Effects of short-term treatment of solasodine on cauda epididymis in dogs.

Oral administration (80 mg/kg body wt/day for 30 days) of solasodine (extracted and isolated from the berries of the Solanum xanthocarpum) to intact dogs significantly decreased the epithelial cell height of cauda epididymides. The cells became atrophic and the lumen was devoid of spermatozoa. Castration followed by the adminstration of solasodine further reduced the epithelial cell height in comparison to castrated controls. Concurrent treatment of solasodine along with testosterone propionate was unable to restore the normal epithelial lumen parameters. Total protein, sialic acid, glycogen and acid phosphatase activities were significantly reduced in solasodine treated cauda epididymides. These result suggest antiandrogenic potency of solasodine.

Prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits after supplementation of Myristica fragrans seed extract.

Myristica seed extr. administration to hypercholesterolemic rabbits reduced serum cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol by 69.1% and 76.3% respectively and also lowered cholesterol/phospholipid ratio by 31.2% and elevated the decreased HDL-ratio significantly. Myristica seed extr. feeding also prevented the accumulation of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in liver, heart and aorta and dissolved atheromatous plaques of aorta by 70.9-76.5%. Fecal excretion of cholesterol and phospholipid were significantly increased in seed extract fed rabbits.

Hypocholesterolemic activity of nut shell extract of Semecarpus anacardium (Bhilawa) in cholesterol fed rabbits.

Administration of S. anacardium nut shell extract to cholesterol fed rabbits resulted in a significant reduction in serum cholesterol (-73.3%) and serum LDL-Chol. (-80%). The extract feeding also prevented the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides in liver, heart muscle and aorta and caused a regression of plaques (75.3-83.5%). These results indicate that S. anacardium is hypocholesterolemic in action and prevents cholesterol induced atheroma. Possible mechanism of action is discussed.

Hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of plumbagin in rabbits.

Plumbagin (2-methyl-5-hydroxy, 1:4 naphthoquinone) isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica when administered to hyperlipidaemic rabbits, reduced serum cholesterol and LDL-Chol. by 53 to 86 percent and 61 to 91 percent respectively. It lowered cholesterol/phospholipid ratio by 45.8 percent and elevates the decreased HDL-Chol significantly. Further, Plumbagin treatment prevented the accumulation of cholesterol and triglycerides in liver and aorta and regressed atheromatous plaques of thoracic and abdominal aorta. Plumbagin treated hyperlipidaemic subjects excreted more fecal cholesterol and phospholipids. In conclusion-Plumbagin feeding brings about a definite regression of atheroma and prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and triglycerides in liver and aorta.

Effect of dietary zinc and copper on peripheral blood plasma cholesterol, testosterone and histomorphology of testes in rats.

Total plasma cholesterol (mg/dl) significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased from 70.8 to 54.01 as the dietary Cu levels increased from 2.5 to 5 ppm at 12 pm Zn concentrations in male weanling rats. A similar trend was observed in the blood peripheral testosterone concentration at 12 ppm Zn and 2.5 ppm Cu. Histological examination of testes revealed smaller seminiferous tubules with atrophy of germinal epithelium. Also a marked loss of spermatogenic cells was observed in Zn and Cu deficient rats.

Hypolipidaemic effects of Curcuma longa L and Nardostachys jatamansi, DC in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats.

Fifty per cent ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (tuber) and Nardostachys jatamansi (whole plant) feeding elevates HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. The extracts also caused a significant reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol/phospholipids. Curcuma longa exhibited better cholesterol and triglyceride lowering activity [Ch = -85%; Tg = -88%] as compared to N. jatamansi in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. In view of the protective action of HDL against heart disease and atherogenecity, C. longa consumption is recommended.

Prevention of aortic lesions and hyperlipidaemia by alfalfa seed extract in cholesterol fed rabbit.

Extract of alfalfa seed (ethanolic 50 % v/v) prevents the development of plaque formation and hyperlipidaemia in cholesterol fed rabbits. It inhibits the elevation of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, while HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio increases, which is associated with a reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. Further reduction in total cholesterol and phospholipid contents of liver and heart muscle are suggestive of a beneficial role of the seed extract. The possible mechanisms of action are discussed.

Antiatherosclerotic effects of alfalfa meal ingestion in chicks: a biochemical evaluation.

Feeding Alfalfa seed extract to chicks resulted in significant reduction of total cholesterol, phospholipid, triglyceride, LDL-Cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol. Simultaneously, an increased in the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio occurred with reduction in total cholesterol and phospholipid contents of liver and (ventricular) muscle of the heart. Results obtained with alfalfa seed extract ingestion were evaluated with a standard drug, compound, clofibrate.

Reversible chemical sterilization: effects of cyclohexanol administration on the testes and epididymides of male rabbit.

Cyclohexanol administration (25 mg/kg/day orally for 40 days) produced a brief period of infertility in rabbits by inhibiting the process of spermatogenesis at the spermatocyte and spermatid levels. Seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclear dimensions were reduced. The lumen of epididymides and ductus deferens were devoid of spermatozoa. Cyclohexanol administration reduced the concentrations of RNA, protein, sialic acid and glycogen in the testes and epididymides, whereas the total cholesterol concentration of the testes was elevated. Depletion of adrenal ascorbic acid was conspicuous. Moderate elevation of serum cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, bilirubin, and pyruvate transaminase were recorded. Histopathological examination of liver did not show any damage. Leydig cell impairment and decreased production of RNA and sialic acid in the testes returned to subnormal values after cessation of cyclohexanol treatment for 70 days. Normal spermatogenesis was seen after 10 weeks of recovery period.

Effects of cyproterone acetate on the testicular function of bat (Rhinopoma kinneari Wroughton).

1-Cyproterone acetate administration (0.2 mg/day/animal for 25 days) caused widespread testicular necrosis. The lumen of the epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa. The RNA, protein, sialic acid and phosphatase enzyme activity of the testes were reduced. Serum transaminase enzyme activity was slightly changed. Haemoglobin, hematocrit, blood sugar, and blood urea levels were in the normal range. Regressed Leydig cell tissue and decreased production of RNA and sialic acid in the testes could be due to the antiandrogenic action produced by cyproterone acetate.