preliminary study on some potential toxic effects of Rosa damascena Mill

Rosa damascena has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. In order to preliminarily study the probable toxic effects of the plant, its infusion was orally administered to 5 groups of 5 dogs at doses 0.5-8 times that of human use in traditional medicine [90-1440 mg/kg/d] for 10 successive days. The dogs in the control group [n=4] received placebo. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], bilirubin, albumin and protein were measured in all experimental groups at days 0, 1, 3, 7 and 10. Except for a transient increase in bilirubin levels [day 3] and a rise in serum ALT at day 10, both with the highest dose of the treatment, there were no statistical differences between different experimental groups compared to the control. The results suggest minimal nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic effects for the infusion of R. damascena, however, the medication may be hepatotoxic at extraordinary high doses

[Cardiodepressant effects of ethanol extract of pomegranate [Punica granatum] skin on rat isolated heart]

Pomegranate skin is used in traditional medicine and it posseses potent antioxidant properties. This research studied the effects of ethanol [80%] extract of pomegranate skin on isolated heart activity. Isolated rat hearts [n=8] were perfused using Langendorff technique. Following stabilization for at least 20min, lyophilized extract of pomegranate skin at concentrations equal to 0.1, 0.5 and 1% [5min each, respectively] were added to the perfusion [Krebs] solution. During the experiment, the heart rate, cardiac contractile force and coronary perfusion pressure [as an indicator for coronary tone] were studied. Upon addition of pomegranate skin extract, the mean heart rate gradually declined, a reduction from 223 beats per min at the beginning to 79 beats per min at the end of treatment course [p<0.001]. Left ventricular developed pressure[LVDP] showed a significant reduction following addition of the extract [p<0.001]. Coronary perfusion pressure gradually increased and was 23% higher by the end of the treatment [p<0.001]. The current research suggests potent cardiodepressant effects for water alcoholic extract of pomegranate skin

[Blood serum electrolyte and non-electrolyte parameters in breeding rutilus frisiikutum kammensky]

Reference values of serum parameters are important markers in health evaluation and diagnosis of diseases, as well as in controlling biological processes in aquatic animals. The aim of this research was to determine the reference values of biochemical factors in breeding Rutilus frisii kutum. Blood samples were collected from captured fish from Tajan River. Serum levels of glucose, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, calcium [Ca], phosphorus [P], sodium [Na], and potassium [K] were measured. The serum levels of different biochemical values in males and females were as follows: Na for males 387.1 +/- 11.5, and females 420.7 +/- 7.1; K for males 39.9 +/- 10.6, and for females 37.9 +/- 7.4; P for males 19.2 +/- 1.0, and females 28.9 +/- 2.8; Ca for males 15.9 +/- 1.5, and for females 21.6 +/- 1.0; glucose for males 209.8 +/- 23.2, and for females 83.8 +/- 11.3; cholesterol for males, 472.6 +/- 23.6, and for females 306.6 +/- 22.9; triglyceride for males 393 +/- 23.3, and for females 275.1 +/- 9.2; total bilirubin for males 0.4 +/- 0.02, and for females 0.3 +/- 0.02; direct bilirubin for males 0.1 +/- 0.03, and for females 0.1 +/- 0.02; BUN for males 22.3 +/- 1.0, and for females 24.1 +/- 1.1; creatinine for males 0.5 +/- 0.1, and for females 0.7 +/- 0.1 [mg/dl]; total protein for males 5.8 +/- 0.5, and for females 4.4 +/- 0.5; albumin for males 3.3 +/- 0.2, and for females 3.0 +/- 0.2 [g/dl]. The current results indicate that there are significant differences in serum values of glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, triglyceride, phosphorus, sodium and calcium between males and females. The serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride [p<0.001], glucose, total bilirubin [p<0.01] and direct bilirubin [p<0.05] in males, and those of phosphorus, calcium [p<0.01] and sodium [p<0.05] in females were significantly higher as compared to the opposite sexes. It can be concluded that the studied parameters may be affected by physiological factors such as the sex of fish

[ effects of orally administered allicin on serum activity of some enzymes in experimental lead poisoning in common carp [cyprinus carpio]]

Lead poisoning in aquatic animals is of special importance, as is also true for all living creatures. Alicin, one of the main active components of garlic, is expected to play a protective role against lead poisoning, due to its abundant sulfur amino acids. This research studied the toxic effects of lead in Common carp focusing on blood serum enzyme activities. The study focused on five groups each including 46 Common carp [100 +/- 10g]. The groups 2-5 received lead acetate at 7mg/Lfor 10 days. Group 3 received 5mg allicin/KgBwt; and Group 4 received daily amounts of 10mg allicin/KgBwt, beginning 5 days before lead acetate was added. Group 5 received the same as Group 4, but received allicin for the same period as it received lead acetate. At the end of the experimental period a measurement was made of serum enzymes including GGT, ALT, AST, LDH and ALP. The studied parameters in Group 2, which was exposed to lead, were significantly higher when compared to the Control Group [p<0.001]. The enzyme activities in groups receiving allicin [Groups 3-5] were significantly, and dose dependently, less than those of Group 2. However, no significant differences were observed between Groups 4 and 5. The results of the present research suggest a potent effect for allicin in alleviating tissue injuries following lead poisoning

effect of supplementation of feed with exogenous enzymes on the growth of common carp [Cyprinus carpio]

Supplementary feed exogenous enzymes have improved the growth rates of various food animals. In this research, the effect of Endofeed W, a multienzyme feed supplement, was investigated on the growth of carp. Accordingly, 134 fish [33.1 +/- 0.8 g] were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups. During the first stage of the experiment [10 days], group 1-3 received 1,2 and 3 g Endofeed W per kg diet, respectively. The fourth group [control] received a placebo. All fish were weighed and redistributed for the second stage of the experiment, during which the test groups received 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g Endofeed W per kg diet, respectively. During the first stage of the experiment, the multienzyme supplement reduced the fish weights, dose dependently, being statistically significant with the highest dose [P<0.05]. During the second stage of the experiment, a rather similar weight loss, especially with higher doses of the supplement, was observed. However, the differences were not significant [P>0.05]. The feed conversion rates were evidently higher in groups receiving Endofeed W. The present study suggests the enzyme supplement, Endofeed W, is not only ineffective in improving the growth and feed conversion rates of carp, it may even exert negative effects with higher doses

Growth limits of Staphylococcus aureus as a function of temperature, acetic acid, NaCI concentration, and inoculum level

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. Knowing the precise boundary for the growth/no growth interface of S. aureus and also determining the period of time needed for bacterial growth initiation is necessary for food safety risk assessment. This study was designed to examine the combined effects of temperature, acetic acid, inoculum level and NaCI concentration on the growth of S. aureus in brain heart infusion broth. Growth was monitored by visible turbidity over a 20 days period. Statistical analysis of data showed significant effects for selected parameters on growth of S. aureus. Stepwise multiple regression was used to predict the growth initiation [R[2] = 0.91, P<0.0001]. To obtain a boundary model, logistic regression was used. The models accurately predicted the growth initiation and inhibition of S. aureus

[Preliminary study of potential toxic effects of taranjebin in Syrian mice]

Manna taranjebin is produced by an insect, Poophilus nebulosus, on camel's thorn plant. The manna has been traditionally used in herbal medicine and recent studies have studied/confirmed some of its therapeutic effects. In this study, some potential toxic effects of taranjebin were studied. In the first experiment, 4 groups of 6 mice [25.6 +/- 0.40g] received different doses of taranjebin [0.6-4.8g/kg/d] orally. The control group [n=6] received similar volumes [10ml/kg] of normal saline. In the second experiment, different groups of mice [n=5, 25.6 +/- 0.45g] were injected similar doses of taranjebin or placebo intraperitoneally. In both studies, the mice were watched for clinical sings during 10 days of experiments. Weight gains were measured in both experiments, and the mice in the second experiment were blood sampled for assessment of serum urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]. No significant differences, regarding weight gain or the studied serum parameters, were observed between the control groups and those receiving taranjebin. It is concluded that even in high doses, taranjebin does not exert detectable toxic effects in the studied variables