Mutagenic effect of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) on rats of different age groups upon acute and subacute treatment and protective effect of a Limonium gmeliniipreparation. Genotoxic effect...

There are numerous publications demonstrating that plant polyphenols can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the brain. In the present study we have investigated the neuroprotective effect of plant extract isolated from the roots of L. gmelinii since it contains a rich source of polyphenols and other biologically active compounds. We have applied an oxidative and inflammatory model induced by NMDA, H₂O₂, and TNF-α in human primary neurons and astrocytes, and mouse cerebral endothelial cell (CECs) line in vitro. The levels of ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activation, P-selectin expression, and activity of ERK1/2 were evaluated by quantitative immunofluorescence analysis, confocal microscopy, and MAPK assay. In vivo, sensorimotor functions in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were assessed. In neurons NMDA induced overproduction of ROS, in astrocytes TNF-α initiated ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activation, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In CECs, the exposure by TNF-α induced oxidative stress and triggered the accumulation of P-selectin on the surface of the cells. In turn, pre-treatment of the cells with the extract of L. gmelinii suppressed oxidative stress in all cell types and pro-inflammatory responses in astrocytes and CECs. In vivo, the treatment with L. gmelinii extract improved motor activity in rats with MCAO.

Background: The use of natural hepatoprotective remedies represents an important path in modern phytotherapy. Objectives: In this context, our research aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition and the hepatoprotective and oxidative stress reduction potential of an Arctium tomentosum Mill. root extract. Methods: The phenolic profile of the tested extract, prepared by the subcritical fluid-assisted method were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by spectrophotometrical and HPLC/DAD/ESI methods. In vitro antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Hepatoprotective activity of the extract was assessed on a model of CCl₄ experimentally induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Results: Phytochemical assays revealed the presence of important polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid (17.20 ± 0.65 μg/mL) and acacetin 7-O-glucoside (56.80 ± 1.66 μg/mL). In vitro, the tested extract exhibited a significant oxidative stress reduction capacity, while in vivo it showed a dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect indicated by an improvement in plasma proteins profile and down-regulation of plasma transaminase activity (ALAT, ASAT, GGT). In liver tissue, the extract partially restored the activity of GPx, CAT, and SOD and attenuated lipid peroxidation. The protective effect of the A. tomentosum root extract was supported by the alleviation of histological injuries of the liver (centrilobular necrosis, granulocytic infiltrate, and fibrosis). Conclusions: The A. tomentosum subcritical fluid-assisted root extract proved to be able to provide a significant hepatoprotective effect mainly through an antioxidant mechanism.

These experiments were performed to test the perfusion of ovine as a model for human ovaries by cryoprotectantsin vivoat high temperature when the permeability of capillaries is high and when blood is insensibly replaced by the solution of cryoprotectants. By our hypothetical supposition, ovaries could be saturated by cryoprotectants before their surgical removal. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of perfusion of ovine ovaries with vascular pediclein vivoandin vitro.Arteria ovaricawas cannuled and ovaries were perfused by Leibovitz L-15 medium + 100 IU/mL heparin + 5% bovine calf serum + 6% dimethyl sulfoxide + 6% ethylene glycol + 0.15 M sucrose + Indian inkin vivoandin vitro. In the first and second cycle of experiments, ovaries (n=13andn=23) were perfusedin vivoandin vitro, respectively, during 60 min with the rate of perfusion 50 mL/h (0.8 mL/min). It was established within vivoperfusion that only about 10% of ovarian tissues were perfused due to an appearance of multiple anastomoses when the perfusion medium goes fromarteria ovaricatoarteria uterinawithout inflow into the ovaries. It was concluded thatin vitroperfusion of ovine intact ovaries with vascular pedicle by freezing medium is more effective than this manipulation performedin vivo.