Chemical and biological studies of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. Seeds growing in Egypt

The crude expressed oil of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill seeds [18% w/w] [family Cucurbitaceae] was subjected to physical and chemical investigations. GC/MS analysis of the expressed oil revealed that it is built up mostly of linoleic [51.14%], palmitic [21.06%] and oleic [19.30%] acids beside lesser amounts of stearic [7.57%] myristic [0.70%] and eicosanic [0.23%] acids. Vitamin E was determined in the expressed oil by HPLC analysis and found to be 0.015%. In addition a mixture of free fatty acids; palmitic [58.89%] and stearic [41.11%] acids were isolated from the petroleum ether percolate. Identification of constituents was done through GLC analysis and comparing the relative retention time of peaks with those of authentic materials. The expressed oil showed significant anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and moderate progesterone like effects. The oil also exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities

Effect of cimetidine [tagamet] and ranitidine [zantac] [H2 antagonists] on fetal development in rats

The present work was carried out to study the effect of some H2-receptor antagonists on fetal development in rats. Cimetidine and ranitidine were chosen for this investigation and given orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis. Cimetidine in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg b. wt. significantly increased the number of resorbed fetuses and pre- and post-implantation deaths, but decreased the number, weight and length of viable fetuses. Dilatation of cerebral ventricles and renal pelvis and pulmonary hypoplasia were recorded as visceral abnormalities. Skeletal examination of fetuses revealed incomplete ossification of skull bones and absence of caudal vertebrae and digits of fore- and hind-limbs. Ranitidine in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg b. wt. significantly increased the number of resorbed fetuses. The anomalies observed were dilatation of cerebral ventricles and renal pelvis. The large dose of ranitidine induced absence of caudal vertebrae and digits of fore- and hind-limbs. Therefore, administration of either of both drugs should be prohibited during the period of organogenesis

Effect of cimetidine [tagamet] and ranitidine [zantac] on male fertility in rats

The effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on male fertility was studied. Oral administration of cimetidine in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg b. wt. for 65 successive days significantly decreased weights of testes and accessory glands, sperm cell concentration and percentages of sperm motility and seminiferous tubules containing spermatozoa. Total abnormalities of sperms was significantly increased and characterized by headless and bent tail sperms. Oral administration of ranitidine, in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg b. wt. for 65 successive days, significantly decreased the percentages of sperm motility and seminiferous tubules containing spermatozoa, but increased that of sperm abnormalities. A significant decrease in sperm cell concentration was included only by the large dose of the drug. The effects of both doses of cimetidine and ranitidine on the epididymal sperm characters of male rats treated for 65 successive days are still prominent even after 30 and 60 days from stopping of their administration. The effect induced by small dose of ranitidine disappeared after 60 days from stopping of its administration. Histopathologically, the oral administration of cimetidine in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg b. wt. to male rats induced atrophy in some seminiferous tubules of the testes and in prostate glands and seminal vesicles. The epididymal ducts appeared atrophied and free from spermatozoa. On the other hand, the administration of ranitidine to male rats for 65 successive days in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg b. wt. produced insignificant pathological changes in the testes, prostate glands and seminal vesicles

Synthesis and biological activity some new thiadiazolo, triazolo and fused s-triazolo [3,4-b] -1,3,4-thiadiazolo-coumarins

In this study, some new thiadiazolo triazolo and fused s-triazolo [3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazolo-coumarins were prepared from [4,8-dimethyl- 7-coumarinyloxy] acetic acid hydrazide via different intermediates, and evaluated for their pharmacological activities. Some of the tested compounds exhibited CNS depressant activity in the experimental animals

Effect of the synthetic pyrethroids sumicidin and S-3206 on male rat fertility

The effects of sumicidin and S-3206 on male rat fertility were studied on 5 groups of 30 mature rats each. Both sumicidin and S-3206 were orally administered in doses of 20.0, 100.0 and 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg b. wt., respectively, for 65 successive days. Every 15 days, 5 rats from each group were killed for studying the changes in weights of sexual organs, epididymal sperm characters, the levels of FSH and LH in serum and the concentration of both insecticides in testes. Both drugs significantly decreased the weights of male reproductive organs, sperm count, percentages of sperm motility and seminiferous tubules containing spermatozoa. They increased the percentage of sperm abnormalities, while the levels of FSH and LH in serum were fluctuated

Effect of chlordane form on fetal development in rats

Oral administration of chlordimeform in a dose of 1.0 ml/kg b. wt. during the period of organogenesis [6th - 15th days of gestation] significantly decreased the fetal body weight and resulted in hyperplasia in heart and liver in 6 and 8% of feti of rats, respectively. It caused corrugation of some ribs and absence of sessamoid bones of fore and hind-limbs of feti. The acricide in doses of 8.5 and 17.0 mg/kg b. wt. caused early resorption of 90 and 100% of embryos. Chlordimeform significantly decreased the number of corpus leutum and implantation sites

Chromatographic analysis of decoys extracts used for control of haylomma dromedary ticks of camels

Chromatographic [thin layer chromatography, TLC and high pressure liquid chromatography, HPLC] analysis of cholesteryl esters of decoys prepared from female ticks of camels [Haylomma dromedarii] showed cholesteryl acetate, cholesteryl laurate and cholesteryl oleate, in concentration of 0.88053, 4.7433 and 2.5081 ug/5 decoys, respectively. These values decreased by time of attachment of the decoy to rabbits infested with male ticks till it became 0.6509, 2.0120 and 0 ug/5 decoys, respectively, after 20 days of attachment. Cholesteryl oleate disappeared from the decoy after 10 days of attachment. Mixing of cyfluthrin with 2,6-dichlorophenol [2,6-DCP] to the composition of decoys, their concentration decreased from time of attachment of them till they became 1.01231 and 0.004826 ug/5 decoys after 20 days. In vitro studies showed that addition of cyfluthrin to engorged female Haylomma dromedarii ticks in concentrations of 0.15 and 0.075/100 ml water, respectively, died within 30 days while their keeping in cyfluthrin in concentration of 0.6 ml/100 ml water caused their death within 7 days without egg production

Synthesis of coumarian derivatives of expected B-adrenergic blocking activity

The synthesis and structure activity relationships of a number of new synthesized coumarins, derived from 6- and 7-hydroxycoumarins are described. The structure of the obtained new products is confirmed by elemental analyses, i.r. and 1H-n-m.r. 7-Novel compounds were evaluated for B-adrenergic blocking and antihistaminic activities and the results are reported

Synthesis and hypotensive activity of certain benzofuran derivatives

Some 6-hydroxy -4- methoxy -7- morpholinomethylbenzofuran derivatives with various 5- cinnamoyl or heterocyclic substituents have been prepared. The hypotensive activity of some of the synthesized compounds was evaluated

Pharmacokinetics and tissue residue of kitasamycin in healthy and diseased broilers

The pharmacokinetics of kitasamycin after intravenous and oral administration in a dose of 300 mg/kg b.wt. were studied in 18 healthy and 18 Salmonella gallinarum naturally infected chickens. The tissue residue of the antibiotic was also estimated in 30 normal chickens when it was given orally for 7 successive days. The elimination half life of kitasamycin calculated after single intravenous injection was 9.03 hour in diseased chickens corresponding to 3.74 hour in healthy birds. The body clearance was significantly reduced in diseased chickens [62.03 ml/kg/min]. Therapeutic level of kitasamycin was achieved after 15 min and persisted for 20.22 hour after its oral administration. Higher serum kitasamycin concentrations were recorded in Salmonella gallinarum infected chickens. Three days after last dose, kitasamycin was detected in bile and cecal wall but not in edible tissue. Therefore, kitasamycin treated broilers should be slaughtered before 3 days from the last dose to avoid drug residue in edible tissue

Effect of long-term administration of some anticancer drugs on blood criteria and liver function in rats

The effect of longterm administration of Melphalan, Mercaptopurine and Mitolactol [Anticancer drugs] on blood criteria and serum enzyme activities and bilirubin level was studied on 7 groups of 8 male albino rats each. Oral administration of melphalan, mercaptopurine and mitrolactol in doses of 0.1 and 0.2, 0.2 and 0.5 and 0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg b.wt./day for, 3 months significantly decreased erythrocytic and leucocytic counts and haemoglobin percentage but increased sedimentation rate. The tested drugs increased the percentages of neutrophils and basophils and had no effect on those of eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Moreover, increased the level of total and direct bilirubin and the activities of alkaline phosphatase and transaminases in serum. Histopathological examination of liver and spleen of the anticancer treated rats showedvariable degrees of damage in their cellular structure as compared with those of control rats

Antimicrobial activity of some antiprotozoal drugs

In this investigation antibacterial and antifungal activities of graded increased concentrations of some antiprotozoal drugs were studied. The minimal inhibitory concentrations [MIC] of these drugs against sensitive bacterial strains were determined. Diminazene aceturate in concentrations of 5, 1, 5, 50, 10 and 1 mg/ml inhibited growth of Staph. aureus, C. pyogens, Esch coli. S. typhi, Psaeruginosa and P. multocida respectively. It also ihibited growth of C. albicans. A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. gepsum and T. mentagrophytes in concentrations of 5, 1, 1, 5, 50 mg/ml. Its minimal inhibitory concentration against these organisms ranges from 0.146 to 0.669 mg/ml. Quinapyramine in concentrations of 10, 10, 20, 100 and 10 mg/ml inhibited growth of Staph. aureus C. pyogens Esch. coli, S. typhimurium and Ps. aerugienosa. This drug in concentrations of 100, 100, 10, 100, and 100 mg/ml inhibited growth of C. albicans, A. niger, A flavus, A. fumigatus and T. mentagrophytes. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of quinapyramine against the previously mentioned sensitive bacterial strains ranged from 0.345 to 1.025 mg/ml. Quinuronium sulphate inhibited growth of C. pyogens only and had no effect on the growth of other bacterial strains. The drug in concentration of 50 mg/ml had inhibitory effect against C. albicans, A. niger and A. fumigatus. Naganol and ivermectin had no effect on the studied bacteria and fungi. In vivo study showed that daily dressing of pyogenically infected wounds with 10 and 20% of diminazens aceturate and quinapyramine led to their complete healing within 6 and 8 days of infection corresponding to 5 days for terramycin treated wounds

Synthesis and anticholinergic activity of 8-methyl-8-azabicyclo [321] octanes analogs of atropine

Ten esters derived from 3-hydroxy-8-methyl-8-azabicycle [3.2.1] octane and the corresponding methiodin salts were synthesised. The novel compounds were evaluated for anti-cholinergic activity using rabbit duodenum assay. Among these compounds, 8-methyl-8-azabicycle [3.2.1.] loct-3-y1-3-carbisobutoxy-3- phenyl-propionate [12] was found to be the most effective antispasmodic, comparable in potency to atropine

Some metabolic aspects of growth hormone in rats

Growth hormone in doses of 4.0 and 10.0 U/kg b. wt./day for 6 weeks increased body weight gain, weight of liver and its tissue protein, DNA, and RNA levels. It also increased the levels of total protein, sodium and potassium in serum of rats. The hormone decreased weight of testes and seminal vesicles. Moreover, it decreased the level of tissue protein, DNA and RNA of seminal vesicles, albumin and calcium in serum

Some metabolic effects of testosterone propionate in rats

Intramuscular injection of testosterone propionate in doses of 10.0 and 25.0 mg/kg bwt/day for 6 weeks significantly increased body weight gain and weight of liver, testes and seminal vesicles of rats. It increased tissue protein, deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] and ribonucleic acid [RNA] contents of liver and seminal vesicles. This hormone also increased the levels of total proteins, albumin, sodium, potassium and calcium in serum. Some histopathological changes were observed in the liver, testes and seminal vesicles

Pharmacological properties of melilotus indica plant: gastrointestinal and toxicological effects

Melilotus indica plant alcoholic extract inhibited the intestinal motility of rabbit's duodenum. This inhibition was proved to be myogenic in nature. It also inhibited the motility of taania hydatigena of dogs. The extract significantly increased the ruminal gas production in Egyptian buffaloes ruminal liquor in vitro. The LD[50] of melilotis indica a alcohol extract after oral and intraperitoneal administration in mice was found to be 320 and 100 mg/100g b.wt., respectively toxic symptoms and post-mortum finding were also reported

Effect of long-term administration of beta-adrenergic blockers on some enzyme activity and blood criteria in rats

Daby intramzscular injection of the beta-adrenergic blockers; sotalol, propranolol and oxprenolol in doses of 10.0 and 20.0 ug/rat for one month resulted in various alterations in the activity of some enzymes and blood pictures of female rats. Sotalol hydrochloride in either dose caused highly significant increase in alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT enzyme activity, highly significant decrease in erythocytic and leucocytic counts but insignificant effect on haemoglobin content of blood. Propranolol hydrochloride in a dose of 10.0 ug/rat showed insignificant effect on alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and highly significant increase in SGPT activity. The large dose produced marked activation of alkaline phosphatase, SGPT but on significant effect on SCOT enzyme. Both doses caused highly significant decrease in red and white blood corpuscles counts and no significant effect on haemoglobin content

Effect of some tranquilizers on cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] in dogs

The changes in CSF constituents in anaesthetized dogs after intravenous injection of a single therapeutic dose of chlorpomazine propipnylpromazine or reserpine were studied over 3 hours, compared with corresponding values of the control and revealed that: 1- Chlorpromazine in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg b.wt. significantly increased glucose level and inorganic phosphates in CSF but decreased urea nitrogen, sodium and chloride concentrations. No changes were observed in creatinine, potassium and calcium levels. 2- Propionylpromazine in a dose of 0.6 mg/kg b.wt. had no effect on all the studied parameters. 3- Reserpine in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. significantly increased the glucose level for 3 hours and sodium concentration for one hour but decreased that of potassium during the whole period of the experiment. No changes occrurred in the concentrations of urea nitrogen, creatinine, chloride, calcium and inorganic phosphates