ABSTRACT
Background: artemisinin is commonly used for the treatment of malaria, but recently has been considered as a potential substance to control poultry coccidiosis
Objectives: the aim of the present study was to determine the tissue distribution of artemisinin following single or multiple oral administration of different doses in broiler chickens
Methods: a total number of 390 one day old Ross broiler chicks were divided randomly into two main groups, in the first group 0, 1, 5, 25, 125, 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg artemisinin as a single oral dose was administered on day 44, but the second group were treated with 0, 17, 34, 68 or 136 ppm artemisinin from day 8 to day 44. The HPLC system was used to determine the level of artemisinin in different tissue samples. Data were assessed using one way analysis of variance [ANOVA] followed by the Tukey's test [p<0.05]
Results: maximum concentrations of artemisinin were found in the liver of chickens in both groups in a dose dependent manner. While, the minimum level was determined in the brain and the kidney of chickens received multiple artemisinin administration; in the spleen of those chickens a single oral dose was administered. The concentration of artemisinin in the brain reached a plateau at 68 ppm in multiple administrations and 125mg/kg at single dose, no shift was found with dose increment
Conclusions: it can be concluded that tissue accumulation of artemisinin is time and dose dependent. Moreover, redistribution, saturation effect and tissue selectivity were also observed
ABSTRACT
Safflower is one of those herbal medicines that many studies rely on its use for the treatment of menstrual problems and diseases of the circulatory system. The flowers of this plant have long been used as a sexual stimulant medication. Furthermore there is evidence about its effects on the infertility and sexual disorders. Considering the effect of this plant on infertility, this study was designed to investigate the role of the aqueous extract of Safflower on the histomorphometric structure of female genital system in mice. 30 female balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. In group one, Safflower extract was given orally for 45 consecutive days at the dose of 40mg/kg. Safflower extract [80 mg/kg] was given orally to mice in group two for 45 days. Mice in group three [Control group] received water in the same volume, way and time. Results from present study were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and Tukey's test. The results showed that long term use of Safflower extract increased ovarian weight of mice [group one: 0.8 +/- 0.04, group two: 1.1 +/- 0.07] compared to control group [0.4 +/- 0.06], significantly [p<0.05]. Histomorphological studies revealed that use of Safflower increased the number and diameter of secondary follicles [group one: 3 +/- 0.57; 9 +/- 0.66, group two: 3.25 +/- 0.25; 9.08 +/- 0.3], graafian follicles [group one: 1.1 +/- 0.17; 7.66 +/- 0.54, group two: 1.2 +/- 0.13; 8 +/- 0.75] and corpus luteum [group one: 4.75 +/- 0.75; 5.27 +/- 0.29, group two: 4.75 +/- 0.47; 5.4 +/- 0.31] significantly [p<0.05]. However, the number of atretic follicles were decreased in experimental groups [group one: 2.5 +/- 0.0.28, group two: 2.25 +/- 0.62] significantly [p<0.05]. Furthermore, the diameter of granulosa layer [group one: 4.58 +/- 0.3, group two: 3.25 +/- 0. 3] and colosum oophorus [group one: 2.5 +/- 0.18, group two: 2.58 +/- 0. 15] in experimental groups were changed compared to control group [4.66 +/- 0.33, 1.87 +/- 0.15,] significantly [p<0.05]. Safflower had no significant effects on the histomorphological structure of uterus [p>0.05]. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of Safflower is more effective on ovaries compared to uterus and may have positive effects on fertility in female mice