Preventive effects of Aframomum melegueta extracts on the reproductive complications of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism in male rat.

Recent studies have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is associated with infertility. This work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of Aframomum melegueta on testicular functions and fertility of hypothyroid male rats. Male rats were orally treated with propylthiouracil (PTU: 10 mg/kg) in combination with plant aqueous or methanol seed extract (20 and 100 mg/kg) for 56 days. Vitamin E and clomiphene citrate served as positive controls. On day 47 of treatment, each male was mated with two adult females for fertilization potential evaluation. At the end of the treatment, genital sex organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular histology, oxidative status, plasmatic hormones and fertility potential were evaluated. Results indicated that PTU created hypothyroidism characterised by a significant increase in TSH with reduction of T3 and T4. PTU also lowered genital sex organ weights, sperm count, viability and motility, plasmatic levels of luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone, and increased prolactin, cholesterol and testicular oxidative stress. Alteration in sperm morphology, testis and epididymis histology, and fertilization potential was also noticed. Co-administration with A. melegueta extracts successfully reversed PTU-induced infertility without any effect on thyroid hormones. These results provide evidence that A. melegueta has a protective effect on fertility in hypothyroid condition.

Curative effects of Distemonanthus benthamianus Baillon. Trunk-bark extracts on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 31-induced diarrhea in rats.

Background Distemonanthus benthamianus is used in the Western part of Cameroon to treat diarrheal episodes and infections. This study assessed its trunk-bark extracts activity against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 31 (EPEC 31)-induced diarrhea in rats. Methods Aqueous and methanolic extracts were analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) were evaluated on Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 10,541), E. coli (ATCC 6539), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13,883), Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) strains and on Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA 01) and Shigella flexneri isolates using the microdilution method. Diarrhea was induced by inoculating rats with EPEC 31 (1.5 × 108 CFU/mL; p.o). Serum transaminases level assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytokines determination were performed. Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining was used for intestinal tissue analysis. Results HPLC fingerprints of extracts showed presence of gallic acid and other unidentified compounds. The lowest MIC of 256 µg/mL was obtained with methanolic extract. At 100 mg/kg, both extracts significantly (p<0.001) inhibited diarrhea, with the methanolic extract being the most active. In addition, the methanolic extract significantly (p<0.001) increased the relative mass of the liver compared to negative control (Tween-DMSO 8%). The aqueous extract (100 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.01) increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum concentration; while the methanolic extract (100 mg/kg) exhibited similar effect over aspartate aminotransferase (AST). At 50 and 100 mg/kg, the methanolic extract significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) decreased the Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) serum level, compared to negative control (Tween-DMSO 8%). Serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) significantly (p<0.001) decreased with 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract and all doses of methanolic extract. Inhibition of inflammatory cells tissue infiltration and epithelial regeneration was highly noticed in the ileum and colon of extracts-treated rats than in ciprofloxacin-treated animals. Conclusion These findings suggest that D. benthamianus trunk-bark extracts displayed therapeutic effects against infectious diarrhea in rats.

Aframomum melegueta prevents the ejaculatory complications of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism in sexually experienced male rats: Evidence from intravaginal and fictive ejaculations / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Hypothyroidism has been claimed to generate sexual dysfunctions such as ejaculatory disorders. Aframomum melegueta is an aphrodisiac plant with pro-ejaculatory properties. We investigated the protective effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of A. melegueta on the ejaculatory function of hypothyroid male rats.@*METHODS@#Forty sexually experienced male rats were partitioned into 8 groups (5 rats per group) and treated for 28 d as follows: Group 1, Control; Group 2, propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg) + distilled water (DW, 10 mL/kg); Group 3, PTU + 5% Tween 80 (10 mL/kg); Group 4, PTU + bromocriptine (6 mg/kg); Group 5, PTU + AE (20 mg/kg); Group 6, PTU + AE (100 mg/kg); Group 7, PTU + ME (20 mg/kg), and Group 8, PTU + ME (100 mg/kg). On days 0, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment, each male rat was paired with primed receptive female for measurement of ejaculatory latency time (ELT) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) for 1.5 h. On day 29, each male rat was urethane-anesthetized and the spinal cord was transected. Thereafter, following urethral/penile stimulations and intravenous injection of dopamine, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were registered. After these recordings, blood was collected through the catheterization of abdominal artery and plasma was used for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin and testosterone assays.@*RESULTS@#PTU-induced hypothyroidism was characterized by a significant elevation (P < 0.001) of plasmatic TSH and prolactin levels, but a decline (P < 0.001) in plasmatic testosterone, compared to untreated group. ELT, PEI, contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles and the intraseminal pressure were also altered by PTU treatment. On the contrary, A. melegueta extracts elevated testosterone (AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.01; ME, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and decreased prolactin (AE, 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05; ME, 20 mg/kg, P < 0.05) levels, compared to corresponding controls. With regard to DW + PTU group, prolactin concentration was lowered (P < 0.05) in rats administered with bromocriptine. Treatment with A. melegueta extracts significantly prevented the lengthening of ELT (P < 0.05) and PEI (P < 0.001). Hypothyroid state also altered the fictive ejaculation by increasing the latency and decreasing the number and frequency of bulbospongiosus muscle contractions. There was also a decrease in the intraseminal pressure. These alterations were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated in plant extract-treated groups.@*CONCLUSION@#This study highlighted the ejaculatory disturbance of hypothyroidism in male rats and its prevention with A. melegueta extracts.

Cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity: Beneficial effects of Helichrysum odoratissimum (Asteraceae) in male Wistar rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Cyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used to treat some cancers, but its clinical efficacy is also linked with testicular toxicity. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of Helichrysum odoratissimum for reducing CP-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.@*METHODS@#In addition to a normal control (group 1), drugs or vehicles were administered orally to seven groups (n = 5) of rats that had already received 4-weeks of pre-treatment with CP (5 mg/[kg·d], per oral administration); group 2 received CP + distilled water (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 3 received CP + 5% tween 80 (10 mL/[kg·d]); group 4 received CP + clomiphene citrate (0.25 mg/[kg·d]); groups 5 and 6 received CP + AE (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]) and groups 7 and 8 received CP + ME (50 and 100 mg/[kg·d]). Animals were sacrificed on day 15, and body and sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone level and testicular histology were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The CP-treated group showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the body and seminal vesicle weights, testosterone level, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability, but elevated (P < 0.001) sperm morphological abnormalities and testicular structure alterations, compared to the control group. Interestingly, these detrimental effects of CP were reversed by treatment with H. odoratissimum extracts. For instance, both extracts and all doses of H. odoratissimum significantly increased the sperm count (P < 0.001), sperm motility (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.05; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and sperm viability (AE, 50 mg/kg, P < 0.001; ME, 50 and 100 mg/kg, P < 0.001) compared to the CP group. H. odoratissimum also improved plasmatic and intratesticular testosterone levels and prevented histological alterations of the testes.@*CONCLUSION@#H. odoratissimum might be considered as an alternative drug to alleviate/prevent reproductive damage in cancer patients receiving CP chemotherapy.

Screening of the immunomodulatory and antibacterial activity of Termitomyces letestui (Pat.) Heim (Lyophyllaceae), an edible mushroom from Cameroon.

Background Globally, Termitomyces letestui is used by different communities to treat various illnesses, including bacterial infection, although with limited scientific evidence. The current study aims to assess the immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties of the water extract of a wild mushroom, T. letestui in mice model. Methods The base study was completed following the standard methods and procedures using white mice Mus musculus. The immunomodulatory was investigated for humoral and cell-mediated response in both the normal and dexamethasone-immunosuppressed mice. An immunostimulatory drug, levamisole, was used as reference. The treatment was done daily and the extract doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt were used. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), mice lethality rate and hemagglutination antibody titer were determined. Disc diffusion assay was performed using the Muller-Hinton agar to assess the effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad prism 5.0 a Software. Results T. letestui water extract (TLAE) provided significant inhibition zones against E. coli and S. aureus. TLAE=, along with the antigen (Salmonella typhi) showed a significant increase in the circulating antibody titer and reduced the lethality rate in mice. The extract also showed significant increase in the DTH response against S. typhi. Conclusions This preliminary study demonstrated that TLAE caused a significant immunostimulatory effect on both the cell-mediated and humoral immune systems in the mice and antibacterial property against E. coli and S. aureus.

Immunological In Vivo and In Vitro Investigations of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir (Fabaceae).

BACKGROUND: Macrophages are the first cells to recognize invading foreign bodies and are central to cell mediated and humoral immunity. Therefore, the activation of macrophages is a key event for effective innate and adaptive immunity. Pterocarpus erinaceus has been reported to control infectious diseases, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated the immune-modulatory effect of aqueous extract of P. erinaceus using human macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as mice. METHODS: Hot water was used to extract P. erinaceus from the stem bark. Its effect on lymphocytes was measured by evaluating proliferative response and delayed hypersensitivity. Phagocytic activity of macrophages were measured based on neutral red uptake assay, nitric oxide production and myeloperoxidase and phosphatase acid activity. Hematopoietic and infectious activities were analyzed using the effect on infectious stress and chloramphenicol-induced leucopenic mice model. RESULTS: Aqueous extract showed stronger stimulatory effects on the neutral red uptake, production of nitric oxide and phosphatase acid activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. In addition, aqueous extract significantly stimulated the proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes, enhanced delayed hypersensitivity response to erythrocytes and attenuated infection-induced fever. Furthermore, aqueous extract also significantly increased the rate of recovery of white blood cell levels in chloramphenicol-induced leucopenia mice. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that aqueous extract of P. erinaceus stem bark is able to modulate the immune system and has potential effects in clinical conditions when an immune-enhancing and anti-infectious effect is desired.

Delay of ejaculation induced by Bersama engleriana in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bersama engleriana (B. engleriana) leaves on the expulsion phase of fictive ejaculation in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic male rats.@*METHODS@#The electromyographic activity of the bulbospongiosus muscles was recorded in urethane anaesthetized, spinal cord transected rats receiving dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) intravenously, in the absence or presence of aqueous and methanolic extracts of B. engleriana (2.5, 10, 50, 60, 75 mg/kg). In another experiment, the pro-ejaculatory effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg, i.v.) was monitored in rats orally pre-treated with the aqueous and methanolic extracts (60 mg/kg) of B. engleriana for 1 or 4 weeks.@*RESULTS@#Results of the study showed that the intravenous administration of B. engleriana did not provoke any contraction of the ejaculatory muscles whilst rhythmic and rapid contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles accompanied sometimes by penis movement and expulsion of the urethral contents were recorded after dopamine application. The sequential treatment of animals with B. engleriana extracts (2.5-75.0 mg/kg) followed by dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent abolishment of the pro-ejaculatory response due to dopamine. However, in animals orally submitted to a daily gavage with B. engleriana extracts (60 mg/kg) for 1 or 4 weeks, the ejaculation stimulating effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) was significantly delayed (P<0.01) but not completely suppressed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Present findings suggest the involvement of dopaminergic system in the activity of B. engleriana and further support its aphrodisiac potentials due to sterols and saponins revealed in this plant.

Antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanolic leaves extracts of Dissotis thollonii Cogn. (Melastomataceae)

Objective: To investigate the phytochemical test and selected pharmacological activities (antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activity) of the aqueous and methanolic leaves extracts of Dissotis thollonii Cogn. (Melastomataceae) (D. thollonii). Methods:The aqueous and methanolic extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial activities on the in vitro growth of 2 clinical isolates (Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri), and 5 reference bacteria strains [Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 (E. coli), E. coli ATCC 10536, Salmonella typhi ATCC 6539, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 and E. coli ATCC 11775] by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and bactericidal concentrations using broth microdilution method as well as on the infectious, secretory and osmotic induced diarrhoea models in rats. Results:The aqueous extract inhibited the in vitro growth of all bacteria tested (the 05 reference bacteria strains and the 02 clinical isolates), with MICs values comprised between 32 and 512 μg/mL, whereas the methanolic extract has done the same with the MICs values located between 128 and 512 μg/mL. In vivo, the methanolic and aqueous extracts provoqued at all doses, a significant decrease (P Conclusions:The leaves of D. thollonii thus have antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal effects, which could result from their activities on blocking the inhibiting effects of the bacterial enzymes, inhibiting the bacterial protein synthesis, allowing the rupture of the lipopolysaccharidic membrane, as well as on inhibiting prostaglandins-E2 synthesis or increasing the hydroelectrolytic reabsorption. These results attestted the ethnopharmacological use of D. thollonii leaves in the treatment of diarrhoea and gastro-intestinal infections.

Delay of ejaculation induced by Bersama engleriana in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Objective: To evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bersama engleriana (B. engleriana) leaves on the expulsion phase of fictive ejaculation in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic male rats. Methods: The electromyographic activity of the bulbospongiosus muscles was recorded in urethane anaesthetized, spinal cord transected rats receiving dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) intravenously, in the absence or presence of aqueous and methanolic extracts of B. engleriana (2.5, 10, 50, 60, 75 mg/kg). In another experiment, the pro-ejaculatory effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg, i.v.) was monitored in rats orally pre-treated with the aqueous and methanolic extracts (60 mg/kg) of B. engleriana for 1 or 4 weeks. Results: Results of the study showed that the intravenous administration of B. engleriana did not provoke any contraction of the ejaculatory muscles whilst rhythmic and rapid contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles accompanied sometimes by penis movement and expulsion of the urethral contents were recorded after dopamine application. The sequential treatment of animals with B. engleriana extracts (2.5-75.0 mg/kg) followed by dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent abolishment of the pro-ejaculatory response due to dopamine. However, in animals orally submitted to a daily gavage with B. engleriana extracts (60 mg/kg) for 1 or 4 weeks, the ejaculation stimulating effect of dopamine (0.1 μmol/L/kg) was significantly delayed (P<0.01) but not completely suppressed. Conclusions: Present findings suggest the involvement of dopaminergic system in the activity of B. engleriana and further support its aphrodisiac potentials due to sterols and saponins revealed in this plant.

Effects of Ficus asperifolia on normal rat estrus cyclicity

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) (F. asperifolia) effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Air-dried fruits of F. asperifolia were extracted using water. Prior to the test, vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal (regular) estrous cycle. Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each. Each set was then divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg body weight) once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage. Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract. The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile, ovary, uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>F. asperifolia did not disrupt (0%) the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages, namely, proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Short-term treatment (1 week duration) exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid- (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups. The plasma and organ lipid profile, as well as ovary, uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals. Following long-term administration of plant extract (6 weeks), no adverse effect was noticed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our data partially support the use of F. asperifolia in common medicine.</p>

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Bersama engleriana leaves in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of the aqueous and methanolic extracts from Bersama engleriana leaves in streptozotocin/nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Animals were orally treated for 4 consecutive weeks with Bersama engleriana extracts at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg. The anti-diabetic effect was examined by measuring blood glucose (BG) at 0, 1, 14 and 28 days after STZ-NA treatment and, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels at sacrifice (day 29). Glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) was used for comparison. RESULTS: STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats showed moderate to significant increases in the levels of BG, TG, TC, LDL-C while body weight, HDL-C levels and relative weights of liver and pancreas were decreased compared to controls (non diabetic rats). Administration of the plant extracts to STZ-NA diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in BG, TG, TC and LDL-C and the dose 600 mg/kg of the methanolic extract was the most effective; HDL-C level was markedly increased after four weeks compared to untreated diabetic rats. A dose-dependent increase in the relative weights of the diabetogenic organs was observed in the Bersama engleriana groups. It can be also noticed that the methanolic extract, especially the dose 600 mg/kg (p<0.001), produced more effects than glibenclamide and aqueous extract. Rats treated with glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) generally gave lower results compared to groups treated with plant extracts. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study showed that Bersama engleriana extracts and especially its methanolic extract possess antidiabetogenic properties and beneficial effects on diabetic hyperlipidemia. All these effects could be due to the bioactive components revealed in the Bersama engleriana extracts such as triterpenes and phenols and which could justify its ethnomedical use.