study of some physiological and biochemical properties of the glycoside convicine on albino rats

Convicine glycoside is hydrolyzed by intestinal microflora to highly reactive free- radical generation compound isouramil. Isouramil has been strongly implicated as the causative agent of favism. Biological studies were conducted to determine some physiological and biochemical properties of convicine isolated from faba beans. The results obtained revealed that the tested oral dose of convicine [2 mg/100g b.wt.] showed significant increase in W.B.Cs, while it caused significant decrease in serum glucose. The analysis of serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphate showed that convicine causes significant increases. The results also showed that there were a significant decrease in the level of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. There were, also significant decreases in serum and tissue malondialdhyde [MDA]. While a significant increase in blood and tissue glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity was found. On the other hand, there was, significant increase in plasma nitric oxide level. From the results we can conclude that convicine had certain beneficial effects as a good antioxidant agent

Evaluation of some toxic effects of the glycoside convicine on albino rat

Isouramil [IU] is a glycone of the glycoside convicine isolated from faba beans [Vacia faba L.]. Convicine caused haemolytic crisis called Favism especially in patients deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In the present study the experiments were performed to investigate the convicine effect on albino rats. Three groups of albino rats were used. The first group was kept as a control, the second and third group were given oral dose of convicine [2 mg/100g b.wt.] for 15 and 30 days, respectively. The results revealed that convicine caused significant decrease [P < 0.05] in red blood cells. R.B.Cs and hemoglobin content. The analysis of serum albumin/globulin ratio a showed significant decrease [P < 0.05]. There were significant increases [P < 0.05] in serum and tissue total protein, serum bilirubin, globulin and iron. The results showed that convicine when hydrolyzed to its haemoglobin aglycon isouramil caused the same signs similar in many respects to those observed in human metabolic disease [Favism]