scholarly journals Methanolic Extracts of Cochorous olitorous (L.) and Adansonia digitata (L.) Leaves Against Irradiation-Induced Atherosclerosis in Male Wistar Rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-187
Author(s):  
Kabir O. BELLO ◽  
Sarah O. NWOZO ◽  
Johnson OLADELE ◽  
Kabir K. MUSTAPHA ◽  
Lukman A. QUADRI

The present study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidative effect of the methanolic extracts (MExt) of Cochorous olitorous (CO) and Adansonia digitata (AD) leaves on irradiation-induced atherosclerosis in male Wistar rats. Atherosclerosis was induced in male rats by a single dose of 6 gray whole body gamma radiation. MExt of C. olitorous and A. digitata leaves at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg bwt were administered as treatment for 7 days. Blood serum was analysed for lipid profile, MDA (malondialdehyde) and liver tissue for antioxidants enzymes, whereas the therapeutic potential was compared to the lipids-lowering drug lovastatin at 10 mg/kg/bwt. The phytochemical studies showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Treatment with MExt of CO and AD normalized the elevated MDA level, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the treated rats increased. Pronounced changes were observed at 1,000 mg/kg bwt mixture of MExt of CO and AD for 1 weeks and it was more potent than the standard drug. The current study provided strong evidence that MExt of CO and AD might be important in the treatment of atherosclerosis and ROS without any side effects at the studied dosage and duration.

Author(s):  
Patrick Onen ◽  
Daniel Ocira ◽  
Timothy Omara ◽  
Jacob Nyeko ◽  
Augastine Okwir

Aim: To perform phytochemical screening of Plumbago zeylanica L. root extracts and assess the claim of its use in traditional management of erectile dysfunction in Uganda through evaluation of the aphrodisiac effect of its aqueous extracts in male Wistar rats. Study Design: This study employed both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Place and Duration of Study: All research work were performed at the Department of Biological Sciences, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda between August 2019 and December 2019. Methodology: Classical phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica roots were performed following standard methods. Aqueous extracts were administered to Male Wistar rats and the effect of the extracts on the mounting and intromission frequencies were determined. Results: Glycosides, phenols, saponins, quinones, terpenoids and steroids were present in both methanolic and aqueous extracts. Alkaloids were present in methanolic extracts only while tannins and phlobatannins were only present in aqueous extracts. Flavonoids, coumarins and anthraquinones were not detected in both extracts. Aqueous root extracts of Plumbago zeylanica produced pro-sexual stimulatory effects in male rats when administered at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: The results support the use of Plumbago zeylanicaroots by indigenous people in Uganda to increase libido, treat premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. The extracts had low sexual enhancement in sexually inexperienced male rats and therefore, further studies using experienced animal models are needed to better apprehend the prosexual effects of P. zeylanica roots. The toxicity of the extracts as well as structural elucidation and pharmacological evaluation of the responsible bioactive compounds merit further studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Vahid Azizi ◽  
Shahrbanoo Oryan ◽  
Homayuon Khazali ◽  
Abdolkarim Hosseini

Introduction: The neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the neural circuits of the hypothalamus has a stimulating effect on reproductive activities in mammals. Kisspeptin (KiSS1) is a quintessential neurotransmitter in the reproductive axis which directly stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the hypothalamus. The distribution of KiSS1 expressing cells in the pituitary was described previously. Despite earlier reports showing the KiSS1 receptor, G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) expression in the pituitary, the potential physiological roles of kisspeptin at this gland have remained obscure. Accordingly, this study investigated the role of NPY on the relative expression of Kiss1 and Gpr54 genes in the pituitary gland in male Wistar rats. Methods: In general, 20 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g in 4 groups (5 in each group) received saline, NPY (2.3 nM), BIBP3226 (NPY receptor antagonist, 7.8 nM), and NPY+ BIBP3226. Then, they received the simultaneous injection of these molecules through the third ventricle of the brain. Finally, the relative mean expressions of Kiss1 and Gpr54 genes in the anterior pituitary were quantitatively analyzed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The central injection of NPY increased the relative mean expressions of Kiss1 and Gpr54 genes in the pituitary gland compared to the control group although the injection of BIBP3226 eradicated these effects. However, the gene expression of Gpr54 in the rats receiving NPY coupled with BIBP3226 in hypophysis in comparison to the group receiving only NPY demonstrated a significant reduction (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the central injection of NPY stimulated the gene expression of Kiss1 and Gpr54 in the pituitary gland.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82
Author(s):  
Forough Kajbaf ◽  
Shahrbanoo Oryan ◽  
Ramesh Ahmadi ◽  
Akram Eidi

Background: Growing evidence has shown that the apoptosis of cells plays an important role in the advancement of the Diabetic nephropathy (DN). Objectives: This study attempted to discover the therapeutic potential of Peganum harmala leaf extract in the apoptosis of diabetic kidney disease. Methods: In the present experimental research, 32 male Wistar rats were studied, and diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg). The animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=8, in each group) as follows: control, diabetic, control+leaf extract, diabetic+leaf extract. For our purposes, the methanolic extract of P. harmala leaves (150 mg/kg) was given by gavage for 28 days. Flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were utilized to determine the percentages of apoptotic cells. Also, histological alterations and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: The P. harmala leaf extract has a high amount of flavonoids (25.84%), a lower percentage of alkaloids (0.14%), and some antioxidant properties. Serum urea (P<0.001) and apoptosis (P<0.05) significantly elevated in diabetic rats relative to the control ones. The mean of fasting blood creatinine, urea, and albumin level was not significantly changed in diabetic+leaf extract rats as compared to the diabetic ones. Histopathological results also displayed that diabetic complications in the kidney could not be improved following treatment by the leaf extract of P. harmala. In addition, the leaf extract could not significantly reduce the apoptosis and caspase-3 expression compared to diabetics in renal cells. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the leaf extract of P. harmala is unable to inhibit apoptosis in the diabetic kidney model.


1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (3) ◽  
pp. R579-R584 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rivest ◽  
D. Richard

The effects of a hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) lesion on energy balance were investigated in exercise-trained rats. Male Wistar rats weighing initially 250 g were divided into four groups. Two groups of rats underwent a bilateral PVN lesion, whereas the two remaining groups were sham operated. The PVN lesions were done electrolytically. One group from each surgical treatment was exercised, while the other group was kept in sedentary conditions. Rats were exercised on a rodent motor-driven treadmill at moderate intensity, 1 h/day for 21 consecutive days. Food intake and body weight were measured each day during the study. At the end of the treatment period, rats were killed, and carcasses were analyzed for their energy content. Serum corticosterone was measured by a competitive protein-binding assay. Energy gain and energy intake were lower in exercised rats than in sedentary controls, regardless of whether they were sham or PVN lesioned. Concurrently, there was no difference in the energy gain between PVN-lesioned and sham-operated rats, despite the fact that PVN-lesioned rats ended the experiment with a larger body weight than the sham-lesioned animals. Serum corticosterone levels were lower in PVN-lesioned rats than in sham-lesioned rats. In conclusion, the present results indicate that the PVN, the hypothalamic nucleus predominantly controlling the pituitary-adrenal axis activity, is not a prominent structure in the regulation of energy balance in exercised male Wistar rats.


Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Enoka P. Kudavidanage ◽  
D. M. I. Dissanayake ◽  
W. L. Rangi Keerthirathna ◽  
N. Lasni Wathima Nishshanke ◽  
L. Dinithi C. Peiris

Pesticides are known to result in toxic insult. We aimed to evaluate Judo 40, the commercial formulation of chlorpyrifos on the neurological activities, fertility, and hormone levels of male rats. Male Wistar rats were treated orally with 1 mL of 20 or 50 mg/kg Judo 40. The doses were administered four times, twice a day. Sexual and exploratory behavior indices, fertility indices, serum androgen levels, blood acetylcholinesterase (BChE) levels, and neurological and muscular effects were evaluated. Serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone were significantly reduced in the rats receiving 50 mg/kg Judo 40. A reduction in viable implantation sites and live pups born were evident in the female rats mated with the male rats treated with the highest dose. Similarly, in the rats treated with the highest dose of Judo 40, a significant reduction in plasma BChE enzyme was observed. According to the results, prolonged Judo 40 exposure can cause impairment of the neurological alterations and sex hormones leading to impaired fertility. Therefore, chemical handlers should be educated on protection and risk minimization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 670-678
Author(s):  
Nurdiana Nurdiana ◽  
Pradnyawati Chania ◽  
Rifzi Nurvitasari ◽  
Azmiatun Nisa ◽  
Styan Wahyu Diana ◽  
...  

AIM: This research aims to examine the effects of soy milk on mounting latency (ML), mounting frequency (MF), estrogen levels, androgen-binding protein (ABP) expression, and spermatogenesis in male rats (Rattus norvegicus). METHODS: Twenty-four male wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged 4 weeks were divided into four groups. Control group (given a normal diet), P1; P2; P3 (given the normal diet and soy milk powder at doses of 7.1; 14.2; 21.3 g/KgBW/day, respectively) for 6 weeks. Observation of ML and MF were performed at 9 weeks 5 days of age, and rat surgery was performed at 10 weeks of age. Analysis of estrogen hormone levels was conducted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ABP staining was using immunohistochemistry method, testicular spermatogenesis was observed using histopathological methods, and observation of spermatozoa was performed under the microscope.  RESULTS: The results showed no significant reduction of ML and MF, estrogen levels, and ABP expression (p ≤ 0.256; 0.865; 0.959, respectively) in male rat, but there was a significant decrease in the number, morphology, motility of spermatozoa, and testicular histophatology, (p ≤ 0.000, 0.003, 0.008, 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: The administrassion of soy milk in various doses (7.1;14.2;21.3 g/KgBW/day) in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) had showed significantly difference on histopathological evaluation using Johnson’s scoring system, sperm quantity and quality, while on mounting latency and frequency, estrogen levels, and ABP expressions did not show significantly difference between groups. That describe of isoflavone in soy milk can affect several aspects related to male endocrine and reproductive development.


Author(s):  
Pierre Watcho ◽  
Fred Lih ◽  
Patrick Brice Defo Deeh ◽  
Modeste Wankeu-Nya ◽  
Esther Ngadjui ◽  
...  

Background: Raphia vinifera (Arecaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used as a sexual enhancer. Objective: To investigate the aphrodisiac potential of aqueous extract (AE) and methanolic extract (ME) of R. vinifera in sexually experienced male rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (5 rats per group) and administered for 14 days with distilled water (10 ml/kg), sildenafil citrate (1.44 mg/kg), and AE or ME of R. vinifera (100 or 500 mg/kg). The copulatory activity was tested on days 0, 7, and 14 using receptive females. Further, on day 14, rats were sacrificed and biochemical analyses (testosterone, total protein, and acid phosphatase) were performed. Results: Sildenafil citrate significantly decreased the intromission latency (day 14, p = 0.04) and frequency (days 7 and 14, p = 0.03) but increased the mount frequency (day 14, p = 0.04), compared with control. Remarkably, R. vinifera enhanced the sexual activity by significantly decreasing the intromission latency (AE and ME, 500 mg/kg, day 14, p = 0.04) and increasing the mount frequency (AE and ME, 100 mg/kg, day 7, p = 0.02) compared with control. Moreover, R. vinifera improved plasmatic (AE, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.03; AE, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.001; ME, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.01) and testicular (AE, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.001; AE, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.01; ME, 100 mg/kg, p = 0.001; ME, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.01) testosterone levels as well as plasmatic total proteins concentration (ME, 500 mg/kg, p = 0.04). Conclusion: These findings showed that R. vinifera possesses an aphrodisiac property which could further justify its folkloric use in traditional medicine as a sexual enhancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Matuszewska ◽  
Beata Nowak ◽  
Wojciech Niżański ◽  
Maria Eberhardt ◽  
Kinga Domrazek ◽  
...  

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is used in HIV-infected patients. Alongside the prolongation of patients’ life, adverse side effects associated with long-term therapy are becoming an increasing problem. Therefore, optimizing of HAART is extremely important. The study is aimed at evaluating the toxicity of abacavir and etravirine in monotherapy on the reproductive system, liver, kidneys, and bones in young, sexually mature, male rats. Thirty-six 8-week-old male Wistar rats randomized into three 12-animal groups received either normal saline (control), abacavir 60 mg/kg (AB group), or etravirine 40 mg/kg (ET group) once daily for 16 weeks. Semen morphology, oxide–redox state parameters (MDA, SOD, catalase, GPx, glutathione, GSH/GSSG ratio) in tissue homogenates (testes, liver, kidneys), and serum samples were studied. In bones, microcomputed tomography and a four-point bending test were performed. Total sperm count, sperm concentration, motility, and sperm morphology did not differ significantly in AB or ET groups compared to the control. In the flow cytometry of semen, an increased percentage of cells with denatured DNA was noticed for both tested drugs. However, no significant changes of oxide–redox state in testicular homogenates were found, except of increased SOD activity in the AB-receiving group. Additionally, ET significantly altered catalase and GPx in the liver and SOD activity in kidneys. Abacavir decreased catalase in the liver and GSH levels in kidneys. AB caused significant changes to bone microarchitecture (bone volume fraction, trabecular number, connectivity density, total porosity) and increased Young’s modulus. Etravirine had a greater impact on macrometric parameters of bones (tibial index, mid-tibial diameter, femur length). After 4 weeks in the ET group, a lower 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 serum concentration was found. The results showed that abacavir and etravirine disturb oxidative stress. An increase in the percentage of sperms with chromatin damage suggests decreased fertility in rats receiving the studied drugs. Both drugs affected bone formation in growing rats. Additionally, etravirine disturbed vitamin D metabolism.


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