Adverse reproductive effects of ethanolic root extract of Waltheria indica in male Wistar rats.

Background Numerous uses of Waltheria indica plant such as antitrypanosomal, antibacterial and antimalarial effects have been reported. It has however been reported that most plants with antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects have adverse effect on male reproduction. Hence, we evaluated the effect of Waltheria indica root on male reproductive parameters. Methods Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=5); A-D. Group A served as control group while groups B, C and D were administered with 200, 400 and 800 mg/Kg body weight of crude ethanolic extract of Waltheria indica root. After 28 days of administration, the rats were sacrificed and sperm parameters, sperm morphology, serum reproductive hormones and lipids were determined. Results There was a significant reduction in sperm count and motility as well as significant increase in percentage abnormal sperm cell (p<0.001) at the 400 and 800 mg/kg BW. The serum levels of testosterone was also significantly reduced while total cholesterol increased significantly (p<0.05) at the highest dose. Conclusion Waltheria indica root has adverse effect on male reproduction through reduction in sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones.

Food effect: The combined effect of media pH and viscosity on the gastrointestinal absorption of ciprofloxacin tablet.

BACKGROUND: The clinical implications of food-drug interactions may have to be taken seriously into account with oral drugs administration in order to minimize variations in drug bioavailability. Food intake may alter physiological changes in the pH and viscosity of the gastrointestinal lumen, which could affect the oral absorption of drugs. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to have an insight on the effect of media parameters: viscosity and pHon the oral absorption of ciprofloxacin HCl from solid formulations using a model food: Corchorus olitorius (Jute) Soup. METHODS: In vitro disintegration and dissolution rates of ciprofloxacin tablet were evaluated using compendia buffer media in the presence/absence of C. olitorius leaves. These in vitro data were then input to GastroPlus™ to predict ciprofloxacin absorption profiles under fasted and fed states. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated the significance of luminal pH and viscosity on the dissolution and disintegration of solid formulations following postprandial ingestion of the viscous soup. The tablets showed prolonged disintegration times and reduced dissolution rates in this soup, which could be attributed to the postprandial elevation in media viscosity and reduced solubility at elevated gastricpH. The predicted model under fed state showed no impact on AUC but prolonged Tmax and a decrease in Cmax. CONCLUSION: Concomitant intake of C. olitorius soup with ciprofloxacin might have negative effect on the rate of drug release from conventional immediate release tablets.

Doença do armazenamento lisossomal induzida pelo consumo de Sida carpinifolia em bovinos do Rio Grande do Sul / Lysosomal storage disease caused by Sida carpinifolia in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul

This paper reports the natural poisoning by Sida carpinifolia (guanxuma, chá-da-índia) in cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Five cattle were affected in the period 2001-2008. Clinical signs included weight loss, incoordination, walking difficulty, generalized tremors, frequent falls, and death. Microscopically, the main changes were vacuolation of Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum, pancreatic acinar cells, and thyroid follicular cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed vacuoles bordered by membrane containing finely granular material. Lectin histochemistry showed positive staining in neurons with the lectins Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), and Succinyl Triticum vulgaris (sWGA).

Relata-se a intoxicação natural por Sida carpinifolia (guanxuma, chá-da-índia) em bovinos no Rio Grande do Sul. Foram afetados cinco bovinos no período 2001-2008. O quadro clínico foi caracterizado por emagrecimento, incoordenação, dificuldade de locomoção, tremores generalizados, quedas frequentes e morte. Microscopicamente, as principais alterações foram vacuolização dos neurônios de Purkinje do cerebelo, das células acinares do pâncreas e das células foliculares da tireoide. A microscopia eletrônica evidenciou vacúolos com conteúdo finamente granulado e delimitado por membrana. Na lectina-histoquímica, observou-se marcação em neurônios com as lectinas Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA) e Succinyl Triticum vulgaris (sWGA).