OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the synergetic effect of an ethanolic extract of Egyptian propolis in immunization of BALB/c mice with Taenia saginata (T. saginata) crude antigen against bovine cysticercosis, with reference to its effects on liver and kidney functions. METHODS: Sixty female mice BALB/c strain weighing 20 to 25 g and 6-8 weeks old were randomly allocated into six groups of ten mice each. Mice in groups 1 and 2 (G1 and G2) were immunized intraperitoneally with 100 μg of T. saginata crude antigen in 100 μL phosphate buffer saline emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. Besides, the mice in G2 were administered with propolis extract simultaneously with immunization. Control mice were either administered with propolis extract (G3) or injected with the same volume of phosphate buffer saline emulsified in Freund's adjuvant (G4). The mice in G5 were non-immunized infected control while, those in G6 were non-immunized non-infected control. Two weeks after the last immunization, each mouse was challenged intraperitoneally with 5 000 oncospheres except those of G6. Ethanolic extract of propolis was prepared at a dose 50 mg/kg body weight. RESULTS: After 24 weeks of challenge, the mice in G2 showed the highest level of protection (100%), with no cyst being detected rather than mice in G1 (33.3% protection). Additionally, the ELISA results, in this study, showed higher antibody titer in G2 with reduction the alteration in liver and kidney functions compared to G1. CONCLUSIONS: Egyptian propolis could increase the level of protection against experimental challenge infection with T. saginata eggs when administered simultaneously with immunization. Furthermore, it could enhance the production of antibodies to immunized antigen and decrease the alteration in liver and kidney functions.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract as an adjunct treatment on lead acetate induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: Thirty-six male New Zealand White rabbits were assigned into two main groups. The first group (14 rabbits) served as normal control. The secondgroup (22 rabbits) was administered orally with lead acetate at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. At the 4th and the 8th week of treatment, 6 animals (3 animals at each period) of the second group were sacrificed while the remaining animals (16 rabbits) were assigned randomly into 2 subgroups (8 rabbits each): treated and non-treated. The first subgroup was orally given 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline for further 4 weeks while the second subgroup was administered orally with Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for the same period. Blood samples were collected to determine hematological and serum biochemical indices. Tissue specimens were collected from the liver and kidney for evaluation of the oxidant/antioxidant markers and for histopathological examinations. Results: Lead acetate exposure decreased the mean body weight gain, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and lymphocytes count. Moreover, it markedly increased counts of monocytes and platelets, serum enzyme activity, levels of creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Malondialdehyde level was markedly increased while the reduced glutathione content was significantly decreased in liver tissue of lead intoxicated-rabbits. Histopathological alterations were also noticed in the liver and kidney of lead intoxicated rabbits. Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract significantly improved hematological and serum biochemical parameters and histopathological structure of the liver and kidney. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf ethanol extract ameliorates hemato-biochemical and histopathological alterations caused by lead acetate and improveshepatic and renal functions.

Objective: To analyze the phytochemical constituents, and to explore potential protective effect of the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds and Egyptian propolis, each alone or concurrently administered on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Eight groups of 5 rats each were used: normal control group with distilled water, model group, two groups with M. oleifera seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg), two groups with propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg), one group with concurrent administration of both, and one group with prednisolone (reference drug). Macro-and microscopic picture, ulcer index and lesion scores, oxidative markers, inflammatory mediators, in vitro activity of the inflammatory enzymes and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals scavenging activity were evaluated. The phytochemical constituents of both extracts were explored by GC-MS analysis. Results: Both treatments modulated the macro-and microscopic picture, decreased the ulcerative index, lesion score, oxidative markers and inflammatory mediators, and inhibited the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Propolis appeared to be powerful free radicals scavenger. A powerful synergistic effect of both treatments in modulating the course of the disease was reported. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of M. oleifera seeds and propolis revealed the presence of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. Conclusions: M. oleifera seeds and propolis methanol extracts have modulated the course of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Moreover, both treatments induce a good synergistic effect against the disease. Isolation of the active constituents is recommended.

Objective: To evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane(DCM), ethyl acetate(EtOAc), n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera(M. oleifera) leaves methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride(CCl