Ashok Purohit

Antiatherosclerotic Effect of Caparis decidua. Fruit Extract in Cholesterol-fed Rabbits

Abstract The fruit alcohol extract of the plant Capparis decidua (Frosk.).. Edgew was investigated for its antiatherosclerotic activity. Hyperlipidemia was induced by atherodiet and cholesterol feeding to animals. Rabbits were fed Capparis decidua. (500 mg/kg body weight) or pitavastatin (0.2 mg/kg body weight) in distilled water along with standard laboratory diet and atherodiet for 60 days. C. decidua. fruit extract and pitavastatin were found to lower serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and atherogenic index, but found to increase the HDL to total cholesterol ratio as compared with hyperlipidemic control group. Pitavastatin or C. decidua. fruit extract treated hyperlipidemic rabbits showed a decrease in the lipid profile of liver, heart, and aorta. The plant extract feeding brings about a definite regression of atheroma and hindered plaque formation in aorta as compared with the hyperlipidemic control group. Thus, this study demonstrates that C. decidua. fruit extract possesses hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects.

Antiatherosclerotic and Cardioprotective Potential of Acacia senegal Seeds in Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Rabbits.

Acacia senegal L. (Fabaceae) seeds are essential ingredient of “Pachkutta,” a specific Rajasthani traditional food. The present study explored antiatherosclerotic and cardioprotective potential of Acacia senegal seed extract, if any, in hypercholesterolemic diet-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits. Atherosclerosis in rabbits was induced by feeding normal diet supplemented with oral administration of cholesterol (500 mg/kg body weight/day mixed with coconut oil) for 15 days. Circulating total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels; atherogenic index (AI); cardiac lipid peroxidation (LPO); planimetric studies of aortal wall; and histopathological studies of heart, aorta, kidney, and liver were performed. Apart from reduced atherosclerotic plaques in aorta (6.34 ± 0.72) and increased lumen volume (51.65 ± 3.66), administration with ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal seeds (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 45 days to atherosclerotic rabbits significantly lowered serum TC, LDL-C, triglyceride, and VLDL-C levels and atherogenic index as compared to control. Atherogenic diet-induced cardiac LPO and histopathological abnormalities in aorta wall, heart, kidney, and liver were reverted to normalcy by Acacia senegal seed extract administration. The findings of the present study reveal that Acacia senegal seed extract ameliorated diet-induced atherosclerosis and could be considered as lead in the development of novel therapeutics.

Adverse Effects of Subchronic Dose of Aspirin on Reproductive Profile of Male Rats

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is widely used for cardiovascular prophylaxis and as anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of subchronic dose of aspirin on reproductive profile of male rats, if any. Experimental animals were divided into three groups: control and aspirin subchronic dose of 12.5 mg/kg for 30 days and 60 days, respectively, while alterations in sperm dynamics, testicular histopathological and planimetric investigations, body and organs weights, lipid profiles, and hematology were performed as per aimed objectives. Subchronic dose of aspirin reduced sperm density, count, and mobility in cauda epididymis and testis; histopathology and developing primary spermatogonial cells (primary spermatogonia, secondary spermatogonia, and mature spermatocyte) count were also significantly decreased in rats. Hematological investigations revealed hemopoietic abnormalities in 60-day-treated animals along with dysfunctions in hepatic and renal functions. The findings of the present study revealed that administration with subchronic dose of aspirin to male rats resulted in altered reproductive profiles and serum biochemistry.

Effect of Various Chromatographic Fractions of Neem Seed Oil on Sperm Dynamics and Testicular Cell Population Dynamics of Male Albino Rats

Abstract The current study was undertaken to observe the effect of oral administration of Neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions on sperm dynamics and testicular cell population dynamics of male albino rats. Significant reduction in sperm density in testis and cauda epididymis and sperm motility in cauda epididymis was observed in male rats treated with neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions for 60 days. The maximum reduction in sperm motility and sperm density was observed in rats treated with neem seed oil fraction III and fraction IV. Results of testicular cell population dynamics showed the arrest of spermatogenesis at spermatid stage after treatment with neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions suggesting the antiandrogenic nature of neem seed oil fractions. It is suggested that the antifertility effect of neem seed oil and its fraction in male albino rats was through inhibition of FSH and LH secretion and steroidogenesis via hypothalamo-hypophyseal gonadal axis. The neem seed oil fractions III and IV were shown to be the most potent contraceptive agents among all the fractions.

Synthetic and phytocompounds based dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors for therapeutics of diabetes

Abstract Currently antidiabetic therapeutic strategies are mainly based on synthetic hypoglycemic agent. Antidiabetic drugs are associated with significant adverse effects of hypoglycemia, dysfunction of insulin and weight gain. Nowadays, the novel Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors unique approach for the management of diabetes has been considered to be safe, as DPP-IV inhibitors reduce blood glucose level by monitoring hyperglycemia including positive effects on body weight as it remains neutral, improves glycated hemoglobin levels and do not induce hypoglycemia. Inhibitors help to protect degradation of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), gut hormones which helps to suppresses postprandial glucagon release, delay gastric emptying and regulate satiety. Therefore, the innovation of DPP-IV inhibitor based drugs regulates activity of incretin hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP. Commercially available DPP-IV inhibitors are chemically synthesized with good therapeutic value. However, the durability and long-term safety of DPP-IV inhibitors remains to be established. On the other hand, phytocompounds-based DPP-IV inhibitors are alternative and safe to use as compared to synthetic. Numerous novel antidiabetic compounds and group of compounds emerging in clinical development are through DPP-IV inhibition. This review summarized recent progress made on DPP-IV inhibitors from both synthetic as well as from natural sources.

Assessment of dose-dependent reproductive toxicity of diclofenac sodium in male rats

Abstract Diclofenac sodium is widely used in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of pain and inflammation. It is also particularly associated with its adverse effects on avian fauna and linked to environmental issues. The present study was aimed to assess the dose-dependent toxicity of diclofenac sodium on a male reproductive system of rats. Four groups of healthy adult fertile male rats were administered with saline (control) or 0.25 mg/kg, 0.50 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg of diclofenac sodium, respectively for 30 days. Alterations in body and organ weight, sperm and testicular cell population dynamics, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and hematology were investigated as per aimed objectives. Diclofenac sodium treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.001) reduced weights of testis, epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle. Sperm count, sperm density (in epididymis and testis), sperm motility and testicular cell population dynamics were lowered in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of diclofenac exhibited varying degrees of degeneration testis, abnormal histo-architectures, and shrinkages in seminiferous tubules, particularly in higher doses. Diclofenac sodium treatments also altered hepatic and renal function parameters significantly. In conclusion, it may claim that diclofenac sodium treatment altered reproductive metabolic status, androgenic activities and histo-architecture of the testis of male rats and induced hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity.