Evaluation of the potency activity of aphrodisiac in Eurycoma longifolia Jack

The butanol, methanol, water and chloroform extracts of the roots of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied using various tests of potency of treated male rats. The results showed that E. longifolia produced a dose-dependent, recurrent and significant increase in the episodes of penile reflexes as evidenced by increases in quick flips, long flips and erections of the treated male rats during the 30 min observation period. These results provide further evidence that E. longifolia increases the aphrodisiac potency activity in treated animals.     

Antiinflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of the organic extracts of Tanacetum microphyllum DC. in rats

Extracts of Tanacetum microphyllum DC. (Compositae) have been investigated for antiinflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activity in the rat. In adjuvant-carrageenan-induced inflammation (ACII), orally administered organic extracts of T. microphyllum (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) inhibited both the acute and chronic phases of this experimental model of inflammation, but mainly the chronic phase; the dichloromethane extract was as effective as phenylbutazone. Prior oral administration of T. microphyllum organic extracts prevented the ulcerogenic effect of orally administered indomethacin. Again, the dichloromethane extract exhibited the greatest activity.     

Evaluation of khat (Catha edulis Forssk) for antifertility activity in rats

The effect of the methanolic extract of khat (Catha edulis Forssk) was studied on female fertility in rats. The parameters included the effect on oestrus cycle, implantation, foetal loss, abortion, inhibition of uterotrophic activity and teratogenicity. The extract, in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, produced dose dependent and significant anti-implantation activity. However, it failed to produce complete infertility in this dose range. Treatment of animals during day 8 to day 12 of pregnancy produced significant abortifacient activity. There was significant decrease in the weight and length of foetuses delivered by rats treated with the extract but there were no gross abnormalities in the organs of the offsprings. It also produced significant anti-oestrogenic activity as assessed by the mean weight of the uteri of rats treated with oestradiol and its combination with the khat extract.     

Effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum on sexual behaviour and sperm count in male rats

This study was designed to evaluate the aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential of the aqueous extract of dried roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats were orally treated with (1) Control group: distilled water; (2) CB 125 mg/kg/day; (3) CB 250 mg/kg/day; and (4) Viagra((R)) group: 4 mg/kg/day sildenafil citrate and their sexual behaviour was monitored 3 h later using a receptive female. Their sexual behaviour was evaluated on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment by pairing with a pro-oestrous female rat. For sperm count the treatment was continued further in all groups except the Viagra((R)) group for 60 days. At 125 mg/kg, CB had a marked aphrodisiac action, increased libido, sexual vigor and sexual arousal. Similarly, at the higher dose (250 mg/kg) all the parameters of sexual behaviour were enhanced, but showed a saturation effect after day 14. On day 60 the sperm count increased significantly in both the CB groups, 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, in a dose dependent manner. Thus, roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum can be useful in the treatment of certain forms of sexual inadequacies, such as premature ejaculation and oligospermia.     

Gastric antisecretory and cytoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Plumeria alba Linn. leaves in rats

OBJECTIVE:This study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Plumeria alba Linn.METHODS:Antiulcer assays were performed using the protocols of ulcer induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,ethanol and pylorus ligation.The hydroalcoholic extract(HAPA),and various fractions of HAPA like,n-hexane extract(HPA),ethyl acetate extract(EAPA) and n-butanol extract(BPA) were administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for HAPA and 100 and 200 mg/kg for fractions of extracts.Parameters of gastric secretion(volume,pH,total protein,and free and total acidity) were determined by the pylorus ligation model.Parameters like aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were also determined in ethanolinduced ulcer model.To determine the mechanism of action,role of nitric oxide was also evaluated.RESULTS:EAPA and BPA(100 and 200 mg/kg,p.o.) showed gastric ulcer-healing effect in indomethacin-induced ulcer model,while HAPA(200 mg/kg) and HPA showed no significant antiulcer effect.Both EAPA and BPA showed gastric cytoprotective effect in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats.CONCLUSION:The results of the present study show that some hydroalcoholic extract of Plumeria alba L.displays antiulcer activity,as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of ulcer formation induced by different models,which is consistent with the literature report in folk medicine.     

Anticonvulsant and antioxidative activity of hydroalcoholic extract of tuber of Orchis mascula in pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock induced seizures in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Orchis mascula tuber is used in many polyherbal formulations as a nerve tonic in India.

Aim of the study

In the present study, effect of hydroalcholic extract of O. mascula (HEOM) tuber was evaluated against seizures, seizure-induced oxidative stress and cognitive deficit in pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in rats.

Materials and methods

HEOM was administered orally 30 min before induction of seizures by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 60 mg/kg, i.p) or maximal electroshock (MES; 70 mA). Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance tests were used to assess the learning and memory. Oxidative stress was studied by estimation of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation. Whole brain total cholinesterase activity was also evaluated.

Results

HEOM produced 33.3%, 50% and 66.7% protection in PTZ model and 16.7%, 16.7% and 33.3% at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, in MES-induced seizures. Pre-treatment with HEOM significantly decreased the retention transfer latency in elevated plus maze test, and an increase in the retention latency in passive avoidance test was observed. Oxidative stress induced by seizures was also attenuated as indicated by significant increase in GSH and decrease in MDA levels in HEOM treated groups. PTZ and MES caused a significant decrease in AChE and BChE activities, which was prevented by HEOM.

Conclusions

HEOM thus showed protection against seizures, prevented the associated memory impairment probably by modulating cholinergic status and reducing oxidative stress.     

Evaluation of diuretic and laxative activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf in rats

ObjectiveIn continuation to the growing evidence for therapeutical potential of Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn) Stapf, the current pharmacological study was carried out to evaluate the diuretic and laxative activity of its hydro-alcoholic extract in rats.MethodsThe hydro-alcoholic extract of D. bipinnata whole plant was prepared by using Soxhlet extractor and subjected to analysis by standard preliminary phytochemical tests. Evaluation of both diuretic and laxative activity was carried out using standard methods as reported earlier. Frusemide (20 mg/kg) was served as positive control for diuretic activity and sennosides (10 mg/kg) served as negative control for laxative activity.ResultsThe hydro-alcoholic extract showed significant diuretic activity and was found to be the most potent in increasing the urinary output at 500 mg/kg when the effect was compared with that of the standard frusemide (P<0.01). Moreover, this extract was found to be most effective in increasing urinary electrolyte concentration (Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻) at both doses tested. Whereas the results for laxative activity showed minimal increase of feces output at the dose of 500 mg/kg and the increase was negligible when compared with that of the standard drug sennosides.ConclusionAltogether, the above significant findings validate and support its folkloric diuretic use and lend pharmacological credence to the ethno-medical use of this plant in traditional system of medicine, which demands further studies to investigate its active constituents, as well as its use and safety.     

Hypoglycaemic activity of Hexachlamys edulis (‘Yvahai’) extract in rats

The hypoglycaemic activity of the extract of the crude drug ‘Yvahai’ (Hexachlamys edulis, Myrtaceae) was assessed on normoglycaemic and alloxan-diabetic rats. After 7 days of oral treatment at 100 mg extract/kg body weight, Yvahai significantly reduced glycaemia in normal (p<0.02) and diabetic (p<0.05) rats during an oral glucose tolerance test. The maximum effect was observed between 1.5 and 2.5 h after glucose administration in normoglycaemic rats, and at 1.0 h in diabetic animals. The extract, however, did not have a statistically significant effect on the basal glycaemia of untreated compared with treated rats. A single oral dose of 500 mg extract/kg administered to normoglycaemic rats 1 h before glucose, elicited a significant reduction (p < 0.02) in the percent increase in glycaemia compared with vehicle-treated animals. The effect was comparable to a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg tolbutamide. During the oral toxicity study, animals exhibited no symptoms of drug-induced toxicity with doses up to 5 g/kg.     

Diuretic activity of Satureja montana subsp. Montana extracts and oil in rats

Three preparations of Satureja montana subsp. montana leaves were tested for diuretic activity in rats: an infusion, a water-alcohol extract and essential oil. In 1-day experiments, the cumulative volume of urine was collected during the first 5 h after oral administration of 5 mL/100 g body weight of plant preparation. It was established that all the preparations tested initially caused a decrease in diuresis and subsequently a mild stimulation of diuresis. 0.1% solution of essential oil was considered to be a therapeutic dose, whereas 0.5% and 1% solutions caused toxic symptoms in the animals. A further experiment involving treatment of rats for 3 days with a 10% drug infusion and 0.1% essential oil solution demonstrated the considerable diuretic activity of winter savory.     

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity of Achyrocline flaccida Wein DC and Gamochaeta simplicicaulis aqueous extracts

The anti-human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) activity of two South American plant extracts was studied in vitro. The concentrations of aqueous extracts of Achyrocline flaccida Wein DC (AF) and Gamochaeta simplicicaulis (GS) that inhibit 50% of viral production were 3 and 5 μg/mL respectively. The concentrations that inhibit cellular growth were 400 and 600 μg/mL. Non-virucidal activity was detected. The results indicate that the potent anti-HIV-1 activities of both AF and GS extracts might occur at an early step of viral replication on infected lymphocytes of primary origin. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hypoglycaemic activity of Nelumbo nucifera gaertn. (Fam. Nymphaeaceae) rhizome (methanolic extract) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The hypoglycaemic effect of the rhizome extract of Nelumbo nucifera was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A methanol extract of the plant obtained by soxhlet extraction from finely pulverized rhizomes was used. The LD₅₀ of the extract was found to be 2 g/kg. The extract (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, orally) caused a reduction of blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by 53% (p<0.001) and 55% (p<0.001) respectively at the end of 12 h. The results of this study indicate that the methanol extract of the rhizome possesses favourable hypoglycaemic activity in hyperglycaemic animals taking chlorpropamide as a standard.     

乌龙丹对多梗塞性痴呆模型大鼠脑组织20种氨基酸含量的影响

目的：改进多梗塞性痴呆（MID）大鼠模型的制作方法,并探讨乌龙丹对多梗塞性痴呆模型鼠全脑20种氨基酸含量的影响。方法：从颈内动脉推注干血悬液造模,以TTC病理染色法、迷宫实验对模型的成立进行验证,AA的测定采用反相高效液相色谱法,乌龙丹的制作采用水煮醇提法。结果：造模组TTC染色可见明显的白色缺血区,迷宫实验造模组大鼠躲避电击的错误次数明显多于正常组,而乌龙丹能减少造模大鼠的错误次数,且能提高痴呆晚期兴奋性AA的含量,降低其他AA的含量。结论：本MID方法造模简便,存活率成功率高;乌龙丹能改善模型大鼠的学习记忆功能,其作用机制可能与提高兴奋性AA的含量,降低抑制性AA的含量有关。     

Evaluation of the antithyroid, antioxidative and antihyperglycemic activity of scopoletin from Aegle marmelos leaves in hyperthyroid rats

Scopoletin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy coumarin) was isolated from the leaves of Aegle marmelos and evaluated for its potential to regulate hyperthyroidism, lipid peroxidation and hyperglycemia in levo-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroid rats. Scopoletin (1.00 mg/kg, p.o.) administered daily for 7 days to levo-thyroxine-treated animals decreased the levels of serum thyroid hormones and glucose as well as hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity, demonstrating its potential to regulate hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia. Scopoletin also inhibited hepatic lipid peroxidation and increased the activity of antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Compared with the standard antithyroid drug, propylthiouracil, scopoletin exhibited a superior therapeutic activity, since unlike propylthiouracil, it also inhibited hepatic lipid peroxidation. These findings indicate that scopoletin has the potential to inhibit thyroid function and hyperglycemia without hepatotoxicity.     

In vitro antileukaemic activity of extracts from chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa [Michx] Elliott) and mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves against sensitive and multidrug resistant HL60 cells

The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro antileukaemic activities of extracts obtained from chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa [Michx] Elliot) and mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves against promyelocytic HL60 cell line and its multidrug resistant sublines exhibiting two different MDR phenotypes: HL60/VINC (overexpressing P-glycoprotein) and HL60/DOX (overexpressing MRP1 protein). It was found that the extracts from chokeberry and mulberry leaves were active against the sensitive leukaemic cell line HL60 and retained the in vitro activity against multidrug resistant sublines (HL60/VINC and HL60/DOX). The values of resistance factor (RF) found for these extracts were very low lying in the range 1.2-1.6.     

Effect of Toki-Shakuyaku-San (TJ-23) on the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the brain of menopausal rats

This study was designed to examine the effect of TJ-23 on the synthesis of acetylcholine menopausal rats. TJ-23 (500 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily through drinking water for either 1 or 3 months. Treatment with TJ-23 for 1 month resulted in an increase in the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the ventral hippocampus, but there was no statistically significant change in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex. Treatment with TJ-23 for 3 months resulted in a decrease in the ChAT activity in the frontoparietal cortex, but there was no statistically significant change in the hippocampus. Furthermore, treatment with TJ-23 for 3 months resulted in a decrease in the ChAT activity in the amygdala-pyriform cortex complex. From these observations, it is inferred that TJ-23 treatment brings on the synthesis of acetylcholine in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and furthermore, treatment with the same regimen brings on different time sequences of acetylcholine synthesis in the frontoparietal cerebral cortex and hippocampus in menopausal rats.     

Effect of Cydonia oblonga Mill. fruit and leaf extracts on blood pressure and blood rheology in renal hypertensive rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Quince, Cydonia oblonga Mill. (COM), is used in traditional Uyghur medicine to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases. Uyghur people have greater longevity and lower blood pressure than other central Asian populations. We therefore tested COM fruit and leaf extracts on blood pressure and rheology in renal hypertensive rats (RHR).

Materials and methods

Two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renal hypertensive rats were divided randomly into eleven groups: sham, model, and model treated with daily doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg aqueous or ethanol extracts of COM fruit or leaves, or 25 mg/kg captopril (n=10 per group), given orally once daily for 8 weeks. Blood pressure was measured before treatment and every 2 weeks thereafter. Blood rheology was tested after 8 weeks.

Results

Model rats had higher blood pressure than sham 8 weeks after the procedure (systolic blood pressure 193±7 vs. 138±8 mmHg, p<0.05). Those treated with captopril had decreased blood pressure within 2 weeks but that did not return to the level found in the sham group at 8 weeks (167±7, p<0.05 vs. model). With the COM extracts, the effect on blood pressure was notable after 4 weeks. At 8 weeks blood pressure was similar with captopril and with 160 mg ethanol leaf extract (166±4, p<0.05 vs. model), the most effective of the extracts. Model rats had higher blood viscosity and lower erythrocyte deformability than sham. Captopril had little effect on blood rheology; whereas COM extracts reduced whole blood viscosity and improved erythrocyte deformability to levels approaching those found in sham.

Conclusions

COM extracts have antihypertensive activity in renal hypertensive rats. The additional effect on rheology, compared to captopril, may convey added interest. Further studies of these effects in man appear warranted.     

Study of the antioedema activity of some seaweed and sponge extracts from the mediterranean coast in mice

Chloroform and methanol extracts of ten marine species, seven seaweeds and three sponges, have been studied for possible, antioedema activities. The extracts were administered either topically or orally on TPA-induced mouse ear oedema and on carrageenan mouse paw oedema, respectively. The most interesting seaweed extracts were found to be from Corallina elongata, Galaxaura oblongata, Laurencia obtusa and Udotea petiolata, where both extracts of each species induced a large antioedema effect in both models employed. None of the sponges assayed demonstrated antiinflammatory effects on carrageenan mouse paw oedema, however, some extracts elicited an inhibition of the oedema developed by TPA.     

The antiinflammatory and liver protective effect of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) gray and Dicliptera chinensis Juss. Extracts in rats

The antiinflammatory and liver protective effect of water extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray (aerial part), T. diversifolia (stem) and Dicliptera chinensis Juss. (aerial part) against paw oedema induced by carrageenan and acute hepatic damage induced by CCI₄ were determined in rats. The results indicated that treatment with a water extract of the aerial part of T. diversifolia decreased the paw oedema induced by carrageenan (p < 0.001) and the GOT, GPT level elevation caused by CCI₄ were reduced (p < 0.01). The pathological changes of hepatic lesions caused by CCI₄ were improved by treatment with the drug extracts mentioned above.