Evaluation of the efficacy of the crude extract of Aloe secundiflora in chickens experimentally infected with Newcastle disease virus

Two replicate experiments were carried out to verify the efficacy of Aloe species (Aloaceae) as used for the control of Newcastle disease (ND) in rural poultry in free-range systems among several communities in Tanzania. Four months old local chickens free of Newcastle disease antibodies were used. Following inoculation with ND virus, body weights, clinical signs, antibody levels and mortality were monitored. Results showed that there was reduced mortality rate and the severity of clinical signs during the acute phase of the infection in Aloe treated chickens compared with the non-treated ones. However, there was no significant effect of the Aloe on the antibody levels that were attributed to the recovery of the surviving chickens. The findings of this study suggest that Aloe secundiflora could be a potential candidate on the management of Newcastle disease in chickens. Further studies are in progress to identify the active ingredients of A. secundiflora against Newcastle disease virus.     

欧蓍草花水提物减轻环磷酰胺对大鼠睾丸毒性的体视学研究(英文)

Cyclophosphamide(CP) is extensively used for the treatment of various cancers,as well as an immunosuppressive agent.However,CP is known to cause several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity.Achillea millefolium,a widely distributed medicinal plant,is highly regarded for its medicinal activities,including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.The present study was conducted to assess whether Achillea millefolium inflorescences aqueous extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities could serve as a protective agent against reproductive toxicity during CP treatment.Male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups.Two groups of rats were administered CP at a dose of 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 28 d by oral gavages.One of these groups received Achillea aqueous extract at a dose of 1.2 g·kg-1·d-1 orally 4 h after cyclophosphamide administration.A vehicle treated control group and an Achillea control group were also included.The CP-treated group showed significant decreases in the body,testes and epidi-dymides weights as well as many histological alterations.Stereological parameters,spermatogenic activities and testicular antioxidant capacity along with epididymal sperm count and serum testosterone concentration were also significantly decreased by CP treatment.Notably,Achillea co-administration caused a partial recovery in above-mentioned parameters.These findings indicate that Achillea millefolium inflorescence aqueous extract may be partially protective against CP-induced testicular toxicity.     

Assessment of therapeutic effect of Inula heterolepsis Boiss in alcoholic rats

An aqueous extract from the root of Inula heterolepsis Boiss was prepared and then tested for its ability to treat experimentally induced alcoholic hepatic injury in rats. Alcoholic rats were divided into two groups. The first group of rats were given 200 mg/kg/day plant extract. Repeated doses of extract preparations were given at 12 h intervals for 10 days. Differences between the recovery of tissue injury, with and without Inula plant extract, were evaluated. The second group of rats were given vehicle. Liver, testis and kidney injuries due to the chronic alcohol consumption were proven biochemically and histopathologically. Rats were killed, serum SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin levels were measured. SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher in alcoholic rats due to the tissue damage compared with intact, vehicle and Inula treated groups of rats (p < 0.05). Liver, testis, kidneys, stomach, intestine, heart, lungs and bladder were examined histopathologically. According to our study, the root extract of Inula heterolepsis Boiss has a slight therapeutic effect on alcoholic liver, kidney and testis damage in rats. Comparing the therapeutic effects in these organs, the liver seemed to be affected meaningfully after treatment with the plant extract.     

Acute and subacute toxicities of the saponin mixture isolated from Schefflera leucantha Viguier

Acute toxicity of the bronchodilator saponin mixture isolated from Schefflera leucantha Viguier leaves was investigated in comparison with the methanol and the water extract of this plant. Oral doses of 5000 mg/kg of the methanol extract, the water extract and the saponin mixture did not produce mortality or significant changes in the general behavior and gross appearance of internal organs of rats. Subacute toxicity of the saponin mixture was evaluated with the dose of 1000 mg/kg, orally for 14 days. An extra group (satellite group) was given saponin mixture and kept for a further 14 days after treatment. All animals did not show signs of toxicity during the experimental period. Liver weights of the saponin-treated and the satellite male groups were higher whereas testis weight were lower than those of the control group which received distilled water. However, the histological examination of various organs revealed that there were no differences between the control and the treated rats. BUN, Cr, AST, ALT and ALP levels increased in saponin-receiving rats. It is possible that the saponin mixture directly impacts on the liver and the kidney functions.     

Baccharis trimera: effect on hematological and biochemical parameters and hepatorenal evaluation in pregnant rats

AIM OF THE STUDY: This investigation evaluated the effect of a hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera on pregnant Wistar rats, once the plant is well-known consumed in pregnancy and little is known on its potentially toxic effects on pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five female rats were distributed into three groups. Those in treatments 1 and 2 were given 8.4 mg/kg of the extract orally from gestational day (GD) 1 to 19 and from GD 6 to 15, respectively, whereas those in the control group received distilled water orally from GD 1 to 19. Body weights were recorded on GD 1, 6, 15, and 20. On GD 20 animals were anesthetized, blood samples were collected and maternal livers, kidneys, and spleens were weighed and processed for histological studies. RESULTS: No clinical signs of maternal toxicity and no changes in hematological parameters were observed. Urea levels and kidney weights differed significantly between animals receiving treatment 1 and controls. Histopathological alterations were found in kidneys and livers in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera administered to pregnant rats at 8.4 mg/kg was toxic to maternal kidney and liver cells, although such alterations are reversible once administration is discontinued.     

Antifertility effect of chronically administered Martynia annua root extract on male rats

The effects of 50% ethanol extract of Martynia annua L. root on reproduction was studied on male rats. The study was divided into four groups of five animals each. The first group (I) received vehicle alone to serve as control. The second, third and fourth groups (II, III and IV) of animals were administered the root extract daily at 50 mg/kg body weight, po, 100 mg/kg body weight, po, and 200 mg/kg body weight, po, respectively, for a period of 60 days. Significant decreases in the weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were observed. A dose related reduction in the testicular sperm count, epididymal sperm count and motility, number of fertile males, ratio between delivered and inseminated females and number of pups were observed. The testis showed a clear correlation between the dose and severity of lesions of seminiferous epithelium. In general, the seminiferous tubules appear reduced in size with a frequently filled eosinophilic material. Spermatogenesis arrested at the secondary spermatocyte stage. Pachytene spermatocytes were undergoing degeneration. Disorganisation and sloughing of immature germ cells were visible. Leydig cells were atrophied. No morphological changes were observed in Sertoli cells. Significant reduction in serum concentration of luteinising hormone and testosterone were observed. No distinct change in serum FSII concentration was recorded. The final body weights of all groups were elevated markedly. No alterations were recorded in any hematological parameters. It is concluded that the 50% ethanol extract of M. annua root produced dose related effects on male reproduction without altering general body metabolism.     

Effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on tissue lead level in rats.

The prophylactic efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract to reduce tissue lead (Pb) concentration was evaluated experimentally in rats. Thirty female rats were divided into five groups, keeping group A as a healthy control. Rats of groups B, C, D and E received lead acetate orally at the rate of 5 mg per kg body weight daily for 6 weeks. The garlic extract was tried in three doses, viz. 100 (low), 200 (medium) and 400 mg (high) per kg body weight orally and given simultaneously with lead salt to the rats of group C, D and E, respectively. Mean blood lead concentrations in lead-exposed rats ranged between 0.13+/-0.02 and 0.96+/-0.06 microg/ml, whereas in garlic-treated rats, the range was between 0.16+/-0.01 and 0.80+/-0.05; 0.13+/-0.01 and 0.71+/-0.06 and 0.14+/-0.01 and 0.60+/-0.05 microg per ml in low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. The mean lead concentration in liver, kidneys, brain and bone of lead exposed rats was 2.943+/-0.206, 4.780+/-0.609, 1.019+/-0.100 and 44.075+/-2.60 microg per ml, respectively. Concomitant use of garlic extract at the three different doses was found to reduce lead concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of garlic against lead.     

珍珠梅活性成分的提取分离及体内抑瘤作用的研究

目的:对珍珠梅进行化学成分和体内抑瘤作用的研究.方法:用硅胶柱色谱法对珍珠梅乙酸乙酯提取物进行分离纯化,通过理化常数和光谱分析鉴定化合物结构;并按照标准方法给36只小鼠接种S180肉瘤后,灌胃给予珍珠梅乙酸乙酯提取物10 d,观察瘤重及体重,检测NK细胞活性及血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)、白介素-2(IL-2)的含量.结果:从珍珠梅乙酸乙酯提取物中分离3种化合物,分别鉴定为:5,2′,4′-三羟基-6,7,5′-三甲氧基黄酮(I),丁二酸(Ⅱ),对羟基苯甲酸(Ⅲ);实验组与对照组瘤重有显著性差异(P＜0.05),实验组与对照组体重变化无显著性差异(P＞0.05),实验组脾细胞NK细胞活性及血清TNF-α、IL-2的含量明显高于对照组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论:化合物Ⅰ、Ⅱ为首次从珍珠梅中获得.珍珠梅乙酸乙酯提取物可以改善S180荷瘤小鼠免疫功能,增强机体抗肿瘤能力.     

银杏叶提取物治疗肺间质纤维化的临床研究

目的观察银杏叶提取物治疗肺间质纤维化的疗效。方法将45例肺间质纤维化患者随机分为两组,治疗组(30例)用银杏叶提取物1g,每日3次口服;对照组(15例)用强的松30mg,每日1次口服;两组疗程均为3个月。观察两组治疗后临床症状、肺功能、动脉氧分压、CT、白介素6、8(IL-6、IL-8)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF—α)等变化。结果两组疗效比较差异无显著性。两组临床症状、肺功能和动脉氧分压治疗后均改善(P<0.05),IL-6、IL-8和TNF—α治疗后比治疗前显著下降(P<0．05),治疗组肺感染次数少于对照组(P<0．05)。结论银杏叶提取物治疗肺间质纤维化有一定疗效。     

Toxicological studies on stem bark, leaf and seed kernel of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana)

A comparative study of the toxic effects of extracts from stem bark, leaf and seed kernel of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) in albino rats was carried out. Male and female albino rats weighing 150-200 g were administered crude aqueous extracts of stem bark, leaf and seed kernel of the plant by intraperitoneal injection or exposed to baits prepared with the dry extracts of the plant parts. The control groups either received distilled water by injection, or were fed non-poisoned baits. Extracts from all the plant parts were toxic, and produced marked poisoning symptoms that culminated in death. Poisoning symptoms manifested earlier (10 min after treatment) in rats administered aqueous kernel extracts intraperitoneally as against 45 min to several hours in rats poisoned by ingestion of toxicant. Poisoning symptoms indicated serious cardiac, neuromotor and mental malfunctioning, and manifested as tachycardia, arrhythmia, paralysis, ataxia and disorientation. The lethal dose was lowest (507 mg/kg) with the concentrated aqueous kernel extract (CAKE), and highest (5700 mg/kg) with the bait formulated using 40% of the kernel meal - FKM(B). Rats treated by injection with aqueous kernel extract (AKE) died faster within 10 h, than those with the aqueous leaf or stem bark extracts that died after 260 h. No mortality or abnormal behavioural changes were observed among animals in the control groups.     

针刺治疗女性持久性痤疮疗效观察

目的观察针刺治疗女性持久性痤疮的临床疗效。方法将80例女性持久性痤疮患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组40例。治疗组采用针刺治疗,对照组采用药物治疗,治疗后比较两组疗效及对血清白介素-4(interleukin-4,IL-4)、γ干扰素(interferon-γ,IFN-γ)水平的影响。结果治疗组愈显率为77.1%,对照组为55.3%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组治疗后IL-4水平与同组治疗前比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论针刺是一种治疗女性持久性痤疮的有效方法。     

紫苏提取物对D-半乳糖衰老小鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用

目的观察紫苏乙酸乙酯提取物对D-半乳糖衰老模型小鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用。方法 90只小鼠颈背部皮下注射D-半乳糖(1 g/kg)连续6周,建立亚急性衰老模型。造模的同时,各给药组分别灌胃相应药物(紫苏提取物:150,300,600 mg/kg;迷迭香酸:55,110,220 mg/kg;脑复康阳性对照:500 mg/kg)。42 d后采用跳台、Y迷宫、Morris水迷宫法测试小鼠学习记忆能力,检测小鼠脑组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、一氧化氮(NO)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE),对海马CA1区神经细胞形态学观察。结果紫苏提取物和迷迭香酸能明显改善D-半乳糖所致的衰老体征和自发活动减少,降低跳台错误次数,延长错误潜伏期(P<0.05,P<0.01),减少达到学会标准的训练次数(P<0.05);缩短逃避潜伏期,延长小鼠在安全台所在象限的游泳时间和游程,增加安全台穿越次数(P<0.05,P<0.01);并能有效地提高衰老小鼠脑SOD和GSH-Px(P<0.05,P<0.01),降低MDA、NO、NOS、AchE(P<0.05,P<0.01),呈量效依赖趋势,还能改善海马CA1区神经细胞受损状态。结论紫苏提取物和迷迭香酸能改善D-半乳糖衰老模型小鼠学习记忆障碍。其机制可能与清除自由基,抑制AchE活性,减少乙酰胆碱(Ach)水解,减轻NO对神经细胞的毒性有关。     

The toxic effects of Coleus barbatus B. on the different periods of pregnancy in rats

Extracts of Coleus barbatus B. have been used in folk medicine to interrupt pregnancy. In order to evaluate if this plant interferes with embryo implantation or with the normal development of the concepts, pregnant Wistar rats were treated with increasing doses (220, 440 and 880 mg/kg per day) of a hydroalcoholic extract of C. barbatus. The rats received the extract by gavage from days 0 to 5 of pregnancy (preimplantation period) or 6 to 15 (organogenic period). Control groups received distilled water during the same periods. The animals were killed at term for the evaluation of maternal and fetal parameters. The results showed that the treatment with 880 mg/kg per day of the extract of C. barbatus before embryo implantation caused delayed fetal development and an anti-implantation effect, which justifies the popular use of this extract with abortive purposes. After embryo implantation delayed development associated with maternal toxicity was observed in the fetuses of the group which received 880 mg/kg per day.     

Chronic toxicity study of Portulaca grandiflora Hook

We investigated the toxic effects of Portulaca grandiflora aqueous extract given to male and female Wistar rats for 6 months. The rats were divided into five groups of each sex that were control groups, three experimental groups and recovery groups. The control groups received 5 ml of distilled water/kg per day. The experimental groups were orally given the water extract of Portulaca grandiflora at doses of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg per day. The recovery groups received 1000 mg/kg per day for 6 months and were continued husbandry without giving the extract for further 14 days. Changes in the body weights, actual and relative organ weights were not significantly demonstrated in all groups throughout the study. No significant alteration in hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters was observed in all female groups given the extract. It was found that any significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in the male rats at the doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg per day were not dose-related. In addition, no histopathological lesions were observed in the male animals. Our results suggested that the water extract of Portulaca grandiflora at the doses given in the study did not induce any detrimental effects in the rats.     

银杏达莫注射液治疗慢性肺源性心脏病56例

目的：观察银杏达莫注射液治疗慢性肺源性心脏病（失代偿期）的临床疗效。方法：将112例患者随机分为2组,每组56例,对照组采取抗感染、祛痰、持续低流量吸氧、解痉平喘、防治并发症等常规治疗,治疗组同时使用银杏达莫注射液20 mL＋0.9%氯化钠注射液250 mL静脉滴注,1次/d。治疗10天后对比2组临床疗效、血液流变学及B型尿钠肽（BNP）指标。结果：2组治疗后临床症状及体征均有改善（P＜0.05）,但治疗组的改善程度明显优于对照组（P＜0.05）;治疗组血液流变学及BNP指标下降程度优于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：银杏达莫注射液治疗慢性肺源性心脏病临床疗效显著,可改善心肺功能,降低血液黏度。     

珍珠梅提取物的体内抑瘤作用及其机理研究

目的：探讨珍珠梅醋酸乙酯提取物对S180荷瘤小鼠体内的肿瘤抑制作用及机理。方法：按照标准方法给36只小鼠接种S180肉瘤后，给予珍珠梅提取物10 d，观察瘤重及体重，免疫组织化学方法检测肿瘤组织中的hcl-2和p53蛋白，比色分析法检测血清SOD，GSH-Px的活性及MDA含量的变化。结果：给予珍珠梅醋酸乙酯提取物的小鼠瘤重明显小于对照组，实验组与对照组体重变化无显著性差异：对照组的bcl-2和p53蛋白的表达率明显高于实验组，实验组的SOD，GSH-Px活性高于对照组，而MDA含量低于对照组。结论：珍珠梅醋酸乙酯提取物对小鼠S180肿瘤有抑制作用，并有可能影响bcl-2和P53的表达及清除体内自由基。     

头体针结合治疗缺血性脑卒中后便秘疗效观察

目的观察头体针结合治疗缺血性脑卒中后便秘的临床疗效。方法将60例中风后便秘患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组采用头体针结合治疗,对照组采用中药治疗,治疗2个疗程后根据临床症状积分进行疗效评价。结果两组患者治疗后临床症状积分较治疗前均有明显降低（P〈0.05）。治疗组症状改善程度较对照组显著,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论头体针结合是治疗缺血性脑卒中后便秘安全有效的治疗方法 。     

Fetal toxicity of Solanum lycocarpum (Solanaceae) in rats

Lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum) is a Brazilian plant used as a hypoglycemic agent. In this study, the toxic effects of lobeira were evaluated during the fetogenesis period. Twenty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly allocated into two groups: control and treated, which received, via oral gavage, 0.5 ml of distilled water or 100 mg of the lobeira powder/kg of body weight, respectively, during days 17-20 of pregnancy. Maternal toxicity was evaluated by body weight, food intake, piloerection, locomotor activity, diarrhoea and vaginal bleeding. Euthanasia was done on 21st day, when ovaries, fetuses and their respective placentas were removed. Resorptions, live and dead fetuses were recorded. External malformations and fetal body, brain, liver, lung and kidneys were also weighed. No clinical signs of maternal toxicity were observed. The placenta weights of the treated rats were lower than those of the control (P<0.01). Lungs (P<0.01) and kidneys (P<0.02) of the fetuses treated with lobeira were also significantly reduced, suggesting a fetotoxic effect of this plant.     

Toxicity studies on dermal application of plant extract of Plumbago zeylanica used in Ethiopian traditional medicine

Plant-based therapeutic preparations are cyclically returning to complement dermatologic therapy, however, data on the toxicity profile of such plants are lacking. In the present study, Plumbago zeylanica, a medicinal plant commonly used in Ethiopia for skin diseases was subjected to a systematic dermatotoxicity study. To this effect, the dermatotoxicity of 80% methanol extract of the root part of Plumbago zeylanica was investigated in animals following standard procedures for irritation, sensitization, acute toxicity and repeated toxicity tests. Extraction of plant material with 80% methanol resulted in 9.45% of crude extract of Plumbago zeylanica. The skin irritation test on rabbits showed Plumbago zeylanica extract to be a moderate irritant, with a primary irritation index of 2.00. Sensitization test on mice by the Mouse Ear Swelling Test method revealed the extract to be non-sensitizer in a dose range of 4-10mg/ml and the percent responder was zero. Acute dermal toxicity test on rats did not produce any overt signs of toxicity, except that there was a weight gain difference between the test and control groups of female rats. This was not, however, supported by other parameters, like the absolute and relative organ weights. Repeated dose toxicity test was associated with increased relative testis weight (P<0.05) as well as higher values for Blood urea nitrogen and K+ (P<0.05) in both sexes with the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) group, although histopathological analyses failed to lend support to these observations. Taken together, the dermatotoxicity test results from this study suggest that Plumbago zeylanica toxic effects might be limited to effects like moderate irritation.     

经穴磁电疗法治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎椎体骨折疗效观察

目的观察经穴磁电疗法治疗原发性骨质疏松性胸腰椎椎体骨折的疗效。方法将104例患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组采用经穴磁电疗法治疗,对照组采用常规药物治疗,治疗前后分别记录患者的视觉模拟评分（VAS）和劳动情况。结果治疗后两组VAS评分均有改善（P〈0．05）,但组间比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,提示治疗组镇痛疗效优于对照组：治疗组总有效率为94．4％,对照组为88．0％,经过Ridit分析,两组疗效差异有统计学意义（u=4．6090,P〈0．05）,提示治疗组疗效优于对照组。结论经穴磁电疗法能够缓解原发性骨质疏松症所致胸腰椎椎体骨折的疼痛,其疗效优于常规药物治疗。