Antihyperglycemic effect and nutritive value of opuntia dillenii [Ker-Gawl] haw. fruits cultivated in Egypt

The antihyperglycemic effect of the fruit juice of opuntia dillenii [Ker-Gawl] How [cactaceae] as well as that of the mucilage and pectin, was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats through actute and long-term [8 weeks] experiments The chemistry of the isolated mucilage and pectin Was also demonstrated by GC-MS. Chemical characterization, as well as investigation of the nutritive profile of the edible portion of the fruits were also carried out

Phytochemical and biological investigations of excelsa R. growing in Egypt Ailanthus

Phytochemical investigation of the root bark of Ailanthus excelsa R. revealed the presence of alkaloids and quassinoids. Two alkaloids, one furanocoumarin and two quassinoids were isolated by the chromatographic methods and identified using different spectral methods IR, UV, MS and 1HNMR. GLC analysis of the unsaponifiable matter revealed that cholesterol and hexacosane as the major constituents, hexadecane was the lowest known constituent. GLC analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters revealed that oleic acid is the maj or fatty acid. The unsaturated fatty acid fraction is composed mainly of oleic and linoleic acids. The alcoholic, chloroformic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark showed inhibitory effect on the motility of rabbit intestine. The chlorofonnic extract showed inhibitory effect while the alcoholic extract exhibited stimulatory effect on rat uterus and the aqueous extract showed a dual effect depending on concentration. Only the alcoholic extract showed moderate analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. The three extracts, as well as, one of the isolated quassinoids showed antileukemic activity. The alcoholic and chloroformic extracts showed activity against Gram positive bacteria

Milk progesterone in cows during oestrus cycle and postpartum period as a monitor of reproductive status

The mean oestrus cycle length measured by milk progesterone assay was found to be 20.66 +/- 0.22 days and the follicular phase was about 7.33 +/- 0.18 days; while the luteal phase was about 13.33 +/- 0.26 days. The progesterone concentration in the milk was significantly affected by day and phase of the cycle. The milk progesterone concentration did not exceed 2 ng/m1 during the first 15 days postpartum, but its level increased gradually to reach a peak as [17 ng/m1] on day 26 postpartum

effect of season on some morphohistological and biochemical features of the bulbourethral and prostate glands of fat-tailed rams in subtropics

A total of 248 bulbourethral gl and s of 124 adult rams slaughtered over a period of one year were collected. Means of 1.24, 0.85 cm and 0.90 g were recorded for length, diameter and weight of the gl and, respectively. Histologically the gl and was of tubulo-alveolar type, lined by simple columnar epithelial cells with a mean height of 16.80 um. Fructose and citric acid [mg%] were 26.05 and 2.49, respectively. Highly significant seasonal variations in the diameter, weight, height of the secretory cells as well as in fructose and citric acid concentrations were observed. The prostate gl and was consisting of pars disseminate. It was compound tubulo-acinar type. The gl and ular epithelium was simple cuboidal to columnar with an average height of 17.68 um. Fructose and citric acid were 15.93 and 3.35 mg%, respectively. Seasons had significant effects on height of the secretory cells and on the level of fructose concentration