Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present i...

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Systematic review of potential health risks posed by pharmaceutical, occupational and consumer exposures to metallic and nanoscale aluminum, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxide and its soluble salts.

Honeybees products comprise of numerous substances, including propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, which have long been known for their medicinal and health-promoting properties. Their wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. Bee products are considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, or terpenoids. Nowadays, the still growing concern in natural substances capable of counteracting the effects of oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, as well as negative effects of different harmful factors and drugs, is being observed. Having regarded the importance of acquiring drugs from natural sources, this review is aimed at updating the current state of knowledge of antioxidant capacity of selected bee products, namely, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, and of their potential antioxidant-related therapeutic applications. Moreover, the particular attention has been attributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying antioxidant properties of bee products. The influence of bee species, plant origin, geographic location, and seasonality as well as type of extraction solutions on the composition of bee products extracts were also discussed.

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Antioxidant Potential of Propolis, Bee Pollen, and Royal Jelly: Possible Medical Application

From BPA to its analogues: Is it a safe journey?

Royal jelly (RJ) is a yellowish-white and acidic secretion of hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse bees used to feed young worker larvae during the first three days and the entire life of queen bees. RJ is one of the most appreciated and valued natural product which has been mainly used in traditional medicines, health foods, and cosmetics for a long time in different parts of the world. It is also the most studied bee product, aimed at unravelling its bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-aging, immunomodulatory, and general tonic action against laboratory animals, microbial organisms, farm animals, and clinical trials. It is commonly used to supplement various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we highlight the recent research advances on the main bioactive compounds of RJ, such as proteins, peptides, fatty acids, and phenolics, for a comprehensive understanding of the biochemistry, biological, and pharmaceutical responses to human health promotion and life benefits. This is potentially important to gain novel insight into the biological and pharmaceutical properties of RJ.

New Insights into the Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Royal Jelly

Milk and dairy products are an important food in the human diet. The present investigation was carried out to determine concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and iron in milk and dairy products and evaluate the potential health risks of metals to humans via consumption of milk and dairy products. A total of 77 samples of milk and dairy products (22 raw milk, 20 kareish cheese, 21 butter and 14 rice pudding) were collected from farms, individual farmers and dairy shops in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt. Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations in milk and dairy products ranged from 0.044–0.751, 0.008–0.179, 0.888–18.316, 0.002–1.692 and 1.3208–45.6198 ppm respectively. Pb concentration in all samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.02 mg/kg) established by codex standard. Pd and Cd intake through milk and dairy products consumption were 1.27 and 0.33 μg/kg bw/day, which represent 35.3 and 39.8 % of the tolerable daily intake. Dairy products are poor sources of iron, copper and zinc, and milk contributes little to the total iron and zinc intake. Target hazard quotient values of less than 1 indicate a relative absence of health risks associated with the consumption of milk and dairy products.

Heavy metals and trace elements levels in milk and milk products

Electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer.

The role of green tea in protection against neurotoxicity induced by lead acetate was investigated in rats. Five equal groups, each of ten rats were used. The first group was served as control, the second, third, and fourth groups were given lead acetate, lead acetate and green tea, and green tea only, respectively, for one month, the fifth group was administered lead acetate for one month followed by green tea for 15 days. Lead acetate was given orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg b. wt, while green tea was given in drinking water at a concentration of 5 g/L. Lead acetate administration induced loss of body weight and decreased concentration of reduced glutathione and SOD activity in brain tissues as well as significantly high DNA fragmentation and pathological changes. Co-administration of green tea with lead acetate significantly alleviated these adverse effects.

The protective effect of green tea extract on lead induced oxidative and DNA damage on rat brain.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread compound associated with the manufacture of many consumer products. The BPA-induced reproductive toxicity was reported to be mainly attributed to oxidative stress. However, the role of antioxidants usage to decrease the injurious effects of BPA, on male reproductive functions, remains to unveil. The present research is established to evaluate the role of selenium (Se) and its nano form (NSe) as protective agents to alleviate BPA-induced testicular toxicity. Ninety mature albino male rats were assigned into six equal groups: negative control; orally BPA 150 mg/kg; Se 3 mg/kg; NSe 2 mg/kg; both BPA 150 mg/kg and Se 3 mg/kg; and BPA 150 mg/kg + NSe 2 mg/kg. The experiment lasted for 70 consecutive days, and then serum was collected for estimation of prostatic acid phosphatase. Testicular tissues were subjected to measurement of antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and expression of some apoptotic genes. Our results reported that BPA-induced marked testicular damage evidenced by significant elevations in serum prostatic acid phosphatase activity, malondialdehyde levels, a decrease in testicular catalase activity and reduced glutathione level. Moreover, marked DNA internucleosomal fragmentation pattern as well as upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and estrogen receptor-2 NSe genes were detected. Coadministration of Se and NSe attenuated the reproductive toxicity induced by BPA via improvement of the antioxidant activity, genetic changes, and restoration of testicular tissue nearly as control one. These results indicated that both Se and NSe forms could be used as reproductive protective agents against the detrimental effect induced by BPA. However, the NSe surpassed the selenium in modulating the DNA laddering, and the studied gene expression levels, and offered a potent reproductive protection.

Protective effects of selenium and nano-selenium on bisphenol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hematological, biochemical and histological alterations induced by bisphenol A (BPA) which is an estrogenic environmental contaminant. Albino adult male rats were administrated orally BPA (150 mg/kg). After 70 consecutive days of exposure, blood, sera and tissues were collected for hematological, biochemical and histopathological examination. Lymphocytes were separated from the spleen for rosset formation test. BPA- treated rats showed a significant reduction in red cell count, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume. The serum activity of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, urea and creatinine levels showed increased in BPA-treated group concomitant with reduction in glucose and triglycerides levels. Leucogram, E-rosettes forming count, total protein, albumin, globulin and high-density lipoprotein values did not show significant differences. Histopathological alterations were detected in the liver, kidneys and spleen of BPA-treated rats. From the present study it could be concluded that exposure to BPA is accompanied with anemia, hepatic and renal injuries.

Walaa A. Moselhy

Papers

Heavy metals and trace elements levels in milk and milk products

Electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer.

The protective effect of green tea extract on lead induced oxidative and DNA damage on rat brain.

Protective effects of selenium and nano-selenium on bisphenol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Bisphenol A Toxicity in Adult Male Rats: Hematological, Biochemical and Histopathological Approach