Posted by admin on Jul 26, 2014 in |
Purpose: Dichlorvos (DDVP) causes toxicity in animals including humans. Alstonia boonei stem bark is widely used as a culinary medicine in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, possessing a number of pharmacological properties. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Alstonia boonei (AB) against dichlorvos induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: Dichlorvos (50 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered in Wistar rats for 14 days followed by the treatment of Alstonia boonei (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. Changes in the kidney biochemical marker namely, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), urea, and creatinine in the serum were estimated. Histological examinations of the kidney were monitored. Results: Exposure to dichlorvos lowered activities of kidney antioxidants, while it increased LPO levels. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of AB extract. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) when...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jul 1, 2014 in |
The ethanol leaves extract of Crotalaria pallida (Aiton) was evaluated to investigate the Phytochemical nature and some selected pharmacological activities. The plant extract indicated the presence of combined reducing sugar, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and steroids. The extract showed free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 37.60 µg/ml, and standard ascorbic acid showed IC50 value of 16.95µg/ml. The total phenolics content (TPC) was found to be 14 ± 0.015 mg GAE/g of dried plant extract. Total flavonoids content was found to be 20.42 ± 0.001 mg QE / 100 g of dry extract. The extract showed mild antibacterial activity against the bacterial strains Vibrio cholera, Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, in comparison with standard drug kanamycin (30 µg/disc). In the anthelmintic test, the extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in paralysis time and death time of worm Paramphistomum cervi (trematoda) when compared with standard albendazole. These results espouse the traditional use of the leaves of this...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 1, 2014 in |
The present study is part of the continuing programme related to the antihelminthic activity and phytochemical screening of Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Kalmegh) and their enhanced potential on helminths. The antihelminthic activity of the aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees. leaves against the adult Indian earthworms Pheretima posthuma due to its anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings. Several plant species are administered orally to control the various diseases in our country. Some of these plants have been pharmacologically provided to be of some value and maybe a popular remedy for the treatment of various ailments. The growth of knowledge to cure disease continues at an accelerating pace and number of new plant-derived drugs increase likewise. Herbal medicine is currently experiencing a revival in Western society along with other complementary therapies such as traditional Chinese Medicines, Osteopathy and Homeopathy. In this context, the present study is the first milestone with particular emphasis on the application of Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Kalmegh) the medicinal plant, their antihelminthic...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 1, 2014 in |
Kidney stone is a painful disease which is a major problem in all regions of Pakistan as this country is located in the so-called stone belt. Drastic changes in dietary habits including the use of soft drinks are increasing the incidence of kidney stone disease. To investigate this phenomenon, calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals were induced in artificial urine by mixing calcium chloride and sodium oxalate in-vitro and different types of soft drinks were analyzed for activity against calcium oxalate monohydrate type’s kidney stone. Most of them showed effects on calcium oxalate monohydrate to calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals under DIC microscopy. This study showed that slices had the most promising effect on calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals than Mirinda and Mountain dew. 7up and Pepsi did not show a change in morphology of the crystals of calcium oxalate...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 1, 2014 in |
Acacia caesia L. (family Mimosaceae) is a well-known shrub in Southeast Asia, where the natives use it for a wide range of purposes. The Mizo tribes of India use the stem bark for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections. The present study is an attempt to elucidate structural changes on the tegument of chicken tapeworm Raillietina tetragona Molin. upon treatment with the methanol extract of A. caesia stem bark. R. tetragonal recovered from chicken intestines were treated with 20 mg/mL of the plant extract at 37 °C. The tapeworms were fixed in neutral-buffered formaldehyde at 4 °C, and then post-fixed in 1% osmium tetraoxide. They were completely dehydrated using acetone. After treating with tetramethylsilane and drying under room temperature, they were coated with gold. Then they were finally observed under a scanning electron microscope to observe the tegument. Tapeworm showed severe damage to the scolex. Suckers were obliterated. The tegument was distorted and shrunk. The fine microtriches were completely removed. A. caesia stem bark extract is, therefore, a potent anthelmintic...
Read More
