Silymarin, the antioxidant component and Silybum marianum extracts prevent liver damage.

The Effect of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes on the Neuroendocrine-Male Reproductive Tract Axis of the Adult Rat

Background The present study was conducted to investigate the chemopreventive effects of garlic extract and silymarin on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Methods and results Animals were pretreated with garlic, silymarin or both for one week prior to the injection of NDEA. Then animals received a single injection of NDEA followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of CCl(4) for 6 weeks. Oral administration was then continued along with the injection of CCl(4) for the duration of the experiment. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) were measured. Injection of NDEA induced a significant elevation in serum AST, ALT and ALP. In the liver, NDEA increased oxidative stress through the increase in LPO and decrease in SOD, and GSH-dependent enzymes. Although administration of garlic or silymarin significantly reduced the liver toxicity, combined administration was more effective in preventing the development of hepatotoxicity. Conclusion These novel findings suggest that silymarin and garlic have a synergistic effect, and could be used as hepatoprotective agents against hepatotoxicity.

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Protective effects of garlic and silymarin on NDEA-induced rats hepatotoxicity.

This work aimed to study the relation- ship between the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) or aluminum (Al) in certain tissues and the levels of lipid peroxides as well as tissue antioxidants. To carry out such investigations, CdCl2 was given to rats in two dose levels; 0.5 or 2.0 mg=kg i.p for 1 day or daily repeated doses for 2 weeks. Al was given as AlCl3 either in a single dose of 100 mg/kg or daily repeated doses of 20 mg=kg for 2 and 4 weeks. The measured parameters were tissue malondialdehyde (MDA, index of lipid peroxidation) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as well as the activities of glutathione per- oxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) enzymes. Liver and kidney functions were assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Cd and Al concentrations in the studied tissues were also measured. Results indicated that tissue Cd was sig- nificantly increased after administration of either Cd doses. After a single dose of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg CdCl2, the increase in tissue Cd levels were accompanied by an increase in MDA and a decrease in GSH levels. On the other hand, after repeated administration of Cd, tissue Cd accumulation was accompanied by increased hepatic and renal GSH levels with decrease in MDA content and a decrease in GSH-PX activity in liver. Liver function was affected at all dose regimens, whereas kidney function was affected only after 2 weeks administration of the higher dose. In Al treated rats, Al concentration was shown to be increased in liver much more than in brain. This was accompanied by a slight decrease in hepatic GSH level after 2 weeks and a decrease in GSH-PX activity after 4 weeks. Liver function was affected only after repeated injection of Al for 2 or 4 weeks. In general, Al administration exhibited safer pattern than Cd. C

Effect of cadmium and aluminum intake on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in rat tissues.

Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae strain TAL 1236 growing on different organic phosphorus compounds as sources of phosphate exhibited phosphatase activities. The strain was able to produce both acid and alkaline phosphatases. However, its ability to produce alkaline phosphatase was much higher. When cellular phosphate fell to 0.115% of cell protein, cellular and extracellular phosphatase activities were promoted. Mg2+, Co2+ and Ca2+ enhanced slightly the activity of alkaline phosphatase more than acid phosphatase. However, Mn2+ and Fe2+ activated acid phosphatase rather than alkaline phosphatase. It may be concluded that Rh. leguminosarum plays an important role in the release of phosphorus from its organic compounds through the action of phosphatases which can be slightly activated by a range of cations.

Phosphatases and the utilization of organic phosphorus by Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae

A modified method for the assay of serum
phosphatase activity utilising disodium phenyl phosphate
as substrate is described. This is based upon the reaction of
free phenol with 4-amino-antipyrine and alkaline potassium 
ferricyanide. Study of the kinetics of the colour reaction 
has led to an alteration in the concentration of the reagents
used; the colour is formed instantaneously and shows a very slow rate of decay.
Sodium arsenate incorporated with the amino-antipyrine reagent effectively abolishes
further enzyme activity and prevents the dilution of the colour inherent in earlier
methods.

A Belfield

Papers

Revised assay for serum phenyl phosphatase activity using 4-amino-antipyrine.