Iranian Journal of Toxicology
Volume:18 Issue: 1, Jan 2024

Kleinhovia hospita leaves have traditionally been used as herbal medicine to lower the blood cholesterol levels. However, scientific data about the antihypercholesterolemic properties of this plant are still lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of K. hospita leaf extract against hypercholesterolemia induced by Triton X-100 in rats.

Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups of six each. The treatment groups received K. hospita leaf extract at either 250 or 500mg/kg dosage for seven days. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC, 0.5%) was given to the placebo group. This treatment was then followed by Triton X-100 administration at 400mg/kg orally on day-8 to induce hypercholesterolemia. Normal controls did not receive Triton X-100. After 48 hours, blood samples were collected and the rats’ livers were dissected. The serum biomarkers were analyzed, including blood lipids and liver enzymes. The liver specimens were weighed to determine changes in the organ relative to the weight.

Triton X-100 significantly increased the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), but did not significantly elevate the triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels. The administration of K. hospita leaf extract for seven days as a pretreatment, followed by Triton X-100, reduced the levels of TC and SGOT at 250 or 500 mg/kg.

The K. hospita leaf extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg protected against hypercholesterolemia and high SGOT levels in rats that had been treated with Triton X-100.

Sodium metabisulfite (SMB) is a frequently utilized as food preservative. While it is generally acknowledged to be safe, there have been concerns regarding its potential impacts. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sodium metabisulfite on the hormonal levels, ovarian and uterine histology, and oxidative stress markers in female Wistar rats.

Twenty-four adolescent female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups of siz rats each: Group 1 (control) received 0.5mL normal saline; Group 2 was given 100 mg/kg SMB; Group 3 received 300 mg/kg SMB; and Group 4 was administered 500 mg/kg SMB. The administration was done orally over 28 days, followed by euthanasia for tissue collection. Blood samples were collected to assess the serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), while ovary and uterus tissue samples were harvested for malondialdehyde (MDA) assays and histopathology. For histopathology, we used haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid schiff staining.

The administration of SMB at doses of 300 and 500mg/kg had a notable impact on the hormone levels, particularly FSH and LH. The SMB doses also resulted in disrupted histo-architecture and altered glycogen expression in ovaries and uteri, as observed by histological examinations. Furthermore, SMB at 500mg/kg led to a significant increase in the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde.

The SMB treatment affected FSH and LH levels, influencing ovarian and uterine structures. Disrupted structure and raised oxidative stress imply reproductive health risks. Further research is needed, including the effects of SMB on glycogen and FSH status.

We investigated the sodium benzoate effects on motor coordination, cerebellar purkinje cells, and oxidative stress in Wistar rats’ brain.

Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of six each. Group 1 given 0.5ml distilled water; Group 2 given 100 mg/kg sodium benzoate (NaB); and Group 3given 300 mg/kg NaB. The NaB solution was given orally for 28 days. Hanging wire and footprint tests were performed. Upon sacrifice, the cerebellar tissue samples were collected, and malondialdehyde assay was performed. Histological analyses of the cerebellar sections stained with H&E, cresyl fast violet and glial fibrillary acidic protein were performed. The Purkinje cells were also counted in the cerebellar samples.

On the hanging wire tests, control rats and those given NaB100mg/kg groups took longer time to fall off, compared to those given NaB300mg/kg (P˂0.05). Footprint tests revealed changes in the animals’ stance and stride patterns. The base width, stride length, and overlap length showed no significant differences across the three groups. The NaB at 300mg/kg adversely affected the cerebellar Purkinje cells, reduced the numbers, and caused distortions. The nissl substances were stained lightly and the GFAP expression indicated gliosis, particularly in rats given NaB300mg/kg. The oxidative stress indicators increased after NaB treatment at 300mg/kg but not at 100mg/kg.

NaB at 300mg/kg altered the cerebellar Purkinje cells, increased the oxidative stress, and affected the motor coordination. The group treated with NaB100mg/kg exhibited fewer adverse effects than those with NaB300mg/kg.

The consequences of exposure to mercury and its compounds on the reproductive potential and health of offspring are a pressing problem for the global scientific community. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of mercury chloride toxicity in the parent rats on the postnatal development, behavior, and neuromuscular conductivity of their adult offspring.

The experiments were conducted in parental Wistar rats of both sexes, which were subcutaneously injected daily with mercury chloride solution (HgCl2) at a rate of 0.5 mg/kg before mating for 6 weeks. We assessed the postnatal mortality, body weight, surface righting reflex and motor activity of the newborn offspring. The examination of the adult offspring included open field, resident-intruder and rotarod tests, development of the food-procuring reflex, and electro-neuromyography examinations.

The study results showed that exposure to HgCl2 in parental rats of both sexes before mating resulted in low motor activities and failure of impulse conduction in the neuromuscular apparatus of the hind limbs in the offspring. In addition, maternal exposure to HgCl2 before mating led to failure of the cognitive abilities in the adult offspring while the paternal exposure led to a decline in the offspring’s aggressiveness.

The study results supported the need for further investigation on the long-term effects of mercury toxicity on the rats’ generations, and the mechanism of transmission of the "chemical load" from generation to generation.

The Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) is the most serious vertebrate pest in Egypt, causing significant economic losses to cultivated crops and stored foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential anti-fertility effects of alpha-chlorohydrin (ACH) and exogenous testosterone on this pest.

Rats were orally administered ACH at a dose of 70 mg/kg for 5 days and exogenous testosterone at 25 mg/kg three times a week for 3 weeks. The anti-fertility effects of both agents were assessed after 24 hours of exposure.

The findings revealed that both ACH and exogenous testosterone significantly reduced the serum ATPase, Esterase, and G3PDH activities, hormonal fertility, testosterone levels, and LH and FSH levels. Also, the agents caused slight increases in ASAT, ALAT, GGT, ALP activities, urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels. There was a noticeable decline in the oxidative functions of the testis and epididymis; with CAT, SOD, and GSH levels in these organs being dramatically inhibited, while the levels of MDA and NO increased. Further, both agents led to a decrease in the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm count and motility, and induced histological changes in the epididymis and testis. Moreover, there was a reduction in the expression of immunohistochemical markers of androgen receptor proteins and Wilms’ tumor nuclear protein-1 in both testicular and epididymal tissues.

The results indicate that ACH and testosterone induce infertility in male Nile rats. Therefore, the use of ACH and testosterone is recommended for integrated rodent control and management.

C-phycocyanin, a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis, is a future candidate for cancer management. This agent is originated from edible blue-green algae, and numerous in vivo and in vitro research have reported on its anti-cancer properties. The effects of C-phycocyanin have been investigated on caspases 3, 8, 9, and p53 pathways in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

In the current study, we investigated the effect of C-phycocyanin on caspase 3, 8, 9, and p53-mediated apoptosis pathways in two cell lines (HT-29 & HUVEC), using quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry. The cytotoxicity of phycocyanin on HT-29 cells was compared with HUVEC normal cells via colorimetric assays.

Based on our findings at molecular level, the expression of caspases 3, 8, 9, and p53 genes were increased in colorectal cancer cells treated with C-phycocyanin.The results were confirmed by an increase in the number of colorectal cancer cells in the early and late stages of apoptosis as compared to the control, untreated cells. In addition, the results of colorimetric assay showed that C-phycocyanin has no cytotoxic effects on normal HUVECs cells.

Based on our experimental data, it is evident that C-phycocyanin has measurable effects on cell apoptosis. Since tumorigenesis is halted by apoptosis, C-phycocyanin can be a hopeful candidate for the treatment of human colorectal cancer in the future.

Alginate lyase is known to have antibiofilm activity. Toxicity tests for the alginate lyase produced by Streptomyces olivaceus from Serena Kecil Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, have never been reported. This research conducted an in vivo toxicity study of the alginate lyase, using male Wistar rats for its development as an oral anti-biofilm agent.

Twenty male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided equally into four groups of: technical control (TC), which was only given food and drink; negative control (NC), given phosphate buffer saline 1x; experimental group (E1), given alginate lyase at a dose of 0.63 g/kg BW, and (E2), given alginate lyase at a dose of 20.85 g/kg BW. The toxicity tests were carried out for 7 days by observing the following parameters: changes in the body weight and behavior; changes in AST and ALT enzyme levels; and evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic damages to the liver.

After 7 days of treatment, rats in the NC, E1, and E2 groups experienced insignificant weight losses. They also had normal behavior and did not show signs of toxicity or death. The AST and ALT levels in rats, given alginate lyase (E1 and E2) decreased significantly but were still within the normal range.  Alginate lyase also caused an adaptive stress response and degeneration in the liver cells.

Alginate lyase at 0.63 g/kg BW and 20.85 g/kg BW were considered safe in the rats and had the prospect of being developed into an anti-biofilm agent.

Given the global problem of antibiotic resistance among pathogens, researchers are looking for appropriate treatment alternatives to eliminate infections. Application of probiotics and their products can be a practical solution. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of probiotics against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

The effect of CFS of eight strains of probiotics against E. coli and S. aureus was evaluated by well diffusion method. The agent with the highest inhibition diameter was selected to investigate other antibacterial properties. They included minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and timed kill effect. Surface electron micrographs were taken to compare the treated versus untreated bacteria with CFS of Lactobacillus acidophilus (SLA) LAFTI-L10 DSL. Finally, the percent viability of the Hu02 cells was investigated after 24, 48 or 72 hours of incubation with SLA at various concentrations.

Among the tested strains, SLA showed the highest inhibitory diameter against E. coli and S. aureus (P≤0.005). Also, the MIC of SLA was equal to those of E. coli and S. aureus (12.5 μL/mL) but was different in their MBC. Almost 100% of bacteria removed after exposure to SLA (20 min.). The results of log CFU/mL demonstrated that SLA had bactericidal effect against S. aureus and E. coli. The toxicity assays showed that the percent viability of the Hu02 cells was 31.71 to 81.09 after 24, 48 or 72 hours exposure.

Our results suggest that SLA can be a suitable, effective and safe alternative to antibiotics.