Phenylhydrazine, a hemolytic agent, is widely used as a model of experimental hyperbilirubinemia. Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) was shown to exert beneficial effects in hyperbilirubinemic rat neonates.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of sitagliptin (Sita), quercetin (QCR) and its combination in β-amyloid (Aβ) induced Alzheimer's disease (AD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 220 and 280 g were used for experiment. Rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 10) and the groups were as follows: (a) Sham control; (b) Aβ injected; (c) Aβ injected + Sita 100; (d) Aβ injected + QCR 100; and (e) Aβ injected + Sita 100 + QCR 100. Cognitive performance was observed by the Morris water maze (MWM), biochemical markers, for example, MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, Aβ1-42 level, Nrf2/HO-1 expression and histopathological study of rat brain were estimated. Pretreatment with Sita, QCR and their combination showed a significant increase in escape latency in particular MWM cognitive model. Further co-administration of sita and QCR significantly reduced Aβ1-42 level when compared with individual treatment. Biochemical markers, for example, increased SOD, CAT and GSH, decreased MDA were seen, and histopathological studies revealed the reversal of neuronal damage in the treatment group. Additionally, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in rat's brain was significantly increased by Sita, QCR and their combination. Pretreatment with QCR potentiates the action of Sita in Aβ induced AD in rats. The improved cognitive memory could be because of the synergistic effect of the drugs by decreasing Aβ1-42 level, antioxidant activity and increased expression of Nrf2/HO-1 in rat brain.
Virgin coconut oil, rich in antioxidants, was shown to attenuate hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effects of virgin coconut oil on blood pressure and related parameters in kidneys in rats fed with 5-times-heated palm oil (5HPO). Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. Two groups were fed 5HPO (15%) diet and the second group was also given virgin coconut oil (1.42 mL/kg, oral) daily for 16 weeks. The other 2 groups were given basal diet without (control) and with virgin coconut oil. Systolic blood pressure was measured pre- and post-treatment. After 16 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and kidneys were harvested. Dietary 5HPO increased blood pressure, renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and nitric oxide contents, but decreased heme oxygenase activity. Virgin coconut oil prevented increase in 5HPO-induced blood pressure and renal nitric oxide content as well as the decrease in renal heme oxygenase activity. The virgin coconut oil also reduced the elevation of renal TBARS induced by the heated oil. However, neither dietary 5HPO nor virgin coconut oil affected renal histomorphometry. In conclusion, virgin coconut oil has a potential to reduce the development of hypertension and renal injury induced by dietary heated oil, possibly via its antioxidant protective effects on the kidneys.
This study was conducted to determine whether the blood pressure-lowering effect of Nigella sativa might be mediated by its effects on nitric oxide, angiotensin-converting enzyme, heme oxygenase and oxidative stress markers.
To investigate the mechanistic action of brewers' rice in regulating the Wnt/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/Nrf2-signaling pathways during colon carcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats.