Mohsen Ghaleb Al-Mutary

The increasing use of medicinal plants in traditional and modern therapies necessitates thorough toxicological evaluations to ensure their safety. Chrozophora genus includes 7-8 species that belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, distributed in Pakistan, India, West Africa, and the Mediterranean with four species found in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study evaluates the subacute toxicity of the ethyl acetate extract (EtOAcE) of Chrozophora tinctoria in male and female rats. Over 14 days, rats were daily administered the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg. Mortality was observed at a rate of one rat per group. Female rats showed a significant reduction in body weight, while organ weights remained unaffected. Kidney function tests revealed significant increases in bilirubin and creatinine levels in male rats at 200 mg, and uric acid levels in female rats at the same dosage. Liver enzyme analysis indicated significant elevations in ALP, ALT, and GGT levels in both sexes at various dosages. Glucose levels increased significantly in female rats at 200 mg/kg, with no significant changes in cortisol levels in either sex. Histopathological examinations demonstrated notable abnormalities in liver, kidney, spleen, and small intestine tissues. These data demonstrate the essentiality of careful evaluation and monitoring when considering C. tinctoria for medicinal use, highlighting the need for further studies on its long-term safety and therapeutic index.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) have been used in medical, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Furthermore, NPs can cross the blood‐brain barrier and encourage some effects on spatial learning and memory in organism. Here, we investigate the possible neurotoxicity of Ag‐NPs with special emphasis on the neuroprotective impacts of yttrium‐oxide nanoparticles (YO‐NPs) in male mice. Male mice (n = 24) were weekly intraperitoneally injected for 35 days as the following; groups I, II, III, and IV received tap water (control), Ag‐NPs (40 mg/kg), YO‐NPs (40 mg/kg), and Ag‐NPs/YO‐NPs (40 mg/kg each), respectively. After that, animals were tested in shuttle box, Morris water‐maze, and T‐maze devices to evaluate the spatial learning and memory competence. Neurotransmitters and oxidative indices in the forebrain were estimated. According to behavioral studies, the male animals from the Ag‐NP group presented worse memory than those in the control group. The biochemical changes after Ag‐NP exposure were observed through increasing TBARS levels and decline in oxidative biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GST, and GSH) and neurotransmitters (DOP, SER, and AChE) in the forebrain of male mice compared to untreated animals. Interestingly, the animals treated with mixed doses of Ag‐NPs and YO‐NPs displayed improvements in behavioral tests, oxidative parameters, and neurotransmitters compared to males treated with Ag‐NPs alone. In conclusion, the abnormal behavior related to learning and memory in male mice induced by Ag‐NPs was significantly alleviated by YO‐NPs. Specifically, the coinjection of YO‐NPs with Ag‐NPs moderates the disruption in neurotransmitters, oxidative indices of mice brains, which reflects on their cognitive behaviors.

This experiment aimed to determine how pomegranate juice (PJ) responds to oxidative stress induced by aluminum in male mice. A total of thirty-six male mice were separated into six groups. The first group (control group) received tap water. Groups two and three were given 20% and 40% PJ, respectively. Group four received 400 mg Al/kg, while groups five and six were given Al + 20% PJ and Al + 40% PJ, respectively. After the oral administration period, the sexual behavior of the mice was recorded. Blood was collected from the heart to measure testosterone concentration. After the animals were sacrificed, the reproductive organs were weighed, and the epididymis and testis were used for further evaluations. Our findings showed that Al decreased the body and organs weights, sexual behavior, sperm count, normal sperm, total and progressive sperm motility, testosterone level, and epithelial diameters of the seminiferous tubes. In addition, the PJ reduced these effects and minimized the aluminum toxicity in male mice. In conclusion, PJ protects against aluminum exposure in male mice by ameliorating sexual behavior and fertility.