Effects of the Methanol Extract of Basella alba L (Basellaceae) on Steroid Production in Leydig Cells

In this study, Leydig cells were purified from 70 day-old Sprague Dawley male rats and incubated with 10 and 100 μg/mL of methanol extract of Basella alba (MEBa) for 4 hours followed by the evaluation of cell viability, steroid (testosterone and estradiol) production, and the level of aromatase mRNA. Results showed that MEBa did not affect Leydig cell viability. At the concentration of 10 μg/mL, MEBa significantly stimulated testosterone and estradiol production (p < 0.01 and p < 0.03, respectively), and enhanced aromatase mRNA level (p < 0.04). These observations suggest that MEBa directly stimulated testosterone, estradiol and aromatase mRNA levels in isolated Leydig cells

Effect of Solubilizers on the Androgenic Activity of Basella Alba L. (Basellaceae) in Adult Male Rats

Purpose: Solubilizers play an important role in dissolution of pharmacological ingredients and should properly dissolve the active principle(s) while preserving its activities. This study investigated the effect of starch, gelatin, methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 in the preservation of the androgenic activity of the methanol extract Basella alba (MEBa). Methods: Different groups of male albino rats were orally given the MEBa (1 mg/kg) dissolved into either 1% gelatin (1% gel), %1 methylcellulose (1% MC) and 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 (1% PVP 10000) or 2% starch solution (2% SS) for 30 days. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and serum testosterone and creatinine levels as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity determined. Vital and reproductive organs were dissected out and weighed, while liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione levels were determined. Results: Different treatments did not affect the animal body and organ weights. The MEBa stimulatory effect on testosterone production was preserved with 2% SS and 1% PVP 10000 as vehicles. Increased liver glutathione and TBARS levels were also observed in the animals fed with the MEBa dissolved in 2% SS and 1% Gel, respectively, while other biochemical parameters remained unchanged. Conclusion: Starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 stand as good preservation agents for MEBa androgenic activity, with starch exhibiting additional antioxidant activity through increase of glutathione levels

Post Exposure Effects of Propoxur (Agricultural Pesticide) on Male Fertility in Wistar Rat

Background: Pesticide toxicity is one of the major environmental health problems for the modern societies, as some of the effects may last long time after exposure. Propoxur is one of the Carbamate pesticide largely used in agriculture in the Western region of Cameroon. Methods: In order to evaluate the post-exposure effects of propoxur, 48 male rats (12 animals per group) aged 30 d were orally gavaged with 0.00, 1.73, 2.60 and 5.20 mg.kg-1 body weight of propoxur for 90 d. At the end of treatment, 6 rats per group were sacrificed and others were followed up for 90 additional days and submitted to a fertility test before sacrifice. Results: At the end of exposure propoxur significantly increased (P<0.05) the testis weight while it decreased (P<0.05) the cauda epididymal sperm motility in rat. Propoxur treatment and post-treatment exposure showed variable effect on the fertility rate with an increase and decrease at 2.60 and 5.20 mg.kg-1, respectively. At the 90th day post treatment, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in epididymis weight and sperm count and motility (P<0.05). In addition, post-exposure treatment with propoxur reduced (P<0.05) the pup litter size and the sex ratio at all doses. Histopathological examination revealed a high vacuity of germinal epithelia in treated rats that persisted after post-exposure time. Conclusion: Propoxur negatively affected male rats’ reproductive parameters with more significant adverse effects observed 90 d after the end of exposure

Momordica foetida (Cucurbitaceae) prevents behavioral impairment, motor incoordination and brain oxidative stress induced by subchronic exposure to Parastar pesticide formulation

Background: Parastar is an agricultural insecticide formulation composed of two active ingredients; a pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin and a neonicotinoid imidachloprid used in Cameroon for vegetable protection. Previous studies showed reprotoxicity and neurotoxicity of this pesticide formulation. Momordica foetida Schumach. Et Thonn is a medicinal plant with potent antioxidant properties used traditionally in Cameroon for the treatment of several aliments. As farmers are currently exposed to Parastar pesticide formulation, this study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of M. foetida on behavioral impairment, motor incoordination and brain oxidative stress induced by subchronic administration of Parastar. Methods: The study was carried out using 40 Wistar male rats, divided into 5 groups of 8 rats each. The groups received a vehicle (distilled water; 10 mL/kg), Parastar alone (6.23 mg/kg), or concomitantly with M. foetida methanol extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 60 days. The animals were submitted to behavioural tests including, beam walking test, open field test and forced swimming test. At end of the treatment, oxidative stress parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity were assessed in brain of each animal. Results: Parastar induced motor dysfunctions, anxiogenic like and depressive-like behaviours in the animals. The Parastar -induced alterations in behavior were all prevented by M. foetida extract. The plant extract alleviated Parstar-induced oxidative stress and alteration of cholinesterase activity, especially at the dose 100mk/kg. Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that, M. feotida methanol extract may prevent anxiety-like behavior, depressive-like behavior, motor incoordination induced by Parastar, possibly through it antioxidant properties and the preservation of acetylcholinesterase activity. Keywords: acetylcholinesterase, &nbsp;Momordica foetida, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, Parastar, rat

Evaluation of the Effects of Agro Pesticides Use on Liver and Kidney Function in Farmers from Buea, Cameroon

Agro pesticides are increasingly used worldwide to increase crop production. However, health hazards resulting from human exposure to these chemicals, especially from agricultural areas of developing countries have been a growing concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of occupational exposure to agro pesticides on the health of farmers in the Buea subdivision, which is one of the major agrarian areas in Cameroon. The study was transversal and involved 90 participants including 58 farmers using pesticides and a reference population of 32 men not involved in occupational use of agro pesticides. The participants were interviewed on agro pesticide use and their health status. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from the participants and used for the assessment of biochemical markers of the liver (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and the kidney (creatinine and uric acid) function. Results revealed that farmers frequently used insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides in their farming activities. Farmers reported several acute health symptoms related to pesticides use with the common ones being skin rash, eye irritation, and face burn. When compared to the reference population, the farmers showed significantly elevated (p<0.01) alanine aminotransferase activity. However, other parameters investigated were not affected significantly. These results suggested that farmers were exposed to 3 different classes of agro pesticides, which induced eye and skin affections. Pesticides exposure resulted in alterations of the liver function hence the increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Therefore, there is a need to sensitize the farmers on toxicity and liver alteration potential of agro pesticides and the importance of appropriate protective equipment that may minimize exposure

Toxicity and Reproductive Parameters Impairment of Cypermethrin in Male Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

Cypermethrin is a large spectrum action insecticide, globally employed to control pests in agriculture and some human and domestic animals ectoparasites. This study aimed to evaluate its toxicity and reproduction impairment in male guinea pig. Forty adult male guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and orally submitted to 0, 92, 137.5 and 275 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 days. The weight of the liver increased significantly, while that of kidneys decreased significantly in treated animals compared to controls. Serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALAT, ASAT, total cholesterol, prostatic acid phosphatase increased significantly, while the testicular total protein level decreased significantly in groups given the insecticide relatively to the control. The testes weight, libido, serum level of testosterone, mobility, sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane decreased significantly in animals exposed to cypermethrin with reference to controls. The percentages of abnormal spermatozoa increased significantly in animals submitted to 137.5 or 275 mg/kg body weight (bw) of cypermethrin compared to control ones. On the testis histological sections of pesticide-treated animals, immature germinal cells were observed in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. Cypermethrin was toxic in male guinea pig and damaged reproductive parameters