Antidiarrheal Activity of Aqueous Extract of the Stem Bark of Sapium Ellipticum (Euphorbiaceae)

Purpose: To investigate the antidiarrheal activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of S. ellipticum (Euphorbiaceae) (AESE).Methods: AESE was prepared by decoction of the powder from the dry stem bark of S. ellipticum. Its oral antidiarrheal effect was evaluated in vivo at the doses of 5.2, 10.4 and 20.8 mg/kg on castor oil induced diarrhea and on gastro-intestinal transit. AESE was also evaluated in vitro (0.125 – 4 mg/ml) on ileal smooth muscle motility. The acute oral toxicity of AESE (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/kg) was also assessed in mice.Results: AESE significantly and dose dependently delayed the time of appearance of the first stools, decreased the frequency of defecation and the intestinal transit with respective percentage of 319.14, 62.50 and 36.51 % at the dose of 20.8 mg/kg in comparison with negative control (distilled water). AESE, in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced the tone and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the ileal smooth muscle with EC50 of 33.29 and 45.43 μg/ml, respectively. None of the doses used in acute toxicity test induced any significant behavioral changes or mortality.Conclusion: These results suggest that AESE possesses antidiarrheal properties mediated at least partially by the inhibition of intestinal motility and may be devoid of acute toxicity.Keywords: Sapium ellipticum, Antidiarrheal, Intestinal transit, Spasmolytic, Acute toxicity

Serotonylation of Vascular Proteins Important to Contraction

BACKGROUND:Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) was named for its source (sero-) and ability to modify smooth muscle tone (tonin). The biological effects of 5-HT are believed to be carried out by stimulation of serotonin receptors at the plasma membrane. Serotonin has recently been shown to be synthesized in vascular smooth muscle and taken up from external sources, placing 5-HT inside the cell. The enzyme transglutaminase uses primary amines such as 5-HT to covalently modify proteins on glutamine residues. We tested the hypothesis that 5-HT is a substrate for transglutaminase in arterial vascular smooth muscle, with protein serotonylation having physiological function. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The model was the rat aorta and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Western analysis demonstrated that transglutaminase II was present in vascular tissue, and transglutaminase activity was observed as a cystamine-inhibitable incorporation of the free amine pentylamine-biotin into arterial proteins. Serotonin-biotin was incorporated into alpha-actin, beta-actin, gamma-actin, myosin heavy chain and filamin A as shown through tandem mass spectrometry. Using antibodies directed against biotin or 5-HT, immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry confirmed serotonylation of smooth muscle alpha-actin. Importantly, the alpha-actin-dependent process of arterial isometric contraction to 5-HT was reduced by cystamine. CONCLUSIONS:5-HT covalently modifies proteins integral to contractility and the cytoskeleton. These findings suggest new mechanisms of action for 5-HT in vascular smooth muscle and consideration for intracellular effects of primary amines

Effects plasmog&#233niques des extraits aqueux et au m&#233lange m&#233thanol/chlorure de m&#233thyl&#233ne(1:1) des feuilles de Gmelina arborea (Verb&#233nac&#233e) sur la motricit&#233 intestimale de rat.

No Abstract.Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 2(1) 2002: pp. 31-3

Influence De La Gestation Sur Les Taux De Calcium, Sodium, Potassium Et Magnesium Seriques Chez La Truie

A total of 112 local “Bamileke” breed sows (22 pregnant and 90 non pregnant) from Cameroon were used to study the effect of pregnancy on the level of serum minerals: calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The quantity of minerals in the serum of individual sow was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The level of studied minerals was relatively higher in gravid sows as compared to non gravid. However, the difference was significant only for the sodium. Gestation length and the foetus sex-ratio did not affect significantly the serum minerals level. Positive and significant correlations were found between litter size and the studied minerals rate. Highly positive correlations was also recorded between the number of cyclic corpus lutea and the level of Na (r = +0,85) in one hand, and in other hand the number of gestative corpus lutea and the serum Ca (r = +0,75). The level of Ca, Na and K increased during the luteal phase as compared to the follicular phase; the contrary was found for the Mg level. These results show that the serum level of Na could be used to diagnose the pregnancy and also to estimate the ovulation rate; while the K level could contribute to the estimation of the number of gestative corpus lutea.De Juin à Septembre 2002, l'influence de la gestation sur les taux de calcium (Ca), de sodium (Na), de potassium (K) et de magnésium (Mg) sériques a été étudiée chez 112 truies de race « Bamiléké » dont 90 vides et 22 gravides issues des élevages traditionnels de l'Ouest du Cameroun. Le dosage des minéraux a été fait au spectrophotomètre à absorption atomique à partir de sérums de truies minéralisés. Le taux de minéraux étudiés a paru plus élevé chez les truies gravides comparé à celui des vides. Cependant, cette élévation n'a été significative (P =0,05) que pour le taux de sodium. La durée de gestation et le sex-ratio des foetus n'ont pas affecté significativement (P=0,05) la teneur sérique en minéraux étudiés. Des corrélations positives mais faibles (p=0,05) ont été trouvées entre la taille de la portée et la teneur sérique en minéraux considérés. En outre, des corrélations positives et fortes (P=0,05) ont été enregistrées entre le nombre de corps jaunes cycliques et le taux de Na (r = + 0,85) d'une part, et entre le nombre de corps jaunes gestatifs et la teneur sérique en Ca (r = 0,75) d'autre part. Les taux de Ca, Na et K ont augmenté pendant la phase lutéale comparé à la phase folliculaire, à l'inverse du taux de Mg ; aucune différence significative (P=0,05) n'a toutefois été relevée. Ces résultats montrent que chez la truie, la teneur sérique en Na pourrait permettre de diagnostiquer la gestation d'une part, et d'estimer le taux d'ovulation d'autre part ; alors que le taux de K permettrait d'estimer le nombre de corps jaunes gestatifs.Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 54 (4) 2006: pp. 278-28

Effects of the aqueous and hexane extracts of Mondia whitei on the sexual behaviour and some fertility parameters of sexually inexperienced male rats

The effects of Mondia whitei Hook (Skeels) were studied on the sexual behaviour and some fertility parameters of sexually inexperienced male rats. Animals were orally administered 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight (b.w) of either the aqueous or the hexane extracts of Mondia whitei whilst the control group received 10 mL/kg b.w of 0.3% Tween 80 once/day for 14 days. Their sexual behaviour was monitored on days 0, 1, 7 and 14 days of treatment and 14 days post-treatment. Some fertility parameters (index libido, quantal pregnancy, fertility index) of the treated rat were evaluated on day 13 of treatment by pairing it overnight with two proestrus females. Results showed that Mondia whitei extracts significantly (p0.05) on intromission, ejaculation and erection. The fertility of the animals remained unaffected. It's concluded that Mondia whitei had sexual enhancement of the sexually inexperienced male rats. Keywords: Mondia whitei; sexual behaviour; inexperienced male rats The African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 4 (1) 2007: pp. 37-4