Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity Assessment of Euphorbia lateriflora (Schum and Thonn) in Wistar Albino Rats

Aims: The toxicity of ethanol whole plant extract of Euphorbia lateriflora was assessed in Albino Wistar rats. Methodology: The LD50 was at single dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight, the sub-acute dosage of the extract was administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.t twice daily for 7 days and the effect of the extract on liver, kidney, and haematological parameters was assessed and recorded during these periods. Results: The result of the oral acute toxicity study at single high dose of 5000 mg/kg/bwt shows that the LD50 of the extract is greater than 5000 mg/kg/bwt. After 7 days of oral administration, 500 mg/kg/bwt of the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the packed cell volume. At 500 mg/kg/bwt, the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in ALP, total protein and albumin and decrease in serum electrolytes (Na+, k+ and Cl-). Histopathological analysis revealed the expansion of fibrous spaces in the liver and thickening of the glomerular basement of the kidney in the group fed with 500 mg/kg/b.w.t of extracts. Conclusion: In conclusion, the dose and time-dependent selective organ toxicity effect of this extract suggested that the extract might be relatively unsafe for consumption at especially high concentrations.

Effects of lofepramine and dothiepin on memory and psychomotor function in healthy volunteerso

The effects of single doses of lofepramine (70 mg), dothiepin (50 mg) and placebo on memory and psychomotor function were compared in a cross-over study with 12 healthy volunteers. Dothiepin produced a differential pattern of effects across the range of memory assessments used, impairing episodic memory and slowing learning in a procedural task but not affecting working, semantic or implicit memory. Dothiepin also impaired performance on two attentional tasks, slowed down reaction times and increased subjective sedation. Lofepramine was similar to placebo on nearly all objective measures, but produced effects similar to dothiepin on critical flicker fusion threshold, salivary flow and most EEG wavebands. It is concluded that, unlike lofepramine, acute dosage with dothiepin is associated with sedative effects and impairments of concentration and memory.

RADIO-SENSITIVITY IN RAGI (ELEUSINE CORACANA)

Dry seeds of three varieties of ragi (Eleusine coracana) were subjected to gamma irradiation with acute dosage of 20 Kr and 30 Kr. The mutagenic effects of gamma rays in the M1 generation and the mutation frequency with regard to chlorophyll and viable mutations in the M2 generation were studied.The LD50 appears to be around 30 Kr for ragi, although there are enormous varietal differences. Purna is the least and H22 the most sensitive to gamma irradiation in the M1 generation. There is a direct correlation between the radiation effect produced as measured by seedling growth, pollen fertility and seed fertility with the dosage used. Multivalent formation, lagging chromosomes and stickiness, etc. were observed in meiotic studies in the M1 generation.The frequency of chlorophyll mutations was less in populations irradiated with 30 Kr than with 20 Kr. A wide spectrum and a high frequency of viable mutations were produced in Purna. The mutation frequency (viable + chlorophyll) increased with the dosage. The 200 isolated viable mutations included many agronomic types which are useful either directly or in conventional plant breeding.