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Epilobium hirsutum L., commonly known as hairy willowherb, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia. In Romania, the Epilobium genus includes 17 species that are used in folk medicine for various purposes. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antitumor potential of the optimized extract of Epilobium hirsutum (EH) in animal models. The first study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of EH optimized extract and the model used was carrageenan-induced paw inflammation. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: negative control, positive control treated with indomethacin, and a group treated with the extract. Oxidative stress markers, cytokine levels, and protein expressions were assessed. The extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties comparable to those of the control group. In the second study, the antitumor effects of the extract were assessed using the tumor model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Swiss albino mice with Ehrlich ascites were divided into four groups: negative, positive treated with cyclophosphamide (Cph), Group 3 treated with Cph and EH optimized extract, and Group 4 treated with extract alone. Samples from the ascites fluid, liver, and heart were analyzed to evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer markers. The extract showed a reduction in tumor-associated inflammation and oxidative stress. Overall, the EH optimized extract exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects in the animal models studied. These findings suggest its potential as a natural adjuvant therapeutic agent for addressing inflammation and oxidative stress induced by different pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Vascular reactivity may be influenced by the dysfunction of the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) that occurs after a prolonged high fat diet (HFD). Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular responses in rats with prolonged HFD after the administration of Cornus mas L. extract as a simple solution or as a reducing agent for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Methods. Sprague-Dawley adult female rats (21 animals) were randomly allocated into three groups (n=7) and received for 9 months hyperlipid diet, the last month with treatment administered through oral gavage, 0.5 mL/day of solution as follows: HFD group - 0.9% saline solution, HFD+CM group - Cornus mas L. extract (0.158 mg/mL polyphenols), HFD+AuNPsCM group - gold nanoparticles phytoreduced with Cornus mas L. extract (AuNPsCM, 260 μg Au/kg/day). The Control group of rats (n=7) was fed with standard diet and in the last month received 0.9% saline solution as treatment. At the end of the experiment, the rats' descending aortas were collected and were used to investigate the aorta wall responses to vasoconstrictor (phenylephrine) and vasodilator (acetylcholine) substances added in tissue bath. Results. AuNPsCM administration, compared to Control and HFD groups, increased the contraction and reduced the relaxation in aorta rings of rats with prolonged high-fat diet. The simple solution of Cornus mas L. extract produced contractile responses similar to those recorded in the Control group, at lower levels than in HFD group, and relaxation responses significantly decreased in comparison with Control group and significant increased when compared to HFD group. Conclusions. Cornus mas L. extract administered as simple solution improved the aorta functions, while AuNPsCM solution enhanced the existed aorta wall modifications occurred after prolonged HFD, altering the vessel wall responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress have a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of combining quercetin treatment with moderate exercise training in reversing diabetes-induced oxidative stress and ultrasound modifications in rat carotid arteries. The diabetic Wistar rats were divided into sedentary groups and trained groups. The trained animals went through a regular moderate exercise by swimming (5 weeks). Some non-diabetic and diabetic rats were daily treated with quercetin (30 mg/kg, for 5 weeks). At the end of the study, the imaging evaluation required to assess the effects of diabetes on carotid arteries was performed by micro-ultrasound (MU). The diabetic rats presented atherosclerotic plaques, with an increase in the echogenicity of the carotid artery wall, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and carotid wall thickness, while the diabetic trained rats treated with quercetin presented normal values of these parameters. Malondialde-hyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and the reduced (GSH) to oxidized (GSSG) glutathione ratio were determined in the carotid artery tissue. Diabetes caused elevated MDA levels and a decrease in SOD activity, GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratio in the carotid artery tissue. Treating diabetic rats with quercetin combined with moderate exercise training reversed all these oxidative stress parameters. Our results show that this combination, quercetin and moderate exercise training, can be a good treatment strategy for the vascular complications of diabetes by attenuating hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress.

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The current study investigates the potential of the supramolecular complex between the antifungal agent Ketoconazole (KTZ) and PAMAM dendrimer G5 generation to be used as a topically applied antimycotic drug. The new drug-dendrimer formulation was confirmed by combining XRPD, FT-IR and DSC analytical techniques, and presents improved aqueous solubility and delayed in vitro release profile compare to pure KTZ. The biological assays data showed the biocompatibility of the supramolecular complex and improved delivery of the encapsulated KTZ into the superficial layers of skin and mucosa at the mycotic infections site, leading to a better outcome of the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of resveratrol and curcumin in an experimental rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Forty-eight adult Wistar rats were used: 12 animals undergoing the sham surgery and 36 animals undergoing laparotomy, with 15 min of mesentric artery clamping. The animals from the latter group (n = 12) were pretreated, for 1 week, with vehicle (CTR), resveratrol (RES), and curcumin (CUR). After 1 h and 6 h of reperfusion, respectively, cyclooxigenase (COX)-2, mucin-1, E-cadherin, nuclear factor (NK)-κB expressions, and tumor necrosis factor related apoptosisinducing ligand (TRAIL) were assessed in the small intestine. Oxidative stress markers were determined in tissue homogenate and serum, and histopathological analysis was performed. Pretreatment with RES decreased the expression of COX-2 and NF-κB at both intervals and increased E-cadherin (p < 0.05) and mucin-1 production after 1 h. CUR had a beneficial effect on COX-2, NF-κB, and E-cadherin expressions, both after 1 h and after 6 h (p < 0.0001). The two compounds increased TRAIL levels and had a protective effect on oxidative stress and histopathological lesions, both after 1 h and after 6 h. Our results suggested that RES and CUR had beneficial effects in intestinal I/R and may represent a promising option for complementary treatment of this pathological condition. Key words: resveratrol, curcumin, oxidative stress, inflammation, intestinal ischemia. Cette etude avait pour but d'evaluer les effets protecteurs du resveratrol et de la curcumine dans un modele d'ischemie-reperfusion (I/R) intestinale chez le rat. Nous avons utilise 48 rats Wistar adultes : 12 animaux ont subi une intervention chirurgicale factice (sham) et 36 animaux ont subi une laparotomie avec occlusion de l'artere mesenterique de 15 minutes. Nous avions pretraite les animaux de ce dernier groupe avec le vehicule (Tem.), du resveratrol (RES) ou de la curcumine (CUR) pendant une semaine (n = 12 dans chacun des cas). Les animaux respectifs ont subi une reperfusion d'une heure ou de 6 heures, puis nous avons quantifie l'expression de la cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, de la mucine-1, de l'E-cadherin, ainsi que du facteur nucleaire (NK)-κB et du ligand inducteur de l'apoptose apparente au facteur de necrose tumorale (TRAIL) dans l'intestin grele. Nous avons evalue le stress oxydatif dans des homogenats de tissu et du serum a l'aide de marqueurs, et realise des examens histopathologiques. Le pretraitement avec le RES a entraine une diminution de l'expression de la COX-2 et du NF-κB (aux deux durees de perfusion) et une augmentation de la production d'E-cadherin (p < 0,05) et de mucine-1 (avec une reperfusion d'une heure). La CUR a eu un effet avantageux sur l'expression de la COX-2, du NF-κB et de l'E-cadherin (tant avec une reperfusion d'une heure que de 6 heures (p < 0,0001)). Les deux substances ont permis d'augmenter les taux de TRAIL et avaient un effet protecteur contre le stress oxydatif et dans les lesions visibles a l'examen histopathologique (tant apres une reperfusion d'une heure que de 6 heures). Nos resultats laissaient entendre que le RES et la CUR auraient des effets avantageux en cas d'ischemie intestinale et qu'ils pourraient representer un choix de traitement complementaire prometteur contre cet etat pathologique. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : resveratrol, curcumine, stress oxydatif, inflammation, ischemie intestinale., Introduction Acute mesenteric ischemia, due to reduced splanchnic circulation followed by early revascularization, is the underlying mechanism that describes the phenomenon of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Intestinal I/R is a clinical [...]

Menopause is accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress and behavioral changes, effects attenuated by antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on behavior and oxidative stress in an experimental model of menopause. Female rats were divided into the following groups: sham-operated (CON), sham-operated and caffeine- treated (CAF), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized and caffeine-treated (OVX+CAF). Caffeine (6 mg/kg) and vehicle were administered for 21 days (subchronic) and 42 days (chronic), using 2 experimental subsets. Behavioral tests and oxidative stress parameters in the blood, whole brain, and hippocampus were assessed. The subchronic administration of caffeine decreased the lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant defense in the blood and brain. The GSH/GGSG ratio in the brain was improved by chronic administration, with reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhanced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels. In particular, the lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus decreased in both experiments. The rats became hyperactive after 21 days of treatment, but no effect was observed after chronic administration. In both experimental subsets, caffeine had anxiolytic effects as tested in elevated plus maze. The administration of low doses of caffeine, for a short period of time, may be a new therapeutic approach to modulating the oxidative stress and anxiety in menopause. Key words: caffeine, ovariectomy, brain, blood, oxidative stress, behavior, neuroprotection, rats. La menopause s'accompagne d'une augmentation du stress oxydatif et de changements comportementaux; ces effets sont attenues par les antioxydants. Le but de cette etude etait d'evaluer les effets de la cafeine sur le comportement et le stress oxydatif dans un modele experimental de menopause. Des rates ont ete reparties dans les groupes suivants : intervention chirurgicale factice (CON), intervention chirurgicale factice et administration de cafeine (CAF), ovariectomie (OVX), ovariectomie et administration de cafeine (OVX+CAF). Nous avons administre la cafeine (a 6 mg/kg) et le vehicule pendant 21 jours (administration subchronique) et 42 jours (administration chronique) pour former 2 sous-ensembles experimentaux. Nous avons effectue des tests comportementaux et evalue des parametres du stress oxydatif dans le sang, le cerveau entier et l'hippocampe. L'administration subchronique de cafeine a entraine une diminution de la peroxydation lipidique et l'amelioration de la defense contre l'oxydation dans le sang et le cerveau. Dans le cerveau, nous avons observe que l'administration chronique de cafeine permettait d'ameliorer le rapport GSH/GGSG tout en diminuant l'activite des enzymes antioxydantes et en augmentant les taux d'oxyde nitrique et de malondialdehyde. Plus precisement, la peroxydation lipidique diminuait dans l'hippocampe, et ce, dans les deux conditions experimentales. Les rates sont devenues hyperactives apres 21 jours de traitement, mais nous n'avons observe aucun effet apres l'administration chronique. En revanche, le test du labyrinthe en croix sureleve a permis d'observer que la cafeine avait des effets anxiolytiques dans les deux sous-ensembles. En somme, l'administration de faibles doses de caffeine pendant une courte periode pourrait constituer une nouvelle approche therapeutique visant a moduler le stress oxydatif et l'anxiete pendant la menopause. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: cafeine, ovariectomie, cerveau, sang, stress oxydatif, comportement, neuroprotection, rats., Introduction Menopause, defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation, is a physiological process that occurs in women around the age of45-55 years, being linked to the loss of ovarian activity. [...]

The aim of this study was to identify possible influences of extraction methods as well as extraction parameters on the phytochemical and biological profiles of Xanthium spinosum L. extracts. Extraction methods were chosen as follows: classical methods, maceration and Soxhlet extraction; innovative extraction methods, turboextraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and a combination of the latter two. Extracts were subjected to total polyphenolic and flavonoid content spectrophotometric analysis. The phytochemical profile was determined for the best-yielding extracts using HPLC-MS analysis. Following the newly acquired data, another sorting of the extracts was performed. Biological activities such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions were evaluated, as well as oxidative stress reduction potential, on a Wistar rats inflammation model. Comparable results were achieved with Soxhlet extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction, both surpassing all other tested methods in terms of yields. Bioactive compound concentrations tended to increase with the increase in extraction time and temperature. These maximal values lowered once the degradation points of the bioactive compounds were reached. Extracts demonstrated good protection against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, they provided good cellular protection and increased the antioxidant defense in the analyzed rat plantar tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Evaluating Hepatic Toxicity of Chitosan and Chitosan-Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Rat Model of Peripheral Nerve Injury -- Relevance for Rehabilitation Medicine" by Nadina Liana Pop et al. was published in the Balneo & PRM Research Journal in June 2024. The study examines the potential liver toxicity of chitosan and chitosan-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles in a rat model of peripheral nerve injury. The authors aim to determine the relevance of these findings for rehabilitation medicine. The article provides the necessary references and contact information for further exploration. [Extracted from the article]