Qualitative identification of the active principles in Citrullus colocynthis and evaluation of its teratogenic effects in albino rats.

Background: This study was designed to identify the active contents of Citrullus colocynthis plant and to examine their teratogenicity in rats. The fruit pulp of the poisonous plant was collected randomly from Suq-Alkhamis district, Tripoli, Libya. Methods: The glucoside colocynthin was isolated by lead acetate method while the alkaloids and saponins were isolated by maceration method. These active principles were then identified by chemical tests, color reactions and thin layer chromatography. Possible teratogenic effects of the fruit pulp extract was investigated by its administration to twelve pregnant rats on the 7th day of gestation at a dose of 40.6 mg/kg body weight that is equivalent to one fourth of the LD50 of the extract. Results: Gross anatomical observation on the 20th day of gestation revealed a high percentage of resorbed fetuses, smaller size and weight fetuses as well as absence of coccygeal vertebrae, metacarpal and metatarsal bones, and carpal and tarsal bones. Conclusions: It could be concluded that the extract of fruit pulp of Citrullus colocynthis, obtained from Libya, contain glucosidal as well as other principles that may cause teratogenic effects if given during at the early stage of pregnancy.

In vitro evaluation of the light speed and profile rotary systems in the preparation of curved root canals

Successful root canal treatment depends on removal of pulp tissue, bacteria and necrotic debris from the root canal system, with adequate canal shaping that facilitates obturation. Recently a variety of engine drive rotatory systems have been introduced to the market in an attempt to simplify canal preparation especially the curved canals and reduce operator fatigue. The aim of this work was to evaluate the Profile and the light speed rotary systems together with their recommended obturation techniques which are the Thermafil and the Simplfill respectively, versus the conventional hand instrumentation with Ni-Ti K-files using step-back technique and lateral condensation obturation technique, regarding three parameters, cleanness of instrumented canals, canal deviation and leakage of obturated canals. 90 Freshly extracted human mandibular molars were used in this study. Teeth were divided into three main groups according to the method of canal preparation. Each group was evaluated by histological examination, digital radiography assessment and apical dye Leakage. The Profile and the lightspeed rotary systems, and also the hand instrumentation by the Nitiflex files were able to remove the major contents of the instrumented canals at #35 apical preparations. But none of them totally debrided the entire root canal system. The Lightspeed rotary instruments were superior to the hand instrumentation with the Nitiflex files in maintaining the original canal curvature

Teratogenic and histopathological effects of citrullus cologynthis plant extract

The teratogenic and histopathological exploration of the minced extract ofCitrullus colocynthis fruits were studied on forty pregnant albino ratsdivided into four equal groups. The first three groups were given 1/4 LD 50of the active ingredient of the minced extract while the fourth group was keptas control. The results showed that the minced fruits extract of the planthas a toxicological effect on pregnant rats reproduction and induced skeletalabnormalities of their foeti. The microscopical picture of lung, liver andkidney of pregnant rats in the first three groups showed a varioushistopathological alterations