Study on the effect of lsouramil on some pharmacological responses with special references to its thermoregulatory effects in rats

Isouramil [U] is an active aglycone of the glycoside convicine isolated from broad beans [Vicia Faba] with the capacity to autoxidize and generates hydrogen peroxide. The effect of successive reported doses [1.2 mg/100 g body weight] equivalent to 1/10 LD[50] ,of lsouramil in rats for two weeks on body temperature, hematology, some constituents of urine and blood glutathione were studied in male Sprague Dawely rats. There was a marked decrease in skin and tail temperatures but little effect on rectal temperature. Erythrocy1es decreased [P<0.05] after the second week of injection and haematocrite value increased [P<0.01] after both first and second weeks. Creatinine and haemoglobin levels in urine were significantly increased [p<0.05], while uric acid was not affected. Blood glutathione showed a significant [p<0.01] decrease after 2 hours of injection and still depleted all over the period of experiment

Investigation of the effect of unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins on inflammation and gastrointestinal mucosal injury in rats

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of unfractionated heparin [UFH; 1000-4000 IU/kg] in addition to three already marketed low molecular weight heparin [LMWH] preparations [nadroparin [1500-3000 anti-Xa IU/kg], tinzaparin [1500-3000 anti-Xa IU/kg], enoxaparin [300-600 anti-Xa IU/kg] on acute inflammation and on gastrointestinal mucosal integrity in rats. Acute inflammation was induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan into rat hindpaw. Gastrointestinal mucosal injury was evoked by subcutaneous injection of indomethacin [20 mg/kg]. The results showed that: [1] Different heparin preparations given s.c., 30 mm prior to carrageenan injection exerted variable effects on the carrageenan oedema response. Oedema was not significantly changed after conventional UFH, but decreased after tinzaparin and nadroparin, the lower doses being more effective in reducing inflammation. Oedema was unchanged after enoxaparin at 600 IU/kg, but the lower dose of 300 IU/kg reduced oedema formation by 21.6% 1 h post-carrageenan.; [2] No significant change was noted in the number and severity of gastric mucosal lesions in rats treated with UFH. A significant decrease in number and severity of gastric mucosal lesions was noted in rats treated with the lower doses of either tinzaparin or enoxaparin compared with either the indomethacin control group or with the UFH [2000 IU/kg]-treated group. It is concluded that heparin preparations exert complex effects on acute [carrageenan-induced] inflammation and might have beneficial effects on gastric mucosal lesions caused by Indomethacin

Hypoglycemic activity of origanum majorana aqueous extract in alloxan - induced diabetic rats

Origanum majorana L., commonly known in Egypt as "Bardaqoush" was investigated as aqueous extract for its ability to protect liver and kidney cells. 50 mg/100g b.wt. of its aqueous extract for 30 days was found to reduce significantly the blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST and creatinine in rats. The presented data also revealed its supportive action on the liver and kidney cells. During last two decades the world sight has been directed towards natural medicine, such as herbal therapy. The reason behind this was the discovery of the dangerous side effects of therapeutic chemical agents. Herbal therapy will be especially favoured in the treatment of diseases with a chronic nature as diabetes, hyperlipdemia and some liver or kidney diseases, to reduce the expected side effects of long periods of treatment by chemical agents. Diabetes milletus represents a very difficult health problem as it affects more than 170 million persons around the world; 7 millions of them are Egyptians [Jouad et [1] Eddouk et al.[2]]. Its complications may extend to affect most of the body systems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to find out the beneficial effect of the herb Origanum majorana in treatment of this disease. Origanum majorana locally known as "Bardaqoush" is a native plant widely distributed throughout Egypt and grown in summer [Boulos,[3]] and is used as a flavouring agent for foods. Its essential oil is used as antioxidant [Botsoglou,[4]] and as antifungal against Candida albicans [Manohar et al.[5]] The alcoholic extracts are used in pharmaceutical, perfumes and cosmetics [Price,[6]]. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological effect of Origanum majorana on blood glucose level of both normal and alloxan diabetic rats and to investigate some of its biochemical effects on the liver and kidney of diabetic rats