Psoriasis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease that affects 3% of people worldwide. Ustekinumab is a selective anti-IL-12/23 biologic that alleviates psoriasis, and curcumin is a natura...

Background and Objectives: Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is frequently prescribed during pregnancy to treat mood disorders. Studies indicate that chronic use of sertraline is associated with elevated liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and histological alterations in the liver. Folic acid, a recommended supplement currently used during the first trimester of pregnancy, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, folic acid might be a potential protective agent against sertraline-induced liver injury. The current study aimed to investigate the possible hepatotoxic effects of sertraline administration during pregnancy and early postpartum. In addition, we sought to evaluate the potential protective effects of folic acid supplementation in alleviating any sertraline-induced liver damage. Materials and Methods: Eighty pregnant albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, folic acid-treated, sertraline-treated, and folic acid–sertraline-treated. Each group was divided into rats euthanized immediately after giving birth (0 h) or 14 days postpartum. Biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluations of liver function and structure were conducted. Results: Administration of sertraline was associated with a significant increase in hepatic enzymes (ALT and AST) and disrupted lipid profile (elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c) compared to the control group. Increased apoptosis was evidenced by increased caspase 3 expression and histological alterations, including vacuolation and inflammatory infiltrates, in sertraline-treated rats. Folic acid supplementation effectively mitigated these effects by preserving liver architecture, normalizing biochemical markers (ALT, AST, and lipid profile changes), and reducing apoptotic activity (lower caspase 3 expression). Conclusions: Folic acid mitigated sertraline-induced hepatic damage in pregnant rats. This suggests the potential benefits of using folic acid during the whole duration of pregnancy in patients treated with sertraline.

To assess the structural and biochemical effects induced by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) on salivary glands of albino rats, and to evaluate the role of pumpkin extract (Pump) in ameliorating this effect. Four groups (n=10 each) of male albino rats were included in this study: the control, CUMS, Fluoxetine-treated and Pump-treated. The corticosterone, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the oxidant/antioxidant profile were all assessed in the serum. The level of BDNF mRNA was measured in the salivary glands using qRT-PCR. Histopathological changes of the salivary glands were also assessed. The depressive-like status was confirmed behaviorally and biochemically. Exposure to CUMS significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) the level of serum corticosterone. CUMS induced degenerative changes in the secretory and ductal elements of the salivary glands evident by increased apoptosis. Both Fluoxetine and Pumpkin significantly up-regulated (p<0.001) BDNF expression in the salivary glands and ameliorated the CUMS-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the salivary glands. Pumpkin significantly (p<0.001) increased the serum levels of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX and CAT, and reduced the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6. Pumpkin ameliorates the depressive-like status induced in rats following exposure to chronic stress through exerting a promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant-like effects. The pumpkin, subsequently, improved stress-induced structural changes in the salivary glands that might be due to up-regulation of BDNF expression in the glands.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of the major types of potentially lethal lung diseases. Curcumin, a natural phenolic compound of Curcuma longa Linn, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It is a potent inhibitor of reactive oxygen-generating enzymes. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial efficacy of curcumin on experimental lung fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on adult male albino rats. Methods A total of 32 adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I (four rats) was the control group. Group II (eight rats) was further subdivided into two equal subgroups; subgroup IIA was given corn oil (1mg/kg orally) and subgroup IIB was given curcumin (100mg/kg orally, daily). Group III (10 rats) was given CCl4 (1ml/kg twice a week by intraperitoneal route) and group IV (10 rats) was given curcumin 1 week before and concomitantly with CCl4 injection. Half of the rats of each group were sacrificed after 2 weeks (subgroup A, for short-term study) and the other half were sacrificed after 5 weeks (subgroup B, for long-term study). Lung tissues were processed for light microscope (L/M) and electron microscope (E/M) studies. Moreover, morphometric study was carried out. Results Subgroup IIIA (short-term study) showed a nonsignificant increase in the mean area percentage of collagen fibers and a nonsignificant decrease in the number of type II pneumocytes. Lung sections revealed local areas of interstitial inflammatory reaction, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, edema, and congestion of pulmonary vessels. Subgroup IIIB (long-term study) revealed a highly significant increase in the mean area percentage of collagen fibers and a significant decrease in the number of type II pneumocytes. Lung sections showed diffuse interstitial inflammatory reaction, foci of necrotic alveolar walls, and diffuse interstitial accumulation of collagen. E/M examination revealed degenerative changes and necrosis of type I and II pneumocytes. The alveolar macrophages showed signs of activation. For 2 weeks the curcumin-supplemented group (subgroup VIA) showed an improvement in their histological findings, as revealed by the significant increase in the number of type II pneumocytes that appeared activated. Type I pneumocytes appeared healthy. After 5 weeks (subgroup VIB), there was more improvement as revealed by the highly significant decrease in the mean area percentage of collagen fibers, highly significant increase in the number of type II pneumocytes, and very minimal inflammatory reaction. Conclusion Curcumin has an ameliorating effect against lung damage induced by CCl4. Thus, this study introduces curcumin as one of the natural herbal remedies that could act as a potential preventive agent against interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Addition of this compound to the food of those individuals who are vulnerable to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is recommended.