مسعود علیرضایی

Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella, is one of the most critical storage pests with a wide range from the hosts in Iran and worldwide. Excessive consumption of chemical insecticides leads to developing the resistance to chemical insecticides, environmental pollution, and the emergence of new pests. Therefore, we have decided to reduce the risk of the environment in pest’s control via plant essential oils.

In the current study, to examine the environment- friendly pesticides, effects of three plant essential oils from the families Mentha longifolia L., Thymus daenensis Celak (Lamiaceae), and Artemisia aucheri Boiss (Asteraceae) compared to dichlorvos (DDVP®,as a positive control) an organophosphate insecticide were studied. Antioxidant enzymes, including: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation marker on the fourth instar larvae of S. cerealella after 24 hours were examined. The essential oils were prepared using the water distillation method. Essential oils were used in five concentrations and three replications. The concentration was selected based on the primary experiment for each essential oil. Insects were exposed to fumigant toxicity of the essential oils and insecticide in laboratory conditions (25±1 °C, 70±5% in 12 hr light/12 hr dark).

The results showed that LC50 for the essential oils of M. longifolia, T. daenensis, and A. aucheri were recorded 0.04, 0.68 and 6.47 μL/Lair, respectively. The highest mortality rate increased with high concentrations (0.09, 3 and 9 μL/Lair) of M. longifolia, T. daenensis and A. aucheri essential oil were 84, 80.67, and 77.33 %, respectively after 24h. Enzymatic activity increased with essential oil high concentrations. Data indicated a significant increase in the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and the concentration of malondialdehyde as peroxidation lipid indicator in treated larvae with essential oils of M. longifolia, T. daenensis and A. aucheri compared with the untreated (negative control), and DDVP® (positive control) on treated 4th instar larvae of S. cerealella after 24h. 

 Conclusion

It seems that different essential oils of M. longifolia, T. daenensis and A. aucheri with the effect on the enzymatic activities of antioxidants, including catalase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and malondialdehyde as lipid peroxidation indicator of the fourth instar larvae of S. cerealella via the disruption of physiological processes and survival. Regarding the existence of different aromatic plants in Iran, we can use the species with higher toxicity that would be more economical to produce the botanical insecticides and use in the integrated pest management programs for this pest control.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Paprika on the metabolism of lipid changes and hepatic enzyme activities following oxytetracycline administration in rats.

A total of 36 adult male rats were divided into 6 equal groups and treated as follows. The control group (normal saline), fatty liver  FL (oxytetracycline (Erfan drug Company) with dosage120 mg/kg per day for 3 days), fatty liver group-1 treatment  FL1(oxytetracyclinefor three days, then the extract of Paprika daily 75 mg/kg by stomach tube for thirty days), liver-fatty-therapeutic group FL2 (oxytetracycline for three days, then Paprika per day 100 mg/kg by stomach tube for thirty days), pretreatment group 3  FL3 (Paprika 75 mg/kg daily with gastric tube for 15 days then oxytetracycline for three days) and pretreatment  group 4 FL4 (Paprika 100 mg/kg daily with gastric tube for 15 days followed by oxytetracycline for 3 days.

Pre-treatment with Paprika at dose 100 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in AST level compared to the control group (P <0/05). Pre-treatment of Paprika with a dose of 75 mg resulted in a significant decrease in ALT level compared to the control group (p <0.01). Also, pretreatment with Paprika at dose of 100 mg resulted in a significant decrease in ALT level compared to control group and all of the other groups (P <0.001). Serum total cholesterol concentration in the fatty liver group had a significant increase compared to control, fatty liver, FL 3 and 4 groups (P <0.001). The concentration of triglyceride in the fatty liver group was significantly higher than that of the pretreatment group 4 (P <0.001). The concentration of HDL in the pretreatment group 4 showed a significant increase compared to the control, fatty liver and FL1 groups (p <0.01) and in the pretreatment group 3 compared to the fatty liver and FL1 groups (p <0.01).

It seems that Paprika extract have a positive effect on the prevention of liver poisoning, lipid metabolism changes and protective effects against hepatic enzyme activities in rats.

Studies indicate that oxidative stress has important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Betaine has neuroprotective and antioxidant properties.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of betaine on memory dysfunction induced by intra-hippocampal injection of amyloid beta and measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In this experimental study, animals were divided into 5 groups (n=8 in each group) including: control group, Alzheimer group and betaine (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg body weight + Aß) groups. Seven days after Aß injection memory was assessed by avoidant learning. The activity of antioxidant enzyme was measured via chemical methods. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA test.

The results showed in the Alzheimer's group, Aß impaired memory and reduced SOD activity in comparison with control group.  In contrast, betaine pretreatment significantly improved memory and increased SOD activity.This study shows that betaine as an antioxidant can improve memory by decreasing the oxidative stress.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the prevalent debilitating neurodegenerative disor- ders. Accordingly, researchers are working on methods to modify PD progression. Previously, the neuro- protective effects of betaine, as a methyl donor agent in homocysteine metabolism, have been demonstrated in animal models of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and memory deficits.

It was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of betaine in an animal model of PD.

In male Wistar rats under two-week course of oral betaine administration (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day), the behavioral, biochemical, and histological evaluations were conducted one week follow- ing unilateral nigral 6-OHDA injection.

Betaine administration with dose of 200 mg/kg, one week before and after 6-OHDA lesioning, was associated with a meaningful reduction in the plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in comparison with the control and sham groups (P < 0.05). Our evaluations revealed a remarkable improvement in motor asymmetry induced by apomorphine in the rats under treatment of betaine 200 mg/kg. Moreover, in this group, a significant decrease of malondyaldehyde (MDA) concentrations was detected in the brain tissues, as well as a significantly diminished neuronal cell loss (percent) in substantia nigra pars compacta (P < 0.05). The results of 50 and 100 mg/kg betaine groups were not significant.

Altogether, our findings indicate the antioxidant neuroprotective effects of betaine in this animal model of PD and it is in concordance with betaine properties in decreasing the plasma levels and possible neurotoxic effects of Hcy.

Olive leaves are considered as significant sources of bioactive phenolic compounds with superior antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of olive leaf extract on liver tissue following LPS administration. 28 male Wistar rats were divided into control group, LPS, olive leaf extract 40mg/kg BW plus LPS and olive leaf extract 60mg/kg BW plus LPS groups. Control and LPS groups were treated with distilled water and olive leaf extract 40 & 60 mg/kg groups were administrated with olive leaf extract as oral for ten consecutive days. LPS and olive leaf extract groups (40 and 60 mg/kg ) received LPS (Salmonella typhosa,once 5mg/kg) in the 11th day as intraperitoneally. LPS-induced hepatotoxicity was manifested by a significant elevation in serum levels of ALT and AST enzyme activities and triglyceride concentration in comparision with the control group (P<0.001). Olive leaf extract supplementation, significantly decreased serum activity of ALT and AST enzymes and triglyceride concentration. Therefore, it seems olive leaf extract containing oleuropein, is able to prevent LPS-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Histamine, an important biogenic amine, is produced by many organisms and play a diverse role in living organisms. Many micro-organisms synthesis and stored histamine in food, especially in canned food products, posing health threat to human. Diamine oxidase or histaminase catalysis histamine in healthy individuals and reduces its harmful side effects. In this study, a full-length cDNA encoding an amine oxidase was isolated from a chickpea (Cicer arietinum) landrace (grit), deposited in Genbank database (KU058599) and cloned in a binary expression vector. The cloned cDNA had an ORF with 2013 bp length encoding a protein with 670 amino acids and a molecular mass of 75.7 KDa. Multiple sequence alignments analysis showed that the active site and important amino acids are highly conserved in E.coli, pea and grit histaminases. Bioinformatics analysis revealed differences in 4 amino acids between grit histaminase and that of GenBank deposited Cicer arietinum amine oxidase (CAA08855). Phylogenetic analysis grouped grit histaminase (KU058599) with plant, especially legume histaminases with 99% bootstrapping.

The experimental model of streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetes explains changes in the male reproductive system as part of the disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the olive leaf extract effects on STZ-induced diabetes and to examine its modulatory effects on sperm quality. Twenty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 of rats were injected STZ (65 mg/kg). The animals which exhibited blood glucose levels higher than 250 mg/dl by days 4-6, were considered as diabetic rats. Groups 3 and 4 received olive leaf extract (100 and 150 mg/kg, orally) and vehicle to the control and diabetic rats (group 2) for 10 consecutive days. Glycated haemoglobin percentage (%HbA1c) as a diabetic index significantly decreased in the animals that ingested 150 mg/kg of the extract compared to the diabetic group (P<0.001). Olive leaf extract (150 mg/kg) could improve sperm quality of the treated rats against STZ deleterious effects in the diabetic rats, however, total sperm motility was significantly higher in the diabetic rats (P<0.001). Cholesterol concentration significantly increased in the diabetic and the extract-treated groups compared to the controls (P<0. 01), and triglyceride level significantly decreased in the extract-treated animals (150 mg/kg) compared to the diabetic and the 100 mg/kg extract groups (P<0.01). Our data suggest that olive leaf extract possesses beneficial antidiabetic effects on STZ-induced diabetes in rats and may be a good candidate to reduce diabetes complications in men.

Withania coagulans extract has been used for cheese making since ancient times. The aim of this study was to evaluate proteolytic activities of Withania coagulans fruit proteases (WP) in comparison with chymosin for cheese making. Proteases from Withania coagulans fruits purified partially were evaluated on bovine milk substrate. The optimum temperature and pH for WP activities were 70oC and 5.5, respectively. However, chymosin was relatively more sensitive to temperature and the optimum clotting activity of chymosin was at 50°C. Increasing of temperature resulted in an enhancement of the clotting activities for chymosin and WP enzymes, however elevation of pH above 5.5 was unable to affect favorite of clotting quality. Also, addition of various CaCl2 concentrations did not affect on the clotting activity of WP. There was also no significant difference between WP and chymosin for soluble nitrogen and total protein of whey. In addition, electerophoretic protein profile of the whey induced by extract in comparison with chymosin showed no small peptide and this resulted less of bitterness of flavor in produced cheese. The WP enzymes and chymosin gave similar relative activity at different pH values and temperatures for bovine milk substrate, indicating that W. coagulans fruits have potential activity for use as rennet and the fruits could be potential alternative enzymes in cheese making.

In this study antioxidant effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) in comparison to vitamin C and E on chilled-stored (at 5 °C) bovine sperm was evaluated. The sperm samples collected from epididymis of ten Holstein bovine testis with 3-5 years old, and were diluted with egg yolk and sodium citrate containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml of OLE as well as 2 mg/ml vitamin E and C. Addition of OLE significantly reduced sperm motility (P

Betaine (trimethyl glycine) is known as methyl group donor and antioxidant in previous reports. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant effects of betaine in Indomethacin-induced gastric damages.
Thirty-two adult male Sprague–Dawley rats in an experimental study were divided into four equal groups as follow: Control, Indomethacin, Betaine-indomethacin and Ascorbic acid-indomethacin. Control and indomethacin groups received normal saline and betaine and ascorbic acid-pretreated rats were administrated betaine (1.5% of the total diet) and ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg body weight) for 15 consecutive days, respectively. After 24 h fasting, all of the groups received indomethacin (48 mg/kg body weight) and control group received distilled water.
Indomethacin administration increased gastric ulcer occurrence (%) in comparison with control group and betaine pretreatment significantly decreased ulcer occurrence (%) when compared to the other groups (P=0.0017). Gastric wall glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly lower in indomethacin group in comparison with the other groups (P=0.0012) while, betaine and ascorbic acid pretreatment increased GPx activity in comparison with indomethacin group (P=0.0012). Catalase activity was significantly higher in betaine-pretreated rats in comparison with indomethacin and ascorbic acid-indomethacin groups (P=0.0015). Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased in betaine and ascorbic acid pretreated groups (P=0.0013).
These results showed beneficial antioxidant effects of betaine against gastric damages induced by indomethacin in rats.

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug, which its application is limited by nephrotoxicity. In this study, the effect of pretreatment with different l-arginine doses on Cisplatin-induced renal functional injury was investigated.
63 male rats were divided into 7 groups: In groups 3, 4, 5 and 6, 60 min before the Cisplatin injection (5mg/kg); L-Arginine with doses of 50,100,200 or 400mg/kg was injected, respectively. In group7, normal saline was injected before Cisplatin administration. In groups 1 and 2, normal saline was injected instead of Cisplatin. In group 2, 60min before normal saline injection, 400mg/kg L-Arginine was administered and in group1, instead of L-arginine, normal saline was injected too. Injections were intraperitoneal. 72h after Cisplatin injection, blood sampling and plasma separation were done. Urine sample was collected 24 hours before blood sampling by metabolic cage. The mean of plasma urea and creatinine levels and creatinine clearance (ml/day.kg) and fractional excretion of Na (FENa, %) were compared among different groups as renal functional parameters.
In comparison to group 7, L-arginine injection in a dose of 400mg/kg led to significant amelioration of all parameters. 200 mg/kg L-arginine administration led to significant decrease in plasma urea level and FENa. 100mg/kg L-arginine caused significant improvement in fractional excretion of sodium. L-arginine injection with 50mg/kg dose, significantly ameliorate all renal function tests instead of creatinine clearance.
Pretreatment with L-arginine administration with 400 or 50 mg/kg doses, respectively, had the highest effect on reducing Cisplatin-induced nephropathy. L-arginine injection with intermediate doses i.e. 200 or 100 mg/kg had less effect in reducing Cisplatin-induced nephropathy and it needs more investigations.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth secretagogue receptor is predominantly produced in the stomach and an expression of ghrelin has recently been identified in placenta and ovary.
Therefore, we decited to measure ovarian ghrelin as quantitative and evaluate the correlation between ghrelin and estrogen during second half of ovine pregnancy.
The ovarian samples were collected from 40 pregnant sheep in 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5 months of pregnancy in a local abattoir. Follicles and active corpora lutea (CL) were dissected from surrounding tissues, separately. The samples were homogenized with phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.4) on liquid nitrogen to provide fluid samples. Ghrelin and estrogen concentrations were measured by ELISA method and expressed as milligram (mg) and picogram (pg) per mg of tissue protein, respectively.
There was a linear correlation between ghrelin and estrogen in ovarian follicles (r=0.97 and p=0.004), but not in CL. Follicular ghrelin significantly increased in 4, 4.5 and 5 months (p These results emphasize the role of ghrelin in the reproductive system and open a new window to future studies.

Artichoke extract (AE), containing natural antioxidant compounds, can be considered as a good source of antioxidant potential.
The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant abilities of AE on broiler meat quality.
200 Ross chicken broilers were divided into five equal groups and received 100, 200, 300, and 500 mg/liter of AE in drinking water and pure water in the control group, respectively. Antiradical activity and phenolic content of AE were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and gallic acid measurement before adding extract into drinking water. The broilers received AE extract form 21-35 day of growing phase and the samples from thigh muscles were taken for biochemical analysis in the 42 day of the growing phase.
Antiradical activity of AE was 35% and phenolic content was 3.3 g/100g of dry extract. Regarding antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), the AE with dosage of 200 mg/l indicated maximum antioxidant ability compared to the other groups (p This study showed that administration of 200 mg/l AE in drinking water during growing phase decreased GPx and CAT activities in chicken meat presumably due to down-regulation of gene expression for antioxidant enzymes.

Olive has a protective effect against chronic inflammatory conditions. However, it is not clear weather this effect is due to its immunomodulatory or antioxidant property. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of olive leaf extract on serum levels of Th-17 related cytokines and its antioxidant properties. 40 male rats divided into 5 groups, and were treated by placebo (Control group), vitamin C (as a known and potent antioxidant) and different doses of olive leaf extract. Four test groups, received vitamin C 10 mg/kg and olive leaf extract which contained 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg Oleuropein. All treatments were applied for 10 consecutive days orally via gavage. After this period, cardiac puncture was performed to retrieve blood from animals in order to determine interleukin 17, 23 and TGFβ levels in their serum by ELISA method. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, as a lipid peroxidation marker) were assayed in right brain hemisphere of treated animals. TBARS increased significantly in control group when compared to the other groups (p<0.05). GPx and SOD enzymes indicated higher activity in the animal group which was treated with 15mg/kg Oleuropein, in comparison with control group and a group who treated with 5mg/kg Oleuropein (p<0.05). Although there were no significant difference in IL-23 and IL-17 levels among control and test groups (p>0.05), TGFβ concentration was significantly lower in animals which treated by 5 and 15 mg/kg of Oleuropein. Olive leaf extract, which contains Oleuropein, had a significant antioxidant effect on the brain of studied animals, while it was not able to change the Th-17 cell-related cytokines (Except TGFβ) significantly. Therefore, it could conclude that the protective role of olive against chronic degenerative diseases is related to its antioxidant properties rather than its effects on pathogenic cytokine profile of Th17 cells.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of type 1 diabetes model induced by streptozotocin (STZ) on the sperm fertility parameters, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and total cholesterol as lipid metabolism indicators. Induction of diabetes mellitus was achieved through once subcutaneous (SC) injection of 200 mg/kg body weight of STZ in 10 mice, while the control group recived 0.25 ml of disstiled water in the same method. For diabetic groups, 8 mice were selected among the animals with higher glucose threshold (350 mg/dl) one week after STZ injection. Two weeks after diabetes confirmation, all the mice were sacrificed and whole blood was taken from cardiac puncture, while testes were removed for histopathological study and sperm evaluation. Total sperm motility, progresive movement, hypoosmotic swelling test and sperm concentration were determined by the conventional methods. Moreover, HbA1c and total cholesterol were measured spectrophotometerically. Diabetic animals showed a significant decrease in sperm count (P <0.05), as well as an increase in HbA1c and total cholesterol (P <0.01) compared to the controls. A significant negative linear reletionship (R2=0.90, P=0.012) was depicted between HbA1c and sperm concentration in the diabetic group. Epithelial vaculization of semineferous tubules was observed in the diabetic group in comparison with the control group and epidydimal ducts indicated increased volume of spermatoza in the controls when compared to the diabetic rats. As the study findings revealed diabetes was associated with decreased sperm concentration in the cauda epididymis even two weeks after hyperglycemia induction, which can be mentioned as a predective index for subfertility. Furthermore, Glycated hemoglobin revealed a negetive relationship with sperm concentration. Hypercholestrolemia was also shown in early stages of diabetes indicating an impairment in lipids metabolism, which was confirmed by the histology changes.

Inclusion of antioxidant sources in feed or water reduces the detrimental effects of free radicals and increases the antioxidative potential and stability of lipids in heat stressed broiler chicken. This study was conducted to examine the effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils (SkEO) on early postmortem and ultimate pH as well as antioxidative potential of breast muscle in broiler chicken. A total number of 720,1-d-old Arian broiler chicks were used in a 42-d trial to examine the effects of six experimental treatments consisting inclusion of 0 (control-), 200, 300, 400, 500 mg/L SkEO and 500 mg/L Polysorbate-80 (control+) in drinking water in six replicates of 20 birds each in a completely randomized blocks design. Catalase enzyme activity (by kinetic method) and glutathione peroxidase as well as superoxide dismutase activities (via Randox® kits) were measured spectrophotometerically. Lipid peroxidation also was measured in breast muscle by a chemical method with thiobarbituric acid. The breast percentage and early as well as ultimate pH of breast muscle was not differ for the birds received SkEO-treated water compared to the control birds (p>0.05). Addition of SkEO in drinking water at doses greater than 200 mg/L significantly decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values in breast muscle of the birds in comparison with the control birds (p<0.05). Catalase activity was significantly higher in breast muscle of the SkEO-treated groups than the control groups (p<0.05). Activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly greater in the birds given 400 and 500 mg/L SkEO. Addition of SkEO into water up to 400 mg/L increased superoxide dismutase activity in breast muscle of the treated birds compared to the control birds. It was concluded that supplementation of drinking water with SkEO elevates the antioxidative potential and increases the lipid stability of breast muscle in heat stressed male broiler chicken.

Betaine has been demonstrated to have methyl donor and antioxidant properties in our previous reports. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine plasma homocysteine concentration and evaluate antioxidant activity of betaine following levodopa and benserazide administration, which routinely are used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease in liver of rats. Sprague–Dawley male rats were treated by levodopa (LD), Betaine (Bet.), levodopa plus betaine (LD/Bet.), levodopa plus benserazide (LD/Ben.), levodopa plus betaine-benserazide (LD/Bet.-Ben.) and distilled water to controls for 10 consecutive days, orally. Plasma homocysteine concentration was measured by ELISA method. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation amount were measured via chemical methods. Serumic dopamine concentration was also determined by HPLC method and data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA test. The study results indicated that the treatment of rats with levodopa and benserazide significantly increased total homocysteine (tHcy) in plasma of the LD/Ben. group in comparison with the other groups (p <0.05). tHcy concentration was also significantly higher in LD group in comparison with control, betaine and LD/Bet. groups. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) amount of liver increased significantly in LD/Ben. group when compared to the control group which this index decreased by betaine treatment. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in liver were significantly higher in the LD-treated rats as compared to the LD/Ben. group. Serumic dopamine concentration decreased significantly in LD/Ben.-treated rats in comparison with LD and LD/Bet. groups. Taken together, it seems that betaine acts as an antioxidant agent regarding decrease of LD/Ben.-induced oxidative stress and is able to decrease their oxidative effects in liver of rats.

Betaine has been shown to be antioxidant and methyl donor effects in our recent studies. In the present study, the antioxidant and methyl donor properties of betaine in levodopa/benserazide-mediated hyperhomocysteinemia and levodopa-induced oxidative stress in rat's kidney were examined. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into levodopa (LD), Betaine (Bet.), levodopa plus betaine (LD/Bet.), levodopa plus benserazide (LD/Ben.), levodopa plus betaine-benserazide (LD/Bet.-Ben.), and control groups. The experimental groups received LD (3 × 100 mg/kg), Bet. (1.5% w/w of the total diet), Ben. (3 × 25 mg/kg), and distilled water was given to controls for 10 consecutive days, orally by gavage. Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration decreased significantly in Bet.-, LD/Bet.-, and LD/Bet.-Ben.- treated rats compared to LD/Ben. group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration (as a lipid peroxidation marker) in renal tissue reduced statistically in betaine group in comparison with LD and LD/Ben. groups. Renal catalase activity increased significantly in LD-treated rats when compared to controls. Renal superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased in LD-treated group when compared to LD/Ben. group. However, there was not any significant difference in renal glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity among the groups. These findings indicate that LD and LD/Ben. have side effects in kidney due to induction of hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress. In contrast, betaine acts as a promising antioxidant and methyl donor agent versus LD-induced complications.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect ofadministration of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SkEO) in drinking water on performance، lipid oxidation، activity of antioxidative enzymes and cholesterol content of thigh meat using 720 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks. The SkEO was added into drinking water at zero (control-)، 200، 300، 400 and 500 mg/L along with a treatment consisting polysorbate-80 (control+) at 500 mg/L. Inclusion of SkEO in drinking water significantly decreased water intake and improved production efficiency index of the birds during days one to 42 of age (P<0. 05). The concentration of thiobarbitoric acid reactive substances in thigh meat was significantly decreased by SkEO-treated water (P<0. 05). Addition of SkEO into drinking water significantly decreased superoxide dismutase as well as glutathione peroxidase activity in raw thigh meat of the birds (P<0. 05). Catalase activity was not influenced by SkEO-added water (P>0. 05). Lipid content and cholesterol level in thigh meat was significantly decreased in the birds received 500 and 200 to 400 mg/L SkEO through drinking، respectively (P<0. 05). It could be concluded that administration of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils into drinking water at minimum 200 mg/L promoted meat lipid stability. Cholesterol levels of thigh meat decreased by SkEO at 200 to 500 mg/L.

The aim of this study is to survey the protective effects of betaine against cadmium and on sperm quality including progressive motility, sperm membrane integrity, concentration as well as testicular weight. Thirty adult male rats were allocated to the following three groups (n=10 in each group): control-saline, cadmium-saline and cadmium-betaine. Induction of testicular injury was achieved by a single injection of cadmium chloride intraperotoneally, and betaine was given orally 1 day before Cd injection and continued for 10 consecutive days. Five rats from each group were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 after Cd toxicity and sperm was taken from the epididymal tail for the evaluation. Testicular weight significantly decreased by cadmium toxicity. Likewise, the percentages of sperm progressive motility, membrane integrity and concentration significantly decreased in cadmium group compared to the control rats, whereas, betaine treatment could enhance membrane integrity on day 10. Although, progressive motility increased following betaine therapy by day 10, however the difference was not statistically significant. Betaine may prevent cadmium-induced oxidative stress probably due to its antioxidant properties. This resulted in increase of sperm membrane integrity in addition to partial recovery of sperm progressive movement.

Olives and olive oil contain large amounts of oleuropein. This phenolic compound is responsible for their bitter taste and pungent aroma and has been recognized as a powerful hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant agent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of oleuropein on ethanol-induced oxidative damage and to examine its beneficial effects on liver function. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated control. The second group of rats were given ethanol (4 g/kg) orally. Group 3 received oral oleuropein (15 mg/kg). The final group of rats were fed ethanol (4 g/kg), 120 min after oral administration of oleuropein (15 mg/kg). All of the treatments were applied for 4 weeks via gavage. Administration of ethanol to rats induced toxicity in their liver, as shown by the significant elevation in the serum levels of transaminases, total cholesterol as well as liver histopathological findings. Elevation of glutathione peroxidase activity, the hepatic main antioxidant enzyme, and total glutathione was observed to suppress oxidative stress in the ethanol group. TBARS (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) concentration is also increased in ethanol-treated rats. In contrast, oleuropein during ethanol treatment in rats resulted in a higher antiperoxidative enzyme activity, catalase, and inhibited toxicity to the liver, as monitored by the reduction in ALT and AST levels and TBARS concentration. It is suggested that oleuropein possesses beneficial antioxidant effects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity, and therefore use of olive leaf extract may have prophylactic value in reducing the common complications resulting from oxidative stress in alcoholism.

The histamine poisoning directly correlates to improper preservation of foods. Diamine oxidase catalyses the oxidative deamination of histamine and other biogenic amines such as cadaverine and putrescine. Plant diamine oxidases are of widespread occurrence in Leguminaceae such as Cicer arietinum، Lathyrus sativus and Vigna radiata. For this reason، this study was carried out to examine purification and enzyme kinetic properties of histaminase from the Lathyrus sativus seedling. The purification of histaminase was according to the method given by Federico et al.، with some modifications. In short، using ammonium sulfate precipitation of proteins، dialysis against potassium phosphate buffer 50mM، pH=7 over night، concentrating via dialysis bag and PEG، loading on DEAE52-sephadex column previously equilibrated with 15 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH=5. 5 containing 1 µmol CuCl2 and finally enzyme eluted by increasing the NaCl concentration to 0. 2 M. The homogenicity of enzyme was confirmed by SDS-PAGE in each step and diamine oxidase activity was determined by a spectrophotometer. The specific activity of the final purified enzyme was recorded at 50 U/mg protein for histamine substrate and enzyme kinetic properties of this enzyme (Km=2. 5 mM، Vmax=3. 05)، and the homogenicity of purified enzyme by SDS-PAGE at 72 kDa region were indicated. Overall، the herbal histaminase as a new enzyme in prevention of histamine poisoning is promising.