Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology, but it is now clear that pro-inflammatory cytokines play a central role in its pathogenesis. Ellagic acid (EA) has a variety of biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential effect of ellagic acid on the prevention and/or treatment of adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) model in mice. Ellagic acid treatment was started one week before AIA induction and continued for three weeks after induction of AIA. Ellagic acid treatment significantly (p  0.01) inhibited foot paw oedematous swelling and attenuated AIA-associated pathology. Ellagic acid significantly (p  0.01) reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor  (TNF-), and interleukin 17 (IL-17). However, serum levels of IL-10 and interferon  (IFN-) significantly increased (p  0.01 and p  0.05, respectively), while serum level of transforming growth factor  (TGF-) did not significantly alter with EA treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that EA attenuated AIA-associated pathology in the mouse model by downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Background.Aeromonas hydrophilais an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that is associated with a number of human diseases. Hesperidin (HES) has been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of HES treatment on inflammatory response induced byA. hydrophilainfection in murine.Methods.A. hydrophila-infected mice were treated with HES at 250 mg/kg b.wt./week for 4 consecutive weeks. Phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, CD4⁺/CD8⁺T cell ratio, and CD14 expression on intestinal infiltrating monocytes were evaluated. The expression of E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 on stimulated HUVECs and RAW macrophage was evaluated.Results. Percentage of CD4⁺T cells in the intestinal tissues of infected treated mice was highly significantly increased; however, phagocytic index, ROS production, CD8⁺T cells percentage, and CD14 expression on monocytes were significantly reduced. On the other hand, HES significantly inhibited A-LPS- and A-ECP-induced E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression on HUVECs and ICAM-1 expression on RAW macrophage.Conclusion. Present data indicated that HES has a potential role in the suppression of inflammatory response induced byA. hydrophilatoxins through downmodulation of ROS production and CD14 and adhesion molecules expression, as well as increase of CD4⁺/CD8⁺cell ratio.

The increased use of feed in Egypt′s aquaculture and animal industries raises concerns about the possible presence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs. The use of alternative medicine, such as botanicals and nutritional supplements, has become popular with inflammatory cases. The present study aimed to testify the role played by phytic acid (IP6) in enhancing the reproductive and oxidative toxicity induced in aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) treated white male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) throughout treatment and withdrawal periods. One hundred and twenty white male albino rats were grouped into four groups. Group 1, was injected with 300 μg kg⁻¹ body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and left uninjected for another 15 days to study the withdrawal effect. Group 2, was injected with 300 μg kg⁻¹ body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and treated simultaneously with IP6 daily for another 15 days. Group 3, was treated daily with IP6 (40 mg kg⁻¹ body wt) for 15 days and with no treatment for other 15 days. Group 4, injected with equivalent volume of sterile phosphate buffer saline solution as a control group. Sera were taken at the experimental intervals and assayed for testosterone hormone, follicular‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to determine the toxicological impact of AFB1 and the possibility of amelioration by phytic acid on the reproductive performance of the studied animal. The effects of AFB1 treatment on the absolute and relative weight of testis as well as its histopathologic effect on the testis and the possibility of amelioration by IP6 treatment were evaluated. The activities of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic anti‐oxidants, in addition to lipid peroxidation were measured in the testis’ homogenate of AFB1‐treated rats. A decrease in sex hormone levels, an increase in testicular lipid peroxidation product levels and a significant decrease in testicular glutathione content, catalase and total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded. The histopathologic alterations revealed a degeneration and highly mitotic division within the spermatogenic nuclei, in addition to some karyomegaly and nuclear pyknosis. It is concluded that the reduction in the toxicity of free radicals by phytic acid might be responsible for the protective influence observed.