Publications by authors named "Ben Rhouma Khemais"

Pearl millet (PM) ( L.) contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, mostly flavonoids and phenolic acids. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PM activity against hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced behavior impairment and oxidative damage in rats.

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We studied the effect of leaves extract (AIE) on the intestinal absorption, motricity and its antioxidant capacity against diarrhea. Wistar rats were divided and received either: castor oil (CO), CO and loperamide or CO and different doses of AIE. AIE prevented dose-dependently CO-induced diarrhea.

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Introduction: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse disease states. The present study was designed to examine the effects of magnesium sulphate (MgSO) against hydrogen peroxide (HO) induced behaviour impairment and oxidative damage in rats.

Material And Methods: Eighteen rats were equally divided into three groups.

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The aim of this study was to investigate a potential preventive effect of phycocyanin extract from against ethanol- induced hepatorenal toxicity and cognitive behavior impairment in male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly and equally divided into four groups (six animals each): control group received saline solution, ethanol (EtOH) group was injected intraperitoneally with 1 ml/kg of ethanol solution 38% (w/v), phycocyanin groups were treated with 25 (PC1) or 50 (PC2) mg/kg phycocyanin extract followed by ethanol administration. All treatments were conducted for 14 successive days.

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Background: Burning incense of L. is a traditional practice in North African countries for religious or ritual intentions.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of smoke incense of this plant on the reproductive function in adult male rats.

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Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are extremely useful in a diverse range of consumer goods. However, their impact on the environment is still under research, especially regarding the mechanisms involved in their effect. Aiming to provide some insight, the present work analyzes the transcriptional activity of six genes (Hsp83, Hsp17.

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Background: According to numerous studies from around the world, semen quality seems to have declined dramatically in recent times. However, the data available on male fertility status and semen quality in North Africa are limited.

Aim: To investigate the status of semen quality in North-African men and to understand its variations.

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The purpose of this study was to quantify the proanthocyanidin content of pecan () pericarp extract (PPE) and to assess its useful impacts against carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1: received intraperitoneal injection of saline solution, Group 2: was injected with PPE (25 mg/kg body weight) for 10 consecutive days, Group 3: received CCl (0.5 ml/kg, subcutaneous injection), Group 4: was coadministred with PPE + CCl.

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We investigate the antioxidant activity and protective effects of the aqueous leaf extract of (AELPL) against ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid infusion through the rectum in Wistar rats. Phytochemical analyses allowed the identification of numerous phenolic compounds in leaves such as flavonoids (isoquercetin and luterolin), flavonols (catechin, rutin, and kaempferol), phenolic acids (ellagic and dicaffeoylquinic), and tanins. Acetic acid exposure induced macroscopic colonic mucosal lesions with hemorrhage, congestion, edema, and the development of an expected oxidative stress state revealed by an increase in lipoperoxidation and carbonylation of proteins and a decrease in sulfhydryl (SH) group levels and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-peroxidase, and glutathione transferase, as well as an increase in the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6, in the colon and plasma.

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Article Synopsis
  • - This study investigated the antioxidant properties of "Sahli" leaf extract and its effects on haematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by diclofenac in Swiss albino mice.
  • - Mice were divided into four groups: a control group, a diclofenac-only group, a group given olive leaf extract, and a group that received olive leaf extract before diclofenac treatment.
  • - Results showed that diclofenac alone significantly altered blood parameters and increased oxidative stress, but olive leaf extract successfully restored these parameters and protected kidney tissues from damage.
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We compared the effects of single intraveinous injection of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (P38) to those of its analog, acetyl-[Ala, Ala]PACAP-38-propylamide (P38-alg) on spatial memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) using a weak massed-learning procedure, post-training brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and post-training oxidative stress biomarker assays in male Wistar rats. Acquisition of the MWM task following P38 (30 μg/kg) and P38-alg (30 μg/kg) treatments was similar to control group (Saline: 0.9% NaCl) and there was no interaction between treatments and performance.

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This study examined the effects of vanadyl sulfate (VOSO) on the livers of nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consisted of nondiabetic rats that were, respectively, control animals or those receiving an intraperitoneal (i.

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Consumption of ethanol may have severe effects on human organs and tissues and lead to acute and chronic inflammation of internal organs. The present study aims at investigating the potential protective effects of three different extracts prepared from the leaves, root, and stem of the sumac, Rhus tripartita, against ethanol-induced toxicity and inflammation using intestinal cells as a cell culture system, in vitro model of the intestinal mucosa. The results showed an induction of cytotoxicity by ethanol, which was partially reversed by co-administration of the plant extracts.

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Rhus species are known in traditional medicine for their therapeutic virtue and their extracts showed numerous important properties including antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and hypoglycemic and anticonvulsant activities. Rhus tripartitum (Ucria) is a medicinal plant widely used in Tunisia folk medicine against chronic diarrhea and gastric ulcer. This study was designed to examine and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of four extracts of Rhus tripartitum root cortex with increasing solvent polarity (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water).

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Background: The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT) is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates p,p'-DDT-induced apoptosis in testis.

Methods: Male Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of the pesticide at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg for 10 consecutive days.

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Article Synopsis
  • p,p'-DDT is a harmful organochlorine pesticide that poses risks to human health and has lingering effects in the environment.
  • A study on male rats showed that exposure to p,p'-DDT for 10 days resulted in significant kidney damage, as indicated by increased serum markers and histopathological changes.
  • The findings suggest that the pesticide induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in kidney cells, which contribute to its nephrotoxic effects.
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Article Synopsis
  • Rhus tripartita, a plant traditionally used in Tunisia to treat ulcers and diarrhea, was studied to confirm its antidiarrheal properties through its root methanolic extract (RRE).
  • The antidiarrheal effects were tested in rats using various methods, revealing that RRE significantly reduced diarrhea symptoms in a dose-dependent manner, especially at 300mg/kg, similar to the standard drug loperamide.
  • Additionally, RRE showed strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria and had no acute toxicity at doses up to 3g/kg, with preliminary tests indicating it contains beneficial compounds like flavonoids and tannins.
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The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used worldwide in agriculture as a selective herbicide. It has been shown to produce a wide range of adverse effects on the health of both animals and humans from embryotoxicity and teratogenicity to neurotoxicity. In the present study, we have examined the effect of 2,4-D on male reproductive function of rats.

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  • Noise pollution is a significant environmental stressor linked to various health issues affecting the acoustic, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems.
  • This study investigates the impact of chronic noise exposure on the auditory system, adrenal gland, and heart tissue in Wistar rats, utilizing sound levels of 70 and 85 dB (A) for 6 hours a day over 3 months.
  • Findings indicate that prolonged exposure to these noise levels leads to structural changes and cell disruption in critical organs, suggesting potential long-term health risks.
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The rate of atmospheric vanadium is constantly increasing due to fossil fuel combustion. This environmental pollution favours vanadium exposure in particular to its vanadate form, causing occupational bronchial asthma and bronchitis. Based on the well admitted bronchodilator properties of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), we investigated the ability of this neuropeptide to reverse the vanadate-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in rats.

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Damaging effects on the cochlea of high-intensity acoustic overexposures have been extensively documented, but only few works have focused on the danger of moderate noise levels. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, we explored the noise-induced neuroepithelial changes that occur in the cochlea of rats subjected to moderate intensities, 70 and 85 dB SPL, for an extended period of time (6 hr/day over 3 months). Although the full quota of outer and inner sensory hair cells remained present, we detected discrete abnormalities, likely resulting from metabolic impairment, in both types of hair cell within the basal region of the cochlea.

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We examined the effects of vanadium sulfate (VOSO4) treatment at 5 and 10 mg/kg for 30 days on endocrine pancreas activity and histology in nondiabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats. In diabetic group, blood glucose levels significantly increased while insulinemia level markedly decreased. At the end of treatment, VOSO4 at a dose of 10 mg/Kg normalized blood glucose level in diabetic group, restored insulinemia, and significantly improved insulin sensitivity.

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With the industrialization and increasing public exposure, nano-sized materials have received much more concerns. However, the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the human body, especially on the central nervous system is extremely limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ZnO-NPs on the behavioral performances and the brain contents of some monoamines neurotransmitters.

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The rapidly developing field of nanotechnology is becoming a potential source for human exposure to nanoparticles. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been widely produced in industrial processes for several years. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on plasmatic biochemical parameters and the emotional behavior in adult Wistar rats.

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