Depression-induced cognitive impairment has recently been given more attention in research. However, the relationship between depression and different types of memory is still not clear. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) is a commonly used animal model of depression in which animals are exposed to chronic unpredictable environmental and psychological stressors, which mimics daily human life stressors. This study investigated the impact of different durations of CUMS on various types of memory (short- and long-term spatial memory and recognition memory) and investigated CUMS’ impact on the ultrastructural level by histological assessment of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Twenty male C57BL/J6 mice (6 weeks old, 21.8 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10): control and CUMS (8 weeks). A series of behavioral tasks were conducted twice at weeks 5–6 (early CUMS) and weeks 7–8 (late CUMS). A tail-suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), elevated zero maze (EZM), elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), and sucrose-preference test (SPT) were used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms. The cognitive function was assessed by the novel object recognition test (NORT; for recognition memory), Y-maze (for short-term spatial memory), and Morris water maze (MWM: for long-term spatial memory) with a probe test (for reference memory). Our data showed that 8 weeks of CUMS increased the anxiety level, reported by a significant increase in anxiety index in both EPM and EZM and a significant decrease in central preference in OFT, and depression was reported by a significant increase in immobility in the TST and FST and sucrose preference in the SPT. Investigating the impact of CUMS on various types of memory, we found that reference memory is the first memory to be affected in early CUMS. In late CUMS, all types of memory were impaired, and this was consistent with the abnormal histological features of the memory-related areas in the brain (hippocampus and prefrontal cortex).

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disorder in the male population. 2‐Methoxyestradiol (2ME) is an end metabolite of estrogens with pleiotropic pharmacological properties. This study aimed to explore the potential ameliorative effects of 2ME against testosterone‐induced BPH in rats. 2‐Methoxyestradiol (50 and 100 mg/kg, dissolved in DMSO) prevented the rise in prostatic index and weight in comparison to testosterone‐alone‐treated animals for 2 weeks. Histological examination indicated that 2ME ameliorated pathological changes in prostate architecture. This was confirmed by the ability of 2ME to decrease the glandular epithelial height when compared to the testosterone group. Also, 2ME improved testosterone‐induced oxidative stress as it inhibited the rise in lipid peroxide content and the exhaustion of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The beneficial effects of 2ME against the development of BPH were substantiated by assessing proliferation markers, preventing the rise in cyclin D1 protein expression and enhancing Bax/Bcl2 mRNA ratio. It significantly reduced prostate content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β). In addition, 2ME reduced hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐α (HIF‐1α) and phospho‐Smad2 (p‐Smad2) protein expression compared to the testosterone group. In conclusion, 2ME attenuates experimentally induced BPH by testosterone in rats through, at least partly, inhibition of HIF‐1α/TGF‐β/Smad2 axis.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant that is found in many ecosystems. Many studies reported that MeHg toxicity is accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation that may lead to oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins. Vitamin E is considered as the most effective antioxidant preventing lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MeHg exposure during pregnancy on the development of the appendicular skeleton in rat fetuses and whether vitamin E administration could reduce this toxicity. Positively mated adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were used and divided into the following experimental groups: control group, received only deionized water, and four MeHg treated groups received 1 mg of MeHg/kg/d, 2 mg of MeHg/kg/d, 1 mg of MeHg/kg/d plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg/d, and 2 mg of MeHg/kg/d, plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg/d starting from Day 0 of gestation. On Day 20 of gestation, the fetuses from the pregnant rats were extracted and the fetal growth parameters were evaluated. Skeletal evaluation of ossification of both fore‐ and hind‐limbs, and coxal bones were undertaken. Results showed that treatment with MeHg caused adverse effects on fetal growth parameters and ossification of the bones. The coadministration of vitamin E with MeHg revealed an improvement in these parameters. These results suggest that vitamin E may ameliorate some aspects of MeHg developmental toxicity. The underlying and human health implications warrant further investigations. Anat Rec, 2012.

Background: In spite of its industrial usefulness and varied daily uses, lead (Pb) pollution is a widespread ecological problem that faces the humans in the 21th century. Pb was found to produces a wide range of toxic effects including neurotoxicity especially to the developing and young offspring. Recently, the utilisation of herbal plants has received a significant attention where there has been rising awareness in their therapeutic use; among these is the garlic. In light of the above, the current study is designed experimentally in female pregnant rats in order to investigate the beneficial role of garlic extract in the protection from the maternal and foetal cerebellar damage produced by administration of different doses of Pb during pregnancy. Materials and methods: Positively pregnant female rats were divided into five groups; one control group, two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.w. of Pb, respectively) and two groups treated with both Pb and garlic (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of garlic extract). Treatments started from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy, where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the foetuses. Pb level in the maternal and foetal blood and cerebellum was estimated by spectrophotometry. Specimens of the cerebellum of different mother and foetal groups were processed to histological and immunohistochemical staining for microscopic examination. Results: The results showed that administration of Pb to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and foetuses in the form of decrease in maternal weight gain, placental and foetal weights, brain weight and diminished foetal growth parameters, which were prominent in rat’s group treated with larger dose of Pb. In Pb-treated rats, Pb level in blood and cerebellum was high when compared with the control group. The histopathological examination of the cerebellum of treated dams and foetuses showed marked alterations mainly in the form of Purkinje cell degeneration and lack of development of foetal cerebellum. Co-treatment of garlic extract along with Pb resulted in a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone with improvement of the histopathological changes. Conclusions: This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1–15) Background: In spite of its industrial usefulness and varied daily uses, lead (Pb) pollution is a widespread ecological problem that faces the humans in the 21th century. Pb was found to produces a wide range of toxic effects including neurotoxicity especially to the developing and young offspring. Recently, the utilisation of herbal plants has received a significant attention where there has been rising awareness in their therapeutic use; among these is the garlic. In light of the above, the current study is designed experimentally in female pregnant rats in order to investigate the beneficial role of garlic extract in the protection from the maternal and foetal cerebellar damage produced by administration of different doses of Pb during pregnancy. Materials and methods: Positively pregnant female rats were divided into five groups; one control group, two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.w. of Pb, respectively) and two groups treated with both Pb and garlic (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of garlic extract). Treatments started from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy, where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the foetuses. Pb level in the maternal and foetal blood and cerebellum was estimated by spectrophotometry. Specimens of the cerebellum of different mother and foetal groups were processed to histological and immunohistochemical staining for microscopic examination. Results: The results showed that administration of Pb to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and foetuses in the form of decrease in maternal weight gain, placental and foetal weights, brain weight and diminished foetal growth parameters, which were prominent in rat’s group treated with larger dose of Pb. In Pb-treated rats, Pb level in blood and cerebellum was high when compared with the control group. The histopathological examination of the cerebellum of treated dams and foetuses showed marked alterations mainly in the form of Purkinje cell degeneration and lack of development of foetal cerebellum. Co-treatment of garlic extract along with Pb resulted in a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone with improvement of the histopathological changes. Conclusions: This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1–15)

Lead (Pb) toxicity is known to be a chief environmental health issue, especially for pregnant women and young children. Today, the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of many diseases and different toxic agents has become highly accepted due to their effectiveness and lower costs. Thymoquinone (TQ), which is extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This study was designed to explore the optional protectivity of TQ against maternal and fetal oxidative stress and brain damage induced by Pb administration. Pregnant rats were distributed into seven groups: control group, TQ group, DMSO group, two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm), and two groups Pb-treated (160 and 320 ppm) co-treated with TQ. Administration started from gestation day 1 (GD1) to day 20 (GD20) through oral gavage once daily. Lead administration caused a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and fetuses. Also, the histopathological assessment of the brains from Pb-treated groups showed marked alterations. Co-treatment of with TQ and Pb caused a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone and amelioration of histopathological changes in the brains. It was concluded that co-treatment of TQ along with gestational Pb exposure could mitigate the effects against Pb-induced maternal and fetal neurotoxicity.

Purpose: This in vitro study was undertaken to investigate the antimicrobial effect of distinctive oral mouth washes after the addition of zein-coated (Magnesium oxide) MgO nanoparticles on exemplary of some oral microorganisms. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and twelve samples were used in this study. A set of five concentrations of MgO nanoparticles with zein and without zein-coating were incorporated into three oral mouth washes: Listerine zero, Listerine total control and Oral B in the mass percentages of 0.3%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%, in addition to controls with no MgO nanoparticles. The antimicrobial effect of three mouth washes with variable concentrations of MgO was tested against the following organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans using the disc diffusion test (DDT) and direct contact test (DCT). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA statistical test. Results: The tested mouthwashes with zein-coated MgO nanoparticles showed significant differences of antimicrobial activity on S. mutans, S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicans in the disc diffusion test. While in the DCT, all tested mouthwashes with MgO nanoparticles with and without zein coating showed antimicrobial activity on all tested microorganisms. Conclusion: Zein-coated MgO nanoparticles may be considered as a potential antimicrobial agent when added to oral mouthwashes. Future analysis, including in vivo studies, is required in order to incorporate zein/MgO nanoparticles into oral mouthwashes that may improve its antibacterial property.