Aqueous Extract of Flueggea leucopyrus Increases Urine Output in Rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Flueggea leucopyrus Wild aqueous extract (FLAE) on the urinary output of rats.Method: Three different doses of FLAE (500, 1000 and 1500 mgkg-1), furosemide (13 mg kg-1 as diuretic reference) and distilled water (as control) were orally administered to healthy adult hydrated rats. Cumulative urine output was monitored hourly over 6 h. Selected urinary parameters were determined for 1500 mg kg-1 dose, furosemide, and water-treated groups to investigate the possible mode of action. Using these data, standard urine indices were calculated. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in terms of creatinine clearance, overt toxicity, renal toxicity, liver toxicity, as well as phytochemical screening were also determined.Results: The highest dose (1500 mgkg-1) significantly increased urine output (control vs. treated: 0.74 ± 0.07 vs. 1.38 ± 0.09 mL/100 g) (p < 0.05) r2 = 0.925). The effect of FLAE was dose-dependent. Increase in urine output was observed from the 1st hour, peaked at 2nd hour and lasted till the 6th hour. Furthermore, 1500 mgkg-1 dose of FLAE caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in urinary K+ level, aldosterone secretion index, thiazide secretion index and GFR at 24 h. However, significant decrease in urinary Na+ level (control vs. treated: 7915.2 ± 423.1 vs. 6611.2 ± 181.3 ppm) was noted with the highest dose (p < 0.05). Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and urea levels were not altered significantly (p > 0.05). However, serum creatinine level was elevated significantly (p < 0.05). Phytochemical screening showed that FLAE contains primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary alkaloids/amine oxides, triterpenoids, unsaturated sterols, leucoanthocyanins, tannins of pyrogallol type and cyanogenic glycoside.Conclusion: The results show that FLAE exhibits moderate oral aquaretic activity.Keywords: Flueggea leucopyrus, Diuretic, Aquaretic, Urine output, Toxicity, Phytochemica

In vitro investigation of anti-inflammatory activity and evaluation of phytochemical profile of Syzygium caryophyllatum

This study examined the anti-inflammatory potential of an aquous root extract of Syzygium caryophyllatum (Family: Myrtaceae) and reference drug Declofenac sodium, invitro using heat induced egg albumin denaturation bio assay technique. The concentrations of the root extract used were 781.25, 1562.5, 3125, 6250 and 12500 μg/mL. While diclofenac sodum were 78.12, 156.25, 312.5, 625, 1250 and 2500 μg/mL. Both the extract (r2 = 0.97; P<0.05) and Diclofenac sodium (r2 = 0.87; P<0.05) displayed marked and concentration dependent inhibition of heat-induced protein denaturation with IC50 value of 6.229 *103 μ g/ml and ~1.704*108 μg/mL respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of the flavanoids, phenols, tanins, alkaloids, saponins and amino acids. It is concluded that the aquous root extract of Sri Lankan grown Syzygium caryophyllatum possess marked in vitro antiinflammatory activity which is mediated possibly by flavanoids, tanins and alkaloids. This is a novel finding. Further the results scientifically justify the use of roots of Syzygium caryophyllatum in Sri Lankan traditional medicine to treat inflammation

EFFECTS OF ATROPINE ON FERTILITY OF MALE RATS

Insertion of silastic rods containing 25% and 50% atropine adjacent to the epididymis of rats produced a significant suppression in fertility which was temporary with the lower dose and permanent with the higher dose. Both doses also impaired the motility of epididymal spermatozoa and nerve-mediated contractile response of isolated vasa deferentia. In addition, the higher dose caused a significant reduction in the mating frequency. It is concluded that the antifertility effect resulted primarily from oligospermia due to dysfunctioning of seminal emission and/or ejaculation

EFFECT OF CARBACHOL ON FERTILITY OF MALE RATS WHEN ADMINISTERED LOCALLY TO EPIDIDYMIS

This study examines the effect of carbachol, a potent cholinoceptor agonistdrug, on fertility of male rats, when administered to epididymis using stlasticformulations, in the form of rods. 10% and 25% carbachol rods werefound to be toxic, and resulted in death within 25 min. On the other hand,5% rods were tolerable. These rods significantly reduced sperm numbersboth in the cauda epididymis and ejaculate but failed to Impair fertility.Libido (sexual desire) remained essentially unaltered. In organ bath experiments,carbachol induced rhythmic contrations in isolated vasa deferentiaand cauda epididymal tubules in e ' dose-related manner.Short running head: carbachol and fertility of male ratsKey words: carbachol, silastic rods, epididymis fertilityoligozoospermia, cholinomimetic

ETHNOMEDICINAL USES IN SCORPION POISONING (GONUSU VISHA) IN SRI LANKAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Scorpions use their sting as a defensive weapon or as a mechanism to incapacitate prey. The scorpion sting possesses venom and the character of the poison depends on the scorpion species. Some may lead to death. Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional physicians treat scorpion sting by administering medicines internally and externally, in various forms. Data was gathered from Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional medical books, through interviewing physicians, research journals and internet. Herbs, minerals and animal sources are used to treat scorpion sting. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, cardioproective, respiratory protective, neuroprotective properties and anti-scorpion venom activity of these ingredients are scientifically proven. Due to these properties, these ingredients are capable of overcoming the symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, itching, spasms, neurotoxicity and also cardiac and respiratory failure occurring through scorpion sting. It is concluded that Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional physicians possess multi-faceted, effective treatment methods for scorpion stings which can be scientifically proven

ORAL DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF HOT WATER EXTRACT OF H-GRADE QUILLS OF CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM BLUME IN RATS

Objective: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume is claimed in Sri Lankan traditional medicine as a diuretic. Diuretics that are in current use possess serious adverse effects. Thus, there is a need for discovering efficacious and safe diuretics possibly from natural sources. Hence, the study was carried out to scientifically evaluate the diuretic potential of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume in vivo.Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 180-270 g of either sex were divided into five groups containing six subjects in each. All were starved for 18 h and hydrated subsequently with oral sodium chloride solution (0.9%). Group, I (control) received normal saline (15 ml per animal orally). Group II, III, and IV received different doses (1500, 2250, 3000 mg/kg) of freeze-dried hot water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume orally. Group V; (standard) received furosemide (13 mg/kg). Rats were placed individually in metabolic cages. Cumulative urine outputs at hourly intervals for six hours, urinary Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, specific gravity, pH and total dissolved solids were determined. Results: A strong dose-dependent diuretic activity with a rapid onset of action, rapid peak diuresis and short duration of action was observed compared to furosemide. The diuretic action was accompanied with a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in urinary Na+, HCO3- and pH and decrease in urinary H+. Conclusion: The results indicated that hot water extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume possesses marked diuretic action compared to furosemide. This is mediated primarily via loop diuretic mechanism similar to furosemide and partly by carbonic anhydrase inhibitory action

TSUNAMI HAZARDS: FLOW RESISTANCE AND IMPACT MITIGATION BY COASTAL GREEN BELTS

In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami, the protection offered by coastal vegetation became evident in many countries affected and the role of coastal green belts in mitigating tsunami impacts has now been clearly recognized. Coastal green belts also attract attention as an environmental friendly and cost effective measure of impact mitigation. In this research, attention was concentrated on expanding the preliminary experimental on the resistance offered by coastal vegetation to tsunami overland flow, to determine the energy dissipation characteristics in detail,  and to assess the effectiveness of coastal green belts in tsunami impact mitigation. Detailed experimental studies were conducted in which the vegetation was represented by geometrically similar small scale models. The effectiveness of coastal green belts was assessed by the percentage energy reduction for various forms of vegetation. Reduction levels in the range up to 30 % were obtained in the experiments indicating the possibility of achieving significant levels of energy reduction of tsunami inundation by coastal green belts. The reliance of the level of inundation reduction on the level of energy dissipation was also investigated

EFFECTS OF ORCHIECTOMY ON EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOUR OF RATS

This study was designed to assess whether the testes influence theexploratory behaviour of rats. The results show that orchiectomyparameters of exploratory behaviour, namely the number of head dips,locomotory significantly impaired three activity and number of rears,when evaluated using the hole-board technique. The fourth parametertested, the time spent head dipping however remained unaltered.These findings suggest that some factor/s secreted by testes influenceexploratory behaviour.Key words: orchiectomy, exploratory behaviour, rat, hole-board technique

Tsunami hazards: impact mitigation characteristics of coastal vegetation

In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 the protection offered by coastal vegetation became evident in many countries affected and the role of coastal green belts in mitigating tsunami impacts has now been clearly recognized. Coastal green belts also attract attention as an environmental friendly and cost effective measure of impact mitigation. In this study, expanding the previous works conducted, further experiments were conducted to assess the energy dissipation and impact mitigation characteristics of coastal vegetation in detail. The resistance offered towards the flow which depends on the characteristics of individual plants and characteristics of the vegetation as a whole were assessed. Tests were conducted in a hydraulic flume in which vegetation was represented by geometrically similar small scale models. The energy dissipation of flow through vegetation was determined under steady flow conditions and reduction in inundation extent was assessed under unsteady flow conditions. Energy dissipation levels up to 48 % and inundation reduction levels up to 35 % were obtained in the experiments which clearly indicate the effectiveness of coastal green belts in tsunami impact mitigation. The dependence of the level of inundation reduction on the level of energy dissipation was also investigated