Effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Marrubium vulgare in female rats

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of ethanol-water (80:20) extract of Marrubium vulgare (M. vulgare) on the hematological parameters, macroscopic and histological aspects of the uterus and fetus in non-pregnant and pregnant rats.@*METHODS@#Female rats were divided into 4 equal groups (n = 9), group N (normal rats) and group G (pregnant rats) considered as control groups, group NE (normal rats treated with the ethanol-water (80:20, v/v) extract of M. vulgare) and group GE (pregnant rats treated with the extract). The ethanol-water (80:20) plant extract was administered in a single daily dose 1 g/kg at the morning, during 19 d. On the 19 day of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, the uterus and fetuses were removed for the morphological and histological studies and the blood was collected in EDTA tubes for the measurement of hematological parameters with the use of an automate 'HORIBA ABX Micros 60 Hematology Analyzer'.@*RESULTS@#Our results showed, in group NE and GE, a significant decrease on hematological parameters: red blood cells (NE: 18.6%; GE: 38.4%), hematocrit (NE: 13.8%; GE: 20.4%), hemoglobin (NE: 12.1%; GE: 8.3%) and mean corpuscular volume (NE: 6.4%; GE: 2%) with P more less a 0.05. Indeed, the extract of M. vulgare caused a significant decrease on the mean implantations of fetuses (82.5%, P < 0.001) and their size (47.2%, P < 0.01). As for the macroscopic and histological appearance of uterus, our data showed no change in normal treated rats. In contrast, the treated pregnant rats showed a severe histological change characterized by the existence of location of stopped gestation. Furthermore, it was also found in the uterus of these rat lyses placental and embryo tissue.@*CONCLUSIONS@#All these results support the hypothesis of an abortifacient effect of M. vulgare.

Effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Marrubium vulgare in female rats

Objective To evaluate the effects of ethanol–water (80:20) extract of Marrubium vulgare (M. vulgare) on the hematological parameters, macroscopic and histological aspects of the uterus and fetus in non-pregnant and pregnant rats. Methods Female rats were divided into 4 equal groups (n = 9), group N (normal rats) and group G (pregnant rats) considered as control groups, group NE (normal rats treated with the ethanol–water (80:20, v/v) extract of M. vulgare) and group GE (pregnant rats treated with the extract). The ethanol–water (80:20) plant extract was administered in a single daily dose 1 g/kg at the morning, during 19 d. On the 19 day of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, the uterus and fetuses were removed for the morphological and histological studies and the blood was collected in EDTA tubes for the measurement of hematological parameters with the use of an automate ‘HORIBA ABX Micros 60 Hematology Analyzer’. Results Our results showed, in group NE and GE, a significant decrease on hematological parameters: red blood cells (NE: 18.6%; GE: 38.4%), hematocrit (NE: 13.8%; GE: 20.4%), hemoglobin (NE: 12.1%; GE: 8.3%) and mean corpuscular volume (NE: 6.4%; GE: 2%) with P more less a 0.05. Indeed, the extract of M. vulgare caused a significant decrease on the mean implantations of fetuses (82.5%, P < 0.001) and their size (47.2%, P < 0.01). As for the macroscopic and histological appearance of uterus, our data showed no change in normal treated rats. In contrast, the treated pregnant rats showed a severe histological change characterized by the existence of location of stopped gestation. Furthermore, it was also found in the uterus of these rat lyses placental and embryo tissue. Conclusions All these results support the hypothesis of an abortifacient effect of M. vulgare.

Catalase activity and rhythmic patterns in mouse brain, kidney and liver.

To protect tissues from damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), organisms possess enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Cytosolic-enzyme catalase (CAT) is a component of the antioxidant defence system that reduces hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) to water (H(2)O). The aim of this study was to assess the variation of antioxidant enzyme CAT activity in brain, kidney and liver of adult male mice according to tissue-specific and temporal patterns within a 24-h period (12:12 L/D). The CAT activity was assayed at 4-h intervals. The Cosinor test programme was used to detect and confirm the best corresponding rhythm. In liver, the circadian rhythm of CAT was associated with ultradian components. The prominent circadian rhythm (with a period tau=24 h) showed a peak located at the middle of the dark phase, more precisely congruent with 17 HALO (Hours After Light Onset). In kidney, only a circadian rhythm of CAT was validated with a peak time located at congruent with 17 HALO. However, in brain, the time pattern of CAT activity showed two peak times at congruent with 1 and congruent with 17 HALO, illustrating the existence of an ultradian rhythm (with a period tau=12 h). The results showed significant organ differences with the highest activity in liver, compared with kidney (-89%) and brain (-98%). This might be related to several factors such as their respective physiological function, the risk of exposure to oxidative damage and the balance between synthesis and degradation of proteins during "normal metabolism". Moreover, CAT activity revealed differences in time-related changes across a 24-h period that were more obvious in peak levels between the three tissues.