Effects of using eucalyptus [Eucalyptus globulus L.] leaf powder and its essential oil on growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of eucalyptus leaf powder [ELP] and eucalyptus essential oil [EEO] on growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 160 broiler chicks were assigned randomly into five dietary treatments from 7-42 days of age. Dietary treatments included: a control diet, control diets plus 1,000 or 3,000 mg/kg of ELP, and control diets plus 250 or 500 mg/kg of EEO. Dietary inclusion of ELP decreased body weight gain [BWG] during 7-28 days of age. Broilers fed diet containing 3,000 mg/kg of ELP had lower feed intake [FI] during 7-28 days compared to the other treatments. Broilers fed ELP or EEO had greater primary antibody response to sheep red blood cells [SRBC] compared to the control, but differences in secondary antibody response were not significant. In conclusion, dietary EEO has the potential to enhance immune response of broiler chickens

effects of topical chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin on con-junctival bacterial flora of healthy dogs

Normal bacterial flora of the conjunctiva, which inhibits growth of opportunistic organisms, has an important role in the prevention of ocular infections. If resident flora is inhibited by disease or long-term application of antibiotics, opportunistic pathogens overgrow, leading to disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ophthalmic chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin on bacterial conjunctival flora in healthy dogs. A total of 16 animals were divided into 2 equal groups which received either chloramphenicol [CHL] [0.5%] or ciprofloxacin [CIP] [0.3%]. In both groups, the right eye of each animal was treated with 2 drops of antibiotics every 8 and 6 hours, respectively, for 1 week and the left eye received artificial tear solution and served as control. Bacterial and fungal cultures were performed 8 hours before and after the treatment. Fisher's Exact test and SPSS software were used for statistical analyses [p<0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences between control and test eyes and bacterial isolates in both groups. In CHL group, after treatment Staphylococcus spp [62.5%], Bacillus spp [12.5%] from the right eyes and Staphylococcus spp [75%] and Bacillus spp [12.5%] from left eyes were isolated. In CIP group, after treatment the bacterial isolates of right eyes were Staphylococcus spp [87.5%], Aerococ-cus spp [37.5%], Viridans streptococcus [25%], Micrococcus spp [12.5%], Bacillus spp [12.5%]; Staphylococcus spp [75%], Micrococcus spp [25%] Bacillus spp [12.5%] were isolated from left eyes of dogs after 1 week administration of artificial tear. Topically applied chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin had no significant changes in or detrimental effects on normal bacterial flora of treated dogs

Antiparasitic efficacy of worm wood [Artemisia absinthium] alcoholic extract on Syphacia obvolata

Occurrence of resistance against antiparasitic drugs has made it essential for researchers to find new sources for antiparasitic drugs. This study was performed to determine the efficiency of alcoholic extract of worm wood [Artemisia absinthium] on Syphasia parasite. Artemisia absinthium extract was examined on 3 groups of mice at 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations. A group of positive control received pyrantel pamoate, while negative control group was treated by a solution containing no extract. Mice were treated orally 28 days after infection by Syphacia eggs. The efficacy of treatment was determined by Syphacia eggs in the feces. In groups that received either 5% or 10% concentrations of A. absinthium extract or pyrantel pamoate, microscopic examinations of the feces demonstrated no Syphacia eggs. Data obtained from the present study showed that the alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium may lead to a decline in the number of Syphacia eggs in the feces with minimal side effects. The extract of this plant can probably be used as a suitable alternative in the treatment of some parasitic diseases

Influence of permethrin and cypermethrin on behavior in the mouse

Permethrin and Cypermethrin are synthetic pyrethroids, belonging to a group of insecticides with low mammalian toxicity and high insecticidal activity. The present study evaluated sub-acute toxicity of dermally administrated permethrin and cypermethrin in mice. Behavioral examination included assessments of lethality, weight gain, grooming, analgesymetry, anxiety, grasping, motor activity, and despair in response to inescapable swim stress. The study was conducted on 70 adult male mice, which were exposed dermally via the whole tail zone for 10 s once daily for 28 consecutive days at concentrations of 0%, 0.1%,, 1% and 10% of each compound. No significant changes were observed in body weight gain, grooming behavior or pain sensation among the treated and control groups. However, the following effects were observed in the experimental groups: a tendency towards increased motor activity compared to controls [47% in P0.1% group, P = 0.025], a tendency to lose grasping faster than controls [48% and 40% decreased in P10% and C1% groups, respectively, [P < 0.05], shorter stay in the long arms and longer stay in the short arms on the elevated plus maze task compared to controls [up to 84% difference, P < 0.05], and failure in terms of floating on the inescapable swim stress task [500% and 900% increase in interruption times in the P10% and C10% groups, respectively, P < 0.05]. In conclusion, upon long-term dermal exposure, synthetic pyrethroids may lead to increased motor activity, decreased grasping tendency and/or ability, increased apathy, and increased despair in the mouse animal model

pretreatment effects of pentoxifylline on aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative damage in perfused rat liver

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of pentoxifylline [PTX] against aflatoxin Bl [AFB1] exposure in perfused rat livers by evaluating damage marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems [glutathione, GSH] and lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde, MDA]. Sixteen rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups: control, PTX, AFB1 and AFB1 + PTX. Rats in the control group were infused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. Rats in the AFB1 -treated group received approximately 1 ppm and the PTX- treated group received 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally 24 h before surgery. Alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were increased by AFB 1 and decreased by PTX. PTX also ameliorated the increased concentration of MDA caused by AFB1. PTX did not compensate for the decrease in GSH caused by AFB 1. These results imply that PTX has an antioxidant effect by inhibiting free radicals, and prior treatment with PTX ameliorates the effects of AFB 1 -induced lipid peroxidation but does not compensate GSH depots

[ comparison effects of analgesics flunixin meglumine and ketoprofen in pain induced by peroxynitrite in guinea-pigs]

Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] are widely used to reduce inflammation, pain and fever. The present study was organized to induce an experimental inflammation in an animal model, using a putative biological oxidant, Peroxynitrite [ONOO] and to study the effects of Flunixin meglumine and Ketoprofen on the pressure-induced pain. For this purpose, 24 male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups each consisting of 6 animals. Three groups [groups 2, 3 and 4] were injected Peroxynitrite and one group [the first: control] received physiological salt solution subcutaneously in the paw. After induction of a local inflammatory response, Flunixin meglumine [1mg/kg] and Ketoprofen [2 mg/kg] were injected to the second and third groups, 5 times with 12h intervals. The first and the fourth groups were injected saline solution in the same manner. Pressure analgesiometry was performed before and 1 hour after injections. The animals in all 3 groups treated with Peroxynitrite demonstrated an increased sensitivity to painful pressure [P<0.05]. Both NSAIDs decreased the pain sensation dramatically after the 1[st] and the 2[nd] injections but, not after the 3[rd], 4[th] and the 5[th] injections. The study suggested that NSAIDs may be helpful in reducing pressure-induced pain in animal model in early hours of the treatment, whereas the effect subsides over time and ends up after a few days. This effect may be of importance in humans who receive these kinds of drugs for a long period as they may not be effective in reducing pain after a while

Application of PCR-RFLP to rapid identification of the main pathogenic dermatophytes from clinical specimens

In the present study, a PCR-RFLP based molecular technique was designed to rapid identification of dermatophytes in clinical specimens. Skin scrapings obtained from human cases suspected to dermatophytosis were studied in order to identify involved etiological fungi. In this experimental study, the specimens [skin scrapings] of patients referred to Mycology Department of Pasteur Institute of Iran were inoculated on Petri dishes contained selective agar for pathogenic fungi [SAPF] and incubated at 25°C until visible growth of fungal colonies. The colonies were examined for standard morphological characteristics after visible growth on the agar medium. A small portion of each fungal colony was further studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] analysis of the PCR-amplified internal transcribed spacer [ITS] region of ribosomal DNA [rDNA]. PCR amplicons were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel after digesting by different restriction enzymes including MvaI, HinfI and Hae III. Among 160 clinical samples examined, 6 dermatophyte species including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. verrucosum, T. tonsurans, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum were finally identified based on the colony morphology and microscopic criteria. Specific PCR products and RFLP patterns for MvaI, HinfI and Hae III enzymes allowed the rapid identification and reliable differentiation of isolated dermatophytes at the genus or species level for 5-10 day-old colonies. The results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS region of rDNA is a rapid and reliable tool which allows identification of major pathogenic dermatophytes isolated in this study at species level in young 5-10 day-old colonies

[Impact of two selected non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs flunixin and ketoprofen on peroxynitrite-induced inflammation and serum levels of cortisol and glucose]

Peroxynitrite, produced naturally in the body from a reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion, possess destructive effects against microorganisms. In excess concentrations, however, it may also lead to cellular damage and inflammatory reactions in the host. Non - sterodial anti inflammation drugs [NSAIDs] are used widely in therapy for their antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. Meanwhile, their adverse effects on endocrine functions should be taken into account. This project aims at the following goals: 1] establishing a new animal model of peroxynitrite-induced inflammation, 2] studying the effect of two selected NSAIDs on these parameters.3] investigating the possible effect of this oxidant on the blood levels of cortisol and glucose. 24 male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups [6 animals in each group]. Three groups were injected peroxynitrite and the last group, control group, given physiological salt solution in the paw subcutaneously. Following induction of a local inflammatory response, flunixin meglumine and ketoprofen [0.5 mg/0.5 ml] were injected to second and third groups, 5 times with 12h intervals. First and fourth groups were injected saline solution with the same manner. Animals were anesthetized with thiopental [60 mg/kg, i.p.] and a blood sample was collected by heart puncture. The glucose and cortisol levels of blood were determined by routine laboratory techniques. Blood glucose concentration in the animals that only injected peroxynitrite was less than the control group. In addition, groups which were given drugs had statistically higher levels of glucose in their blood more than the others. Although, cortisol levels were lower in the test groups compared to the control group, these differences were not significant statistically. The results of current study showed that both peroxinitrite and NSAIDs decreasethe cortisol levels of blood. These findings can be a possible explanation for the lower levels of cortisol in the blood of patient who receive nitro glisirin as well as osteoarthritis patients that mainly take NSAIDs. In the study, the glucose levels of blood in animals given drugs were more than the control groups