Schinus terebinthifolius administration prevented behavioral and biochemical alterations in a rotenone model of Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor impairment, cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae, had been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and in this study, the stem bark was evaluated for the neuroprotective effects on behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by administrations of rotenone in rats. Behavioral evaluations were performed using open-field and rotarod. The in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities were determined by the DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation method respectively. The administration of rotenone (3 mg/kg, s.c.) produced hypolocomotion, increase of immobility and muscle incoordination, while the treatment with S. terebinthifolius stem bark extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg p.o.) for seven days prevented rotenone-induced dysfunctional behavior. Biochemical analysis of the substantia nigra, striatum and cortex revealed that rotenone administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation, which was inhibited by treatment with all doses of S. terebinthifolius. The results suggested neuroprotective effect of S. terebinthifolius possibly mediated through its antioxidant activity, indicating a potential therapeutic benefit of this species in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Effects of the oral treatment with Copaifera multijuga oil on reproductive performance of male Wistar rats

Copaiba oil, extracted from Copaifera multijuga Hayne, Fabaceae, is widely used for medicinal purposes, especially to treat inflammatory processes. However, there is no report regarding its effect on reproductive performance after used in repeated doses orally. The present study evaluated the effects of the oral administration of Copaiba oil (at doses of 200, 500 or 2500 mg/kg) or water (control) for eight weeks in male Wistar rats. Treated males mated untreated females, and parameters as fertility rates, absolute and relative mass of accessory sexual organs and histology and development of the offspring were evaluated. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of 22 components accounting for 99.11% of the Copaiba oil. The main compounds identified were sesquisterpenes. The reproductive toxicology results indicate that there was no difference between the treated groups compared with the control group in any of the parameters, suggesting that the oral treatment with C. multijuga oil for eight weeks does not affect reproductive performance of male Wistar rats.

Evaluation of antihyperglycaemic activity of Calotropis procera leaves extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton,Apocynaceae, popularly known as "algodão-de-seda", is a wild African bush, rich in bioactive substances that determine the medicinal potential of this species. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects about 10% of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves of C. procera of occurrence in coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. The hydroalcholic extract of the leaves of C. procera (300 and 600 mg/kg/day), vehicle, insulin (6U, s.c.) or metformin (500 mg/ kg/day) were administered orally to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 7/group) for four weeks. Changes in body weight, food and water intake, biochemical markers, fasting glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test were evaluated. The results showed that the C. procera dried extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced significantly the level of blood glucose throughout the evaluation period and improved metabolic status of the animals and ameliorate the oral tolerance glucose test. The phytochemical screening revealed and quantified the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in a percentage of 29.1 and 2.9%, respectively. Thus, we conclude that the extract of the leaves of C. procera has antihyperglycemic activity.

Acute toxicity and laxative activity of Aloe ferox resin

Aloe ferox Mill., Xanthorrhoeaceae, resin is the solid residue obtained by evaporating the latex that drains from the leaves transversally cut. Aloe ferox has been used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antitumor, laxative and to heal wounds and burns. The effects of the oral administration of A. ferox resin (10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were evaluated on intestinal transit in mice and its acute toxicity (5.0 g/kg) in Wistar rats. The hydroxyanthracene derivatives present in the resin were expressed as aloin, identified by thin layer chromatography and quantified by spectrophotometry. The aloin (Rf 0.35) was identified and the percentage of hydroxyanthracene derivates expressed as aloin was 33.5%. A. ferox resin extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) increased the gastrointestinal motility at a 30 min interval at 93.5, 91.8 and 93.8%, respectively, when compared to control group (46.5%). A single oral dose of the A. ferox resin extract did not induce signs of toxicity or death. Thus, the results demonstrate that A. ferox has laxative activity and that it is nontoxic, since LD50 could not be estimated and it is possibly higher than 5.0 g/kg.

Avaliação do tratamento subcrônico com o extrato hidroalcoólico de Calendula officinalis L. sobre os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos em ratas Wistar / Evaluation of the hydroalcoholic extract of Calendula officinalis L. on biochemical and hematological parameters in female Wistar rats

Os efeitos da administração oral subcrônica do extrato hidroalcoólico (EHA) preparado de flores de Calendula officinalis L. foram investigados sobre os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em ratas Wistar adultas. Quarenta ratas (n=10/grupo) foram tratadas durante 30 dias consecutivos com EHA por via oral nas doses de 0,25, 0,5, e 1,0 g/kg de peso e, em seguida, determinados os perfis bioquímico e hematológico e a massa dos órgãos. Os resultados mostram que durante o período do tratamento não se observou sinais de toxicidade ou morte. Os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos, assim como a massa dos órgãos não foram modificados pela administração subcrônica do EHA, excetuando-se aumento significativo de 24,2 por cento para uréia na maior dose estudada e aumento, respectivamente, de 62,3, 30,2 e 44,4 por cento, para ALT. Na hematologia, registrou-se flutuação dentro dos valores de referência na contagem diferencial de neutrófilos, linfócitos e monócitos. Dessa forma, a administração subcrônica do extrato hidroalcoólico de Calendula officinalis não produz efeitos tóxicos sobre a maioria dos parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos estudados em ratas Wistar adultas. Entretanto, o aumento dos níveis séricos de uréia e alanina aminotransferase (ALT) em doses elevadas sugere sobrecargas renal e hepática, respectivamente, as quais devem ser investigadas em maiores detalhes.

The effects of the subchronic oral administration of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) prepared from flowers of Calendula officinalis L. were investigated on biochemical and hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats. Forty female rats (n=10/group) were orally treated daily for 30 days with HAE at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg body weight and the biochemical and hematological parameters and organ weight evaluated. The treatment did not cause any deaths or toxicity in the animals. The administration of HAE failed to change biochemical and hematological parameters and organ weight, except for an increase of 24.2 percent in blood urea nitrogen and 62.3, 30.2, and 44.4 percent, respectively, in alanine transaminase (ALT) plasma level. For the hematological parameters, there were slight changes in which neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were not different from the reference values. In conclusion, the subchronic administration of HAE of Calendula officinalis did not induce any harzadous effects on most of the biochemical and hematological parameters studied in female adult Wistar rats. However, the increase in the levels in blood urea nitrogen and ALT in high doses, suggests a possible renal and hepatic overload which should be investigated in more detail.