Oxidative stress

Ethanol-induced memory impairment in rats is a consequence of changes within the central nervous system that are secondary to impaired oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants and cholinergic agonists are reported to produce beneficial effects in animal models. Rutin is reported to exhibit antioxidant effect and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor activity. However, no report is available on the influence of rutin on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in ethanol-induced rats using Morris water maze test and Novel object recognition test. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameter of oxidative stress and ChE activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Forty five days after ethanol treated rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with rutin (20-80 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for 45 days) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg, p.o.) improved cognitive performance, and lowered oxidative stress and ChE activity in ethanol treated rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with rutin prevents the changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and consequently memory impairment in ethanol treated rats.

Our health is influenced by many factors, called the determinants of health. WHO has defined its determinants as the set of "personal, social, economic and environmental factors that determine the health status of individuals or populations" (WHO, 1999). Conceptual models or theoretical frameworks help us to understand the complex issues that impede the determinants of health, support health planning interventions and policy development, and most importantly, understand the dimensions of health in order to act to reduce health inequalities between different population groups. This study examined diachronically different frameworks related to the determinants of health, classified them into forty-one conceptual frameworks developed by different countries, organizations and theorists and described as explanatory frameworks, and/or interactive frameworks, and/or action-oriented frameworks. Each framework is detailed according to the important elements and its field of interest. Five frameworks were selected after an in-depth analysis to agree on a comprehensive framework adapted to the Moroccan context and current political concerns and knowledge. In this perspective, our project proposes a conceptual framework of health determinants specific to the Moroccan context that is based on a holistic and intersectoral approach, which recognizes social inequalities in health, describes the role of individuals and communities, gives the importance of upstream action, and helps to improve our understanding of complex problems in the Moroccan health system.

Ethanol-induced memory impairment in rats is a consequence of changes within the central nervous system that are secondary to impaired oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction. Treatment with antioxidants and cholinergic agonists are reported to produce beneficial effects in animal models. Rutin is reported to exhibit antioxidant effect and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor activity. However, no report is available on the influence of rutin on ethanol-induced memory impairment. Therefore, we tested its influence against cognitive dysfunction in ethanol-induced rats using Morris water maze test and Novel object recognition test. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels as parameter of oxidative stress and ChE activity as a marker of cholinergic function were assessed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Forty five days after ethanol treated rats showed a severe deficit in learning and memory associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione, and elevated ChE activity. In contrast, chronic treatment with rutin (20-80 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for 45 days) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg, p.o.) improved cognitive performance, and lowered oxidative stress and ChE activity in ethanol treated rats. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that treatment with rutin prevents the changes in oxidative stress and ChE activity, and consequently memory impairment in ethanol treated rats.

Free Radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron. They are generated in our body by various endogenous systems, exposure to different physicochemical conditions or pathophysiological states. At low levels, free radicals exert beneficial effects while at high concentrations, they generate oxidative stress and damage all cell structures. This review deals with the sources of the free radicals, their beneficial and deleterious effects on cellular activities; it highlights the role of free radicals and oxidative stress in various physiological states like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, etc. The harmful effect of free radicals is neutralized by antioxidants, which prevents oxidative damage by reacting with free radicals. Therefore, the best remedy is to increase the intake of natural antioxidant.

Bacopa is the genus in which the Indian medical herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is included, which have been reported to have memory enhancing effect. Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa caroliniana are orthologous in nature. In the present study the effects of ethanolic extract of Bacopa caroliniana on behavioural changes of Albino rats in normal and stress induced rats was investigated. The animals were divided into 3 group’s control, low dose (75mg/kg) and high dose (150mg/kg).Rats in each of these groups were sub divided into 2 groups i.e., with stress and without stress. The animals in stress induced group were forced to swim in a cylindrical vessel containing water at room temperature (28˚c) i.e., chronic mild stress. After the treatment period, the rats of each group were trained on Cooks pole climbing apparatus, Elevated plus maze and on Stair case to assess cognitive improving activities. The results showed improvement in learning performance and enhanced memory retention in rats treated with Bacopa caroliniana extract when compared with control group. The in vitro antioxidant activity was carried out to correlate its protective effect against stress, significant inhibition against DPPH & Nitric oxide radicals were observed with extract in dose dependent manner and the results were compared with that of standard Gallic acid.

ABSTRACT: Hydroethanolic extract of Ricinus communis flowers was studied for treating diabetes induced oxidative stress in adult male swiss albino mice. The experimental animals were divided into four groups of seven mice each viz., Normal Control (NC), Diabetic Control (DC), Diabetic + R. communis Flower extract treated (FT) and Diabetic + Glibenclamide treated (GT). The groups DC, FT and GT were given a single intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). Alloxan administration induced destruction of beta cells, hampering production of insulin and aggravating blood glucose levels. It also resulted in over-production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and thus oxidative stress. Groups NC and DC received normal saline while FT was given Ricinus Communis Flower Extract (RCFE) at 300 mg/kg body weight and GT was treated with Glibenclamide, for a period of 45 days. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels were observed at regular intervals. After the treatment period, the liver, kidneys and pancreas of the experimental animals were estimated for their antioxidative status. The antioxidant markers such as Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) saw a variation from their normal values. Treatment of Alloxan induced diabetic mice with RCFE for 45 days lead to a significant (P

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Lepidium sativum (Garden cress) seed powder (3.0g/kg) was evaluated on diabetes and oxidative stress built up in alloxan induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Experimental animals were divided into six groups comprising of six animals each. Animals were supplemented with isoenergic diets (~3600) for a period of 45 days. Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat high cholesterol diet and diabetes was induced by single injection of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally. High fat feeding and alloxan induced diabetes resulted in marked alterations in blood glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant status in blood serum and hepatic tissue of albino rats. Garden cress treated rats showed a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in fasting blood glucose levels (FBG); glycosylated haemoglobin (Hb A1C %); lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and lipoprotein fractions (Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)) with a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C). A significant increase (p≤0.05) in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels with concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzyme activity was also observed in diabetic control and HFHC diet fed experimental rats. Lepidium sativum neutralized the effect and restored the levels. Lepidium sativum seed powder thus lends credence for the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus and related complications. Key words: Lepidium Sativum, Garden Cress, Alloxan, Antihyperglycaemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Oxidative stress, Blood glucose, Lipid peroxidation