Some marine drugs used in traditional medicine with special reference to avicenna's canon of medicine

Traditional uses of some marine, animal, plant and mineral drugs, mentioned in Greco-Arab system of medicine, have been described. "Canon of Medicine" [Avicenna, 980-1037 A.D.] provides the numerous traditional unique uses of the indigenous drugs from the sea. This review paper covers the literal translation of the 24 drugs of sea origin directly from the Arabic source for the first time. The drugs have been presented with English, Arabic and scientific names followed by important traditional uses from the Greco-Arab medical literature

Effect of ambrein, A major constituent of ambergris on some hormonal levels in normal Wistar rats

Ambrein is a major constituent of ambergris, the internal secretion of the sperm blue whale, has been studied for its ability to affect endocrine function, using growth hormone [GH], adrenocorticoropic hormone [ACTH], cortisol, thyroid stimulating [FSH], progesterone, testosterone and insulin as parameters in normal Wistar rats. Ambrein, administered daily [100 mg/kg, i.p] for 2.4 and 6 weeks elevated the levels of ACTH, cortisol, testosterone and insulin. However, no significant changes in the levels of GH, TSH, FSH, LH and progesterone were observed. The results indicate that chronic administration of ambrein could be responsible for modulating secretion of some hormones or may influence secondarily the endocrine organs responsible for their secretion. The role of ambrein in masculine sexual behaviour and glucose level is discussed