Browsing by Author "I. El-Brairy, Amany"

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Effects of Silimarin and Curcumin against LPS-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
(British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 10/20/2015) Gad, Sameh; El-Denshary, Ezzeddine; I. El-Brairy, Amany
Hepatotoxicity is now receiving a supreme importance. LPS is the most potent activator of macrophages. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the prophylactic activity of silimarin and curcumin against LPS-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The liver slices had been divided into 4 groups; normal, control (LPS), LPS+silimarin and LPS+curcumin (N = 12). After 24 h, analysis of ALT, GSH, TNF-α and IL-10 was carried out. ALT in the control group showed a high significant elevation in comparison to the normal group, while group 3 and 4 showed a high significant decrease compared with the control group. In control (LPS) group a significant reduction in GSH level was observed; where in group 3 and 4 a significant increase was noticed in comparison to the control group. Control (LPS) group showed a high significant elevation in TNF-α level in comparison to normal group, where in group 3 and 4 a high significant decrease was detected in comparison to the control group. Level of IL-10 in the control group indicated a high significant elevation compared to the normal group, while in group 3 and 4 a high significant decrease in the IL-10 levels were detected in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, silimarin and curcumin showed a hepatoprotective activity against hepatotoxicity induced by LPS.
Emerging role of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist in bronchial asthma in vivo: antioxidant activity and the down-regulation of inflammatory factors
(Zagazig University; Faculty of Science. Center of Scientific Studies and Researches, 2014) M. El-Naa, Mona; F. El-Refaei, Mohamed; A. Nasif, Wesam; I. El-Brairy, Amany
Objectives: To investigate the effects of a peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist, rosiglitazone, on induced bronchial asthma in a murine model. Material and methods: Adult male guinea pigs were administered ovalbumin 100 mg/kg S.C. and 100 mg/kg I.P. Treatment with rosiglitazone (5 mg/kg/day, PO) was assessed for 21 days. On day 21, the animals were challenged with the same dose of ovalbumin and the ratio of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) to FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1/ FVC, was measured using a spirometer. In addition, serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were assessed. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in lung tissue homogenates. Furthermore, histopathological examination of the lung was performed. Results: treatment with rosiglitazone resulted in a profound improvement in lung function and histopathological features. These improvements were accompanied by a significant decrease in the serum levels of IL-5 and IgE. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD and catalase, and the GSH level were significantly increased in the lung tissues of treated animals compared to those of untreated asthmatic animals. Conclusion: PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone may have potential in the development of therapies for bronchial asthma
Protective effects of atorvastatin and quercetin on isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats
(Elsevier, 2013) A. Zaafan, Mai; F. Zaki, Hala; I. El-Brairy, Amany
Myocardial infarction (MI) continues to be a major public health problem in the world. Statins exhibit cardio-protective effects by several mechanisms beyond their lipid lowering activity. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid that possesses significant anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of pretreatment with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) and quercetin (50 mg/kg), as well as their combination on isoprenaline-induced MI in rats. Markers chosen to assess cardiac damage included serum activity of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and serum level of cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I), as well as oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers including serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as well as cardiac contents of lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitrite. Furthermore, ECG monitoring and histological examinations of cardiac tissues were done. Isoprenaline increased serum CK-MB activity and cTn-I level as well as inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. In addition, it produced ST-segment elevation and degenerative changes in heart tissues. Pretreatment with atorvastatin suppressed significantly the elevated levels of cTn-I, CRP, TNF-α, and IL-10 in serum coupled with reduction in cardiac lipid peroxides; however, it increased cardiac nitrite content. Quercetin decreased isoprenaline-induced changes in oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers with marked improvement in ECG and histopathologic alterations. Combination of quercetin with atorvastatin resulted in similar protective effects. In conclusion, quercetin can be regarded as a promising cardio-protective natural agent in MI alone or combined with atorvastatin.