Dominant lethal study of α‐asarone in male and female mice after sub‐chronic treatment

Dominant lethal studies were conducted in male and female mice with α‐asarone, the active hypolipidaemic component of Guatteria gaumeri Greenman, by per os sub‐chronic treatment (10 and 20 mg/kg, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks) and subsequent mating. α‐Asarone did not produce germinal mutations in either males or females. Epididymal sperm examination of male mice immediately after treatment failed to­reveal any alteration in sperm count on shape. No significant alterations were observed in testicular or epididymal weights or testicular histology. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reproductive toxicity potentials of Salvia fruticosa (Labiatae) in rats

The antiimplantation, antifertility and reproductive toxicity potentials after ingestion of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Salvia fruticosa leaves have been investigated in male and female rats. The ingestion of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of aqueous or 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa from day one to day six of pregnancy by female rats did not cause pregnancy failure. However, the ingestion of an ethanolic extract reduced the number of viable fetuses and increased the number of resorptions in the pregnant rats. The ingestion of aqueous extract (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for 30 consecutive days by adult female rats had no effect on the occurrence of pregnancy. However, the ingestion of these extracts reduced both the number of implantations and viable fetuses and increased the number of resorptions in the pregnant females. The ingestion of aqueous extract (800 mg/kg) or ethanolic extract (400 mg/kg) of S. fruticosa for 30 consecutive days by adult male rats had no effect on the number of females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantations and viable fetuses were reduced in females impregnated by males which ingested either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa, whereas the number of resorptions was increased in females impregnated by males administered either aqueous or ethanolic extracts of S. fruticosa. On the other hand, the prenatal exposure of male and female rat offspring to 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract of S. fruticosa had no effects on the timing of testicular descent and vaginal opening, respectively. It would appear from these experiments that the ingestion of S. fruticosa may produce adverse effects on the fertility of male and female rats.     

代谢综合征危险分层与定量计步运动关系研究

目的通过调查日常计步运动量与体质量指数、血压、血脂指标、血糖水平等代谢综合征危险组成指标来探讨定量计步运动与代谢综合征之间的关系。方法随机调查122例青壮年常规健康体检者,测量体质量指数、血压、血脂指标、血糖水平等代谢综合征危险组成指标,通过计步器测定日常计步运动量,分析计步运动量与代谢综合征之间的关系。结果在同样运动不足的情况下,男性代谢综合征发生率显著高于女性(71%比17%,P<0.01)。男性计步运动量达标者(>7500步/d)代谢综合征发生率显著低于运动不足者(14%比71%,P<0.01)。女性代谢综合征发生与计步运动量关系不显著。结论青壮年男性计步运动量与代谢综合征关系密切,运动不足者(<7500步/d)代谢综合征发生率显著高于运动达标者,代谢综合征患者运动量显著低于非代谢综合征者。青壮年女性计步运动量与代谢综合征关系不显著,发生代谢综合征的几率比男性显著较小。     

Artichoke extract lowered plasma cholesterol and increased fecal bile acids in Golden Syrian hamsters

A study was conducted in hamsters to determine if artichoke leaf extract (ALE) could lower plasma total and non‐HDL cholesterol by increasing fecal excretion of neutral bile acids and sterols. Sixty‐four Golden Syrian hamsters (8 week old) were fed control diet or a similar diet containing ALE (4.5 g/kg diet) for 6 weeks. No significant changes for total cholesterol, HDL, non‐HDL cholesterol triglycerides or fecal neutral sterols and bile acids were found after 21 days for ALE‐fed animals compared with controls. But after 42 days, ALE‐fed male hamsters had significantly lower total cholesterol (15%), non‐HDL cholesterol (30%) and triglycerides (22%) and female hamsters fed ALE showed reductions of 15% for total cholesterol, 29% for non‐HDL cholesterol and 29% for triglycerides compared with controls. Total neutral sterol and bile acids concentrations increased significantly by 50% and 53% in fecal samples of ALE fed males, and 82.4% and 25% in ALE fed females compared with controls. The ALE lowered hamster plasma cholesterol levels by a mechanism involving the greater excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols after feeding for 42 days. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amaranthus paniculatus (Linn.) improves learning after radiation stress

Brain is highly susceptible to oxidative damage due to its high utilization of oxygen and rather poorly developed antioxidative defense mechanism. Free radicals formation is greatly augmented during ionizing radiation exposure, which causes damage in cerebellum responsible for locomotor activity. Amaranthus paniculatus (Linn.) having high content of beta-carotene (about 15 mg/100g), ascorbic acid, Vitamin C and folate, may prove efficient antioxidants. To evaluate its antioxidative efficacy, healthy Swiss albino mice from an inbred colony were selected and divided into three groups having equal number of male and female in each group. All of these animals were initially trained in Hebb William's Maze, model D(1). After initial training of 10 days, two groups were supplemented with methanolic extract of A. paniculatus (Linn.) at a dose of 600 and 800 mg/kg bw per day, respectively for 15 days. One group without any treatment served as normal. It has been observed that mice, supplemented with extract took lesser time to reach goal than normal (without any treatment). Furthermore after supplementation of Amaranthus, followed by exposure to 9 Gy of gamma radiation by 60Co beam therapy unit, the survived mice took lesser time to reach to their goals than those without plant extract. Control mice (not supplemented with AE extract) showed continuous decline in their learning performance. Mice of Control group died within 12 days after exposure. Irradiated males try to recover from 10th day onwards but they died up to day 12. But in Experimental mice (AE treated), after initial decline in learning ability after exposure, recovery was noticed and not only this 70% of them survived beyond the observation period. Besides male mice showed faster learning ability as compared to females in all groups. After irradiation too, males took lesser time to reach to goals. Learning in all the groups before exposure has been much faster in between 9 and 15 days. After radiation, however it was followed by a sudden spurt and delayed learning response up to 12 days. Recovery was greater in males than females in treated groups. Recovery was greater in males of 600 mg/kg bw per day than other groups. Learning has been almost at the same level from 14th day onward, which indicates that both the dose levels have been found equally effective.     

骨疏康冲剂防治原发性骨质疏松症的临床观察

目的：观察中药骨疏康冲剂（简称骨疏康）防治原发性骨质疏松症疗效及机理。方法：随机选择骨密度（BMD）低于同性别峰值骨量1个标准差且不伴合并症，未经防治的骨量减少及骨质疏松症患者197例；其中女性176例，自然绝经1年以上；男性21例，70岁以上。女性按本人自愿分为3组，观察组101例，口服骨疏康，每次1袋（12g），每日3次，并服用碳酸钙，每次300mg，每日2次，连续6个月；单钙组23例，口服骨疏康，每次1袋（12g），每日3次，并服用碳酸钙，每次300mg，每日2次，连续6个月；钙组23例，单服等量钙剂；空白对照组（简称空白组）52例，不服药物，用以观察骨量自然下降情况；男性均为观察组，服药同女性观察组。各组用药前、治疗6个月后检测L2－4BMD和骨代谢相关指标。结果：观察组（女、男）治疗6个月后BMD下降减缓，且较治疗前有增加，女性观察组有效率为91．1％，平均BMD增加3．1％；男性观察组有效率为95．2％，平均BMD增加3．9％；单钙组及空白组BMD均下降（1．8％）。观察组抗酒石酸盐酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）明显下降，雌二醇睾酮明显增加，高密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高。单钙组治疗后TRAP下降，其他指标差异无显著性。结论：骨疏康有增加性（雌、雄）激素、抑制骨吸收，减缓骨量丢失，增加BMD的作用，能有效地防治骨质疏松症。本药还能增加高密度脂蛋白胆固醇，对心血管疾病的防治有益。     

Natural resistance of BALB/c mice to herpes simplex virus-type 1 intraperitoneal infection is abrogated by a plant extract with in vitro anti-herpes activity

Adult BALB/c mice, genetically resistant to HSV-1 i.p. infection, were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1000 PFU of HSV-1 and treated by the same route with four consecutive doses of Melia azedarach L. aqueous green leaves extract (MA) each containing 80 antiviral units against HSV-1 replication in Vero cells. Mice were injected 1 day and 6 h before infection and 1 and 2 days after infection. Mortality among untreated 45 day old female and male mice was around 35% for both sexes, whereas MA treatment increased mortality to 95% in females and to 50% in males. Virus was isolated from brains of treated animals. Enhanced susceptibility to HSV-1 infection upon treatment with MA extract was also observed in male mice 25 days old, before hormonal maturation, indicating that the impairment of natural resistance to HSV-1 infection is sex-linked. Treatment with MA extracts did not interfere with established specific immune protection nor with the induction of immune response to HSV-1. Virus was recovered from peritoneal exudate cells only in MA-treated animals. The abrogation of natural resistance of inbred mice to i.p. HSV-1 infection by pretreatment and early administration of the plant extract indicates that the in vivo expression of immunomodulating activities on receptor cells interfered with its potent antiviral activity displayed in vitro against HSV-1 replication. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

朱砂灌胃给药对大鼠生育力与早期胚胎发育毒性的研究

目的:观察中药朱砂ig给药对大鼠生育力与早期胚胎发育的毒性影响。方法:SD雄性大鼠连续ig给药6周后与连续给药2周的雌性交配。每天ig给予朱砂1 000,300,100 mg.kg-13个剂量。雄性给药至交配全部结束。雌性给药至妊娠第6 d。雄性大鼠交配后处死,雌性大鼠妊娠第15 d处死,计算黄体数、着床数、活胎数等,进行血液、生化、尿液及组织病理学检查,并与阴性对照组比较。结果:①雌性大鼠朱砂高剂量组着床前胚胎流失率升高,平均活胎数下降,具有统计意义。雄性大鼠给药组睾丸,附睾,前列腺,精囊腺质量减轻,病理学检查睾丸、附睾和精囊腺萎缩,个别睾丸附睾中无成熟精子。②血液学检查表明,雄性大鼠给药组的红细胞数、血红蛋白和红细胞压积低于阴性对照组,呈明显的量效关系,具统计意义。③血液生化学检查表明,雄性大鼠组的给药组ALT,AST,TP,ALB,GLO低于阴性对照组,呈明显的量效关系,具统计意义。④雄性大鼠给药组随着朱砂剂量的增加,肝脏质量和脏器系数也随之增加。结论:朱砂可能对雄性大鼠生育力和雌鼠着床与胎仔发育具有一定的毒性反应。朱砂长期给药可抑制雄性大鼠造血功能和可能损伤肝功能。     

四妙勇安汤活性部位灌胃给药的急性毒性实验研究

目的观察四妙勇安汤活性部位(SMAF)灌胃给药的急性毒性。方法通过预实验,未获得动物的半数致死量,进行最大耐受量试验。选取昆明小鼠及Wistar大鼠各40只,雌雄各半,均分为给药组(20只)及对照组(20只),雌雄各半,给药组采用一次最大浓度和最大容积灌胃给药,小鼠灌胃剂量为6.0 g/kg,大鼠灌胃剂量为3.0 g/kg,对照组灌胃等容积0.5%羧甲基纤维素。观察给药14 d内,大、小鼠的行为、体质量、进食量、死亡率及毒性反应,计算药物的最大耐受量。结果给药后14 d内,与对照组相比,给药组雌雄小鼠、大鼠活动、行为、眼睑、分泌物、呼吸、腹形、排便等均无异常,未见因药物引起的死亡。给药组雌雄小鼠、大鼠给药后7、14 d体质量与对照组同期比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。给药组雌雄小鼠、大鼠药后7、14 d进食量与对照组同期比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。给药14 d后,处死各组小、大鼠,与对照组比较,给药组均未见脏器明显的肿大、萎缩、坏死、充血、出血、水肿等异常现象。四妙勇安汤活性部位一次性灌胃给药对小鼠最大耐受量6.0 g/kg(相当于人日推荐量的360倍);对大鼠最大耐受量3.0 g/kg(相当于人日推荐量的180倍)。结论 SMAF灌胃给药没有明显毒性。     

Acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract in Sprague-Dawley rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Coriolus versicolor, which is known as Yun Zhi, is one of the commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs. Recent studies have demonstrated its antitumor activities on cancer cells which led to its widespread use in cancer patient. However, little toxicological information is available regarding its safety. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of Coriolus versicolor standardized water extract after acute and subchronic administration in rats.

Materials and methods

In acute toxicity study, Coriolus versicolor water extract was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (6 males, 6 females) at single doses of varying concentrations 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity study, the extract was administered orally at doses of 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days to male and female SD rats respectively. General behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined throughout the experimental period. Haematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights and histopathological were evaluated at the end of the experiment.

Results

There were no mortality and signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. In the single dose acute toxicity and repeated dose 28-day subchronic toxicity studies, there were no significant difference in body weight, relative organ weight, haematological parameters, clinical chemistry, gross pathology and histopathology between treatment and control groups.

Conclusions

Coriolus versicolor water extract did not cause remarkable adverse effect in SD rats. The oral lethal dose of Coriolus versicolor water extract is more than 5000 mg/kg and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the extract for both male and female rats is 5000 mg/kg per day for 28 days.     

麦冬水浸提液对大鼠胚胎/胎儿发育毒性研究

目的:观察麦冬水浸提液对SD大鼠胚胎/胎儿的发育毒性。方法:采用SD孕鼠,分为溶媒对照组、麦冬组,每组20只交配成功动物,于妊娠第6~17天经口灌胃给予麦冬水浸提液26.9 g.kg-1,每天1次,于妊娠第20天解剖。观察母体动物的临床症状、体重变化、黄体数、着床数、胚胎生存死亡情况、生存胎仔的体重、性别、外观、内脏及骨骼检查等指标。结果:麦冬水浸提液对SD大鼠的母体及胚胎/胎儿发育各项指标未见明显影响。结论:在本实验条件下,麦冬水浸提液未见明显的母体毒性与胚胎/胎儿发育毒性。     

应用生物电阻抗法测定老年农民人体成分

本研究应用生物电阻抗法测定了 2 55名老年农民的人体成分。男 1 1 2例 ,体质量 (63.0± 1 0 .4) kg,瘦体组织为(L) (49.7± 5.8) kg,L占体质量 (79.7± 9.2 ) % ,脂肪 (F) (1 3.4± 7.6) kg,F占体质量 (2 0 .3± 9.2 ) % ;女 1 4 3例 ,体质量(53.2± 9.2 ) kg,L(35.6± 4.8) kg,L% (68.0± 8.4) % ,F(1 7.5± 7.0 ) kg,F% (32 .0± 8.4) %。肥胖检出率分别为 1 2 .5%和34.3%。与理想体质量法和体质指数 (BMI)法比较 ,F%法对肥胖的检出率 ,男性低 ,女性高。三种方法以 F%法较为准确。结果提示 ,老年农民 F%增高 ,值得注意     

Anti-diabetic activity of methanol/methylene chloride stem bark extracts of Terminalia superba and Canarium schweinfurthii on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Stem bark extracts of Terminalia superba Engl. and Diels and Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. are used in Africa for the treatment of various ailments, including diabetes mellitus. The anti-diabetic effects of the methanol/methylene chloride extracts of the stem barks on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated on male rats. Through the subcutaneous route, diabetes was induced using 60 mg/mL of streptozotocin. After 2 days, the rats received, by gavage, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of extract daily for 14 days. At 300 mg/kg, the two extracts (Terminalia superba and Canarium schweinfurthii), significantly showed at least 67.1% and 69.9% reduction in blood glucose level, respectively, while insulin (three units) given subcutaneously and once daily, had 76.8% reduction compared to diabetic untreated control rats. Similarly, the weight gains were 6.6% and 4.9%, respectively, and were comparable to the normal rats, whereas, diabetic untreated rats lost 14.1% body weight. Still with the same dose, there was 68.5% and 58.5% (p < 0.001) significant decrease in food consumption and 79.7% and 64.0% (p < 0.001) in fluid intake by diabetic rats treated with the respective plant extracts. The insulin-treated rats showed 56.4% and 75.8% decrease in food and fluid intake compared to an augmentation for diabetic control rats, 43.0% and 383.8%, respectively, at the end of the second week of experimentation. These results showed that the plant extracts can reverse hyperglycemia, polyphagia and polydipsia provoked by streptozotocin, and thus, they have anti-diabetic properties.     

透脓散醇提物急性毒性实验研究

目的探讨透脓散醇提物对小鼠的急性毒性反应。方法先进行预实验,取12只SPF级昆明种小鼠(雌雄各半),随机分为3组,即透脓散醇提物高、中、低剂量组,每组各4只,分别予透脓散醇提物1.00、0.75、0.50 g/m L浓度药液0.04 m L/只,每日2次灌胃给药,连续观察5 d,拟找出100%致死量(LD100)、最大全不致死量(LD0)和相应的剂量组间距r值。另取小鼠40只(雌雄各半),随机分为2组,即实验组及对照组,每组各20只,进行最大给药量实验。实验组小鼠予高浓度透脓散醇提物(1.00 g/m L)0.04 m L,对照组予0.9%氯化钠注射液0.04 m L/只,均每日2次灌胃,连续14 d。给药期间每隔2 d测实验组及对照组小鼠体质量,记录给药后2组小鼠活动、饮食情况、精神状态、不良反应情况及死亡数量、死亡时间。末次给药后测定小鼠肝、肾功能变化,然后2组小鼠全部脱颈处死、解剖,肉眼观察心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑等各脏器有无异常。结果预实验期间透脓散醇提物高、中、低剂量组小鼠生命状况良好,无死亡现象,无法测出该药的半数致死量(LD50)。最大给药量实验观察期14 d内,实验组及对照组小鼠毛色、饮食、粪便、活动均未见异常,肝、肾功能指标正常,未见任何中毒表现,无死亡,尸检各脏器无异常。结论小鼠对透脓散醇提物的最大耐受量为40 g/kg,该量为临床用量0.625 g/kg的64倍,可以认为临床用药安全。     

Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies of Nelumbo nucifera stamens extract in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Since the use of Nelumbo nucifera stamens in herbal medicines as well as in cosmetic products are highly prevalent in Thailand and increasing worldwide, acute and subchronic toxicity studies to confirm the safe use of Nelumbo nucifera stamens are warranted.

Aim of the study

Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies of Nelumbo nucifera stamens extract in rats were performed in the present study in order to evaluate its safety.

Materials and methods

In acute toxicity study, Nelumbo nucifera stamens extract was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats (5 males and 5 females) at a dose of 5000 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity study, the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day were given orally to groups of rats (6 rats/dose/sex) for 90 consecutive days.

Results

The extract at a dose of 5000 mg/kg produced no treatment-related signs of toxicity or mortality in any of the animals tested during 14 days of the study. In the repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study, there was no significant difference in body weight between the control and all treatment groups with the exception of the body weight of the female group treated with 200 mg/kg/day of the extract which was statistically significantly less than that of its control counterpart on day 90 but the percent weight changes of both groups were almost similar. Some statistically significant differences in hematological and biochemical parameters as well as in some internal organ weights of both male and female rats treated with the extract at the highest dose were observed. However, no abnormality of internal organs was observed in both gross and histopathological examinations.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the oral lethal dose of Nelumbo nucifera stamens extract for male and female rats is in excess of 5000 mg/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the extract for both male and female rats is considered to be 200 mg/kg/day.     

Toxicity of Anthraquinones: Differential Effects of Rumex Seed Extracts on Rat Organ Weights and Biochemical and Haematological Parameters

The genus Rumex and related species such as Rheum and Polygonum are widely used as medicinal herbs and foods. They contain anthraquinones (AQ) such as emodin and chrysophanol as active ingredients, and there is concern about the toxicity of these compounds. This study evaluated the chronic effects of Rumex patientia seed aqueous and ethanolic extracts, in male and female rats separately, on organ weights and over 30 haematological, biochemical and histological parameters, immediately after 14‐week administration and after a further period of 15 days without drug treatment. Adverse changes were associated with long‐term AQ administration, and these focussed on the liver, lung and kidney, but after 15‐day convalescence, most had reverted to normal. In general, male rats appeared to be more susceptible than female rats at similar doses. The water extract produced no irreversible changes, which may reflect the lower dose of the AQ constituents or the presence of different ancillary compounds, and supports the traditional method of extracting Rumex seeds with water. In conclusion, ethanolic extracts of R. patientia caused irreversible pathological changes at very high doses (4000mg/kg), but lower doses and aqueous extracts produced either non‐significant or reversible changes. Long‐term administration of high doses of AQ extracts over a long period of time should be avoided until further assurances can be given, and given other existing reports of reproductive toxicity, should be avoided altogether during pregnancy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

跟痛症患者跟骨内侧突骨刺的解剖学研究

目的:探讨跟痛症患者跟骨内侧突骨刺的解剖学特点,分析其形成因素。方法:从跟痛症患者中选取经X线检查确定合并跟骨内侧突骨刺者,拍摄跟骨侧位X线片,测量骨刺的厚度和长度。分析患者的性别和年龄,比较不同性别患者的年龄和不同年龄患者的性别,比较不同侧别、类型跟骨内侧突骨刺的长度及厚度。结果:①不同性别患者的年龄。共纳入113例合并跟骨内侧突骨刺的跟痛症患者,男45例、女68例。男性组年龄(51.80±12.66)岁,女性组年龄(58.03±9.00)岁,男性患者的年龄小于女性(t′=-2.492,P=0.015)。②不同年龄患者的性别。<45岁组男11例(73%)、女4例(27%),45~55岁组男14例(41%)、女20例(59%),>55岁组男20例(31%)、女44例(69%);3组患者性别分布的差异有统计学意义(χ²=9.018,P=0.011),进一步两两比较发现,<45岁组与45~55岁组性别分布的差异无统计学意义(χ²=4.307,P=0.038),45~55岁组与>55岁组性别分布的差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.966,P=0.326),>55岁组的女性占比高于<45岁组(χ²=9.026,P=0.003)。③不同侧别跟骨内侧突骨刺的长度及厚度。跟骨内侧突骨刺,左侧50例、右侧58例、双侧5例。左侧跟骨内侧突骨刺的长度小于右侧[(4.09±1.80)mm,(5.03±1.96)mm,t=2.600,P=0.011]。左侧与右侧跟骨内侧突骨刺厚度的差异无统计学意义[(3.42±1.14)mm,(3.92±1.73)mm,t=1.754,P=0.084]。④不同类型跟骨内侧突骨刺的长度及厚度。单纯跟骨内侧突骨刺93例,跟骨内侧突和跟腱止点处骨刺20例。不同类型跟骨内侧突骨刺长度的差异无统计学意义[(4.74±1.98)mm,(4.19±1.77)mm,t=-1.148,P=0.253]。不同类型跟骨内侧突骨刺厚度的差异无统计学意义[(3.65±1.14)mm,(4.08±2.68)mm,t′=0.698,P=0.493]。结论:跟痛症患者的跟骨内侧突骨刺,左侧骨刺长度小于右侧,两侧骨刺厚度无明显差别,不同类型骨刺的长度及厚度均无明显差别;男性患者的年龄小于女性,55岁以上患者中女性患者比例较高;跟骨内侧突骨刺的形成可能与激素水平变化有关。     

秦皮水煎剂对SD 大鼠胚胎/胎儿发育的影响

目的：观察秦皮水煎剂对SD 大鼠胚胎/胎儿发育的影响。方法：采用SD 孕鼠,分为溶媒对照组、秦皮组,每组20 只交配成功动物,于妊娠第6 日开始至妊娠第17 日经口灌胃给予秦皮水煎剂27.3g（生药）·kg-1,每天1 次,于妊娠第20 天解剖。观察母体动物的临床症状、体重变化、摄食量、母体动物的黄体数、着床数、胚胎生存死亡情况、生存胎仔的性别、体重、外观、骨骼及内脏检查等指标;结果：秦皮组于妊娠第6~12d 引起SD 妊娠大鼠摄食量显著降低,停药后,摄食量显著增加,雄性与雌性胎儿体重较对照组明显增高,其余母体及胚胎/胎儿发育各项指标未见明显影响。结论：在本实验条件下,秦皮水煎剂未见明显的母体毒性与胚胎/胎儿发育毒性。     

穴位埋线治疗不同性别单纯性肥胖症的临床观察

目的:观察穴位埋线对不同性别单纯性肥胖症的临床疗效。方法:将60例单纯性肥胖患者分成两组,其中女组30例,男组30例,均采用穴位埋线治疗,两组所用穴位相同,15天治疗1次,4次为1疗程,两个月后观察疗效,并对治疗前后体重、体重指数、腰围、臀围、体脂肪率、血脂四项进行评估。结果:女性组总有效率(89.28%)与男性组总有效率(92.59%)无显著性差异(P>0.05),各组治疗后体重、体重指数、腰围、臀围、体脂肪率、TG、TC、LDL均明显下降(P<0.05),HDL明显升高(P<0.05);两组治疗前后体重差值、BMI差值、腰围差值、臀围差值、体脂肪率差值比较,有非常显著性差异(P<0.01);两组治疗前后TC、TG、LDL、HDL差值比较,无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:穴位埋线对不同性别的单纯性肥胖患者均有效,目前尚不能证明两者间存在差异,埋线可有效改善单纯性肥胖患者各项指标,其中对男性体重、体重指数的改善较好,对女性腰围、臀围、体脂肪率的改善较好,血脂的改善目前尚不具可比性。     

Toxicological evaluation of 80% methanol extract of Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P.H. Raven leaves (Onagraceae) in BALB/c mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P. H. Raven (Family: Onagraceae), as a traditional Malay herbal medicine,has been used to treat gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea and dysentery.

Aim of the study

To date there is no safety information about long term use of Ludwigia octovalvis, a traditionally used medicinal plant in Malaysia. Current study is thus aimed to determine the toxicity profile of the 80% methanolic extract of L. octovalvis by evaluating its acute and subacute toxicity in BALB/c mice.

Materials and methods

In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of 5000 mg/kg of the extract was administered orally to six mice (3 males and 3 females). General behaviour, mortality and toxic symptoms were determined daily for 14 days. For the subacute toxicity, four groups of 12 mice of either sex received distilled water (control), 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract daily for 28 consecutive days by oral gavage. The animals were observed daily for abnormal clinical signs and death. Body weight, relative organ weight, haematological and biochemical parameters of blood as well as heart, kidney, liver, lung and spleen tissues histology were evaluated.

Results

In acute and subacute toxicity, the extract did not produce mortality or morbidity. A significant increase (p<0.05) in WBC count and significant decrease in ALT, AST and ALP levels were only observed in males and females that received 400 mg/kg of the extract, while a significant decrease in the cholesterol level was observed at the highest dose (800 mg/kg). Gross examination of liver, kidney, spleen, lung and heart showed normal histological feature.

Conclusions

Repeated administration of L. octovalvis extract at dose levels of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days to male and female mice did not cause any lethality nor produce any toxicological effects. The results suggest that the extract contains biologically active principles which may have immunostimulatory, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular protective properties.