Phytochemical studies and anti-ulcerative colitis effect of Moringa oleifera seeds and Egyptian propolis methanol extracts in a rat model

Objective: To analyze the phytochemical constituents, and to explore potential protective effect of the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) seeds and Egyptian propolis, each alone or concurrently administered on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Eight groups of 5 rats each were used: normal control group with distilled water, model group, two groups with M. oleifera seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg), two groups with propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg), one group with concurrent administration of both, and one group with prednisolone (reference drug). Macro-and microscopic picture, ulcer index and lesion scores, oxidative markers, inflammatory mediators, in vitro activity of the inflammatory enzymes and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals scavenging activity were evaluated. The phytochemical constituents of both extracts were explored by GC-MS analysis. Results: Both treatments modulated the macro-and microscopic picture, decreased the ulcerative index, lesion score, oxidative markers and inflammatory mediators, and inhibited the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Propolis appeared to be powerful free radicals scavenger. A powerful synergistic effect of both treatments in modulating the course of the disease was reported. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of M. oleifera seeds and propolis revealed the presence of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. Conclusions: M. oleifera seeds and propolis methanol extracts have modulated the course of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Moreover, both treatments induce a good synergistic effect against the disease. Isolation of the active constituents is recommended.

Effect of phoxim and amitraz insecticides on fetal development and newborns in rats

The present work was carried out to study the effect of phoxim and amitraz insecticides on fetal development and newborns in rats. Oral administration of phoxim in doses of 110 and 220 mg kg[-1] b.wt. to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis significantly increased the number of resorbed fetuses and decreased the number, body weight and length of viable ones. Dilatation of cerebral ventricles, pulmonary hypoplasia and dilatation of renal pelvis were reported as visceral malformations. Skeletal examination of fetuses revealed incomplete ossification of skull bones and aplasia of pelvic girdle bones and sternebrae. Large dose of phoxim caused aplasia of some vertebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals and digits. Pregnant rats were given amitraz orally in doses of 40 and 80 mg kg[-1] b.wt. during the period of organogenesis had resorbed, dead and growth retarded viable fetuses. Anencephaly and dilatation of cerebral ventricles and renal pelvis were observed in the examined fetuses. Skeletal abnormalities of viable fetuses were incomplete ossification of skull bones and aplasia of sternebrae. Large dose of amitraz induced aplasia of some vertebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals and digits. Oral administration of phoxim in doses of 110 and 220 mg kg[-1] b,wt. to pregnant rats from the 15[th] day of gestation till the end of weaning period [the 21[st] day post-parturition] caused a significant decrease in the weight of delivered offsprings. Death of all newborns occurred in the 21[st] and the 14[th] day post-parturition by the small and large doses respectively. Oral administration of amitraz in doses of 40 and 80 mg kg[-1] b.wt. to pregnant rats for the same period significantly decreased the number of delivered offsprings. Death of all newborns occurred in the 14[th] and 4[th] day post-parturition by the small and large dose respectively

Evaluating the hepatoprotective effects of some Egyptian plant extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

METHANOL extract of Alhagi maurorun, Conyza dioscoridis, and Bidens bipinnata were evaluated for any hepatoprotective effects. Preliminary phytochemical studies were carried out to find their constituents. The acute toxicity of increased doses was studied in mice. Carbon tetrachloride [CCI[4]] increased serum aminotransferases [ALT, AST] and GGT activities and decreased serum glucose, total bilirubin and triglycerides levels. Rats treated with CCI[4] showed severe degenerative and necrotic changes [centrolobular] in the hepatocytes. Oral administration of methanol extract [1000 mg kg[-1]] of Alhagi maurorum. Conyza dioscoridis and Bidens bipinnata significantly inhibited these deleterious effects indicating hepatoprotective effects. Alhagi maurorum followed by Bidens bipinnata were the most effective. No toxic symptoms were reported in doses up to 2.5 g kg[-1]. Unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates and/or glycosides were the major active constituents

Influence of endotoxin induced fever on the pharmacokinetics of intramuscularly administered cefepime in rabbits

This study examined the effect of experimentally induced fever on the pharmacokinetics of cefepime (75 mg/kg BW) administered intramuscularly to six rabbits. The study was carried out in two consecutive phases separated by a two-week washout period. An infection was induced by an intravenous inoculation of 5 x 10(8) colony-forming units of Escherichia coli 24 h before the pharmacokinetic investigation. A quantitative microbiological assay was employed to measure the plasma cefepime concentrations using an agar-gel diffusion method with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. Twenty-four hour after the injection, the rectal temperature in the infected animals increased by 1degrees C. There was a significant reduction in the elimination halflife by 21.8% in the febrile rabbits compared to healthy animals. In addition, the infection significantly increased the peak plasma concentrations by 11.9%, the mean residence time by 19.9%, the area under the plasmaconcentration- time curve by 53.6% and the area under the moment curve by 62.3%. In conclusion, the endotoxin-induced febrile state produced significant changes in the plasma levels as well as some of the pharmacokinetic variables of cefepime in rabbits.