ABSTRACT
The study was to evaluate the testicular and epidydimal effects of Smart Herbal Purifier® (SHP) - a poly herbal supplement with a composition of Cassia alata 30 %, Morinda Lucida 30 %, and Nuclea Blend 40 % , in a 90 day repeated dose toxicity test in male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. The study was with control,48,240 and 480 mg/kg SHP treated rats. Sperm motility, debris generation, abnormal sperm morphology, sperm viability, testosterone, Follicular stimulating Hormone (FSH), luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a measure of oxidative stress in the testes were analyzed. Histology of the testes was also examined. There was no significant difference in both Testicular Sperm Number (TSN), Epididymal sperm Number (ESN), the abnormal sperm morphology of both the control and SHP treated groups. A significant increase was observed in the debris generated in the testes and epididymis when control was compared to SHP treated groups. There was also a significant decrease in viability and motility in the testes and epididymis when control was compared to SHP treated group. Testosterone, FSH, LH and Prolactin were not significantly different when control was compared to SHP treated group. MDA was significantly increased when control was compared to the treated groups. Histology of the testes of the treated group showed necrosis of the seminiferous tubules. SHP may have toxicological concerns in the male reproductive system.
ABSTRACT
Combination of artemether and lumefantrine (artemether-lumefantrine) is an orally effective artemisinin-based combination therapy, used widely in the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections. The present study investigates the comparative effects of artemether, halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine on biochemical indices in the male guinea pig. Half, normal and double therapeutic doses of the drugs were given to different groups of animals (n=5) by oral gavage. After the drug treatments, serum levels of biochemical parameters were measured using standard methods. Artemether significantly (p<0.05) reduced uric acid (UA) level (10.44%), but produced no significant effects on the other parameters measured. Halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine significantly increased acid phosphatase- ACPT (56.13 and 26.45%) and prostatic acid phosphatase-ACPP (100.00 and 78.95%) respectively, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was not affected. In addition, halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine significantly and dose-dependently decreased UA, while urea and creatinine levels were increased. UA was decreased by 12.15 and 17.92%; urea was increased by 84.42 and 53.25%; and creatinine was increased by 42.15 and 30.25%, respectively. Furthermore, both drugs had no significant effects on serum levels of total protein and cholesterol. The results show that halofantrine and artemether-lumefantrine may cause toxicity to renal and reproductive functions in the male guinea pig, halofantrine likely to cause more of these effects.