Light scattering by subwavelength Cu2O particles.

Novel metamaterials with new capabilities to manipulate light may be used by considering basic building blocks with new optical properties. This is the case with resonant magneto-dielectric particles. In this work, the resonant response of a high-dielectric Cu2O subwavelength particle is analyzed, both analytically and experimentally. The emergence of electric and magnetic resonances and their interferential effects, producing directional behaviors, can be used in a new generation of metamaterials, as well as new integrated optical devices.

Hepatoprotective Effects and Safety Evaluation of Coumarinolignoids Isolated from Cleome viscosa Seeds.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the in vivo hepatoprotective potential of coumarinolignoids (cleomiscosins A, B, and C) isolated from the seeds of C. viscosa. The study was performed against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Rats were divided into four groups. The animals of group I served as normal and was given only vehicle. Group II served as toxin control and administered with CCl(4) (50% solution liquid paraffin, 2 ml/kg intraperitoneally). The animals of group III received coumarinolignoids (50 mg/kg) for six days orally as well as CCl(4) (2 ml/kg) on 4(th) day i.p. Similarly animals of group IV received silymarin (50 mg/kg) for six days orally as well as CCl(4) on 4(th) day i.p. On 7(th) day various parameters viz. serum glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin, liver glycogen were estimated and histopathology was performed. Additionally, acute oral toxicity of the said coumarinolignoids was carried out in swiss albino mice. The coumarinolignoids were found to be effective as hepatoprotective against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by in vivo and histopathological studies in small animals. Safety evaluation studies also exhibit that coumarinolignoids are well tolerated by small animals in acute oral toxicity study except minor changes in red blood cell count and hepatic protein content at 5000 mg/kg body weight as a single oral dose. Coumarinolignoids which is the mixture of three compounds (cleomiscosin A, B and C) is showing the significant protective effects against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in small animals and also coumarinolignoids are well tolerated by small animals in acute oral study.

Toxic effects of oral administration of extracts of dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Malvaceae).

The effects of a 90-day oral administration of water and alcohol extracts of dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa were evaluated in albino rats. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological changes were monitored every 30 days.The death of the animals was preceded by a severe loss in weight, accompanied with diarrhoea in animals on the 2000 mg/kg dose. There was an increase in food intake (g) per kg body weight per day in the aqueous (A) and ethanol (E) 300 mg/kg extract groups. Significant reductions in the erythrocyte count with no difference in total leucocyte count were observed. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was enhanced by the administration of aqueous and 50% ethanol extract with a significant increase in its level at higher doses (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine levels were significantly affected by all the extracts at the different dose levels. However, aqueous extracts exhibited a significant increase in creatinine levels (p < 0.05) at higher doses. The cholesterol levels were generally not significantly affected by the extracts. No significant histopathological changes were observed, although there was a significant reduction in the weight of the spleen of the animals administered with ethanol and water extracts when compared with the control (p < 0.01). Other organs were of the same relative weight.

Hepatoprotective activity of leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata Pers.

Kalanchoe pinnata Pers. is naturalized throughout the hot and moist parts of India. Juice of the fresh leaves is used very effectively for the treatment of jaundice in folk medicines of Bundelkhand region of India. The juice of the leaves and the ethanolic extract of the marc left after expressing the juice were studied in rats against CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity. The test material was found effective as hepatoprotective as evidenced by in vitro, in vivo and histopathological studies. The juice was found more effective than ethanolic extract.