Lipid Peroxidation In Kidney Research Articles

Ascorbic and Folic Acids Intervention in P. berghei Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

This research attempts to examine the effects of ascorbic and folic acid intervention on the haematology, antioxidants molecules and enzymes of mice exposed to malaria infection. The study involves three groups of control (non-parasitized-nontreated), parasitized-nontreated (PnT) and parasitized ascorbic and folic acid treated (P+as+faT). Intervention with ascorbic and folic acids commenced for three days after parasitemia had been established in mice. Results from this study showed that ascorbic and folic acid intervention in malaria condition reduced (P<0.05) total protein, erythrocyte fragility (EF), increased (P<0.05) packed cell volume (PCV) in comparison with PnT and control mice groups. Lipid peroxidation product in serum, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Catalase (CAT) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) reduced in parasitized mice administered with ascorbic and folic acid doses, as against those of control, whereas SOD activity in Control and CAT activity in PnT observed to increase and decrease, respectively. The extent of lipid peroxidation in kidney was effectively reduced by ascorbic and folic acid compared to PnT. In liver SOD activity, CAT activity, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity significantly (P<0.05) reduced in P+as+faT as against PnT and control groups. From these observations therefore, we draw the conclusion that ascorbic and folic acids combination in malaria infection may reduce lipid peroxidation and stimulate cellular pathways that enhance the production of high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Total Phenolic Contents and Lipid Peroxidation Potentials of Some Tropical Antimalarial Plants

In this investigation extracts of leaves and barks from five tropical antimalarial plants namely; Magnifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Azachiractha indica, Carica papaya Linn and Cymbopogm citrates were studied in vitro for their total phenolics, total flavonoids and inhibition of lipid peroxidation abilities. Crude extracts from each plant material were obtained by maceration in ethanol and water respectively. The FolinCiocalteu procedure was used to assess the total phenolic concentrations of the extracts and results expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Total flavonoid contents in extracts were determined by the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay and expressed as quercetin equivalents (QAE). The percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation was assayed by estimating the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The phenolic contents in water extracts of Anacardium occidentale leaves was 452.57 ± 8.08mg/gGAE and that of bark was recorded as 267.15 ± 6.06mg/gGAE. The ethanolic and water extracts of Azachiractha indica bark were found to be 310.71 ± 7.07mg/gGAE and 390.64 ± 6.97mg/gGAE respectively. The extracts of Magnifera indica leaves had the highest flavonoid content of 139.08 ± 0.77mg/100gQAE in ethanol and 69.55 ± 0.39 mg/100gQAE in water. The least values observed were 21.19 ± 0.64 mg/100gQAE for water extract of Anacardium occidentale leaves and 30.73 ± 0.26 mg/100gQAE for ethanolic extract of Anacardium occidentale bark. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney were observed as 15.92 ± 3.01% and 17.10 ± 3.48% in ethanolic extracts of Anacardium occidentale bark and leaves respectively while it was 30.67 ± 0.47% for Carica papaya Linn. The water extract of Azachiractha indica bark inhibited liver lipid peroxidation by 8.70 ± 0.32% while that of Anacardium occidentale bark inhibited kidney lipid peroxidation by 11.78 ± 1.08%. These results suggest a need for further examination of the water extract of Anacardium occidentale bark as this part of the plant appears to be critical in the phytotherapy of malaria infection.

Impact of morin (a bioflavonoid) on ammonium chloride-mediated oxidative damage in rat kidney

Introduction : Hyperammonemia is a major contributing factor to neurological abnormalities observed in hepatic encephalopathy and in congenital defects of ammonia detoxification. Ammonia toxicity results in free radical generation that leads to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Morin is a bioflavonoid, a constituent of many herbs and fruits that are used as herbal medicines and also several biological activities. Our aim is to investigate the effect of morin on blood ammonia and plasma urea as well as kidney lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidant status in ammonium chloride-induced hyperammonemic rats. Materials and Methods: Male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 - 200 g were used for the study. Hyperammonemia was induced by interaperitonial injection of ammonium chloride (100 mg / kg body weight). The rats were treated with morin (30 mg / kg body weight) via oral administration. Administration of morin in hyperammonemic rats reduced the levels of ammonia and urea. The antioxidant property of morin was studied by assessing the activities of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides (HP), conjugated dienes (CD), and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in ammonium chloride-treated rats. Results and Conclusions: Kidney oxidative stress was effectively modulated by morin administration. Morin significantly improved the status of kidney antioxidants and decreased the levels of ammonia, urea, TBARS, HP, and CD, as compared to the ammonium chloride-treated group. The study offers evidence for the antihyperammonemic and antioxidant effects of morin against oxidative stress in the kidney, induced by ammonium chloride.

UV-vis spectroscopic study of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant contents of kidney of Albino mice co-administrated with sildenafil citrate and alcohol

Male Wistar Albino mice were co-administrated with appropriate dose of sildenafil citrate and alcohol. The kidney samples of those animals were analyzed for lipid peroxidation and antioxidant contents. Lipid peroxidation was measured based on TBARS. Antioxidant such as SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH were also determined. From the present investigation, an enhanced level of TBARS accompanied by a decreased concentration of enzymic as well as non-enzymic antioxidants in kidney was detected for 30 days animals treated concomitantly with sildenafil citrate and alcohol. Increased level of lipid peroxidation lead to accumulation of free radicals and increased oxidative threat in kidney tissues. Also, the decreased concentration of antioxidant enzymes in renal tissues indicates the failure of antioxidant defence system.

UV-vis spectroscopic study of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant contents of kidney of Albino mice co-administrated with sildenafil citrate and alcohol

Male Wistar Albino mice were co-administrated with appropriate dose of sildenafil citrate and alcohol. The kidney samples of those animals were analyzed for lipid peroxidation and antioxidant contents. Lipid peroxidation was measured based on TBARS. Antioxidant such as SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH were also determined. From the present investigation, an enhanced level of TBARS accompanied by a decreased concentration of enzymic as well as non-enzymic antioxidants in kidney was detected for 30 days animals treated concomitantly with sildenafil citrate and alcohol. Increased level of lipid peroxidation lead to accumulation of free radicals and increased oxidative threat in kidney tissues. Also, the decreased concentration of antioxidant enzymes in renal tissues indicates the failure of antioxidant defence system.

Effect of Piperine on Cypermethrin-induced Oxidative Damage in Rats

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, home pest control and as an ectoparasiticide in animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of piperine, a natural alkaloid compound, to attenuate subacute cypermethrin-induced changes in serum biochemical markers and lipid peroxidation, and alteration in antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver and kidney of rats. The rats were divided into five groups of six each; the first group served as control and second group was used as vehicle control. While, groups III, IV and V were orally treated with piperine (50 mg/kg body weight), cypermethrin (25 mg/kg body weight) and cypermethrin plus piperine, respectively for 28 days. Cypermethrin administration caused elevated levels of biochemical markers in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney. While the activities of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants levels were decreased except superoxide dismutase in liver and kidney. Administration of piperine along with cypermethrin significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation and significantly increased the reduced glutathione, catalse and glutathione peroxidase level both in liver and kidney. The results indicate that piperine ameliorate the cypermethrin induced biochemical alterations and oxidative damage in rats.

The Efficacy of &lt;i&gt;Costus igneus&lt;/i&gt; Rhizome on Carbohydrate Metabolic, Hepatoproductive and Antioxidative Enzymes in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

In this study, effect of an ethanolic extract from rhizome of Costus igneus were investigated on activity of following enzyme in liver, kidney, pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats: carbohydrate metabolic enzymes such as glucokinase glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in the liver; hepatoproductive enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma and liver; and antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dimutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione content (GSH), total sulfhydryl groups (TSH), lipid peroxides (LPO) in liver, kidney and pancreas. An ethanol extract from Costus igneus rhizome was administrated orally at a single dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg per day to diabetes induced rats for 30 days. This study demonstrated that glucose-6-phosphatase fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, AST, ALT, ALP and LPO levels were significantly increased (p<0.05), whereas glycolytic enzyme glucokinase, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and TSH levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in STZ induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of Costus igneus rhizome ethanol extract [CiREE, 100 or 200 mg/kg per body weight (bw)] and glibenclamide to diabetic rats for 30 days significantly (p<0.05) reversed levels of these enzymes to normal. Bioactive compound quercetin and diosgenin were isolated from Costus igneus rhizome by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). These results suggest that, components of CiREE quercetin and diosgenin exhibit antioxidant activity, which was sufficient to reverse oxidative stress in the liver, pancreas and kidney of diabetic rats as well as to stimulate glycolytic enzymes and control gluconeogenesis in diabetic animals.

Protective effects of Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract against renal oxidative stress in Streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats

Aim and Objectives:In the present study, we have evaluated the antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus (PAAEt) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:PAAEt was administered at 200 mg/kg body weight/day to normal treated (NT-group) and STZ-induced diabetic treated rats (DT-group) by gavage for eight weeks. During the experimental period, blood was collected from fasted rats at 10 days intervals and plasma glucose level was estimated. The plasma lipid profile was estimated at the end of experimental period. After the treatment, period kidney lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein oxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated and antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assayed.Results:The significant decrease in the body weight, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats (D-group) were rectified with PAAEt treatment in diabetic treated group (DT-group). D-group rats showed increased renal oxidative stress with increased LPO and protein oxidation. DT-group showed a significant decrease in renal LPO, protein oxidation and a significant increase in GSH content and GR, GPx and GST activities when compared with D-group. The activities of SOD and CAT decreased significantly in D-group, but were normalized in DT-group. Normal rats treated with PAAEt (NT-rats) showed a significant decrease in lipid profile, renal LPO and protein oxidation, with significant increase in renal GSH and activities of antioxidant enzymes compared to normal rats (N-group).Conclusion:Our results demonstrated that PAAEt with its antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties could be a potential herbal medicine in treating diabetes and renal problems.

Methylmercury-induced changes in target organs of suckling rat pups

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an organic form of mercury with toxic effects in multiple organs. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the in vivo effects of MeHg (1 and 4 mg/kg) given orally for seven consecutive days on adenosine deaminase (ADA), n-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and ecto-nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase (NTPDase) activities, and on lipid peroxidation in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, kidney and liver of suckling rat pups. The results showed that NAG activity and lipid peroxidation levels increased in the kidney in both treatments, whereas urinary NAG activity increased only in the 1 mg/kg treatment. Despite the fact that the lipid peroxidation increased in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus, the latter appeared to be more vulnerable to MeHg exposure as it also had an increase in ADA activity. Thus, although dietary MeHg modified renal cell function, it did not alter histological features in suckling rat pups. The results of our investigation are of significant importance because they demonstrated responses to exposition to low doses of MeHg in target organs during the development of the rat. Especially the kidney was affected by the oral exposure to MeHg, suggesting the vulnerability of this organ at this stage of development. Moreover, the urinary NAG may provide important data that could serve as basis for risk assessment purposes following MeHg exposure.

Effect of Alpha-Ketoglutarate on Neurobehavioral, Neurochemical and Oxidative Changes Caused by Sub-Chronic Cyanide Poisoning in Rats

Recent studies revealed that alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG) alone or with sodium thiosulfate (STS) provide significant protection against acute and sub-acute cyanide poisoning in rodents. This study addresses the protective effect of A-KG and/or STS in sub-chronic (90 days) cyanide poisoning. Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10): Control animals, potassium cyanide (KCN) A-KG, STS, KCN + A-KG, KCN + STS and KCN + A-KG + STS. Spontaneous motor activity and motor coordination were recorded every 15th day. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in blood, brain, liver and kidney, and glutamate, aspartate and dopamine in discrete regions of brain were measured following 90 days exposure. Cyanide significantly decreased motor coordination, accompanied by increase in LPO (blood, brain and liver) and dopamine (corpus striatum and cerebral cortex) levels, and depletion in GSH (blood, brain and liver), GPx (brain and liver), SOD (brain and liver), and CAT (blood and brain) levels. Although treatment of A-KG and STS alone significantly blunted the toxicity of KCN, concomitant use of both afforded the maximum protection. This study shows a promising role of A-KG and STS as treatment regime for long term cyanide exposure.

Protective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats

The aim of present study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced changes in blood biochemical markers and tissue antioxidant enzyme in rats. Rats were divided into six groups of six each: group I used as control and II and III groups were used as vehicle control. While, groups IV, V and VI were orally treated with curcumin (100 mg/kg body weight), cypermethrin (25 mg/kg body weight) and cypermethrin plus curcumin, respectively for 28 days. Serum biochemical markers were measured in the serum, and the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity were determined in the liver, kidney and brain. Cypermethrin administration caused elevated level of blood biochemical markers in serum and lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and brain. While the activities of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants levels were decreased except superoxide dismutase in liver, kidney and brain tissues. The presence of curcumin with cypermethrin significantly decreased the blood biochemical markers and lipid peroxidation but significantly increased the reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione peroxidase level and preserved the normal histological architecture of the liver, kidney and brain. Our results indicate that curcumin can be potent protective agent against cypermethrin-induced biochemical alterations and oxidative damage in rats.

Review Article: Does kombucha tea attenuate the hepato-nepherotoxicity induced by a certain environmental pollutant?

Trichloroethylene (TCE) may induce oxidative stress which generates free radicals and alters antioxidants or oxygen-free radical scavenging enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of oral administration of kombucha tea in rats with TCE as an environmental pollutant. Methods: Twenty male albino rats were divided into four groups: the control group treated with vehicle, Kombucha (KT)-treated group, TCE-treated group and KT/TCE-treated group. Liver and kidney lipid peroxidation, glutathione content, nitric oxide (NO) and total blood free radical concentrations were evaluated. Serum urea, creatinine level, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were also measured. Results: TCE administration increased the malondialhyde (MDA) and NO contents in liver and kidney, urea and creatinine concentrations in serum, total free radical level in blood and GGTP and LDH activities in serum, whereas it decreased the glutathione (GSH) level in liver and kidney homogenate. KT administration significantly improved lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress induced by TCE. Conclusion: The present study indicates that Kombucha may repair damage caused by environmental pollutants such as TCE and may be beneficial to people who deal with these chemicals.

Mitigation of arsenic-mediated renal oxidative stress in rat by Pleurotus florida lectin

Oyster mushroom, Pleurotus florida is regarded as one of the popular food with biopharmaceutical properties. Here, the study aimed to investigate the antioxidative effects of mushroom (Pleurotus florida) lectin against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Animals were divided into four groups; Group 1 was control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were exposed to arsenic (20 parts per million [ppm] in drinking water), arsenic plus oral supplementation of ascorbic acid (25 mg/kg body weight) and arsenic plus oral supplementation of mushroom lectin (150 mg/kg body weight) respectively. Both ascorbic acid and mushroom lectin prevented the arsenic-mediated growth retardation and normalized the elevated kidney weight. Disrupted activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PC) and nitric oxides (NO) production in kidney caused by arsenic could also be maintained towards normalcy by supplementation of mushroom lectin and ascorbic acid. These antioxidative effects were exhibited in a time-dependant manner. Further, arsenic-mediated down-regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD(2)) gene was obstructed by these agents. Thus it was found that mushroom lectin reversed the effect of arsenic-mediated oxidative stress in a time-dependent manner.

Protective Role of Zinc Picolinate on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is related to an increase in lipid peroxidation, oxygen-free radicals, and inflammation in kidney. Zinc is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory action. To date, the protective role of zinc picolinate on cisplatin-induced renal injury has not been investigated. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of zinc picolinate on cisplatin-induced renal injury. Male Wistar rats (n = 28, 8-week-old, weighing 200 to 220 g) were divided into four groups consisting of 7 rats each: control, zinc picolinate (6 mg Zn kg(-1) BW i.p.), cisplatin (7 mg kg(-1)BW i.p., single dose) and cisplatin plus zinc picolinate. A single dose of cisplatin resulted in an increase in malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels of kidney and significantly deranged renal function (urea-N and creatinine; P < .0001). Zinc picolinate treatment significantly reduced urea-N, creatinine, malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, and tumor necrosis factor-α -α levels. Concentration of zinc in kidney was increased significantly after zinc picolinate supplementation; however, Fe and Cu levels did not change. Expression of Bax in kidney increased with cisplatin administration, and this could be prevented by zinc picolinate treatment (P < .001). However, bcl-2 expression did not change by zinc or cisplatin treatment (P > .05). The expression of heat shock proteins 60 and 70 in kidney was increased after cisplatin treatment compared with the levels in the control (P < .01), and this increase could be prevented by the zinc picolinate treatment (P < .05). These results suggest that zinc picolinate may be a potential preventive agent in cisplatin-induced renal injury through decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Impact of d-pinitol on the attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines, hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress and protection of kidney tissue ultrastructure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the progression and development of diabetes and its complications due to chronic hyperglycemia. The present study was aimed to investigate the kidney tissue protective nature of d-pinitol, a cyclitol present in soybean, by assessing the key markers of hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines and ultrastructural alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of d-pinitol (50 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 days to diabetic group of rats showed a significant elevation in the level of total protein and significant decline in the levels of blood urea, serum uric acid, creatinine and advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and kidney proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB p65 subunit and nitrite. Further, d-pinitol administration elicited a significant attenuation in the activities of kidney enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) and the levels of kidney non-enzymatic antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the diabetic group of rats, with a concomitant decline in the levels of kidney lipid peroxides, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls. The histological and ultrastructural observations on the kidney tissues also confirmed the renoprotective nature of d-pinitol. Thus the present study demonstrated the renoprotective nature of d-pinitol by attenuating the hyperglycemia-mediated proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidant competence in kidney tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Dried fruit extract from Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) protects Wistar albino rats from adverse effects of whole body radiation

The effect of dried fruit extract from Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) (XA) and vitamin C (VC) against γ-radiation-induced liver and kidney damage was studied in male Wistar rats. XA and VC were given orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg, orally for 6 weeks prior to and 8 weeks after radiation (5 Gy). The rats were sacrificed after 1 and 8 weeks of single exposure to radiation. Results showed that all animals in un-irradiated group survived (100%), while 83.3% and 66.7% survived in XA- and VC-treated groups, respectively, and 50% survived in irradiated group. The levels of serum, liver and kidney lipid peroxidation (LPO) were elevated by 88%, 102% and 73% after 1 week of exposure, and by 152%, 221% and 178%, after 8 weeks of exposure, respectively. Treatment with XA and VC significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased the levels of LPO in the irradiated animals. Also, γ-radiation caused significant decreases ( p < 0.05) in the levels of liver glutathione (GSH), glutathione–S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), kidney GSH and SOD by 41%, 60%, 81%, 79%, 72% and 58% after 1 week of exposure. Similarly, γ-radiation caused significant increases ( p < 0.05) in the levels of serum alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) after 8 weeks of exposure. Precisely, ALT and AST levels were increased by 69% and 82%, respectively. These changes were significantly ( p < 0.05) attenuated in irradiated animals treated with XA and VC. These results suggest that XA and VC could increase the antioxidant defence systems in the liver and kidney of irradiated animals, and may protect from adverse effects of whole body radiation.

EFFECT OF BUTYRIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON SERUM AND RENAL ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

ABSTRACT Reactive oxygen metabolites, which are constant products of normal aerobic cell metabolism, play a key role in worsening the pathophysiological complications of diabetes. The present investigation was aimed at understanding the effect of butyric acid supplementation along with wheatbran and guar gum on serum and renal antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase were evaluated in serum and kidney of control and experimental rats. Results clearly showed that the altered activity of the enzymes during diabetes was significantly ameliorated by butyric acid (500 mg/kg body weight/day) supplementation compared with other experimental groups. Further, the increased lipid peroxidation in serum and kidney of diabetic rats was also significantly reduced in butyric acid-supplemented diabetic rats. The study led us to conclude that butyric acid exert antioxidant property, thereby minimizing oxidative stress induced diabetes and its related complications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Butyric acid – a product of dietary fiber fermentation – is a four-carbon fatty acid, which has wide range of application in disease management. This product is involved in various physiological functions of body like cell differentiation, apoptosis, colonic homeostasis, histone acetylation, etc. It is also known to decrease the incidence of bowel cancer and some of its analogues are shown to selectively improve glucose-stimulated insulin release and glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats. This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of butyric acid supplementation on oxidative stress-induced diabetic complications in rats.

Antioxidant activity of Smoke Shield in-vitro and in-vivo.

Smoke Shield is a proprietory formulation containing extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa), obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide gas extraction and post-supercritical hydroethanolic extraction, together with extracts of green tea and other spices whose presence synergistically increases the activity of turmeric. This study evaluates the antioxidant potentials of Smoke Shield in-vitro and in experimental animals, as well as in human models. Smoke Shield was found to scavenge superoxide radicals generated by photoreduction of riboflavin (50% inhibitory concentration = 91 microg mL(-1)) and hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton reaction (50% inhibitory concentration = 95 microg mL(-1)) and reduced lipid peroxidation. Administration of Smoke Shield to mice was found to elevate antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase in blood as well as in liver and kidney. Glutathione-S-transferase activity was found to be significantly elevated in liver and kidney of animals treated with Smoke Shield. Glutathione levels were also significantly elevated in blood. Glutathione reductase was significantly elevated in kidney. Administration of Smoke Shield decreased the lipid peroxidation in serum, liver and kidney, as well as reduced the levels of conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides. Administration of Smoke Shield to smokers was found to increase the superoxide dismutase and glutathione in blood and decrease glutathione peroxidase. Smoke Shield inhibited phase I enzymes as represented by aniline-hydroxylase and aminopyrenedemethylase in-vitro. These results indicate that Smoke Shield has potent antioxidant activity, could inhibit phase I enzymes and increase detoxifying enzymes, which makes it an effective chemoprotective herbal formulation.

In-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant activity of different extracts of the leaves of Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp in the rat

The in-vitro antioxidant activities of different concentrations of the water, alcoholic, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of the dried leaves of Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp, and in-vivo antioxidant activity of the water extract was studied in experimental rat models. The results obtained from in-vitro lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4-ascorbate in rat liver homogenate showed a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation by different extracts of C. colebrookianum leaf. Water extracts at concentrations (w/v) of 1:30, 1:50, 1:200 and 1:1000 showed the strongest inhibitory activity over the other organic extracts, suggesting maximum antioxidant effect. Chronic feeding of the water extract to Wistar albino rats (both sexes, 150-200 g) in 1 or 2 g kg-1/day doses for 14 days significantly increased the ferric reducing ability of plasma by 19% and 40% on the seventh day, and by 45% and 57% on the fourteenth day of treatment, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and some cellular antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione) were estimated in heart, liver and kidney. There was a significant reduction in hepatic and renal TBARS with both the doses, without any change in myocardial TBARS. There was no change in the level of antioxidants in heart, liver and kidney, except for the hepatic superoxide dismutase. The findings of this study showed that the leaf extract of C. colebrookianum increased the antioxidant capacity of blood and had an inhibitory effect on the basal level of lipid peroxidation of liver and kidney. This lends scientific support to the therapeutic use of the plant leaves, as claimed by the tribal medicine of North-East India.

Ameliorative effect of emblica officinalis aqueous extract on ochratoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in the kidney and liver of mice

The present study was an attempt at investigating whether the aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis may have an ameliorative effect on ochratoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in the kidney and liver of mice. Adult male albino mice were orally administered 50 microg (LD, low dose) and 100 microg (HD, high dose) of ochratoxin/0.2 ml of olive oil/animal/day for 45 days. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05), dose-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation as well as a decreased activity of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione and total ascorbic acid) in both the organs, as compared to the findings for olive oil-treated control group. Administration of Emblica officinalis aqueous extract (2 mg/animal/day) and ochratoxin for a period of 45 days caused a significant amelioration in the ochratoxin-induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver and kidney.