Comparative study of artesunate, ACTs and their combinants on the biochemical parameters of male guinea-pigs

In this study, the effects of different doses of artesunate, artesunate/sulfadoxine/ pyrimethamine, artesunate/amodiaquine and their combinants (sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and artesunate/amodiaquine) on the biochemical parameters- alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total acid phosphatase (ACPT), prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP), urea, creatinine, uric acid and total cholesterol of the male guinea-pig were investigated. Basal serum ACPP value was increased from 3.50 ± 0.42 to 4.75 ± 0.85 and 4.75 ± 0.48 IU/L by amodiaquine and  sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine respectively at their subclinicaldoses. These values were significant at p < 0.05. Furthermore, the agents caused no significant effects (p < 0.05) on serum ALP and ACPT. Artesunate/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine significantly increased (

Effects of vitamins C and E pretreatments on cadmiuminduced serum levels of some biochemical and hormonal parameters in the female guinea pig

Cadmium is a widely distributed environmental pollutant and toxicant. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamins C and E on cadmium-induced serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, progesterone, LH and FSH in the female guinea pig. Animals were given single doses of vitamins C (1.5 mg/kg) and E (50 mg/kg) per oral and (0 - 8 mg Cd/kg ip) for 24 h. Animals were sacrificed and the serum levels of the above parameters were measured. Also, the effects of pretreatments with vitamins C and E on Cd-induced serum levels of the parameters were determined. Serum levels of all parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased in a dose-dependent manner in vitamins-treated animals, while they were increased in cadmium-treated animals, compared to the control animals. Furthermore, pretreatments with vitamins C, E and combination of both vitamins reduced the cadmium-induced serum levels of all parameters, which was most pronounced in animals pretreated with a combination of both vitamins, especially on ALP and progesterone levels. These results may be due to the oxidative and anti-oxidative properties of cadmium and the vitamins (C and E) respectively, acting through calcium and protein kinase C signal transduction pathways.Key words: Antioxidants, cadmium, pretreatment and vitamins

The hormonal effects of halofantrine hydrochloride (Halfan), sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine (Metakelfin) and sulfadoxine/pyrimetamine (Fansidar) in male guinea pigs

Background: The incidence of male factor infertility has been described by certain authors to be on the increase. The male reproductive function is highly sensitive to many xenobiotics such as drugs (Halofantrine hydrochloride, sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine) used in malaria therapy. Thus necessitating the investigation of the effects these agents on reproductive function. Aim: To compare the effects of Halofantrine hydrochloride, sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine on the hormonal and sperm parameters. Method: In 60 guinea pigs (500 ± 5 gm), the effect of different doses of halofantrine hydrochloride (4.0-16.0 mg/kg), sulfametopyrazine /pyrimethamine (12.5 mg/kg-50 mg/kg) and sulfadoxine /pyrimethamine (12.5 mg/kg-50 mg/kg) were studied. In n=120 animals, the effect of time (0, 24hrs, 7days and 28 days) to a single dose of each of these agents was studied. At the end of these times blood samples were obtained from the animals and hormonal analysis and sperm characteristics were investigated. Results: Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine caused statistically significant dose-dependent decreases in serum prolactin levels from 127.5 + 21.1units to 95+ 5.0 and 90.3+ 7.94 units respectively at clinical doses. Halofantrine comparatively had little or no effect on prolactin. The order of activity on prolactin was sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine > sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine > halofantrine  hydrochloride.  Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (25 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant dose-dependent reduction in epididymal sperm number (ESN) from 75.33 ± 3.76 × 106  to 20.33 x 1.86× 106 million. The order of activity on ESN was sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine > sulfametopyrazine/pyrimethamine > halofantrine hydrochloride. Conclusion: These differences may be due to the oxidative reactivity of these drugs and may explain some clinical symptoms experienced during and post treatment.   Key words: Halofantrine hydrochloride, Hormonal effects, Guinea pigs, Sperm coun

Ocinum gratissimum Linn., Cadmium and testicular structure of the male guinea-pig

The effects of the aqueous crude extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. leaf and cadmium (Cd) on basal serum phosphatase levels of the male guinea-pig were investigated. Furthermore, the effects of the  aqueous crude extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. leaf and Vitamin C on Cd-induced toxicity of the testicular/sperm cell structure of the male guinea-pig (GP) were also investigated. Ocimum gratissimum (0- 160mg) caused a significant inhibition/decrease (p less than 0.05) in basal serum phosphatase levels of the male guinea-pig. In contrast, cadmium (0.5-8mg/kg) caused a significant stimulation/increase (p less than 0.05) in basal serum phosphatase levels, which was positively correlated with a dose-dependent destruction of the testes and sperm cell histology/structure. Pretreatments with 5mg of O. gratissimum and 1.25mg/kg of vitamin C, with subsequent administration of cadmium, blocked/reversed the Cd-induced toxicities of the testes/sperm cell histology. These results may be explained in terms of the antioxidative properties and the post-receptor biochemical and molecular (transduction) events of O. gratissimumon Cd-induced responses. Keywords: Histology; Sperm cell; Ocimum gratissimum leaf, testes

The Comparative Effects of Aqueous Extract of Tetracarpidium Conophorum Seeds and Proviron on the Biochemical Parameters of Male Guinea Pigs

The phytochemical screening and the effects of the aqueous extracts of the seeds of T. conophorum on the biochemical parameters of male Guinea pigs were investigated. The Biochemical parameters were assayed using Randox Diagnostic kits, Phenophthalin and colorimetric methods. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. Phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrate, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, volatile oils, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The aqueous extract of T .conophorum seeds (100-400mg/kg) caused a statistically significant (P&lt; 0.05 ANOVA) decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, creatinine, urea, uric acid, prostatic, alkaline, and acid phosphatases. The highest reduction effect was obtained with uric acid at 400mg/kg of T. conophorum extract while the least effect was observed in total cholesterol. These effects were dose- and timedependent. This shows that the seeds of T .conophorum have hepatoprotective, nephroprotective and cardio protective properties. The study therefore, supports the claim on the use of the seeds of this plant by traditional medicine practitioners as a Cardio protective agent. Although further studies need to be done to isolate, identify and characterize the active principles in the seeds extracts of this plant.Keywords: T. conophorum: proviron: biochemical parameters: male guinea pigsNigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 229 - 235 (September 2010

Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Reverses cadmium-induced toxicity of spermatic parameters of the male guinea-pig

The influence of the aqueous crude extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. leaf on cadmium (Cd)-induced toxic effects on spermatic parameters of the male guinea-pig (GP) was investigated. In n=5, Cd (0-8mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition or reduction of various spermatogenic parameters namely-number of normal sperm cells: 55.75±2.02 ×106 to 7.50±1.19 ×106/ml; number of abnormal sperm cells: 2.25±0.25 ×106 to 8.25±2.18 ×106/ml and total sperm count: 58.00±1.96 ×106 to 15.75±2.63 × 106/ml; motility: 64.25±2.39 % to 26.50±1.71%; morphology: 5.75±0.75 % to 38.25±2.72 %; and a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in particulate and primordial sperm cell counts in the male GP. However, injection of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. extract after Cd administration had little or no significant effect on the above mentioned parameters. Pre-treatment with 5mg of O. gratissimum, with subsequent administration of cadmium, blocked or reversed the Cd-induced toxicities on the various spermatogenic parameters- motility: 26.50±1.71% to 53.25±2.14%; morphology: 38.25±2.72% to 8.75±1.25%; number of normal sperm cells: 7.50±1.19 ×106 to 27.25±1.60 ×106/ml; number of abnormal sperm cells: 8.25±2.18 ×106 to 5.25±0.63 x106/ml and total sperm count: 15.75±2.63×106 to 32.50±1.85 ×106/ml. The observed influence of O. gratissimum on Cd-induced toxicity may be the consequence of the antioxidant action of the plant extract on the spermatogenic apparatus of the organism

Spices Mixture Containing Garlic, Ginger and Nutmeg Has Protective Effects on the Kidneys and Liver of Cadmium Exposed Rats

Purpose: To determine the potential protective effect of spice mixture containing garlic, ginger and nutmeg on the liver and kidney of cadmium exposed rats. Methods: Male albino rats (n=30) weighing 120 – 180 g, grouped into five (1-5) of 6 rats/group were studied. Group 1 (NC) rats were administered distilled water (1 ml) orally for 4 weeks and served as the negative control while group 2 (PC) rats were administered low dose (LD) cadmium (25 mg/kg body weight) orally for 4 weeks and served as positive control. Group 3 (TBE) rats were treated with spice mixture (SM); 300 mg/kg body weight orally for 2 weeks and then administered LD cadmium for 4 weeks. While group 4 (CET) rats were concurrently administered LD cadmium and SM for 4 weeks, group 5 (TAE) rats were administered LD cadmium for 4 weeks and then treated with SM for 2 weeks. The whole experiment lasted for 42 day after which the animals were sacrificed and blood collected for determination of biochemical parameters using standard procedures and techniques. Results: Exposure to Cd produced greater increases in the liver function parameters. However treatment with SM significantly (p<0.05) reduced ALT in animals treated after exposure, AST and bilirubin in those treated before exposure and significant (p<0.05) increased serum albumin in animals treated before exposure to Cd. The altered renal function parameters and total serum cholesterol were restored to near normal values following treatment with SM. Conclusion: It may be concluded that concurrent intake of garlic, ginger and nutmeg at culinary dose in the diet has both therapeutic and prophylactic effect at mitigating Cd toxicity and reaffirms the safely of spices combinations as being currently practiced