasma from the test formulation, standard marketed drug (Zolmist) and standard drug solution was found to be 41.37 ± 2.31, 34.76 ± 4.22 and 23.74 ± 2.42 ng/ml at 10 min respectively, which indicated significantly (p < 0.05) greater amount of drug being delivered from the test formulation compared to the both standard groups. The amount of the drug (Zolmitriptan) present in brain tissue (Olfactory lobe) was found to be 15 ± 0.08, 13 ± 0.14 and 8 ± 0.13 ng/g at 60 min for test formulation, marketed standard and standard drug solution respectively which indicates significantly (p < 0.05) higher amount of drug absorption in brain tissue from the test formulation compared to both the standard groups.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacokinetics studies of nasal spray containing Zolmitriptan loaded chitosan nanoparticles proved rapid onset of action in animals and is promising in treatment of migraine.

Protective effect of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity in female Wistar albino rats

BACKGROUND

Diclofenac is commonly prescribed Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs) as it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. Long term usage and over-dosage of diclofenac is associated with adverse effects like drug-induced liver injury, gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. The therapeutic uses of medicinal plants have gained a prominent role in recent years. Madhuca longifolia is a tree found throughout India, which is known to have several pharmacological activities. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential effect of the ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of M. longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity.

METHODS

The rats used for the experiment were divided into seven groups. Group-1 was the normal control. Group-2 was administered with diclofenac (50 mg/kg b.w./day/ip) on the 4th and the 5th day. Group-3 was treated with diclofenac and ELEML (500 mg/kg b.w./day/po) on all 5 days. Group-4 was treated with diclofenac and MLEML (500 mg/kg b.w./day/po) on all 5 days. Standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg b.w./day/po) was given to the rats of group-5 along with diclofenac. Group-6 and group-7 were treated with ethanolic leaf extract and methanolic leaf extract of M. longifolia respectively. After the study period, the rats were evaluated for parameters like liver and renal markers, antioxidants and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

This study has proved the beneficial effect of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extract of M. longifolia against diclofenac-induced toxicity wherein ethanolic leaf extract showed a better result than methanolic leaf extract.

CONCLUSION

Our study has concluded the beneficial effect of ethanolic and methonolic leaf extract of Madhuca longifolia against DFC-induced toxicity. This study proves that it has potential effect on hepato, renal and gastro toxicity in female Wistar albino rats. It can further be studied to understand its mechanism in treating toxicity.

Retroauricular Approach for Targeted Cochlear Therapy Experiments in Wistar Albino Rats

Background:

As the idea of stem cell technology in the treatment of sensorial hearing loss has emerged over the past decades, the need for in vivo models for related experiments has become explicit. One of the most common experimental models for inner ear stem cell delivery experiments is the Wistar albino rat.

Aims:

To investigate the surgical anatomy of the temporal bone of the Wistar albino rat with respect to the dissection steps, operative techniques and potential pitfalls of surgery.

Study Design:

Animal experimentation.

Methods:

Adult Wistar albino rats were operated on via the retroauricular approach under an operation microscope. The anatomy of the temporal bone, the surgical route to the temporal bulla and the inner ear were investigated. Technical details of surgical steps, complications and potential pitfalls during the surgery were noted.

Results:

The study group consisted of 40 adult Wistar albino rats. The mean times to reach the bulla and to achieve cochleostomy were 4.3 (2-13 min) and 7.5 min (3.5-22 min), respectively. The mean width of the facial nerve was 0.84 mm (0.42-1.25 mm). The stapedial artery lay nearly perpendicular to the course of the facial nerve (88-93 °C). There were three major complications: two large cochleostomies and one massive bleed from the stapedial artery.

Conclusion:

The facial nerve was the key anatomical landmark in locating the bulla. By retrograde tracing of the facial nerve, it was possible to find the bulla ventral (inferior) to the main trunk. The facial nerve trunk was the upper limit when drilling the bulla. By dissecting the main trunk of the facial nerve and retracting cranially, a large drilling space could be achieved. Our results suggest that the retroauricular approach is an effective, feasible route for inner ear drug delivery experiments in Wistar albino rats.

Neurobehavioural Changes in a Hemiparkinsonian Rat Model Induced by Rotenone

INTRODUCTION

Rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor is used as a neurotoxin agent to reproduce the neuropathological, and behavioural feature of Parkinson's Disease (PD) in rat. Due to acute and chronic exposure of rotenone with various doses through different routes of administration, mortality is being reported. Low dose takes a longer duration to produce PD symptoms in animals. This present study was designed to create hemiparkinsonian 'partial' lesion model by rotenone at a single moderate dose in two sites of striatum in albino rats and also to assess its toxicity by behavioural parameters and by microscopic study.

AIM

To assess all the motor deficits in lesioned animals that are due to the depletion of dopaminergic neurons or its terminals, the lesioned animals were administered with anti-parkinsonian drug, Levodopa which should counteract motor deficits in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The unilateral partially lesioned PD model was induced by rotenone stereotaxically into two sites of striatum of male Wistar albino rats at a dosage of 25 μg of rotenone/site. Rats were tested for its neurobehavioural activity on 7^th day, 14^th day, 21^st day and on 30^th day after rotenone infusion and compared with the sham group and sacrificed on 21^st and 30^th day for microscopic studies. L-DOPA was administered from 21^st day to 30^th day after lesion and compared with the lesioned group for the motor performance and sacrificed on 30^th day for histology. Statistical analysis using One-way Analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test was applied for behavioural studies.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed that the signs and symptoms like motor in-coordination and postural disturbances are highly significant (p<0.05) on 14^th and 21^st day after administration of rotenone when compared to sham group. In L-DOPA treated rats, all the motor deficits were reversed. The neuronal cell death was minimal and sprouting of nerve terminals was detected. In lesioned group, the degeneration of nerve terminals and striatal neurons were in progressive manner.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that intrastriatal infusion of rotenone at a moderate dose could be used for producing hemiparkinsonian partially lesioned animal model without any mortality. Hence, this model is suitable for evaluating behavioural studies and in drug screening programs even for a long term study.