Biochemical and Haematological Evaluation of Repeated Dose Exposure of Male Wistar Rats to an Ethanolic Extract of Artemisia annua

Artemisia annua is widely used for the treatment of malaria and other disorders. In a previous study, the artemisinin concentration in the dry leaves of A. annua grown under humid tropical conditions was determined to be 1.098% using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. In the current study, biochemical and haematological evaluations of ethanolic leaf extracts derived from such plants (EAA) were carried out in 20 male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four study groups of saline‐treated (control) and test groups exposed orally to graded doses of EAA for 28 days. The results showed that the liver function and haematological indices, and testosterone levels were not adversely affected. High density lipoprotein ‐cholesterol was reduced at 100 mg/kg of EAA, atherogenic index as well as low density lipoprotein ‐cholesterol was raised, and glucose concentration was reduced significantly at the 100 and 200 mg/kg of EAA (p < 0.05). In addition to serving as a possible antidiabetic agent, EAA may not predispose users to hepatotoxicity, haematotoxicity and testicular toxicity. However, due to the possible risk of atherosclerosis, we advise that the plant extract should be taken with caution in people with atherosclerotic condition. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Safety Assessment of the Antimalarial Herb Artemisia annua During Pregnancy in Wistar Rats

Artemisia annua is a Chinese antimalarial herb that has been used for more than 2000 years. The maternal and foetal safety of the ethanolic leaf extract of therapeutically active Artemisia annua (EAA), with previously determined artemisinin yield of 1.098% was evaluated in Wistar rats. Twenty pregnant rats, divided into four study groups of saline treated (control), and test groups administered orally with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weights of EAA, respectively, from gestation days (GD) 8 to 19. Following overnight fast, animals were sacrificed on GD 20, and maternal blood was collected to evaluate biochemical and haematological markers. Foetuses were carefully removed, weighed, and observed for any possible malformation. Biochemical and haematological studies revealed that EAA did not result in maternal hepatotoxicity, haematotoxicity, and hyperlipidemia. While litter size significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 100 mg/kg EAA, maternal estrogen levels decreased in all the EAA‐treated groups. Non‐viable (21%) and malformed (31%) foetuses were observed at the 300 mg/kg dose of EAA, which implies that although consumption of the leaf extract may not predispose users to hepatotoxicity, haematotoxicity, and hyperlipidemia, it should be taken with caution during pregnancy due to possible risk of embryotoxicity at concentrations higher than the therapeutic dose. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exposure to 2,5-hexanedione is accompanied by ovarian and uterine oxidative stress and disruption of endocrine balance in rats

2,5-Hexanedione (2,5-HD) is an aliphatic diketone identified as the main neurotoxic metabolite of the industrial chemicals n-hexane and methyl-n-butyl ketone. Considering the dearth of information on the female reproductive toxicity effects of 2,5-HD in the literature, we assessed the potential oxidative stress mechanisms of 2,5-HD in the ovary and uterus of Wistar rats. A total of 32 female rats were randomly allotted to four groups, in which rats were exposed to 2,5-HD at doses of 0% (control), 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0% respectively in their drinking water for 21 days. The results showed that 2,5-HD significantly increased ovarian and uterine malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels (p?p?n-hexane and methyl-n-butyl ketone.     

Jobelyn® extends the life span and improves motor function in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to lipopolysaccharide via augmentation of antioxidant status

Metabolic Brain Disease - Jobelyn® (JB), a dietary supplement, derived from polyphenol-rich leaf sheath of Sorghum bicolor, has been reported to attenuate sensorimotor deficits and oxidative...     

Curcumin-supplemented diets improve antioxidant enzymes and alter acetylcholinesterase genes expression level in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis> model

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenolic compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes has been shown to exert anti-aging properties with limited scientific basis. Hence, this study sought to examine the antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities of curcumin-supplemented diets as well as their molecular effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genes expression level associated with lifespan extension in Drosophila melanogaster model. In this experiment, D. melanogaster (both genders) of 1 to 3 days old were fed diets either containing no curcumin (control) or supplemented with curcumin at 0.2 and 1.0 mg/g of diet for 7 days. Subsequently, the survival and locomotor activities were determined. In addition, we evaluated RT-PCR expressions of SOD and AChE mRNA genes. Furthermore, catalase, SOD and AChE activities were determined. Curcumin-supplemented diet improves survival ability but did not affect locomotor activity when compared with the control. In addition, there was a significant increase in SOD and catalase with a concomitant decrease of AChE activities when compared with the control. Furthermore, curcumin-supplemented diets suppress AChE mRNA expression but no alteration on SOD gene expression level was observed when compared with control. In conclusion, our present results suggest that a down-regulation of AChE gene expression with a concomitant decrease of AChE activity as well as improving antioxidant status could be some possible mechanism in which curcumin exert anti-aging potential and increases lifespan of D. melanogaster.     

Neurotoxic and behavioral deficit in Drosophila melanogaster co-exposed to rotenone and iron

Exposure to environmental toxicants has been linked with the onset of different neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. Here, we evaluated the toxic effects of co-exposure to iron and rotenone at low concentrations in Drosophila melanogaster. Adult wild-type flies were orally exposed to rotenone (50.0 µM) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄; 1.0 and 10.0 µM) through the diet for 10 days. Thereafter, we evaluated markers of oxidative damage (Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂), Nitric Oxide (NO), Protein Carbonyl, and malondialdehyde (MDA)), antioxidant status (catalase, Glutathione S-Transferase (GST), Total Thiol (T-SH) and Non-protein Thiol (NPSH), neurotransmission (monoamine oxidase; MAO and acetylcholinesterase, AChE) and mitochondrial respiration. The results indicated that flies fed rotenone and FeSO₄ had impaired locomotion, reduced survival rate, and AChE activity with a corresponding increase in MAO activity when compared with the control (p?<?0.05). Furthermore, rotenone and FeSO₄ significantly decreased the antioxidant status with a concurrent accumulation of NO, MDA, and H₂O₂. Additionally, the activity of complex 1 and mitochondria bioenergetic capacity was compromised in the flies. These findings suggest that the combination of rotenone and FeSO₄ elicited a possible synergistic toxic response in the flies and therefore provided further insights on the use of D. melanogaster in toxicological studies.