Effects of Salacia oblonga on aluminium induced changes in membrane ATPases in brain cortex and hematological parameters in Wistar albino rats

Background: The current study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Salacia oblonga on aluminum induced toxicity in brain cortex and blood in Wistar albino rats.Methods: The experimental animals were divided into four groups, each group comprising of six animals for 36 days of experimental duration. We investigated Na+/K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ ATPases enzyme activity in brain cortex and hematological changes if any, upon administration of aluminum chloride (Alcl3) (300 mg/kg b.w), hydro alcoholic extract of Salacia oblonga (67 mg/kg b.w) and Alcl3+ Salacia oblanga with control (distilled water).Results: In brain cortex, Salacia caused an increased in activity of ATPases. Combined administration of Salacia suppressed the influence of aluminum on the ATPases in the brain cortex (p<0.05). Both aluminum as well as Salacia did not cause any alteration in the hemoglobin content of blood in Wistar albino rats. The erythrocytes count was also not altered by treatment with either aluminum or Salacia. Combined treatment with Salacia suppressed the influence of aluminum with reference to neutrophil count and significant increases in monocyte as well as lymphocyte count were seen. Thus, repeated administration of aluminum causes a decrease in neutrophil and increase in lymphocyte count.Conclusions: All the ATPases in brain cortex were found to be affected by aluminum administration and Salacia is found to counteract the ATPase effect to a particular extent implying the presence of an active principle that can counteract the aluminium toxicity indicating its possible usefulness in aluminum toxicity.

Antispasmodic activity from Serjania caracasana fractions and their safety

Abstract In a previous study, we reported the antispasmodic and gastroprotective effects of the Serjania caracasana (Jacq.) Willd., Sapindaceae, extract. In the present study, we evaluated the LD50, hemolytic and antispasmodic activities of its fractions and characterized its major constituents by isolation and GC-MS. The animals showed non-toxic symptoms with oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg, suggesting a safe oral administration. Furthermore, a low hemolytic activity was detected for the saponin fraction. Antispasmodic activity of the fractions was evaluated through carbachol-induced contractions in rat ileum. The hexane fraction was the most potent (IC50 68.4 ± 5.9 µg/ml) followed by the dichloromethane fraction (IC50 161.3.4 ± 40.7 µg/ml). Butanol fraction was the less effective (IC50 219.8 ± 60.3 µg/ml). The phytochemical study of the S. caracasana fractions afforded the isolation of friedelin, β-amyrin, allantoin and quercitrin. This is the first time that the presence of allantoin and quercitrin in the Serjania genus has been reported. Among the isolated compounds and those characterized by GC-MS, β-amyrin and β-sitosterol were present in the most active fractions, hexane and dichloromethane, and they may be related to its antispasmodic activity. In addition, spathulenol was only found in the hexane fraction and its presence might justify the highest antispasmodic activity observed for this fraction.

Actividad expectorante y toxicológica de una formulación elaborada a partir de Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Borago officinalis L, Y Sambucus Nigra L / Expectorant and toxicological activity of a formulation made from Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Borago officinalis L., and Sambucus Nigra L

Introducción: Eucalyptus globulus Labill., (eucalipto), Borago officinalis L. (Borraja) y Sambucus nigra L. (saúco) son especies vegetales de amplio uso popular por sus propiedades antitusígenas y mucolíticas. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos farmacológico y toxicológico de un fitofármaco elaborado con el extracto de la mezcla de las tres plantas. Métodos: a partir de las hojas secas de cada especie, se elaboraron dos extractos fluidos de las tres plantas: E. globulus B. officinalis y S nigra, mezcladas en proporción 25:25:50, respectivamente, se empleó el método de percolación y como disolventes etanol de concentraciones al 30 y 70 por ciento. Para la evaluación del efecto mucolítico se empleó el modelo de Rojo Fenol en secreciones de ratón y se ensayaron los extractos de concentraciones alcohólicas al 30 y 70 por ciento. El estudio toxicológico se realizó al extracto de concentración alcohólica al 70 por ciento. Resultados: en la evaluación farmacológica se encontró que los extractos hidroalcohólicos al 30 y 70 por ciento presentaron efecto mucolítico, con una efectividad ligeramente superior para el extracto en alcohol al 70 por ciento. Cuando se evaluó toxicológicamente, este extracto no presentó efecto tóxico en el ensayo de toxicidad aguda a dosis límite. Conclusiones: las formulaciones elaboradas con los extractos fluidos de las plantas empleando etanol al 30 y 70 por ciento, mostraron efecto mucolítico en el modelo de rojo fenol en secreciones de ratón y con las condiciones experimentales del estudio. El extracto de las plantas en etanol al 70 por ciento no presentó efecto tóxico en el ensayo de toxicidad aguda a dosis límite(AU)

Introduction: Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus), Borago officinalis L. (borage) and Sambucus nigra L. (elder) are plant species commonly used in folk medicine for their antitussive and mucolytic properties. Objective: Evaluate the pharmacological and toxicological effects of a drug made with an extract obtained from a mixture of the three plants. Methods: Two fluid extracts were obtained from dry leaves of the three species, E. globulus, B. officinalis and S. nigra, mixed in a 25:25:50 proportion. The method used was percolation and the solvents were 30 percent and 70 percent ethanol. The mucolytic effect was evaluated with the phenol red model in mouse secretions, and assays were conducted of the 30 percent and 70 percent alcoholic extracts. Toxicological analysis was performed on the 70 percent alcoholic extract. Results: Pharmacological evaluation found that 30 percent and 70 percent hydroalcoholic extracts display a mucolytic effect, effectiveness being slightly higher in the 70 percent alcoholic extract. When evaluated toxicologically, this extract did not show any toxic effect in the dose-limiting acute toxicity test. Conclusions: The formulations developed with fluid plant extracts using 30 percent and 70 percent ethanol were found to have a mucolytic effect in the red phenol model in mouse secretions under experimental test conditions. The 70 percent ethanolic plant extract did not have a toxic effect in the dose-limiting acute toxicity tes(AU)

Safety assessment and behavioral effects of Solanum guaraniticum leaf extract in rats

ABSTRACT Solanum guaraniticum is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat gastric and liver diseases. However, there is no documented evidence corroborating its safety. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of S. guaraniticum leaf extract after acute administration in rats. Single doses of the extract (1.250, 2.500, and 5.000 mg/kg) were administered by gavage, and the rats were then monitored for 48 h and/or 14 days. Mortality, acute signs of toxicity, and general activity in the open field test were assessed as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, enzymatic activity (δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase and acetylcholinesterase), and oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation level, non-protein thiol content, tissue catalase activity, and serum ferrous reducing power). Phytochemical analysis was also performed by HPLC. The results showed that extract administration produced no deaths (LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg), and no significant adverse effects regarding food consumption, body weight gain, gross pathology, or other parameters. However, the open field tests showed a decrease in spontaneous activity (crossing and rearing) mainly at 48 h after treatment. The results suggest that S. guaraniticum extract is not acutely toxic, but causes alterations in central nervous system activity.

RESUMO Solanum guaraniticum é uma planta medicinal tradicionalmente usada para tratar doenças gástricas e hepáticas. Porém, não há evidências documentadas sobre sua segurança. O presente estudo avaliou a toxicidade do extrato das folhas de S. guaraniticum após administração aguda em ratos. Doses únicas do extrato (1.250, 2.500 and 5.000 mg/kg) foram administradas por gavagem e os animais foram monitorados por 48 h ou 14 dias. Mortalidade, sinais de toxicidade aguda e atividade geral, através do teste de campo aberto, foram analisados, assim como parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos, atividades enzimáticas (δ-aminolevulinato desidratase e acetilcolinesterase) e parâmetros de estresse oxidativo (nível de peroxidação lipídica, conteúdo de tióis não protéicos, atividade da catalase em tecidos e poder redutor em soro). A análise fitoquímica também foi realizada por HPLC. Os resultados mostraram que a administração do extrato não provoca mortes (LD50>5.000 mg/kg) ou efeitos adversos significativos com relação ao consumo de comida, ganho de peso corporal, análise patológica, entre outros. Entretanto, o teste de campo aberto mostrou uma diminuição na atividade espontânea geral (cruzamentos e levantadas), principalmente em 48 h após o tratamento. Portanto, nossos resultados sugerem que o extrato de S. guaraniticum não é agudamente tóxico, mas causa alterações na atividade do sistema nervoso central.

Acute subcutaneous toxicity study of Hirudinaria manillensis (Lesson) LEECH homogenate in mice

Background: The vosoactive effects of proteins isolated from leech saliva and leech homogenate have been the focus of many recent studies because of its therapeutic potential. Possible nonlethal and lethal toxic effects have to be determined before any therapeutic effects could be tested. The general objective is to take the first step in drug design by performing an acute toxicity studyMethods: In this randomized, double-blind trial, Swiss mice were administered subcutaneously with varying doses of leech Hirudinaria manillensis (Lesson) homogenate and observed for possible acute toxicity. Toxidromes appearing within the two-week period after the administration of the substance were noted. Necropsy was performed on all the mice subjects. The LD(50) was computed using the log dose-response probit analysis. The doses (in g/kg body weight) were 3.54, 5.0 and 7.06Results: The LD(50) at Day 2 of Hirudinaria manillensis extract was 4.6124 g/kg body weight. The LD(50) at Day 14 was not obtained, because the test animals incurred mortalities beyond Day 2, which could be explained by a delayed toxicity of the test substance. Mice injected with 7.06 g/kg showed the most number of observable toxidromes, involving several organ systems, which generally had an early onset and persisted until the time of death of the mice. Mice treated with 3.54 g/kg showed toxidromes with early onset time, but they were not as consistent as the highest dose and the effects were generally not long-lasting. Motor activity was the most affected among the toxidromes. Gross pathologic findings revealed that the intestine, liver, heart, stomach, lungs and kidney are the commonly affected organs, which had marked changes in all dose groupsConclusions: The crude H. manillensis leech extract caused toxicity in mice, with toxidromes involving mainly the nervous system, specifically the somatosensory and neuromuscular systems. The LD(50) could not be determined in this study. However, using the data at Day 2, LD(50) was 4.6124 g/kg body weight. The LOAEL could be less than or equal to 3.54 g/kg body weight. No observable adverse effect level could not be determined. (Author)