ABSTRACT
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the toxic effect of Tinospora bakis roots on body weight, hematology, biochemistry and histopathology on rats. Methodology: Twenty four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each of 6. For sub chronic toxicity, the aqueous extract was administered orally at a dose of 50, 500 and 2000 mg/ kg -for four weeks- to group 2, 3 and 4, respectively whereas Group 1 was kept as a control. Clinical signs and mortality were observed daily. The weights of the animals were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemistry analysis. Specimens of liver and kidney were kept in 10% formalin for histopathology. Results: The results revealed that all animals in the four groups survived, and no mortality was recorded. The body weights of the animals increased in group 2 and 3, decreased in group 4. The extract had no adverse effects on hematology, biochemistry and histology of rats at doses of 50 and 500 mg/ kg, but caused significant alteration at dose 2000 mg/kg. White blood cells (WBCs) were significantly (P<0.05) increased; Red blood cells (RBCs), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Total protein and albumin were significantly (P< 0.05) decreased whereas Urea, creatinine, Alanin Transaminase (ALT), Asparate Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated. These findings correlated with histopathological changes on liver and kidney. Conclusion: The low doses of T. bakis aqueous extract were not toxic, but the high dose cause hepato-renal toxicity.
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study aims to screen the aqueous extract of Gardenia ternifolia fruit for toxicity in Wistar albino rats by determination of morality, Percentage of weight change, hematology, biochemistry and histopathology. Methodology: Twenty four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each of 6. Group 1 (control), group 2 and 3 (sub-chronic toxicity) and group 4 (acute toxicity). The aqueous extract was administered orally at a dose of 50 and 500 mg/ kg/ day -for four weeks- to group 2 and 3, respectively. Group 4 received 2000 mg/kg once, and group 1 was kept as a control. Clinical signs and mortality were observed daily. The weights of the animals were recorded weekly at week intervals till the end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemistry. Specimens of Liver and kidney were kept in 10% formalin for histopathology. Results: The results revealed that no clinical signs of toxicity or mortality were recorded during the experiment in all groups. The percentage of weight gain was lowest in group 4 compared with group 1 (control). The hematology and biochemistry of group 1 and 2 were not affected. However, both were altered in group 4. White Blood Cells (WBC) were significantly (P<0.05) increased; Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Total protein and albumin were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Cholesterol, urea, creatinine, Alanin Transaminase (ALT), Asparate Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (P<0.05) increased. But, bilirubin was not affected in all groups. Histopathological changes on liver and kidney correlated with the hematological and biochemical alterations. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of G. ternifolia fruit was safe and not lethal to rats at low doses; the highest dose altered the haematology, biochemistry and histology of the tested animals.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to screen Artemether 80 for activity against Theileria lestoquardi (Apicomplexa: Theileridae) using buparvaquone as a standard drug. Study Design: In vitro study under laboratories conditions. Place and Duration of Study: Veterinary Research Institute, between 2006 and 2008. Methodology: Artemether 80 was screened for the first time to investigate activity against T. lestoquardi at different concentrations. Blood was collected separately from normal sheep and sheep infected naturally with Theileria. Normal lymphocyte cells and lymphocyte cells infected with Theileria were isolated from heparinized blood with Ficoll-paque. Isolated cells were grown in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM), supplemented with 20% calf serum and sub cultured. The parasite was identified with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA). A volume of 2.7 ml of lymphoblast cell suspension at concentration of 5x104 cell/ ml was distributed in tissue culture plates, and then 0.3 ml of drug at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 mg/L was added separately. A volume of 0.3 ml MEM was added to infected untreated control. Results: The in vitro antitheilerial activity of Artemether 80 against T. lestoquardi 48 h after exposure was 0%, 14%, 30% and 45% at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/L, respectively as compared with activity of buparvaquone at the same concentrations being 74%, 83%, 92% and 100%, respectively. Both Artemether 80 and buparvaquone caused in vitro partial cytotoxic effect at the highest concentrations. Activity and/ or partial cytotoxic effect of both drugs caused changes in the morphology of macroscizonts and host lymphoblast cells, decreased the number of macroschizonts/cell, mean number of dividing cells, increased the number of cells with extra cellular macroschizonts. Conclusion: It was concluded that Artemether 80 is slightly effective in vitro against T. lestoquardi.
ABSTRACT
The objective of the undergoing work is investigating antitumor therapy potential and antioxidant capacity of Sudanese medicinal plants Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae), Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae), Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae) and Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del (Zygophyllaceae) by studying the plants seeds fixed oils for their cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity. This study was conducted at the Sudan National Research Center, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan, in June-August, 2013. The five fixed oils cytotoxicity was studied using Brine Shrimp Lethality and antioxidant activity by DPPH and Iron Chelating Assays. Obtained results showed that Ricinus communis fixed oil has the highest toxicity with LC50 1.7014, followed by Nigella sativa with LC50 606.2, when analyzed by Finney Probit Analysis. Antioxidant activity results of the five fixed oils measured using DPPH showed that Nigella sativa fixed oil showed high antioxidant potential (85%), while Ricinus communis and Helianthus annuus fixed oils showed moderate antioxidant activity (52%) and (51%) respectively. All of the fixed oils showed no activity when using Iron Chelating Assay. Results justify the plants use in folkloric medicine although dosages should be monitored for its safe use. Studies directed towards identification of bioactive compounds are recommended.