Clinical and haematological studies on Cheilanthes farinosa and Onychium contiguum, and their combined effects in laboratory rats

Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity of,Cheilanthes farinosa and Onychium contiguum ferns and their additive clinical effects were studied for 180 days in laboratory rats. Male, young albino rats (88) weighing about 120-160 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups 1-16 rats in control (group 1) and 24 each in 3 treatment groups, groups 2, 3 and 4. The rats were provided concentrate ration containing C. farinosa, O. contiguum at 30% w/w for groups 2 and 3, respectively, and C. farinosa and O. contiguum mixture each at 15% w/w for group 4. There was no mortality observed in fern fed and control rats throughout the experimental period. Significant decrease in the body weight was observed. at 30 days post feeding (DPF) in group 3, 60 DPF in groups 3 and 4, 180 DPF in groups 4 and 2 as compared to group 1. On microscopic examination no appreciable pathological constituents and erythrocytes were seen in the urine in different groups and various intervals. Haemogram failed to show any changes except significant decrease in TLC, at 180 DPF in groups 2, 3 and 4. Analysis of methanolic extract of Cheilanthes and Onychium ferns showed the presence of 0.20 and 0.68 mg ptaquiloside/kg of fern on dry weight basis respectively. It was concluded that mild types of clinical and haematological alterations were induced due to low level of ptaquiloside. Although differences in these 2 ferns were not appreciated but rats of mixture group showed some additive changes

Effect of Lantana camara toxicity on lipid peroxidation in guinea pig tissues

Lantana intoxication of guinea pig inhibited lipid peroxidation in different tissues in the order: adrenals > liver > kidneys > heart > lungs > testes > brain. The inhibitory factor(s) appear to be present in the postmitochondrial fraction. Lantadene A, the toxic principle of lantana plant caused just marginal inhibition of lipid peroxidation in guinea pig liver homogenates. Bilirubin and fraction "P", a partially purified toxin of Lantana camara are more potent inhibitors of lipid peroxide formation. Lantana toxicity did not affect ascorbic acid, phospholipid content and superoxide dismutase activity of guinea pig liver. The enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly elevated

Effect of seminal plasma antioxidant on lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa, mitochondria and microsomes

Seminal plasma antioxidant inhibited ascorbate/iron-induced lipid peroxidation in spermatozoa, brain and liver mitochondria. The concentration required to produce inhibition in brain and liver mitochondria was high. Denaturation of spermatozoa resulted in complete loss of antioxidant action. Maintenance of native structure was essential for action of seminal plasma antioxidant in spermatozoal lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant inhibited NADPH, Fe3+-ADP induced lipid peroxidation in microsomes and consequences of lipid peroxidation such as glucose-6-phosphatase inactivation were prevented by presence of antioxidant. It did not inhibit microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by ascorbate and iron and xanthine-xanthine oxidase

Toxicity of isolated Lantana (Lantana camara L) constituents to male and female guinea pigs

A toxin fraction was obtained from Lantana camara L (red variety) leaves by batch extraction and column chromatography on silica gel (60-120 mesh). The main constituents of the toxin preparation were lantadene A and lantadene B and it was devoid of reduced lantadene A. Oral administration (125 mg/kg bwt) of the toxin to male and female guinea pigs caused icterus and photosensitization within 48 hr. All the affected animals had hepatomegaly and significant increases in conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in blood plasma. The intoxicated animals of either sex had marked increases in acid phosphatase activity which was inhibited 45.77% and 49.35% by 1 mM tartrate in male and female animals respectively. The corresponding inhibition of acid phosphatase activity in control male and female guinea pigs was 15.91% and 20.33% respectively

A preliminary study on the carcinogenicity of the common fern Onychium contiguum

Onychium contiguum (Family Cryptogrammaceae) is a common terrestrial fern in the Himalayas and in many other parts of the world. It is also present on the pastures in areas where grazing animals suffer from bovine urinary bladder cancer. This fern is occasionally grazed by animals and in some areas it is present as a contaminant in grasses stored for winter feeding. Certain species of the genus Onychium are used in folk medicine. Long-term exposure of experimental animals to O. contiguum appeared to cause tumours of the ileum. urinary bladder and mammary glands

A method for removal of interference by ammonium sulphate in protein assay by Lowry's method

A method for the removal of ammonium sulphate interference in the assay of protein by Lowry's method has been presented. Interference was eliminated by the addition of sodium hydroxide equivalent to double the molar amount of ammonium sulphate present in the sample and heating in boiling water-bath for 15 min. The heating was obligatory to eliminate interference due to ammonium hydroxide formed from ammonium sulphate