Pistacia chinensis: Strong antioxidant and potent testicular toxicity amelioration agent

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potency of Pistacia chinensis (P. chinensis) bark and leaves extracts along with its protective role against CCl induced toxicity in testis of the rat.@*METHODS@#Various in vitro models such as DPPH, ABTS, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, hydroxyl and nitric oxide scavenging activities, anti-lipid peroxidation activity, phospho-molybdenum activity, β carotene bleaching assay was used for analysis of antioxidant potential. Experimental groups for in vivo study were: Group Ⅰ (control) untreated, Group Ⅱ (Vehicle control), Group Ⅲ (1 mL/kg b.w 30% CCl), Group Ⅳ (1 mL/kg b.w CCl + Silymarin), Group Ⅴ (200 mg/kg b.w PCBE + CCl), Group Ⅵ (400 mg/kg b.w PCBE + CCl) and Group Ⅶ (400 mg/kg b.w PCBE alone).@*RESULTS@#In vitro antioxidant assays displayed significant results and the highest activity was not specified to a specific extract. However, ethyl acetate extract of bark (PCBE) showed highest results in most of the antioxidant assays i.e. beta-carotene bleaching, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ABTS, lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical scavenging activity. On this base, this fraction was selected for in vivo antioxidant experiment. Testis tissues were analyzed to observe the protective effects of PCBE on antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and quinone reductase activities and glutathione (GSH) as well as nitrite content. Profile of plasma testosterone was also compared to various treatments. Observation suggests a protective role of P. chinensis against CCl induced toxicity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is concluded that some bioactive antioxidants of P. chinensis bark might be a good source to isolate the potent antioxidant components.

Pistacia chinensis: Strong antioxidant and potent testicular toxicity amelioration agent

Objectives To evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potency of Pistacia chinensis (P. chinensis) bark and leaves extracts along with its protective role against CCl

Cytotoxic activities of Rosa brunonii, Calligonum polygonoides Pegnum harmala and Sueda fruticosa extract using brine shrimp

The present study was carried out to record and evaluate the effect of Rosa brunonii, Calligonum polygonoides, Sueda fruticosa and Pegnum harmala L., extracts on brine shrimp collected during March-June 2013 from different regions of District Bannu. These four plants were medicinal xerophytes and widely distributed throughout Pakistan. Rosa brunonii is commonly used as a hedge plant for gardening. Calligonum polygonoides and Sueda fruticosa are locally used as a fuel, while Pegnum harmala [L.] is the most important multipurpose medicinal xeric plant, which is used for various purposes. All these selected medicinal xerophytes have inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. In this study the effect of different concentration [10-70 microg/ml] were tested on brine shrimp. The results showed that maximum cytotoxic activities were observed in Rosa brunonii [100.0+/-0.4], Calligonum polygonoides [100.0+/-0.2] and Pegnum harmala [L.] [90.0+/-5.2] while Sueda fruticosa [50.0+/-7.1] has less cytotoxic property. These activities are may be due to the presence of bioactive constituents

Protective effects of Sonchus asper [L.] against KBrO[3]-induced oxidative stress in rat testis

Sonchus asper is used traditionally in the treatment of kidney inflammation, hormonal imbalance and impotency. Sonchus asper methanolic extract [SAME] was investigated for its possible preventive effect against potassium bromate [KBrO[3]] induced oxidative damages in male rats using biochemical, molecular and histopathological markers in this study. 5 groups, each group of 6 rats were taken kept under standard conditions. Group 1 remained untreated while Group II was given 20 mg/kg KBrO[3] orally [in aqueous saline] and Group III, and IV were treated with 100; 200 mg/kg b.w., of SAME after 48 h of KBrO[3] treatment. KBrO[3] administration in rats significantly altered [P<0.01] the serum level of reproductive hormones, activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione contents [GSH], which was significantly reversed P<0.001] by co-treatment of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w., SAME. Administration of SAME in rats also significantly P<0.001] reversed the lipid peroxidation induced by KBrO[3] in rats, which could be due to the presence of some plant bioactive constituents