Effects of 50% Ethanolic Extract of Andrographis Paniculata on Sexual Behavior and Serum Hormonal Assay in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Andrographis paniculata has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various ailments. The present study was aimed to investigate the possible effect of A. paniculata extract on male sexual behavior parameters and sex hormone levels. Fifty Sprague Dawley male rats received 50% ethanolic extract of A. paniculata by gavaging for 10 weeks at the doses of 0.5, 1, 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg, while another 10 male rats were given distilled water. Sexual behavior study was carried out on day 45thof treatment by pairing with a naturally receptive female (1:1). At the end of treatment period, the male rats were sacrificed by ethyl ether inhalation. The bloods were centrifuged to obtain serum for determination of hormone levels. Results showed that sexual behavior parameters in treatment groups were found to be comparable with that of the control indicating no effect on sexual motivation and performance. Treatment of A. paniculata was significantly increased serum testosterone level, while FSH and LH concentrations remained statistically unchanged at any of the dose levels. Based on these findings, ingestion of A. paniculata did not induce any adverse effect on sexual behavior and improvement of testosterone observed might be contributed for therapeutic use of this plant as sex enhancer.

Efficacy of Multimedia Set on Acquisition Clinical Skills, Views of Medical Students in UMS.

Undergraduate training in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery is often challenged by the short posting and limited patient contact. Multimedia is an useful tool in medical education to enhance clinical skills training. However, there is limited research on the development of such tools. We describe the development of an innovative multimedia set, where Mayer‘s principles for designing multimedia were followed in preparing an interactive CD-ROM. The developed set integrated basic sciences and clinical applications. The views of a sample of fourth year medical students and general practitioners were explored about the usefulness of this developed multimedia in facilitating the acquisition of clinical skills. The instructor led the live demonstration for the clinical examination. Then, students interacted with the multimedia set in a ratio of 4 students to 1 computer. Immediately afterwards, they practiced the technique of clinical examination of the nose. End of the session feedback revealed that most of the students found the innovative set had simplified the difficult techniques and rated it very good to excellent. Shortcomings in producing a perfect media tool are related to unavailability of media professionals in the institute. However, the prototype product was found effective in acquisition clinical skills and enhancing cognitive outcome. The continuous development of multimedia materials will improve the skills of the crew and the quality of the multimedia product.

Induction of seminiferous tubular atrophy by single dose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in Wistar rats.

Antimetabolite, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is known to cause testicular damage by epithelial sloughing and cell killing. However, it is not known whether 5-FU induces tubular atrophy and the fate of exfoliated germ cells. Present study was conducted to evaluate these effects of 5-FU on rat testis. Animals were injected, single dose of 5-FU (10.50 & 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and sampled at 1, 3, 15 and 30 day following the treatment. The testes were perfusion fixed by Bouin's fluid. Five micron thick paraffin sections of testes and epididymis were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Slides were examined for the incidence of abnormal tubules (per 200 tubules), tubular diameter (STD), epithelial height (SEH) and for the presence of germ cells in the epididymis. Data were analysed by Mann-Whitney 'U' test. The testes weight, STD, SEH were decreased (P < 0.05-0.01) in treated animals. The abnormal tubules were increased in a dose dependent manner with atrophic tubules seen on 30 d. The exfoliated germ cells have not blocked the post testicular ductal system and found in the epididymis in a dose dependent manner. The present study concludes that 5-FU causes tubular shrinkage and atrophy. Further, epididymis is involved in the phagocytosis of germ cells.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induces the formation of giant cells and sloughing of seminiferous epithelium in the rat testis.

The chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Its effect on the testis has not been substantially studied. Present study was conducted to evaluate the gonadotoxicity of 5-FU in male albino rats. Animals were injected with single dose of 5-FU (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and sampled on 1, 3, 15 and 30 day post exposure. Animals were anaesthetised, testes were perfusion fixed by Bouin's fluid. Five micron thick paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Slides were screened for the incidence of partially and extensively sloughed tubules. Data were analysed by Mann Whitney 'U' test. Only 100 mg/kg induced multinucleated cells on 3rd day. All doses of 5-FU induced sloughing of the seminiferous epithelium. Maximum number of partially sloughed tubules were seen on third day. Partial sloughing was not dose dependent except on 15th day. The extensive sloughing was dose dependent except on 30th day. The result indicates that all the doses of 5-FU tested in this study cause sloughing of epithelium and only 100 mg/kg induces the formation of giant cells on third day.