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

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

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 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

Chlorpyrifos-induced Histopathological Alterations in Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider 1799) Tadpoles: Evidence from Empirical Trials

This paper reports the histopathological responses of the gill, liver and tail muscle tissues in tadpoles of the Asian Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) exposed to chlorpyrifos a common organophosphorus pesticide. Tadpoles of Gosner stages 24-26 were continuously exposed to low, mid and high (500, 1000 and 1500 µgl–1) concentrations of chlorpyrifos for two weeks. Histological alterations in the tissues of the surviving larvae were microscopically examined both at the end of the exposure period and after a week following the final exposure. Several histological alterations were noted in the gills, liver and tail muscles of the larvae exposed to 1500 µgl–1 of chlorpyrifos. The gills of exposed larvae showed architectural distortion resulting from reduced primary and secondary gill lamellae and blood vessels, and alterations in the gill epithelium. In the liver sinusoidal congestion and dilation, cytoplasmic vacuolation and changes in hepatocytes such as hyperchromatic nuclei and nuclear fragmentation were observed.  The tail muscle tissue suffered from severe atrophy and myotomal disintegration. Although histological alterations in the gill and liver tissues were noted only at the high concentration, changes in the muscle tissue i.e. muscle degeneration and atrophy, were apparent at both low and mid concentrations. The degree of damage in surviving larvae in a week following the final exposure was lower than that observed during the exposure, probably indicating recovery or resistance. The findings of the present study emphasize the need to investigate possible sublethal damage induced by pesticides in amphibians inhabiting agricultural habitats

BEHAVIOUR OF JUVENILE ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN Panicum maximum DOMINA TED GRASSLANDS IN THE UDA WALA WA NATIONAL PARK.

Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) dominated grasslands, a major habitat typein the Udawalawa National Park, is frequently occupied by wild elephants.Behaviour of juvenile elephants (4-6 years old) inhabiting the habitat wasstudied from April 2004 to March 2005. Focal animal sampling was employedto quantify behaviour and total time of observation was 3100 minutes.The activity budget of the juveniles comprised of ten behaviour patterns;feeding (44%), resting (24%), locomotion (19%), play (5%), comfort (5%),drinking, social, exploratory, agonistic and anxious. Maximum feeding (55%)and minimum resting (13%) were recorded during late afternoons (1500-1800hrs) whilst maximum resting (37%) and minimum feeding (29%) wererecorded during late mornings (0900-1200 hrs). Locomotion and otherbehaviour patterns did not significantly vary with time. Time spent on feedingwas higher in wet months (47%) than in dry months (39%). Resting wasrelatively higher in dry period (27%) than in wet (21 %). P. maximum was themajor food type consumed throughout the year while they fed on native grassesand herbs to a lesser extent (21-29%). Significant correlations between ambienttemperature and time spent on feeding (r= -0.716) and resting (r = +0.751)were evident.The Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Born Free Foundation, UKare acknowledged.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity Is a Possible Mechanism by Which the Polyherbal Formulation Comprised of Nigella sativa

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a polyherbal decoction comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, and Smilax glabra in order to justify its claimed antihepatocarcinogenic activity. Activation of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), IκB kinase (IKK α/β) proteins, and TNFα and IL-6 expression was investigated in diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) induced C3H mice-bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes. Acute phase inflammatory response was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema formation. Anti-inflammatory mechanisms were also assessed by determining effect on (a) membrane stabilization, (b) nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity, and (c) inhibition of leukocyte migration. A significant inhibition of the paw edema formation was observed in healthy rats as well as in rats bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes with oral administration of the decoction. As with the positive control, indomethacin (10 mg/kg b.w.) the inhibitory effect was pronounced at 3rd and 4th h after carrageenan injection. A notable IKK α/β mediated hepatic NF-κB inactivation was associated with a significant hepatic TNFα downregulation among mice-bearing hepatocarcinogenic changes subjected to decoction treatment. Inhibition of NO production, leukocyte migration, and membrane stabilization are possible mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the decoction. Overall findings imply that anti-inflammatory activity could be one of the mechanisms by which the decoction mediates its antihepatocarcinogenic effects

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

This review focuses on the expression and function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), α1-adrenoceptors and relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract. The localization and differential expression of mAChR and α1-adrenoceptor subtypes in specific compartments of the efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate of various species indicate a role for these receptors in the modulation of luminal fluid composition and smooth muscle contraction, including effects on male fertility. Furthermore, the activation of mAChRs induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sertoli cell proliferation. The relaxin receptors are present in the testis, RXFP1 in elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells from rat, and RXFP2 in Leydig and germ cells from rat and human, suggesting a role for these receptors in the spermatogenic process. The localization of both receptors in the apical portion of epithelial cells and smooth muscle layers of the vas deferens suggests an involvement of these receptors in the contraction and regulation of secretion.Esta revisão enfatiza a expressão e a função dos receptores muscarínicos, adrenoceptores α1 e receptores para relaxina no sistema reprodutor masculino. A expressão dos receptores muscarínicos e adrenoceptores α1 em compartimentos específicos de dúctulos eferentes, epidídimo, ductos deferentes, vesícula seminal e próstata de várias espécies indica o envolvimento destes receptores na modulação da composição do fluido luminal e na contração do músculo liso, incluindo efeitos na fertilidade masculina. Além disso, a ativação dos receptores muscarínicos leva à transativação do receptor para o fator crescimento epidermal e proliferação das células de Sertoli. Os receptores para relaxina estão presentes no testículo, RXFP1 nas espermátides alongadas e células de Sertoli de rato e RXFP2 nas células de Leydig e germinativas de ratos e humano, sugerindo o envolvimento destes receptores no processo espermatogênico. A localização de ambos os receptores na porção apical das células epiteliais e no músculo liso dos ductos deferentes de rato sugere um papel na contração e na regulação da secreção.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FarmacologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FarmacologiaSciEL