Evaluation of the anti-osteoporotic effect of Ginkgo biloba L. in Wistar rats with glucocorticoid-induced-osteoporosis by bone densitometry using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and mechanical testing

ABSTRACT Evaluate the effect of the extract of Ginkgo biloba in the bone alkaline phosphatase, bone mineral density, in the mechanical properties of the tibia in rats with glucocorticoid-induced-osteoporosis. After osteoporosis induction, the rats were divided into five groups: Osteoporosis; EGb1 (28 mg/Kg); EGb2 (56 mg/Kg); alendronate (0.2 mg/animal) and control. The animals were treated during 20 and 30 days. The control group was compared with the osteoporosis's (Student's t-test), while the other were analyzed by ANOVA test followed by Tukey/Dunnett'T3 (p<0.05). In the osteoporosis group the bone alkaline phosphatase, bone mineral density, the bone stiffness, the maximum load and the resilience were reduced. The bone alkaline phosphatase values increased in the EGb1 and EGb2 groups (30 days). In addition, in the EGb2 and alendronate groups (20 and 30 days) the bone mineral density increased. The extract of Ginkgo biloba restored bone alkaline phosphatase and bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Assessment of sperm production and reproductive organs of Wistar rats to long-term exposure of Caesalpinia ferrea

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-term administration of C. ferrea did not significantly alter the body, vital and reproductive organs weights. Gamete production was not affected either. The chronic assessment of C. ferrea suggests that this plant does not affect the normal functioning of the Wistar rat reproductive system.

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) é uma planta medicinal utilizada principalmente no tratamento do diabetes, dentre outras propriedades terapêuticas, mas que também apresenta relatos de hepatotóxicos. Embora apresente em sua constituição substâncias capazes de interferirem na fertilidade, como flavonóides e cumarina, nenhum estudo foi ainda realizado para avaliar os efeitos adversos dessa planta no funcionamento do sistema reprodutor após tratamento de longa duração. Portanto, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização segura e os efeitos de C. ferrea nos órgãos vitais, no sistema reprodutor e na produção de espermatozóides de ratos Wistar submetidos a tratamento crônico. Animais imaturos e adultos foram tratados com o extrato aquoso de C. ferrea na dose de 300 mg/kg de peso corporal, administrado durante um ou dois ciclos espermatogênicos dessa espécie. Os órgãos reprodutores e vitais foram analisados e os espermatozóides foram coletados na secreção epididimária proveniente da cauda do epidídimo direito. A administração crônica de C. ferrea não alterou significativamente o peso corporal e nem o peso dos órgãos reprodutores e vitais. A produção de gametas também não foi afetada. Os dados sugerem que a utilização crônica de C. ferrea não interfere com o funcionamento normal do sistema reprodutor do rato Wistar.