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Obesity stands out as one of the most significant health problems in the modern world. The prevalence of high‐calorie diets (HCDs) globally exacerbates this condition. Throughout history, plants and plant‐derived food products have been utilized for medicinal purposes, demonstrating their efficacy in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Gundelia tournefortii (GT), a plant of interest, is known to possess beneficial properties. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the immunotoxic and neurotoxic effects of two different doses of GT plant extract on the liver, brain, and heart tissues of obese rats. For this purpose, Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: “CG,” “HCDG,” “HCDGUN1,” and “HCDGUN2” At the conclusion of the study, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, as well as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) biomarkers, were evaluated in the liver, heart, and brain tissues. The study results revealed a statistically significant increase in ADA and MPO activities in the HCDG group compared to the CG group, alongside a significant decrease in the HCDGUN groups compared to the HCDG group. Regarding AChE and BChE activities, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the HCDG group compared to the CG group, whereas an increase was noted in the HCDGUN groups relative to the HCDG group, with the latter approaching values similar to those of the control group. In conclusion, the intake of GT plant extract exhibited positive effects on the immunotoxic and neurotoxic effects induced by HCD in rats with an experimental obesity model, as evidenced by tissue biomarker evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the anti-obesity effects of Gundelia tournefortii extract were histopathologically investigated in experimental obesity induced by a high-calorie diet in rats. For this purpose, Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats: Control (C), High-Calorie Diet (HC), High-Calorie Diet + Gundelia tournefortii 200 mg/kg (HCG1), and High-Calorie Diet + Gundelia tournefortii 400 mg/kg (HCG2). The study was conducted over a period of three months. Histopathological analyses of liver tissue samples revealed that the HC group exhibited fatty degeneration, with coagulation necrosis observed in hepatocytes. In the HCG1 group, the liver showed macro-microvesicular fat vacuoles in hepatocytes of the pericentral regions, although this accumulation was significantly milder compared to the HC group. Conversely, the HCG2 group displayed a histological appearance close to that of the control group, with only rare microvesicular fat vacuoles in hepatocytes. As a result, it is evaluated that the Gundelia tournefortii extract given with a highcalorie diet in rats has a hepatoprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Rheum ribes L. plant root extracts on DNA damage, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats with experimental obesity induced with a high-calorie diet. The study groups were divided as "normal control(NC)", "obese control(OC)", "obese + Rheum ribes(OR1)(200 mg/kg)" and "obese + Rheum ribes (OR2)(400 mg/kg)". At the end of the application, rats were sacrificed and blood and tissue samples were obtained. According to the results obtained, the marker of DNA damage in tissues of 8-OHdG was determined to be significantly reduced in brain tissue of the OR1 and OR2 groups compared to the NC group. However, fluctuations were identified in the MDA activity, antioxidant defense system elements and serum biomarkers in tissues. In conclusion, Rheum ribes plant root extract ensured improvements in DNA damage in brain tissues and MDA levels and showed positive effects on antioxidant parameter activities in different tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong metabolic disease with a high mortality rate, which reduces the quality of life of many people worldwide. Metformin is a hypoglycemic drug usually used to treat type 2 diabetes. Emodin has various protective effects and is widely used in holistic medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of emodin, metformin and the emodin + metformin combination in liver and kidney tissues of rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). For this purpose, 5 groups: I -- Group Control (CG), II -- Group STZ control (SC), III -- Group STZ + metformin 250 mg kg-1 (SM), IV -- Group STZ + emodin 40 mg kg-1 (SE) and V -- Group STZ + metformin 250 mg kg-1 + emodin 40 mg kg-1 (SME) were formed with 7 rats in each group. Liver, kidney and blood samples were taken at the end of the experiment. In the study, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione- S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver and kidney tissues were analyzed. In addition, histopathology and immunohistochemical and serum toxicity biomarkers (AST, ALT, BUN and CREA) were analyzed. According to the experimental results, there was an increase in serum biomarker values in the SC group compared to the control group (p values for AST, ALT, CREA and BUN were p=0.005, p=0.001, p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively). Some antioxidant parameter values increased in SM, SE and SME groups compared to CG and SC groups (p=0.001 for GR in liver tissue and p=0.032 for GPX in kidney tissue). Histopathologic and immunohistochemical observations also supported biochemical parameter findings. In conclusion, oxidative stress parameters in liver and kidney tissue, serum samples, histopathologic and immunologic findings suggest that metformin, emodin and the metformin + emodin combination have positive effects on nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the immunotoxic and neurotoxic effects of Rheum ribes L. (Rr) plant extract on liver, brain and heart tissues in rats with an experimental obesity model. Wistar albino male rats were used in the study. In this study, 4 groups were formed, one of which was the control group, and each group consisted of 6 rats. The groups were the ''control (CG)'', ''high calorie diet (HCD) control (HCDG)'', 'HCD + Rr (200 mg/kg) (HCDRHE1)'' and ''HCD + Rr (400 mg/kg) (HCDRHE2)''. At the end of the study, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), adenosineaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) biomarkers were evaluated in tissues. According to the study findings, the ADA and MPO activity levels of the obese group increased significantly compared to the control group, and these enzyme levels in the groups administered Rr plant extract approached the control group levels. On the other hand, the AChE and BChE activity levels of the obese group decreased compared to the control group, and there was a statistically significant increase in the groups administered plant extracts compared to the control group. In conclusion, Rr plant root extract suppresses neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity in rats with obesity induced by a high-calorie diet (HCD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that is widely used. In the present study, the primary cultured hepatocytes of rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) were exposed to DEHP (0,25, 50, 100, and 200 µM) for 24 h and the cytotoxic effects were investigated using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and antioxidant defense system biomarkers. According to the results, DEHP caused significant LDH releases at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 µM. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly with 25 µM DEHP, whereas its activity was significantly decreased with 100 µM DEHP. The catalase (CAT) activity significantly increased with all of the DEHP concentrations, while a simultaneous decrease in CAT activity with SOD activity was observed with 100 µM DEHP. The glutathione peroxidase activity increased with all of the DEHP concentrations. The glutathione-S-transferase activity remained unchanged with 25, 50, and 100 µM DEHP, but increased significantly with 200 µM DEHP. Levels of reduced glutathione elevated with 50 and 200 µM DEHP. The results suggested that DEHP cytotoxicity is involved in antioxidant responses in hepatocytes. The study will offer insight into the mechanism of DEHP-induced cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was completed with the aim of investigating the effects of extracts obtained from Gundelia tournefortii L. and fluoxetine on anxiety, motor activity, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress. The study included a total of 40 female Wistar albino rats with live weight of 200 -220 g, randomly divided into groups of 8 rats with the study duration planned as 30 days. The groups created in the study were "control", "physiologic serum + chronic immobilization", "Gundelia tournefortii L. plant extract", "Gundelia tournefortii L. plant extract + chronic immobilization" and "fluoxetine + chronic immobilization". At the end of 30 days, all the groups had rotarod test (motor activity) and anxiety test (elevated plus maze) applied and after all the tests were completed the rats were sacrificed. At the end of the study, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid (UA), creatinine (CRE), total protein (TP) and albumin levels were determined. Additionally, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were identified in liver and kidney tissue samples. In conclusion, administration of both Gundelia tournefortii L. plant extract and fluoxetine can be said to have positive effects on enzyme activities and MDA parameter value against experimentally- induced immobilization stress. Additionally, Gundelia tournefortii L. was not identified to have any effect on motor activity, but identified to have anxiolytic effect according to elevated plus maze test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant role of infusion prepared from linden flowers (LF) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant role of the plant's infusion against ethanol-induced oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring liver damage serum biomarkers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, total albumin, and total cholesterol level; ADS such as GSH, GR, SOD, GST, CAT and GPx, and MDA contents in various tissues of rats. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: I (control), II (20 % ethanol), III (2 % LF), and IV (20 % ethanol + 2 % LF). According to the results, the level of serum marker enzymes, AST and LDH, was significantly increased in group alcohol and group LF as compared to control group, whereas decreased in group IV as compared to ethanol group. With regard to MDA content and ADS constituents, MDA contents of alcohol group in all tissues, except for erythrocytes and heart, and in brain, kidney, and spleen of LF group significantly increased compared to control group, whereas LF beverage extract supplementation did not restore the increased MDA towards close the control level. In addition, while ethanol caused fluctuation in antioxidant defense system constituents level as a result of oxidative stress condition in the rats, it could have not been determined the healing effects of the LF against these fluctuations. The results indicated that LF beverage extract could not be as important as diet-derived antioxidants in preventing oxidative damage in the tissues by reducing the lipid oxidation or inhibiting the production of ethanol-induced free radicals in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]