Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has antiestrogenic effects that may interfere with the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, thereby disrupting estrogen production and influencing both uterine weight and diameter. This experiment investigated how turmeric extract affects uterine parameters in female white rats (Rattus norvegicus, Sprague Dawley strain). A total of 28 rats were assigned to four groups: the control group (C) received only H₂O. In contrast, treatment groups T1, T2, and T4 were administered turmeric extract at doses of 250 mg/Kg BW, 500 mg/Kg BW, and 1000 mg/Kg BW, respectively, each combined with 1 ml of H₂O. The treatments were given once daily for five days. Results indicated that turmeric extract at 250 mg/Kg BW and 1000 mg/Kg BW led to a significant reduction in both uterine weight and diameter. In summary, turmeric extract reduced uterine size and weight, indicating its antiestrogenic capability in female rats.
Doxorubicin, an anthracycline, is a potent anti-cancer drug; however, its clinical use is hindered by its acute and chronic side effects, particularly cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of quercetin on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: a control group receiving saline (1 mL/kg), a quercetin control group receiving DMSO (1 mL/kg), a quercetin group receiving quercetin (20 mg/kg), a doxorubicin group receiving doxorubicin (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for three days, and a pretreatment group receiving quercetin (20 mg/kg) for 14 days before being treated with doxorubicin (25 mg/kg). After 14 days, the rats’ weights were recorded, and heart tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination. The results revealed significant weight loss in the doxorubicin-treated animals (P < 0.05), while quercetin pretreatment prevented the weight loss. Pathological analysis showed that quercetin protected the heart tissue from doxorubicin-induced damage. Overall, this study suggests that quercetin pretreatment effectively prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, likely due to its antioxidant properties.
Sildenafil citrate (SC), known for its role as a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, enhances the activity of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This study explores SC’s influence on blood sugar regulation and blood-related parameters in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). 50 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: (i) a control group (n = 10), (ii) a control group receiving SC (n = 10), (iii) a diabetic group (n = 15), and (iv) a diabetic group treated with SC (n = 15). Diabetes was triggered using a single intraperitoneal dose of STZ (50 mg/kg), followed by oral administration of SC at 20 mg/kg daily for six weeks. Blood analyses were conducted to evaluate fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, liver enzymes (AST, ALT), renal markers (urea, creatinine), and coagulation profiles (PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, protein C, protein S). Diabetic rats showed significant increases in glucose, HbA1c, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, and fibrinogen levels, along with reductions in insulin, aPTT, protein C, and protein S compared with non-diabetic controls. PT remained unaffected. SC did not significantly alter any parameters in non-diabetic rats, but in diabetic ones, it restored most measurements toward normal levels (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that SC may support better glycemic control and improve microvascular function, offering potential therapeutic value in mitigating diabetes-related complications.
Assessing erythrocyte acid resistance is a key part of understanding the effects of toxicants on the blood. The objective of this research is to examine both the isolated and combined effects of cadmium, lead, and zinc ions from contaminated drinking water on the acid resistance of erythrocytes in laboratory rats. This investigation was conducted in the Laboratory of Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology at Chechen State University in Grozny, Russia. The study used laboratory rats weighing 100-150 grams, bred in the university’s vivarium. Exposure to metals altered erythrograms, with a noticeable increase in the proportion of erythrocytes with lower resistance and a reduction in hemolysis time. The most considerable alterations were observed after prolonged exposure to Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and their mixture. After 30 days of exposure to these ions, the peak times for erythrograms were recorded as 0.5 minutes for Pb2+, 1.0 minutes for Zn2+, and 1.5 minutes for Cd2+. The percentage of erythrocytes undergoing hemolysis at these times was significantly higher, being three times more than the control for Pb2+ and Zn2+, and comparable to the control for Cd2+ (36%). Hemolysis times were notably shorter—2.5 minutes for Pb2+ and Zn2+, and 4.5 minutes for Cd2+. By the end of the 30 days, all rats in the heavy-metal exposure group had died. The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to heavy metals induces significant changes in the erythrocyte population and their acid resistance.