Potential effect of Aloe barbadensis and Salvadora persica [Miswak] Mixture Sap as a contraceptive therapy in female mice

Background: Evaluation of herbs has been in progress worldwide for several decades to identify effective and safe substances for fertility regulation. This approach proved to be a good alternative to synthetic drugs as the chemicals of plant origin have limited side effects. Various medicinal plant extracts were investigated for their antifertility activity in female animal models

Aim of the work: This study was designed to investigate the toxic effects of Aloe barbadensis and Salvadora persica [Miswak] Mixture sap and to assess them as a contraceptive therapy

Material and Methods: Twenty female adult albino rats [Sprague dawley strain] were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups [10 rats in each group]; Group I [control untreated group] and Group II [mix treated group]. Mixture of Aloe barbadensis and Miswak sap was orally administered [7 mg of Miswak + 7 mg of Aloe per 100 gram body weight] for 30 +/- 2 days, where females were in the diestrus phase]. All animals were decapitated after 30 days and blood samples were analyzed for estrogen, progesterone, tumor markers CA-15.3 and CA-125, kidney and liver functions, proteins profile and lipids profile

Results: The mean serum level of estrogen was significantly increased [p<0.01], while that of progesterone was significantly decreased [p

Conclusion: It could be concluded that Aloe barbadensis and Miswak extract can be used as a safe contraceptive therapy that can increase the estrogen level due to its phytoestrogen components such as beta sitosterol, without deleterious effects on the vital organs [liver and kidneys]

Ultrastructural study on biomphalaria alexandrina haemocytes infected with schistosoma mansoni in Egypt and its correlation with nitric oxide level

Some snails of Biomphalaria alexandrina can resist the infection of Schistosoma mansoni so this study aimed to clearly this mechanism by using light and electron microscopy [EM] and determine the role of Nitric oxide in this mechanism. B. alexandrina snails used in this study were exposed individually to S. mansoni infection according to their response they were classified into susceptible group [shed cercariae] and resistant group [failed to shed cercariae]. Snails not exposed to infection were included in this study as control group. Nitric oxide [NO] level was assayed directly in the soluble fraction of B. alexandrina haemolymph supernatants collected from each group of B. alexandrina snails were subjected to NO assay by the Greiss reaction. The level of NO in haemolymph of infected snails was significantly increased [p<0.001] than both control and non infected snails groups, however, in non infected snails group had significantly [p<0.05] compared to control group. This study when correlated the changes recognized by EM with NO level the pro apoptotic effect of high level of NO on the haemocytes. Characterization and identification of cell shape of haemocytes in both haemolymph and tissue were examined by light and electron microscopy. Examination of B. alexandrina snail's haemocytes revealed three types of different cells classified according to their shape and granular contents. These cells are granulocytes, amoe-bocytes and hyalineocytes. Electron microscope Study also revealed the important role of granulocytes and amoebocytes as defense mechanism against snail infection. NO is considered an important anti parasite molecule; intra-molluscan stages of parasites switch off host NO defense response

Effects of iron chelating therapy and / or HBV-vaccination on beta-thalassemia major patients

Thalassemia is a genetic inherited blood disorder in which the body makes abnormal hemoglobin with excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. For many years, hepatitis B virus was a major problem for patients with thalassemia substantially contracted from blood transfusions. The development of effective vaccine has further reduced the magnitude of the problem of hepatitis B. Iron chelators are used to remove excess iron that accumulates due to repeated blood transfusion. To compare thalassemic patients either have or haven't HCV with healthy persons as regards biochemical indices taking in consideration effect of vaccination against HBV or not and using iron chelating therapy or not by the studied persons. A case control study in which 40 thalassemic, blood transfusion dependent patients were chosen randomly to act as a case group from thalassemic patients attending the VACSERA Company. The cases [40 patients] they were classified to patients having HCV, patients were HBV vaccinated, other non vaccinated, using iron chelating therapyor don't use it. Another 10 healthy and non thalassemic persons were chosen randomly among persons attending the same company as a control group to be matched with the case group. 50% of studied thalassemic patients had HCV seropositivity. Biochemical blood indices which were found to be significantly elevated among thalassemic patients than controls were ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and LDH enzymes in addition to serum iron, ferritin and globulin mostly in HBV non-vaccinated and iron chelating therapy non dependent patients while, other biochemical indices which were significantly decreased among thalassemic patients compared to controls included: total cholesterol, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin ratio mostly in HBV vaccinated and iron chelating non dependent patients. This study illustrated the effectiveness of iron chelators agentsand the importance of vaccination for reduction of morbidity and mortality