Pharmacology

Curcumin exerts hepatoprotective effects via poorly
defined mechanisms. Recently, some studies suggested that
this effect was mediated by antagonizing CB1 receptors in
hepatic stellate cells. The current study aimed to investigate
whether CB1 antagonist, hemopressin, could potentiate the
hepatoprotective effect of curcumin, in comparison with
silymarin in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. Curcumin and
hemopressin each alone and in combination ameliorated biochemical
and structural fibrotic injury, and downregulated
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and both mRNA and protein
levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in fibrotic liver. In
contrast to the previous studies, curcumin alone did not affect
the gene expression of cannabinoid receptors. However, the
combination of hemopressin and curcumin reduced the expression
of CB1 in fibrotic liver. Surprisingly, silymarin upregulated
CB2 receptors and downregulated CB1 at mRNA
level more than all the administered drugs. Both curcumin and
hemopressin each alone decreased lipid peroxidation product,
malondialdehyde (MDA), while the combination increased
the reduced glutathione content. All the administered drugs
increased the hepatic antiapoptotic marker, Bcl2. Our study
suggests that hemopressin potentiates the hepatoprotective effect
of curcumin on fibrotic liver. We identified a new
mechanism of the hepatoprotective effect of silymarin via
modulation of cannabinoid receptors in fibrotic liver.

Background: Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor widely used for immunological disorders. However, there is significant controversy regarding its effect on the liver. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anticancer effects of tacrolimus on an induced murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and its possible hepatotoxicity at standard therapeutic doses. Methods: Fifty-four male mice were divided into five groups: a control healthy group, control HCC group, tacrolimus-treated group, doxorubicin (DOXO)-treated group, and combined tacrolimus- and DOXO-treated group. The activity of liver enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase, gamma- glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase, was determined. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured using an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. A quantitative real time- polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) was conducted to measure the expression of proliferating cell nuc...

Salvadora persica (S.persica)  is a medicinal plant whose roots and stems have been used for centuries as oral hygiene tool in many parts of the world. The present study was conducted to appraise the hepato-nephro-protective effect  of hydroalchoholic extract of S.persica. Forty two healthy male albino rats were ascribed 1–6 equal groups. Control group (gp.I, orally received 0.1ml corn oil/once daily by gavage ) for three days. Gps.(2,3&4) were intraprotenealy (IP) injected 100 mg/kg gentamicin/kg.b.wt.  once daily for three days. Gps.(3&4) orally received vitamin E (100 mg/kg.b.wt.) and S.persica (0.5ml/100g b.wt) once daily for three days before and concurrently with gentamicin  for ten days respectively. Gps.(5&6) were I/P injected with gentamicin (100mg/kg.b.wt.) for10 successive days then  treated with vitamin E and  S. persica extract by the same dose as in gps.(3&4) for 3 successive days respectively. Serum and tissue specimens were collected after the end of experiment. The toxicity induced by gentamicin was studied by assessing alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and creatinine in serum beside catalase (CAT) and malondialedhyde (MDA) concentrations in liver and kidneys tissues. The S.persica showed a significant reduction in the serum ALT, ALP, creatinine and tissue MDA with significant elevation in decreased serum total protein and tissue CAT when compared with gentamicin treated rats. The antioxidant activity of S.persica was comparable with the effects of vitamin E. Histopathological changes induced by gentamicin were reduced to a moderate extent in S.persica -treated rats. Salvadora persica protects the liver and kidneys from gentamicin-induced damage, which may be due to its anti-oxidant property.

This study was planned to investigate the anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and hypnotic activities of clove essential oil (CEO). The anticonvulsant activity of CEO (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 ml kg-1BW i.p) was evaluated in mice using the strychnine and picrotoxin-induced  convulsion models. Its anxiolytic activity was evaluated using open field test (OFT) while the thiopental sodium induced sleep test was used to evaluate the hypnotic activity. The phytochemical analysis of oil was also carried out. According to GC-MS analysis, the essential oil of clove buds consists of 11 compounds. The main components are Eugenol (62.29%), Caryophyllene (30.59%), and Humulene (3.07%). CEO significantly increased the onset of convulsion and reduced its duration in dose dependent manner compared to the control for strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced convulsion. Results obtained from all doses CEO (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 ml kg-1BW) and diazepam (1 mg kg-1BW) showed significant increase in latency time, ambulation and significant decrease in grooming when compared with control group. While CEO (0.05 and 0.1 ml kg-1BW) and diazepam showed significant increase in rearing when compared with control. CEO also showed a marked hypnotic effect as evidenced by a significant dose dependent decrease in the time of onset of sleep by CEO (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 ml kg1BW). As well as CEO (0.05 and 0.1 ml kg-1BW) induced a significant dose dependent prolongation of sleep induced by thiopental sodium (40 mg kg-1BW). In a manner comparable to diazepam (1mg kg-1BW) CEO (0.1 ml kg-1BW) produced a significant decrease in the time of onset of sleep and a significant prolongation of sleep induced by thiopental sodium. The results obtained from the experiments indicate that the CEO  has  anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and hypnotic activities.

Supplementation of the herbal oils in poultry nutrition is considered an alternative and complementary
approach to the conventional control viral strategies in poultry industry. Their use is associated with remarkable improvement
in both bird performance and immunity. In the current study, one hundred twenty broiler chickens were
allocated into four equal groups. Three groups (group B, C and D) were vaccinated with inactivated avian influenza and
live LaSota vaccine and one group (group A) was left as a control non vaccinated group. Two groups, C and D, were
orally treated with 0.005 and 0.01% Oregano essential oil (OEO) respectively. Oral supplementation with a higher
dose exerts improvement in the bird performance parameters in the early period of bird life and up to 21 days of age.
Positive regulation of both NDV and AIV-HI specific antibody titers was existed when the birds were supplemented
with the oil together with both NDV and AI vaccination, especially in case of the higher dose. Study of the effect of the
OEO on chicken interferon–alpha signalling pathway components post NDV vaccination using quantitative real-time
PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed no obvious positive immunomodulatory effect on Myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) transcripts
level except at 29 days of age. On the other hand, a dose dependent up-regulation in both IFN regulatory factor 7
(IRF-7) and interferon-alpha RNA levels was observed. Both doses of OEO could protect the birds from nervous
manifestation resulting from challenge with vvNDV. In conclusion, oral supplementation with OEO has beneficial
effects on bird performance as well as humoral and innate immune responses.