Browsing by Author "Ahmed, Selim"

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    Aloe vera gel as a stimulant for mesenchymal stem cells differentiation and a natural therapy for radiation induced liver damage
    (Oxford University Press, 2022-08-10) Farid, Alyaa; Haridyy, Hebatallah; Ashraf, Salma; Ahmed, Selim; Safwat, Gehan
    Aloe vera is a medical plant that has been used, traditionally, in treatment of several dermal disorders. In addition to its role as an anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemic agent. Aloe vera gel extract contains several compounds like minerals, enzymes, hormones and carbohydrates. Therefore, Aloe vera as well as its bioactive constituents have been studied to determine its intriguing potential roles in medicinal science. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are biologically active precursor cells that can self-renew and develop into a variety of cell types. Plant extracts have been used, in vitro, to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of lyophilized Aloe vera gel together with bone marrow (BM)-MSCs transplantation against radiation induced liver damage (RILD) in X-ray irradiated Sprague dawley male rats. By determining the oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver tissue homogenate, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of lyophilized Aloe vera gel were investigated. The degree of liver damage and NF-κB expression were determined using histological and immunohistochemical staining techniques. The results showed that treatment of irradiated rats with lyophilized Aloe vera gel and MSCs transplantation has led to an improvement in liver function and a decrease in fibrotic markers, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines; as well as, a reduction in the pathological alterations in the rats’ liver and a reduced NF-κB activation. Lyophilized Aloe vera gel provided two important functions; where it stimulated the differentiation of transplanted MSCs and alleviated the radiation induced damages in liver. Aloe vera’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have enhanced liver function, as well as, creating a favorable environment for MSCs development in the liver. MSCs, in combination with lyophilized Aloe vera gel, hold promise for regenerative medicine; where, it has a considerable impact on MSCs differentiation.
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    Co-treatment with grape seed extract and mesenchymal stem cells in vivo regenerated beta cells of islets of Langerhans in pancreas of type I-induced diabetic rats
    (BioMed Central Ltd., 2022-12) Farid, Alyaa; Haridyy, Hebatallah; Ashraf, Salma; Ahmed, Selim; Safwat, Gehan
    Background: Nowadays, diabetes mellitus is known as a silent killer because individual is not aware that he has the disease till the development of its complications. Many researchers have studied the use of stem cells in treatment of both types of diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold a lot of potential for regenerative therapy. MSCs migrate and home at the damaged site, where they can aid in the repair of damaged tissues and restoring their function. Oxi- dative stress and infammation represent a huge obstacle during MSCs transplantation. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the role of grape seed extract (GSE) administration during MSCs transplantation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetes. Furthermore, testing some of GSE components [procyanidins(P)-B1 and P-C1] in con- junction with MSCs, in vivo, was performed to determine if one of them was more efective in relieving the measured attributes of diabetes more than the whole GSE. Methods: Firstly, GSE was prepared from the seeds of Muscat of Alexandria grapes and characterized to identify its phytochemical components. Experimental design was composed of control group I, untreated diabetic group II, GSE (300 mg/kg)-treated diabetic group III, MSCs (2× 106 cells/rat)-treated diabetic group IV and GSE (300 mg/kg)/MSCs (2× 106 cells/rat)-treated diabetic group V. Type I diabetes was induced in rats by intravenous injection with 65 mg/kg of STZ. Treatment started when fasting blood glucose (FBG) level was more than 200 mg/dl; GSE oral administration started in the same day after MSCs intravenous injection and continued daily for 30 consecutive days. Results: The results showed that GSE/MSCs therapy in type I-induced diabetic rats has dramatically managed homeostasis of glucose and insulin secretion; together with, improvement in levels of infammatory markers and oxidative stress. Conclusion: Co-treatment with GSE and MSCs in vivo regenerates beta cells in type I-induced diabetic rats.