Anti-fertility effect of flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata in rats / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To evaluate the anti-fertility effect of methanolic (MeTD) and aqueous (AqTD) flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata in rats.@*METHODS@#The anti-fertility activity of the extracts was evaluated using two experimental animal models: 1) Estrogenic activity was carried out in immature female rats using ethinyl estradiol as standard. The evaluation parameters includes changes in uterine weight and histopathology of uterus. 2) Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity was performed in female Wistar rats. The number of implants and resorbtions were compared to vehicle control.@*RESULTS@#Phytochemical analysis of MeTD and AqTD revealed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. In estrogenic activity, the MeTD and AqTD were offered significant estrogen-like activity at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. by increasing the uterine weight compared to vehicle control group. In Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity study, MeTD (500 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) showed significant effect and it was evident by decrease in the number of implants and increase in the number of resorbtions compared to vehicle control group.@*CONCLUSION@#The MeTD at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. possess significant estrogenic, anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity, while the AqTD at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. was found to possess significant estrogenic activity and the results are in consistent with the literature reports related to anti-fertility effect of flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata.

Protective effect of lemongrass oil against dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia in rats: possible role of decreased lecithin cholesterol acetyl transferase activity

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemic activity of lemongrass oil against in dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia in rats.@*METHODS@#Administration of dexamethasone was given at 10 mg/kg, sc. to the adult rats for 8 d induces hyperlipidemia characterized by marked increase in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels along with increase in atherogenic index.@*RESULTS@#Lemongrass oil (100 and 200 mg/kg, po.) treatment has showed significant inhibition against dexamethasone hyperlipidemia by maintaining the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic index near to the normal levels and the antihyperlipidemic effect of the lemongross oil was comparable with atorvastatin 10 mg/kg, po. The possible mechanism may be associated with decrease in lecithin cholesterol acetyl transferase (LCAT) activity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggested that Lemon gross oil possess significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity.