Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide problem characterized by hyperglycemia as well as the damage of the microscopic structure of the beta cells of Langerhans pancreatic islets. In the present study, the histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, and biochemical alterations to pancreatic beta cells in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were assessed in rats treated with curcumin (CU) (100 mg/kg/day) or nano-curcumin (nCU) (100 mg/kg/day) for 1 month. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were distributed into four groups: the nondiabetic control group, the diabetic untreated group, and two diabetic groups treated with CU or nCUR, respectively. Blood glucose, serum insulin levels, and lipid profile were measured. The pancreatic tissues were collected and processed into paraffin sections for histological and immunohistochemical examination, oxidative stress markers, and real-time PCR expression for pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1). The insulin expression in beta cells was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Morphometrically, the percentage area of anti-insulin antibody reaction and the percentage area of islet cells were determined. STZ-induced deteriorating alteration in beta cells led to declines in the number of functioning beta cells and insulin immunoreactivity. In STZ-treated rats, CU and nCUR significantly reduced blood glucose concentration while increasing blood insulin level. It also caused a significant increase in the number of immunoreactive beta cells to the insulin expression and significant reduction of the immunoreactive beta cells to the caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, CU and nCUR could have a therapeutic role in the biochemical and microscopic changes in pancreatic beta cells in diabetes-induced rats through STZ administration with more bio-efficacy of nCUR.

The aim of these investigations was to study vitamin E supplement effect in male albino rats after 30 days of repeated treatment. Four groups of six male rats were orally administered distilled water (control), 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight vitamin E daily for 30 days. The impact of the treatment on percent body weight and mortality was determined and compared to the control group. Some hematological analysis, biochemical parameters and histological examination of different body organs were assessed. The rats treated with different doses of vitamin E supplement showed no deaths recorded in 30 days. The treatment with higher dose Vitamin E supplementation" caused significant alteration at the hematological, biochemical and histological level. Therefore, oral administration of vitamin E supplement in rats for 30 days was not safe for the liver and kidney and in the other hand, safe for the testes therefore that side effect on the liver and kidney should be considered when recommended vitamin E for therapeutic purpose. Care should be taken in taking high doses of vitamin E.

This study investigated the ameliorative potential of methanolic date flesh extract (MDFE) against cisplatin-induced hepatic injury. Twenty male rats (weighing 180–200 g) were allocated into four groups: control; date flesh (DF) group (oral 600 mg/kg MDFE for 21 days); Cis group (7.5 mg/kg i.p. at day 16); and date flesh/cisplatin (DF/Cis) group (oral 600 mg/kg MDFE for 21 days and 7.5 mg/kg i.p. at day 16). Hepatic biochemical parameters in sera, and inflammatory and oxidant/antioxidant hepatic biomarkers were estimated. Hepatic histological changes and the immunohistochemistry of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed. Pretreatment with MDFE decreased Cis-triggered liver biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and histological damage. Moreover, MDFE treatment reduced Cis-induced hepatic NF-κB, COX-2, and α-SMA protein expression. MDFE exerted a hepatoprotective effect when used concomitantly with Cis. Its effect was mediated via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

The goal of this study was to assess the harmful effects of heavy metal accumulation onClarias gariepinus(catfish) in two different polluted areas in the Al Sharkia governorate and assess the impact on oxidative stress and histological changes. The results revealed a highly significant difference in heavy metal levels in the water and inside fish tissues (liver and gonads) between the two sites. The total prevalence of parasitic infection was at the highest percentage in area B, in addition to severe histopathological damage to the liver and the gonads. Findings show that the total prevalence of parasitic infection is associated with uptake of metals, depleted antioxidant activity, and incidence of lipid peroxidation in tissue.

Moringa is multipurpose promising tree particularly for medicinal use. With its high nutritive and pharmaceutical values, every part of the tree is suitable for human consumptions. The use of vegetate parts, seeds or extracts requires toxicological evaluations to prove and verify safety uses before being added to pharmaceutical medicine, or any other products related to human diet. In this study, Moringa peregrina seeds, grown in high elevation mountain in Saint Catherin area, were investigated and evaluated for their toxicity with respect to its topological potential through histological and biochemical studies in Albino rats. Daily doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight of dry seed of M. peregrina were administered orally to 4 groups of rats for 14 days. Biochemical and histopathological results were evaluated by standard methods. Measured biochemical parameters, insulin, albumin, total protein, creatinine, urea, uric acid, Follicle-stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone and Testosterone, revealed normal levels compared to control group. However, measured level of blood sugars, cholesterol, triglyceride and liver enzyme, displayed significant decreases. No histopathological changes were detected in the body tested organs. In consequences, intake of different doses of M. peregrina, even high one, exhibit no organ toxicity and are safe for human use.

Penconazole (PEN) is a systemic triazole fungicide used to control various fungal diseases on grapes, stone fruits, cucurbits, and strawberries. Still, it leaves residues on treated crops after collection with many hazardous effects on population including neurotoxicity. Withania somnifera leaves extract (WSLE) is known for its memory and brain function enhancing ability. To evoke such action efficiently, WSLE bioactive metabolites are needed to cross the blood–brain barrier, that could limit the availability of such compounds to be localized within the brain. Therefore, in the present study, the association between PEN exposure and neurotoxicity was evaluated, and formulated WSLE nanoemulsion was investigated for improving the permeability of the plant extract across the blood–brain barrier. The rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). The control group was administered distilled water, group II was treated with W. somnifera leaves extract nanoemulsion (WSLE NE), group III received PEN, group IV received PEN and WSLE, and group V received PEN and WSLE NE. All rats were gavaged daily for 6 weeks. Characterization of compounds in WSLE using LC–MS/MS analysis was estimated. Neurobehavioral disorders were evaluated in all groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in brain tissue. Furthermore, the gene expression patterns of GFAP, APP, vimentin, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Bax were measured. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression in the peripheral sciatic nerve and cerebral cortex were evaluated. A total of 91 compounds of different chemo-types were detected and identified in WSLE in both ionization modes. Our data showed behavioral impairment in the PEN-treated group, with significant elevation of oxidative stress biomarkers, proinflammatory cytokines, neuronal damage, and apoptosis. In contrast, the PEN-treated group with WSLE NE showed marked improvement in behavioral performance and histopathological alteration with a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to the group administered WSLE alone. The PEN-treated group with WSLE NE in turn significantly downregulated the expression levels of GFAP, APP, vimentin, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Bax in brain tissue. In conclusion, WSLE NE markedly enhanced the permeability of plant extract constituents through the blood brain barrier to boost its neuroprotective effect against PEN-induced neurotoxicity.