Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not only the most common cause of liver diseases in humans but also it may complicate and become a risk factor for liver cancer. The present work aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity (in vitro) of quinoa and safflower seeds powder and their beneficial effects against NAFLD (in vivo). Proximate analysis, fatty acids profile, total phenolic and phytic acid of quinoa and safflower seeds were assessed. Also their anticancer activities (in vitro) against liver cancer were evaluated. The preventive effect of both seeds on NAFLD was evaluated using twenty four male rats. NAFLD was induced in rats by high fructose diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. The effects of HFD and HFD supplemented with 20% quinoa or safflower powder on plasma and liver lipids, lipid peroxidation, total protein, albumin as well as liver and kidney functions were determined. Quinoa seeds powder was promising in cytotoxicity against hepatocarcinoma cell line HEPG2 (IC50 was 14.6 μg). Feeding rats on HFD produced dyslipidemia and significant increase in liver functions and lipid peroxidation with significant elevation in liver triglycerides and total cholesterol. Quinoa and safflower seeds powder produced improvement in the biochemical parameters with different degrees. Quinoa and safflower seeds powder possessed cytotoxicity against hepatocarcinoma cell line HEPG2 and afford hepato-protection against NAFLD.

Finding renal and hepatoprotective agents preferably with antioxidant activities against environmental pollutants especially lead which can adversely affect liver and kidney is a great demand. In the current study, flaxseed protein isolate (FPI) was extracted from defatted flaxseed meal. Amino acids profile, antioxidant capacity and solubility of the extracted FPI were determined. The solubility of FPI in the acidic media was exploited in preparation of lemon juice with FPI. Twenty four male rats were assigned to four groups; normal control, lead intoxicated (oral daily dose of 60 mg/kg b.w. in distilled water for four weeks), lead intoxicated and orally administrated with daily dose equal 1 ml of lemon juice as well as lead intoxicated and orally administered with FPI (daily dose equal 100 mg/kg) in 1 ml of lemon juice. The oral administration of FPI incorporated in lemon juice suppressed the elevation in kidney functions, lipid peroxidation of kidney tissues, urinary protein and creatinine as well as liver functions caused by lead intoxication. Additionally, lemon juice with FPI combated the reduction of GSH of kidney tissues. It was revealed also that lemon juice without FPI suppressed the elevation in kidney and liver functions caused by lead. It can be concluded that flaxseed protein isolate is a good source of protein with potent antioxidant activity. Additionally, lemon juice and FPI are considered protective sources of kidney and liver against lead toxicity.

Background: Natural anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals may be useful in suppressing the incessant aggravation of rheumatoid arthritis. Chia seeds as a natural source of antioxidants help prevent several oxidative stress-mediated diseases. The current study was focused on arthritis combined with obesity and evaluated the validation of oil and mucilage extracted from chia seeds as anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals in obese and non-obese adjuvant arthritic rat model. Methods: Chia seeds oil was extracted by pressing method, whereas the mucilage was extracted using water (50 °C for 30 min). Oil and freeze-dried mucilage were tested for their anti-inflammatory effects using 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Obesity was developed in rats after 8 weeks of feeding on high-fat high-sucrose diet; on the first day of the ninth week, chia seeds oil and mucilage were administrated for 21 days, and arthritis was induced either in obese or non-obese rats via the injection with Freund’s complete adjuvant. Swelling of the paw was then measured. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), lipid profile, liver and kidney functions, serum lipid peroxidation, and erythrocyte catalase activity were determined. Results: Results emphasized that arthritis with obesity resulted in the elevation of the swelling of the paw, TNF-α, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress. Chia seeds oil and mucilage, more promisingly the oil, attenuated TNF-α and the swelling of the paw, improved lipid profile, and diminished the oxidative stress both in obese and non-obese arthritic rats. Conclusions: Results showed that chia seeds oil and mucilage exhibited anti-inflammatory effects against adjuvant-induced arthritis in obese and non-obese rats.

Health Benefits of Fennel, Rosemary Volatile Oils and their Nano-Forms in Dyslipidemic Rat Model

The aim of the present research was to investigate the effect of fish oil, crude Nigella sative oil and combined fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil as hepato-regenerative and renal protective supplements. The oils were administered as emulsions to rat model with liver injury induced by CCl₄. Plasma activities of transaminases (AST and ALT) were evaluated as liver function indicators, while plasma creatinine and urea and creatinine clearance were determined as markers of kidney function. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were estimated to assess the exposure to oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation. Liver fat was extracted and their fatty acids´ methyl esters were determined using gas chromatography. Results showed that plasma activities of AST and ALT were significantly higher in CCl₄ control group compared to control healthy group. Plasma levels of creatinine and urea increased significantly in CCl₄ control, while creatinine clearance was reduced significantly in the same group. All rat treated groups given the three oil emulsions showed improvement in liver function pointing to the initiation of liver regeneration. The combination of fish oil/Nigella sative volatiles showed the most promising regenerative activity. Oxidative stress and inflammation which were increased significantly in CCl₄ control group showed improvement on administration of the three different oil emulsions. Fatty acids methyl ester of liver fat revealed that rats treated with fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil presented the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids (45.52% ± 0.81) while fish oil showed the highest saturated fatty acids (53.28% ± 1.68). Conclusion; Oral administration of oil emulsions of native fish oil, Nigella sative crude oil and combined fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil reduced liver and kidney injury in rat model of CCl₄ through exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Fish oil/Nigella sative volatile oil emulsion was the most promising hepato-regenerative and reno-protective formula among the different groups.