Amelioration potential of Moringa oleifera extracts against sodium arsenate induced embryotoxicity and genotoxicity in mouse (Mus musculus)

Previous studies have suggested that arsenic crosses the placenta and affects the fetus development. The study under consideration aims to show comparative ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and flower extracts against sodium arsenate induced fetus toxicity of mice. Pregnant mice (N=44) were kept in lab and divided into eleven group from (A to K) and were orally administered the doses 6 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg for sodium arsenate, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) and 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera flower extracts (MOFE) comparing with control. The investigation revealed evident reduction in the fetuses weight, hind limb, fore limb, tail and snout length, crown rump and head circumferences well as malformations in tail, feet, arms, legs, skin and eyes in the negative control group (only administered with sodium arsenate). Co-administration of sodium arsenate with MOLE and MOFE ameliorate the reversed effect of sodium arsenate on the shape, length, body weight and DNA damage of fetus significantly at 95% confidence interval. However, Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed more significant results in comparison to Moringa oleifera flower extract. Hence concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf extract ameliorated the embryo toxic effects of sodium arsenate and can be used against environmental teratogens.

Tissue Engineering Scaffold Slowly Releasing Neurotrophic Factors to Bridge Long Peripheral Nerve Defect

Consistent application of neurotropic factors is necessary in peripheral nerve regeneration, yet challenging to achieve. Here we used a novel neurotropic factor controlled release system consisted of fibrin, fibronectin and hydrogel to slowly release two neurotrophic factors. At the same time, physiological saline and reverse nerve suturing were used as negative and positive control. A year after surgery, animals which were treated by neurotrophic factor slow release system achieved far better neural regeneration and myelination, as well as superior recovery of hindfoot than the negative control group. In the meanwhile, the results in the experimental group are still inferior to the nerve allograft group. In can be concluded from those results that, consistent releasing of neurotrophic factors can significantly promote long peripheral nerve regeneration, but still short of achieving the results same as the gold standard of autologous nerve grafting.

Effects of buprenorphine on model development in an adjuvant-induced monoarthritis rat model

Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats is a common animal model for studying chronic inflammatory pain. However, modelling of the disease is associated with unnecessary pain and impaired animal wellbeing, particularly in the immediate post-induction phase. Few attempts have been made to counteract these adverse effects with analgesics. The present study investigated the effect of buprenorphine on animal welfare, pain-related behaviour and model-specific parameters during the disease progression in a rat model of CFA-induced monoarthritis. The aim was to reduce or eliminate unnecessary pain in this model, in order to improve animal welfare and to avoid suffering, without compromising the quality of the model. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with 20 μl of CFA into the left tibio-tarsal joint to induce monoarthritis. Rats were treated with either buprenorphine or carprofen for 15 days during the disease development, and were compared to a saline-treated CFA-injected group or a negative control group. Measurements of welfare, pain-related behaviour and clinical model-specific parameters were collected. The study was terminated after 3 weeks, ending with a histopathologic analysis. Regardless of treatment, CFA-injected rats displayed mechanical hyperalgesia and developed severe histopathological changes associated with arthritis. However, no severe effects on general welfare were found at any time. Buprenorphine treatment reduced facial pain expression scores, improved mobility, stance and lameness scores and it did not supress the CFA-induced ankle swelling, contrary to carprofen. Although buprenorphine failed to demonstrate a robust analgesic effect on the mechanical hyperalgesia in this study, it did not interfere with the development of the intended pathology.

Aktivitas Antiinflamasi Ekstrak Etanol Echinometra mathaei pada Tikus Putih Jantan dengan Induksi Karaginan

Sea urchin (Echinometra mathaei) is one of the marine biota that contains high flavonoid and phenolic compounds that are potent as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This study aimed to measure the anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanol extract of sea urchins in male white rats induced by carrageenan. Anti-inflammatory activity test using 5 groups of rats selected randomly, each group consists of 5 rats. Negative control group, positive control group, and 3 groups of extracts (doses of 100, 200, and 400mg/kgBW). Each group was induced using 1% carrageenan subplantarly and the volume of edema was measured using a mercury plethysmometer every 30 minutes for 3 hours. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way Anova. The results showed that the percentage of inflammatory inhibition in the positive control group, and the Echinometra mathaei ethanol extract group (dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/KgBW) showed a significant difference (P0.05) with the negative control group with a percentage value of Inflammation inhibition was 61.11%, 85.19%, 85.19%, and 74.07%, respectively. The administration of sea urchin ethanol extract at all doses had a higher percentage of anti-inflammatory than diclofenac sodium, but increasing the extract dose did not significant increase inflammatory inhibition. This research concluded that 70% ethanol extract of Echinometra mathaei at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/KgBW has strong anti-inflammatory activity potential.

Evaluation of the effect of different concentrations of Arsenicum album 6cH on intoxicated rats

Aims: Homeopaths diverge on the concept of dose, i.e. the amount of drug that a patient must take to alter his or her state of disease. In order to stimulate reflections on this concept, this study sought to evaluate in vivo the effect of different concentrations of Arsenicum album 6cH prepared according to homeopathic pharmacotechnics. Methods: male Wistar rats were intoxicated with arsenic and then treated with Arsenicum album 6cH and Arsenicum album 6cH diluted at 1%, administered orally. The amount of arsenic retained in the animals’ organism and that eliminated by urine were measured through atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples of urine were collected before and after intoxication and during treatment. The positive control group (intoxicated animals) and the negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) received only the vehicle used in the preparation of the medicine. Results: Groups treated with Arsenicum album 6cH and Arsenicum album 6cH diluted at 1% eliminated significant amounts of arsenic when compared to the control groups. The group treated with Arsenicum album 6cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the diluted medicine at 1%. Conclusion: results suggest that Arsenicum album 6cH should not be diluted as not to compromise its effectiveness in the treatment of rats intoxicated with arsenic.

Ateleia glazioveana and Ocimum basilicum: plants with potential larvicidal and repellent against Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae)

The Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the transmission of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika. The agents used for the control of mosquito involve the use of synthetic compounds, which may cause toxicity and contamination environmental. Aiming to test the effectiveness of natural products, the aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal and repellent activity of extracts of Ateleia glazioveana Baill. (timbó) and essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L. (manjericão), against A. aegypti. The activities of hydroalcoholic (HEA) and dichloromethane (DEA) extracts from A. glazioveana against A. aegypti larvae were assessed after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 h, using water and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis as negative and positive controls, respectively. For repellent evaluation, we investigated the sting attempts of A. aegypti in response to the application of HEA- and DEA-based body creams (5%), as well as an alcoholic spray based on the essential oil from O. basilicum. The repellency of these preparations was compared with negative (vehicle) and positive (DEET) controls. Although HEA showed no apparent larvicidal activity, DEA at concentrations of 150 to 500 mg/ml showed high larvicidal potential after 24 h, compared to the negative control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the DEA-based cream and the alcoholic spray of O. basilicum based essential oil showed higher repellency compared with the vehicle (84.5% and 70.5%, respectively). Accordingly, it is possible to infer that extracts and preparations of A. glazioveana and O. basilicum exhibit larvicidal and repellent activity against A. aegypti.

The problem of dose in homeopathy: evaluation of the effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album 30cH on rats intoxicated with arsenic.

Background: Although scientific studies have confirmed the action of homeopathic high dilutions in living organisms an endless debate on the choice of the most fitting dilution, the frequency of administration and the dose (amount of medicine) still remains. Aims: This study sought to assess the in vivo effect of 2 different concentrations of Arsenicum album 30cH in order to elucidate some problems in the homeopathic notion of dose. Methods: Male Wistar rats previously intoxicated with sodium arsenate by peritoneal injection were treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution administered by oral route. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed to measure the levels of arsenic retained in the animals as well as the amounts eliminated through urine. Urine samples were collected before and after and during treatment. A positive control group (intoxicated animals) and negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) were administered only the vehicle used to prepare the medicine (ethanol). Results: The groups treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution eliminated significant amounts of arsenic through urine when compared to the control groups. The group treated with undiluted Ars 30cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the same medicine in 1% solution. Conclusion: These results suggest that undiluted Ars 30cH was more effective than in 1% solution in this experimental model.

The problem of dose in homeopaty: evaluation of the effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album 30cH on rats intoxicasted with arsenic

Background: Although scientific studies have confirmed the action of homeopathic high dilutions in living organisms an endless debate on the choice of the most fitting dilution, the frequency of administration and the dose (amount of medicine) still remains. Aims: This study sought to assess the in vivo effect of 2 different concentrations of Arsenicum album 30cH in order to elucidate some problems in the homeopathic notion of dose. Methods: Male Wistar rats previously intoxicated with sodium arsenate by peritoneal injection were treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution administered by oral route. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed to measure the levels of arsenic retained in the animals as well as the amounts eliminated through urine. Urine samples were collected before and after and during treatment. A positive control group (intoxicated animals) and negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) were administered only the vehicle used to prepare the medicine (ethanol). Results: The groups treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution eliminated significant amounts of arsenic through urine when compared to the control groups. The group treated with undiluted Ars 30cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the same medicine in 1% solution. Conclusion: These results suggest that undiluted Ars 30cH was more effective than in 1% solution in this experimental model.

Red dragon fruit juice in reducing ros levels and insulin resistance In rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus model

Background: The peel of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) had been proven to have a total polyphenol content and total flavonoids 2 to 3 times more than its flesh. These components could reduce oxidative stress and maintain the function of pancreatic beta cells, which could affect blood sugar levels.Objectives: This study aimed to test the red dragon fruit juice using peel and flesh to reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance in T2DM model rats.Materials and Methods: This study was a true experimental study with a randomized controlled trial, with a Matching Pretest Post-test Control Group Design. We used 21 white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) Wistar strain which was divided into three groups: (P1) negative control group (induced Streptozotocin + Nicotinamide induction), (P2) positive control group (given Streptozotocin + Nicotinamide and given Metformin HCl induction 0,9 mg/kg BW, and (P3) Red Dragon fruit group (induced Streptozotocin + Nicotinamide and given Red Dragon Fruit juice 3.6 ml / 200 g BW / day given for 14 days. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test, paired t-test, and Post Hoc.Results: After 14 days of intervention, the average HOMA-IR levels were as follows: negative control group (Mean=8.32; SD=0.26), positive group (Mean 4.89; SD=0.29), and the Red Dragon Fruit intervention group (Mean=4.65; SD=0.30). The average MDA levels were as follows: control group (Mean = 9.08; SD = 0.68), positive group (Mean=3.34;SD=0.22), and the red dragon fruit intervention group (Mean = 3.05; SD = 0.47). Both the Metformin group and the Red Dragon Fruit group had low HOMA-IR and MDA levels compared to the negative control group.Conclusions: When administered alone, red dragon fruit and metformin effectively reduced HOMA-IR and MDA levels in rats with type 2 DM. Red dragon fruit can be used as an alternative to metformin because of its effectiveness in reducing plasma HOMA-IR and MDA.

THE EFFECT OF 25% BELT LEAVES AND 0.2% CHLORHEXIDINE AS DISINFECTANT MATERIALS ON THE DIMENSIONAL STABILITY OF ALGINATE MOLDS

ntroduction: Dental impression material is one of the agents of infection transmission in the dentist's work environment. Cross infection can occur through the interaction of microorganisms and impression material. To prevent cross infection, it is necessary to disinfect alginate impressions. One of the effective natural ingredients that can be used as a disinfectant is betel leaf. The effect of using disinfectant can affect the dimensional stability of the alginate mold. Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of disin- fection by spraying a decoction of 25% betel leaf and 0.2% chlorhexidine on the dimensional stability of alginate molds. Materials and Methods: The research method used was an experimental laboratory with a post-test only control g roup design using 2 7 samples consisting of three treatments (negative control group, positive control group, and treatment group) which were measured using a digital caliper. The technique us ed in this study is the spraying technique on the sample with a st orage time of 10 minutes. Results and discussion: This 25% betel leaf de coction (infusion) can be used as an alternative to disinfecting alginate impressions because there is no difference in effect between spraying 25% betel leaf decoction (infusion) and 0.2% chlorhexidine on alginate molds on changes in model physiological dimen- sions. Conclusion: the dimensional changes that occur are still within tolera- ble limits in alginate molds which were disinfected by spraying 25% betel leaf decoction and 0.2% chlorhexidine solution so that both can be used as disinfection materials for alginate impression materials