Učinci nekih biljaka porodice mlječika na hematološke i biokemijske pokazatelje u štakora.

The effects of five suspected poisonous plants of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) i.e. Alchornea cordifolia Schum and Thorn, Cnidoscolus acontifolius Mill, Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thorn, Phyllanthus muelleriarus Exell and Securinega virosa Baill, which are commonly found in Nigerian pasture were evaluated in albino rats using crude aqueous extracts for 14 days. All the extracts were administered orally. Changes in haematological and biochemical parameters were used as indices of toxicosis. The extracts of the plants caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the levels of PCV and haemoglobin concentration. All except C. acontifolius caused a significant reduction in RBC level. The extract of four plants (A. cordifolia, C. acontifolius, P. amarus and P. muellerianus) caused significant changes of the total white blood cells when compared to that of the control. The extracts also caused a significant increase in the levels of total protein, albumin and AST activity. The extracts of A. cordifolia, P. muellerianus and S. virosa caused a significant increase in the level of ALT. Only P. muellerianus and virosa produced significant changes in the globulin level.Učinci sirovih vodenih iscrpaka pripravljeni od pet vrsta biljaka porodice mlječika (Euphorbiaceae) sumnjivih da su otrovne: Alchornea cordifolia Schum i Torn, Cnidoscolus acontifolius Mill, Phyllanthus amarus Schum i Torn, Phyllanthus muellerianus Exell i Securinega virosa Baill, koje se često nalaze na nigerijskim pašnjacima, istraženi su na albino štakorima u tijeku 14 dana. Svi iscrpci davani su oralno. Promjene u hematološkim i biokemijskim pokazateljima uzete su kao znakovi otrovanja. Davanje iscrpaka prouzročilo je značajno smanjenje (P<0,05) vrijednosti hematokrita i koncentracije hemoglobina. Svi su, osim iscrpka Cnidoscolus acontifolius, uzrokovali značajno smanjenje broja crvenih krvnih stanica. Iscrpci biljaka Alchornea cordifolia, Cnidoscolus acontifolius, Phyllanthus amarus i Phyllanthus muellerinanus uzrokovali su značajne promjene ukupnog broja bijelih krvnih stanica u usporedbi s kontrolom. Iscrpci su također doveli do značajnog povećanja razina ukupnih bjelančevina, albumina i aktivnosti AST. Iscrpci Alchornea cordifolia, Phyllanthus muellerianus i Securinega virosa uzrokovali su značajno povećanje razine ALT. Samo Phyllanthus muellerianus i Securinega virosa uzrokovali su značajne promjene u razini globulina

Anthelmintička učinkovitost vodenog iscrpka biljke Euphorbia hirta u nigerijskih pasa.

The anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous crude extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn was studied in 20 Nigerian dogs that were naturally infected with nematodes. They were randomly divided into 4 groups, A, B, C and D. Groups A and B each comprised 4 dogs while groups C and D comprised 6 dogs each. Group A animals were untreated, while those in group B were treated with proprietary anthelmintic (Mebendazole). Groups C and D animals were treated with aqueous crude extracts of E. hirta using intramuscular and oral routes, respectively. Two weeks after treatment, blood and faecal samples were collected to evaluate haematological values and faecal egg counts, respectively. The procedure was repeated two weeks later. Results of this study show that the aqueous crude extracts of E. hirta after its administration into local dogs produced a significant increase (P< 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb conc., TWBC and lymphocyte counts. The faecal egg counts also showed a remarkable and significant reduction in the levels of the identified helminths. The reduction in faecal egg counts was more pronounced with the extract administered through the oral route when compared with the intramuscular route. The effects of the plant extracts were broad spectrum in action. The phenol compound present in the plant extract could have caused reduction in worm load through this same mechanism that culminates in exhaustion and death of worms. Since the aqueous crude extract of E. hirta significantly reduced the faecal egg count of the helminths, it could serve as an anthelmintic agent.Anthelmintička učinkovitost vodenog iscrpka biljke Euphorbia hirta istražena je u 20 nigerijskih pasa prirodno invadiranih nematodima. Životinje su bile svrstane u skupine A, B, C i D. U skupini A i B bile su četiri životinje, dok su skupine C i D sadržavale šest životinja. Psi u skupini A nisu bili liječeni dok su oni u skupini B bili liječeni mebendazolom. Psi u skupini C bili su liječeni vodenim iscrpkom biljke i to intramuskularnom primjenom. Skupina D bila je liječena peroralnom primjenom vodenog iscrpka. Dva tjedna nakon liječenja svim psima izvađena je krv te sakupljene izmetine. Parazitološka pretraga izmetina bila je ponovljena nakon dva tjedna. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da vodeni iscrpak biljke Euphorbia hirta značajno (P<0,05) povećava broj krvnih stanica, eritrocita, leukocita, limfocita kao i koncentraciju hemoglobina. Promjene su dokazane i u nalazu parazitskih jaja. Smanjeni broj parazitskih jaja bio je izraženiji u skupini koja je iscrpak dobivala peroralno u odnosu na intramuskularnu primjenu. Pretpostavlja se da je upravo fenol kao komponenta iscrpka odgovoran za učinak na endoparazite. S obzirom da se njegovom primjenom značajno smanjio broj parazitskih jaja može ga se preporučiti i kao anthelmintik

L-arginine and lisinopril supplementation protects against sodium fluoride–induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension by suppressing mineralocorticoid receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme 3 activity

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental toxicants that has continued to silently cause toxicity to both humans and animals. NaF is universally present in water, soil, and atmosphere. The persistent and alarming rate of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases caused by chemicals such as NaF in mammalian tissues has led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases. The present study aimed at evaluating the renoprotective and antihypertensive effects of L-arginine against NaF-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each as follows: Control, NaF (300 ppm), NaF + L-arginine (100 mg/kg), NaF + L-arginine (200 mg/kg), and NaF + lisinopril (10 mg/kg). Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR) were performed. Markers of renal damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, and blood pressure parameters were determined. L-arginine and lisinopril significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated the hypertensive effects of NaF. The systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure of the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with the hypertensive group. This finding was concurrent with significantly increased serum bioavailability of nitric oxide in the hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. Also, there was a significant reduction in the level of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. There was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl and concurrent increase in the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney of hypertensive rats treated with L-arginine and lisinopril. The results of this study suggest that L-arginine and lisinopril normalized blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress, and the expression of renal ACE and mineralocorticoid receptor, and improved nitric oxide production. Thus, L-arginine holds promise as a potential therapy against hypertension and renal damage.http://link.springer.com/journal/11356hj2024Paraclinical SciencesSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

The therapeutic potential of the novel angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in the treatment of coronavirus disease-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus has become a global pandemic with unprecedented mortality and morbidity along with attendant financial and economic crises. Furthermore, COVID-19 can easily be transmitted regardless of religion, race, sex, or status. Globally, high hospitalization rates of COVID-19 patients have been reported, and billions of dollars have been spent to contain the pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, which has a significant role in the entry of the virus into the host cell. ACE2 is highly expressed in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs, upper esophagus, stratified epithelial cells, and other tissues in the body. The diminished expressions of ACE2 have been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and immune system dysregulation. Overall, the potential drug candidates that could serve as ACE2 activators or enhance the expression of ACE2 in a disease state, such as COVID-19, hold considerable promise in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviews the therapeutic potential and pharmacological benefits of the novel ACE2 in the management of COVID-19 using search engines, such as Google, Scopus, PubMed, and PubMed Central.http://www.veterinaryworld.orgdm2022Paraclinical Science

Antihypertensive power of Naringenin is mediated via attenuation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR)/ angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/ kidney injury molecule (Kim-1) signaling pathway

Please read abstract in the article.Cape Peninsula University of Technology and National Research Foundation (South Africa).https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ejpharhj2023Paraclinical Science

Clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist, and Its molecular mechanisms of action against sodium fluoride–induced toxicity

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS : Data will be made available based on request from the corresponding author.Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental pollutants. It is ubiquitously found in the soil, water, and environment. Interestingly, fluoride has been extensively utilized for prevention of dental caries and tartar formation, and may be added to mouthwash, mouth rinse, and toothpastes. This study is aimed at mitigating fluoride-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity with clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist. For this study, forty male Wistar rats were used and randomly grouped into ten rats per group, control, sodium fluoride (NaF; 300 ppm) only, NaF plus clofibrate (250 mg/kg) and NaF plus lisinopril (10 mg/kg), respectively, for 7 days. The administration of NaF was by drinking water ad libitum, while clofibrate and lisinopril were administered by oral gavage. Administration of NaF induced hypertension, and was accompanied with exaggerated oxidative stress; depletion of antioxidant defence system; reduced nitric oxide production; increased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure; activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB); and testicular apoptosis. Treatment of rats with clofibrate reduced oxidative stress, improved antioxidant status, lowered high blood pressure through the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, mineralocorticoid receptor over-activation, and abrogated testicular apoptosis. Taken together, clofibrate could offer exceptional therapeutic benefit in mitigating toxicity associated with sodium fluoride.Cape Peninsula University of Technology and National Research Foundation (South Africa).https://link.springer.com/journal/12011hj2023Paraclinical Science

Antihypertensive action of Launaea taraxacifolia and its molecular mechanism of action

Launaea taraxacifolia has been traditionally used for the management of conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. High blood pressure was established by oral administration of L-Nitro Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) a non-selective inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The antihypertensive action of the methanol leaf extract of L. taraxacifolia was examined. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 animals per group: Group A (Distilled water), Group B (Hypertensive rats; 40mg/kg L-NAME), Group C (Hypertensive rats plus 100 mg/kg extract), Group D (Hypertensive rats plus 200 mg/kg extract) and Group E (Hypertensive rats plus 10mg/kg of Lisinopril). The treatments were orally administered for five weeks. Haemodynamic parameters, urinalysis, indices of oxidative stress and immunohistochemistry were determined. Findings from this study showed that blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium and indices of oxidative stress increased significantly while Invivo antioxidant defence systems decreased significantly in hypertensive rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant increases in expressions of mineralocorticoid receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme activity and kidney injury molecule-1 in kidney of hypertensive rats. Treatment with Launeae taraxacifolia normalized blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium, oxidative stress indices, antioxidant defence system, and serum nitric oxide bioavailability.https://www.pjps.pk/homeam2023Paraclinical Science

Study on acute ulcerous pain in rats treated with aqueous root extract of Lonchocarpus cyanescens

Objective: To evaluate the antiulcer and analgesic effects of the aqueous root extract of Lonchocarpus cyanescens (L. cyanescens) since the plant is said to have medicinal properties. Methods: The filtrate of the aqueous root extract of the plant (100 mg/mL) was used to evaluate for antiulcer activity in 20 rats divided into five groups of four rats each, which were Groups A, B, and C that received 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg doses respectively, while Group D was served as negative control and animals of Group E received 20 mg/kg dose of ranitidine. Indomethacin at a dose of 15 mg/kg was used to induce ulcer on the day of sacrifice. For acetic writhing test (antinociception), same design was used except that Group E received 100 mg/kg dose of acetyl salicylic acid as standard drug. Abdominal contractions were induced in the animals by intraperitoneal administration of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% of acetic acid. Results: The aqueous root extract of L. cyanescens at all doses (100, 200 and 300 mg/ kg) showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in ulcer parameters compared with the negative control. The extract also produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the number of writhing reflexes in treated rats compared with negative control. Conclusions: The aqueous root extract of L. cyanescens exhibited both antiulcer and analgesic effects justifying folklore claim for the health benefits of this plant

Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Properties of the Acetone Leaf Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina in Some Laboratory Animals

Purpose: Vernonia amygdalina is a medicinal plant of great importance that has its fresh leaves rich in vitamins and salt hence, it is valuable in human diet. The anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of its acetone leaf extract were evaluated in this study to validate its folkloric use. Methods: The acetone extract is prepared by dissolving ground plant materials (200g) in 1 L of acetone for 48 h, filtered, and then dried using rotary evaporator before it is used for the pharmacological investigations. Standard phytochemical methods were used to test for the presence of phytoactive compounds in the plant. Acute toxicity was carried out in mice to determine safe doses for use. The anti-inflammatory activities were conducted using carrageenan and histamine to induce oedema in rats while analgesic activities were embarked upon using acetic acid- induced writhing test and formalin-induced paw lick test. The anti-oxidant activities were assessed in vitro using ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and total polyphenolics. Results: The results from this study showed that the 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of the acetone extract caused significant reduction in oedema induced by both carrageenan and histamine. Similar effect was observed in analgesic tests which were comparable to that of indomethacin, the reference drug used in the study. Conclusion: The anti-oxidant effects were also good and the pharmacological activities may be due to the presence of polyphenols and other phytochemicals contained in the plant. The study may have thus validated the folkloric use of this plant as a medicinal and nutritional agent