Protective role of zinc in liver damage in experimental diabetes demonstrated via different biochemical parameters.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious worldwide metabolic disease, which is accompanied by hyperglycaemia and affects all organs and body system. Zinc (Zn) is a basic cofactor for many enzymes, which also plays an important role in stabilising the structure of insulin. Liver is the most important target organ after pancreas in diabetic complications.

Zinc Supplementation Restores Altered Biochemical Parameters in Stomach Tissue of STZ Diabetic Rats.

The stomach is among the organs grossly affected organ by diabetic complications. The present study was aimed at investigating the protective role of zinc on stomach of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. Female Swiss albino rats were divided in four experimental groups: Group I, control; group II, control + zinc sulfate; group III, STZ-induced diabetic animals; and group IV, STZ-diabetic + zinc sulfate.

Comparative Study on the Anticancer Drug Potential of a Lectin Purified from Aloe Vera and Aloe-Emodin.

Background: The effect of Aloctin, a lectin purified from Aloe vera leaves, and aloe emodin an anthraquinone glycoside purified from the leaves of the same plant, on several cancer cell lines was investigated.

Methods: Aloctin was isolated from A. vera leaf skin by ammonium sulphate precipitation and CNBr-Sepharose 4B-ovalbumin affinity chromatography.

Zinc supplementation ameliorates glycoprotein components and oxidative stress changes in the lung of streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Zinc (Zn) is a component of numerous enzymes that function in a wide range of biological process, including growth, development, immunity and intermediary metabolism. Zn may play a role in chronic states such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Zn acts as cofactor and for many enzymes and proteins and has antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects.

Effects of Aloe vera leaf gel extract on rat peritonitis model.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities and probable toxic effects of Aloe vera (AV) in a rat peritonitis model.

Materials And Methods: RATS WERE DIVIDED INTO FIVE GROUPS: (1) Control group, (2) AV group, (3) peritonitis group (P), (4) peritonitis + AV group (P + AV), and (5) peritonitis + antibiotherapy group (P + Ab). Ultrafiltration (UF) rates were determined and colony and leukocyte counts were calculated in the dialysate.

Ameliorative effect of vanadium on oxidative stress in stomach tissue of diabetic rats.

Between their broad spectrum of action, vanadium compounds are shown to have insulin mimetic/enhancing effects. Increasing evidence in experimental and clinical studies suggests that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and on the onset of diabetic complications. Thus, preventive therapy can alleviate the possible side effects of the disease.

Influence of vanadium supplementation on oxidative stress factors in the muscle of STZ-diabetic rats.

In recent years, the role of free radical damage consequent to oxidative stress is widely discussed in diabetic complications. In this aspect, the protection of cell integrity by trace elements is a topic to be investigated. Vanadium is a trace element believed to be important for normal cell function and development.

Implications for degenerative disorders: antioxidative activity, total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and beta-tocopherol in Aloe vera.

In order to demonstrate whether the known biological effects of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil.

Association between manganese superoxide dismutase polymorphism and risk of lung cancer.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is one of the major enzymes responsible for the defense against oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria. C-->T substitution in the MnSOD gene (SOD2) produces an Ala-->Val change at amino acid 16, in the mitochondrial targeting sequence of the MnSOD precursor. This seems to reduce transport of the enzyme into mitochondria, decreasing its defense capacity against oxidative stress.

The inhibitory effect of suramin on telomerase activity and spheroid growth of C6 glioma cells.

Background: The significant roles of telomerase in carcinogenesis and drug resistance have attracted growing attention as potential therapies. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of suramin on the telomerase activity of C6 glioma cells and on the growth of C6 glioma spheroids.

Material/methods: C6 rat glioma cells were treated with suramin at doses of 175 and 250 microM, and also with an increasing dosage for 96 hours.

Tumour preventive effect of Aloe vera leaf pulp lectin (Aloctin I) on Ehrlich ascites tumours in mice.

In this study, the prophylactic effect of the main lectin present in Aloe vera leaf pulp extract (Aloctin I) was assayed against Ehrlich ascites tumours in mice. The lectin administered prophylactically before tumour implantation regressed tumour size, however, this activity was less potent than that of the A. vera leaf pulp extract previously shown in our laboratory.

Suramin increased telomerase activity in the c6 glioma/wistar experimental brain tumor model.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most treatment-resistant glioma variant. Significant roles for telomerase in etiology, recurrence and drug resistance of GBM have been highlighted. Suramin (Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany) is an antineoplastic agent that affects many cellular mechanisms including growth factor, purinergic receptor, cytokine and key cellular enzymes signaling.

Effect of Aloe vera leaf pulp extract on Ehrlich ascites tumours in mice.

Among the various known therapeutic effects of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil.

Effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. fil. leaf gel and pulp extracts on kidney in type-II diabetic rat models.

Significant degenerative changes were observed in the kidney tissue of untreated neonatal streptozotocin (n0STZ)-induced type-II diabetic rats. These degenerative changes were diminished in the kidney tissue of diabetic animals given glibenclamide and Aloe leaf gel and pulp extracts. Kidney lipid peroxidation levels were increased in diabetic rats compared to healthy rats; these levels were higher in rats treated with glibenclamide than in those which received Aloe extracts.

Effect of Aloe vera leaf gel and pulp extracts on the liver in type-II diabetic rat models.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of Aloe vera leaf pulp and gel extracts on the liver tissue of neonatal streptozotocin (n0STZ)-induced type-II diabetic rats. The diabetic rats were separated into four groups and each group was given the following samples by gavage, daily for 15 d: phosphate buffered saline (PBS; diabetic control), Aloe leaf pulp extract, Aloe leaf gel extract, glibenclamide. Liver tissues were examined histologically.