[Effect of hydro alcoholic extract of nutmeg on Immune response of rat]

Background: Myristica fragrans is an evergreen aromatic tree cultivated in many tropical countries. Nutmeg, the dried ripe seed of M. fragrans, is a popular spice used in sweet and savory cooking, and a variety of drinks

Objective: Nutmeg has a variety of pharmaceutical effects and in this study its effects on immune responses were evaluated

Methods: Six groups [each group 8] of Wistar rats were treated as follows: Even groups received Nutmeg extract at dose 300 mg per kg of body weight intraperitoneally [IP], daily up to 12 days. Odd groups received PBS instead of nutmeg extract. The rats of groups 1 and 2 were immunized IP with 1.35×109 Sheep RBC [SRBC] in days 1 and 6. The rats of groups 3 and 4, were immunized IP with 1.35×109 SRBC in days 1 and subcutaneously in right foot pad with 2.7×107 SRBC in a volume of 0.1 ml on the day 9. Titer of anti-SRBC antibody in the groups 1 and 2 and lysozyme and alternative complement pathway activity of groups 5 and 6 were evaluated on day 13. The swelling of footpads in groups 3 and 4 were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after challenge with SRBC and these rats euthanized on day 13 and theirs foot were examined histopathologically for infiltration of inflammatory cells

Results: The result showed that nutmeg extract significantly increase anti SRBC titer [P=0.005], inhibit inflammatory cells infiltration [P< 0.001] but has not any effect on serum lysozyme or complement activity [P=0.4]

Conclusion: In conclusion nutmeg extract shows a significant suppression on cell mediated immunity and stimulatory effect on humeral immune response to SRBC in Wistar rats

[Evaluation of furazolidone reabsorption in the dog bladder following ileocystoplasty]

Drug absorption within intestinal urinary diversions has been reported to cause prolonged and higher grade toxicity. The aim of this study has been to determine the importance and significance of drug absorption via neobladder after ileocystoplasty. Ten healthy adult mixed breed dogs of both sexes [7 males and 3 females], weighing between 15-25 kg were selected. The animals were randomly divided into equal test and control groups. In treatment group, partial cytectomy, resecting 50 percent of the bladder and immediate ileocystoplasty was performed by Lamesch and Dociu technique. In control group an ileal resection and intestinal tract re-anastomosis was achieved without partial cystectomy and ileocystoplasty. In all animals, blood and urine samples were taken before surgery, at hours 1, 3, 6 and 24 after oral administration of Furazolidone [100 mg/dog] and this process was repeated on days 7, 25 and 45 after operation at the same hours. After preparation of the samples, the Furazolidone was measured by HPLC assay. One way analysis of variance and Dunnet test were used for the analysis of the data and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. In test group, the blood samples showed significant changes of Furazolidone on day 25. The urine samples revealed significant changes on day 45 in both groups and on day 25 in test group. The results of this study showed absorptive effect of the ileum that decreases with time. Problems arising from drug reabsorption are usually rare and in most drugs a change in dosage [except those which have a narrow

Evaluation of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of silymarin on acute toxicity due to tetracycline severe overdose in cats: a preliminary study

The aim of the present study was to determine the protective action of silymarin on acute toxicity due to tetracycline severe overdose in cats. Thirty healthy cats were randomly allotted into five equal groups. Cats in group A were given tetracycline [single dose 120 mg/kg, p.o.]; group B consisted of cats that received silymarin [single dose 30 mg/kg, p.o.] concurrent with tetracycline administration; groups C, D and E were treated as group B, but silymarin was administered 4, 12 and 24 h after tetracycline administration, respectively. The serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], BUN, serum creatinine and total and direct bilirubin were measured before tetracycline administration and 4, 12, 24 and 72 h later. A single oral administration of tetracycline increased, significantly, serum concentrations of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH in all cats of group A, after 24 h [P<0.001]. In groups B and C, levels of serum enzyme activities remained within normal values. In group D, there were changes in levels of serum enzyme activities, but the difference was not significant [P>0.05]. In group E, levels of serum enzyme activities were significantly higher than normal values [P<0.05]. The difference was significant between groups A and E with groups B and C for the serum enzymes [P<0.05]. In conclusion, silymarin can protect liver tissue against hepatotoxicity in cats with tetracycline severe overdose, particularly in the first 4 h after exposure

[Determination of furazolidone residues in muscles of the cultured common carp following experimental bath and oral administration]

Furazolidon is a prohibited antibiotic not permissible for use in aquaculture. However, some fish farmers may use it illegally. This study was aimed to investigates the residues of Furazolidone in the muscles of cultured Common Carp. One handred Cultured Common Carp were caught and the Furazolidone content of the fishe's muscle was measured using HPLC technique. Furazolidone was administered experimentally to 60 Common Carp through two different procedures. The first procedure was applied by a short term bath while the second approach was considered orally. Sampling from the fishe's muscles was done within 10, 20 and 30 days after exposure. The results of this study showed that Furazolidone was detected in the muscles of 40 cultured fish [40%]. This study revealed that Furazolidone had been residually retained in the muscles of fish, using both methods, when examining the 10 day samples. The residues were 3.41 +/- 0.76, for the oral administration method, and 2.36 +/- 0.54 mg/kg, for the bath. There was no significant difference between these two groups [p>0.05]. After 20 days, the residue of Furazolidone was not detected in the short term bath group, but it was detected in the oral group. The results indicated that there was a longer retention of the drug in the oral administration group. Subsequently, 30 days after the drug administration for both groups, no Furazolidone was detected in the fishe's muscles. In the control group, for all samples, there was no Furazolidone residue detectable in the fishe's muscles. This study showed that Furazolidone may be used in some of the fish farms in the Khozestan Province and at least thirty days are needed for drug to be cleared from their bodies

Mutation of the histidin residue of the DRH motif in vasopressin V2 receptor expression and function

Vasopressin type 2 receptor [V2R], a G protein coupled receptor [GPCR], plays an important role in the regulation of renal antidiuretic function. The highly conserved DRH motif is essential for G protein signaling of V2R; however its role especially regarding the histidin residue is not fully understood. Site directed mutagenesis was performed with replacements of the histidin to isoleucine by using nested polymerase chain reaction. ELISA was performed for receptor expression assay and the adenylyl cyclase activity assay was performed for functional characterization of DRI mutation on V2R signaling. The adenylyl cyclase activity assay in COS-7 cells showed no difference in the amount of cAMP production between the wild type and the mutant V2 receptors. The V2 receptor expression was not changed in the presence of this mutation using ELISA assay. These results suggest that the role of histidin residue is not critical in the V2 receptor function, however further mutagenesis studies are required to define the role of this motif in V2R function