Evaluation of safety margins of Chenopodium album seed decoction: 14-day subacute toxicity and microbicidal activity studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sperm immobilizing activity and plausible mechanism of action of <it>Chenopodium album </it>seed decoction (CAD) have been elucidated in our earlier studies. The present study has been carried out to explore the safety standards of CAD along with microbicidal properties as prerequisite for its use as a topically applicable vaginal contraceptive.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The safety standards of CAD were assessed by a) Hemolytic index determination using rabbit erythrocytes, to set the doses of the other experiments, b) Dermal irritancy test using refined version of Draize scoring system on rabbits, c) Possible effect on local tissues and reproductive performance in female rats after fourteen daily single dose application, d) PCNA staining- to evaluate the effect of CAD on vaginal tissue proliferation, e) TUNEL assay- to examine its ability to induce <it>in situ </it>apoptosis in the vaginal tissue sections of the treated animals, and f) Microbicidal activity- to explore the effect of CAD on the growth of <it>Lactobacillus acidophilus </it>and <it>Candida albicans</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>irritation studies on rabbit erythrocytes revealed the hemolytic index of CAD to be 8.2 mg/ml. The dermal irritation test showed it to be a non-irritant even at higher doses. Intra vaginal application of CAD in rat vagina for 14 consecutive days caused slight reversible inflammation on vaginal epithelial cells at doses as high as 82 mg/ml. However, at this dose level it neither had any adverse effect on vaginal tissue proliferation nor did it cause in situ apoptosis as evident from PCNA staining and TUNEL assay. Fertility and fecundity were restored 4-15 days after withdrawal of CAD application. At dose level 10 times that of its spermicidal MEC (minimum effective concentration), CAD did not block the growth of <it>Lactobacillus</it>, although the size of individual colony was marginally reduced. However, growth of the pathogenic fungus <it>Candida albicans </it>was completely inhibited with 20 mg/ml of CAD.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The overall result evolved from the study strengthens the candidature of CAD as a safe microbicidal spermicide. It is almost non-irritant to rabbit skin and rat vaginal tissues at doses 10 fold higher than its hemolytic index. The effect of CAD on <it>Lactobacillus </it>culture was not highly encouraging but it prevented the growth of the fungal pathogen <it>Candida albicans </it>at 20 mg/ml of CAD.</p

Injection Practices at Primary Healthcare Units in Bangladesh

BackgroundIndiscriminate usage of injections and lack of safe practices during injection administration have been reported worldwide. Unnecessary and unsafe injection usage not only increases the financial burden but are also responsible for spreading blood borne diseases including HIV, HBV and HCV. To attain a better understanding of the situation of injection usage in Bangladesh, a study was conducted at six Upazilla Health Complexes (UHCs), which are primary healthcare units in Bangladesh.Method  The study involved the retrospective collection of treatment sheets of 1048 in-patients at six UHCs from January 2009 to June 2009.  The data was then analyzed using statistical tests. ResultsAmong the patients investigated, 60.11% of the patients received injections and among them the male population received more injection than the female population (males vs. females = 62.50% vs. 55.85%). Patients below 12 years of age received the highest proportion of injections and highest usage of injections was observed in the month of March. The average number of injection(s) prescribed to a patient was 2.44 incurring a prescription cost of 280.22 Taka (USD 3.92 approx.). Injections were mostly prescribed in patients who were diagnosed with physical assault and acute watery diarrhea where intravenous fluids and antibiotics were most widely prescribed. Non-compliance to recapping of used injections was very common which accounted for 22.22% needle stick injuries.ConclusionThe data suggest that indiscriminate and unsafe injection practices were occurring in all UHCs.  Such practices resulted in financial losses as well as compromising safety for healthcare providers and patients.

Toxicogenetic study of omeprazole and the modulatory effects of retinol palmitate and ascorbic acid on Allium cepa

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This author accepted manuscript is made available following 12 month embargo from date of publication (May 2018) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policyOmeprazole (OME) is a proton pump inhibitor used for the treatment of various gastric and intestinal disease; however, studies on its effects on the genetic materials are still restricted. The present study aimed to evaluate possible toxicogenic effects of OME in Allium cepa meristems with the application of cytogenetic biomarkers for DNA damage, mutagenic, toxic and cytotoxic effects. Additionally, retinol palmitate (RP) and ascorbic acid (AA) were also co-treated with OME to evaluate possible modulatory effects of OME-induced cytogenetic damages. OME was tested at 10, 20 and 40 μg/mL, while RP and AA at 55 μg/mL and 352.2 μg/mL, respectively. Copper sulphate (0.6 μg/mL) and dechlorinated water were used as positive control and negative control, respectively. The results suggest that OME induced genotoxicity and mutagenicity in A. cepa at all tested concentrations. It was noted that cotreatment of OME with the antioxidant vitamins RP and/or AA significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited and/or modulated all toxicogenic damages induced by OME. These observations demonstrate their antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antitoxic and anticitotoxic effects in A. cepa. This study indicates that application of antioxidants may be useful tools to overcome OME-induced toxic effects

Effect of fish vitellogenin on the growth of juvenile catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The effect of heterologous fish vitellogenin (Vg)- implantation on growth performance in the juveniles of the catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was evaluated under ambient photoperiod and temperature during February–April (experiment 1) and again at May–August (experiment 2). Compared to either unimplanted (control) or bovine serum albumin (BSA)-implanted group, juveniles (average body weight: 3.5–4 g) implanted (im) with Vg pellets (each containing 100 μg of Clarias batrachus Vg, three per fish, at one month interval), revealed significantly (P < 0.05) higher specific growth rate (SGR) at 90 days during both time frames. Congruent with accelerated somatic growth due to Vg-implantation, a trend of increase in plasma level of growth hormone (GH), estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T) was recorded during expt. 1. While plasma E2 and T did not vary significantly, Vg-implantation promoted significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma GH level in both the sexes during the course of expt. 2. Moreover, Vg-implantation could trigger significant alteration in gonadal growth; while control testis contained primarily spermatogonia (SG) and spermatocytes (SC), appearance of spermatozoa (SZ) was noticed in either Vg-implanted (expt. 1) or both BSA- and Vg-treated juveniles (expt. 2). Conversely, a robust increase in S III yolky oocytes was observed in Vg-implanted ovary during May–Aug; but not during expt. 1 (Feb–Apr). However, oocytes at earlier stages (S I and/or S II) of follicular growth and development were predominant in control ovary. Though the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly understood, present data indicate that implantation of Vg pellets in juvenile C. gariepinus may influence somatic growth indices; e.g., body weight gain and GH synthesis along with precocious gonadal growth in a manner sensitive to gonadal steroidogenesis

Resource Use Efficiency and Cleaner Agricultural Production: An Application of Technical Inefficiency Effects Model for Paddy Producing Zones of West Bengal

It is possible to enhancement of agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability through efficient utilization of resources. This hypothesis is examined by the efficiency and the responsible factors for controlling inefficiency of the farms. The empirical analyses are conducted based on the secondary data of 14 960 farms scattered into five different paddy producing zones of West Bengal, India. The Efficiency estimates disclose that clayey soil texture zone is the most efficient and sandy and gravelly soil texture zone is the least efficient concerning paddy production. The study concludes with appropriate policy implications that the inefficiency on the part of the farms is caused by inefficient utilization of the chemical fertilizers, viz., nitrogen and potassium and insecticides and by the efficient utilization of this the farm can increase its productivity with environmental sustainability

Synthesis and Characterization of Furo[3,2-h]Quinoliniums as Potent Non-Detergent Spermicides

7-Aryl substituted furo[3,2-h]quinoliniums have been synthesised in two steps from 5-chloro-8-hydroxy-7- iodo-quinoline through a tandem Sonogashira alkynylation-cyclization pathway using aryl acetylenes followed by quaternisation reaction with alkyl halides under microwave irradiation. The compounds have been characterized spectroscopically and assessed for their sperm-immobilizing efficacy in vitro by modified Sander–Cramer test. Most of the derivatives showed potent spermicidal effect with minimum effective concentration (MEC) ranging from 125�g/ml – 1mg/ml. The results were further confirmed by double fluoroprobe staining with syber14/PI (Propidium Iodide). The mode of spermicidal action was assessed by (a) Hypo-osmotic swelling tests and (b) Scanning electron microscopy. The compounds have been found to be nontoxic to lactobacillus in 36 hours of culture whereas mild to moderately effective on common vaginal pathogens. Taken together it can be inferred that the water-soluble salts prepared from facile technique are potential candidates for spermicides and could further be utilized for the preparation of vaginal contraceptives

A Triterpenoid Saponin Possessing Antileishmanial Activity from the Leaves of Careya Arborea

Bioguided-fractionation of the methanol extract of the leaves of Careya arborea led to isolation of a triterpenoid saponin, designated arborenin, and characterized as 3-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl(1!2)-b-D-glucopyranosyl-2a,3b-dihydroxy-taraxast-20-en-28-oic acid (1), together with desacylescin III (2). The structures were determined on the basis of extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. The saponin showed in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani (strain AG 83)

Chenopodium Album seed Extract-induced Sperm Cell Death: Exploration of a Plausible Pathway

Background: This study was conducted for to explore the plausible pathway of Chenopodium album seed extract (CAE)-mediated sperm cell death. Study Design: The role of CAE for its spermicidal action was assessed by (a) measuring lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and intracellular glutathione content in CAE exposed sperm cells; (b) assaying antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD); (c) analyzing protein expressions by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis; (d) fluorimetric measurement of intracellular H2O2 level and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CAE-treated sperm cells; and (e) DNA ladder formation study. Results: CAE-induced sperm death is due to (a) lipid peroxidation of the sperm cell membrane, oxidation of some critical cellular proteins and depletion of intracellular reduced gluthathione, indicating production of ROS; (b) activation of Mn-SOD and inactivation of catalase favoring endogenous accumulation of H2O2; (c) generation of O2 U− at an enhanced rate during oxidative stress as evidenced by increased Mn- SOD activity and protein expression; (d) accumulation of ROS in spermatozoa reflected in the fluorimetric experiments; and (e) increased production of O2 U− and H2O2 induced apoptosis-like death in sperm cells as observed by DNA ladder formation. Conclusion: The sperm death mediated by CAE is due to oxidative damage of cellular macromolecules by in situ generation of ROS

Antiallergic, anthelmintic and cytotoxic potentials of dried aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius L.

Abstract Background Acanthus ilicifolius L. is admired for its traditional usage in the folk medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases including allergy and helminthiasis in various parts of the planet. The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of this shrub (EEAI) was investigated in the present study for its major phytochemical groups, antiallergic activity, anthelmintic activity, cytotoxicity and for acute toxicity. Methods Antiallergic activity was carried out using Toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic mice model by assessing various symptoms of allergic rhinitis like sneezing, scratching, swelling and watery rhinorrhea as well as counting the total and differential leukocytes profile of blood. The paralysis and death time of parasites, Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda) and Paramphistomum cervi (Trematoda) were used for anthelmintic activity test. Mortality of mice was counted to evaluate the acute toxicity whereas the mortality of brine shrimp was taken into account to assess cytotoxic potential of the extract. Results Phytochemical screening of the extract demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. Oral pretreatment of the extract significantly ameliorated the TDI-induced allergic symptoms like sneezing (p < 0.05), scratching (p < 0.05), swelling and watery rhinorrhea in experimental mice. The extract also reduced the differential count of leukocytes in the blood which was increased due to induction of allergic conditions through TDI sensitization. In anthelmintic activity test the extract revealed a dose dependent decrease in the relative index of paralysis and death for both H. contortus and P. cervi parasites and thus indicated the extract to be parasiticidal at higher concentrations. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay of toxicity assessment, the LC50 of the standard drug vincristine sulfate was 0.43 μg/mL whereas the extract showed the LC50 as 44.57 μg/mL indicating a promising cytotoxicity of the extract. In acute toxicity study the highest dose 3 g/kg failed to show any mortality in Swiss albino mice and thus confirmed the safety of the extract for in vivo administration. Conclusions The present study corroborated the traditional uses of the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius L. in allergic diseases and in helminthiasis

Sho-seiryu-to Suppresses Histamine Signaling at the Transcriptional Level in TDI-Sensitized Nasal Allergy Model Rats

Background: The therapeutic use of Kampo medicine, Sho-seiryu-to (SST) in allergic disorders is well known. As histamine plays a central role in allergic diseases, it is possible that SST affects the allergy-related histamine signaling. In this study, we investigated the effect of SST on allergy-related histamine signaling in the nasal mucosa of toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI)-sensitized nasal allergy model rats. Methods: Six-week-old male, Brown Norway rats were sensitized for 2 weeks with 10 μl of 10% TDI, and after a 1 week interval, provocation was initiated with the same amount of TDI. SST (0.6 g/rat) was given orally 1 hour before TDI treatment began for a period of 3 weeks. Nasal symptoms were scored for 10 minutes immediately after TDI-provocation. The genes expression in nasal mucosa was determined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results: SST significantly suppressed TDI-induced nasal allergy-like symptoms. TDI provocation showed a significant up-regulation of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene expressions. Prolonged pre-treatment of SST significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of H1R and HDC that was up-regulated by TDI. SST also suppressed TDI-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 mRNA elevation. However, SST showed no significant effect for TDI-induced mRNA elevation of IL-13. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SST alleviates nasal symptoms by the inhibition of histamine signaling through suppression of TDI-induced H1R and HDC gene up-regulation. SST also suppresses cytokine signaling through suppression of IL-4 and IL-5 gene expression. Suppression of histamine signaling may be a novel mechanism of SST in preventing allergic diseases