Objective　Localization of the glutathione dependent Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reductase in fresh frozen sections of mouse skin and possible dependence of NBT reductase on tissue thiol levels has been investigated. Methods　The fresh frozen tissue sections (8m thickness) were prepared and incubated in medium containing NBT, reduced glutathione (GSH) and phosphate buffer. The staining for GSH was performed with mercury orange. Results　 The activity of the NBT-reductase in mouse skin has been found to be localized in the areas rich in glutathione and actively proliferating area of the skin. Conclusion　The activity of the NBT-reductase seems to be dependent on the glutathione contents.

AIMTo investigate antioxidant potential of lupeol/mango pulp extract (MPE) in testosterone induced oxidative stress in prostate of male Swiss albino mice.

METHODSOral treatment of lupeol (1 mg/animal) and MPE (1 mL [20% w/v]/animal) was given separately to animals along with subcutaneous injection of testosterone (5 mg/kg body weight) consecutively for 15 days. At the end of the study period, the prostate was dissected out for the determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes status (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase).

RESULTSIn testosterone treated animals, increased ROS resulted in depletion of antioxidant enzymes and increase in lipid peroxidation in mouse prostate. However, lupeol/MPE treatment resulted in a decrease in ROS levels with restoration in the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study demonstrate that lupeol/MPE are effective in combating oxidative stress-induced cellular injury of mouse prostate. Mango and its constituents, therefore, deserve study as a potential chemopreventive agent against prostate cancer.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Reductase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mangifera ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Prostate ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of diallyl sulfide (DAS), an organosulfur compound present in garlic (Allium sativum), on the life span of ehrlich ascites (EA) tumor bearing Swiss albino mice, cytotoxicity and angiogenesis.

METHODSEA tumor cells were maintained by serial transplantation in peritoneal cavity of male Swiss albino mice. EA tumor cells were inoculated at concentrations of 1 x 10(6) EA cells, 2.5 x 10(6) EA cells and 5 x 10(6) EA cells. DAS was given in 0.2 ml normal saline i.p., daily for seven days followed one hour later by inoculation with EA cells in respective groups.

RESULTSThe results revealed that administration of DAS increased the life span of EA tumor bearing animals by more than 25 percent. A significant dose dependant cytotoxic response of DAS was also observed on EA tumor cells. DAS was also found to inhibit the angiogenesis in EA tumor bearing mice in a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that DAS may exert its anticarcinogenic effects by more than one mechanism and is a useful chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.

Allyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Death ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Male ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Sulfides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Survival Analysis

AIMTo investigate the protective effect of diallyl sulfide (DAS), a constituent of garlic, against testosterone-induced oxidative stress in male Swiss albino mice.

METHODSThe animals were given low (250 mg/animal) and high dose (500 mg/animal) of DAS in corn oil for 7 days along with testosterone (5 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). At the end of the study period, the prostate and the liver were dissected to determine various antioxidant enzyme levels (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase) and lipid peroxidation.

RESULTSIn testosterone treated mice, depleted antioxidant enzyme level was accompanied with enhancement in lipid peroxidation in prostate and liver. DAS significantly restored the testosterone-induced antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the both organs. These changes appear to be mediated by the antioxidant-enhancing effects of DAS.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study suggest that DAS is effective in exerting antioxidant effects by inhibiting testosterone-induced oxidative stress and might be helpful in preventing prostate cancer.

Allyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Reductase ; metabolism ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Prostate ; drug effects ; Sulfides ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; antagonists & inhibitors