R. Mathur

Antifertility profile of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots

An aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots was investigated for its estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, progestational and antiprogestational activities. Oral administration of extract progressively increased the uterine wet weight of bilaterally ovariectomized rats. This estrogenic activity was supported by stimulation of uterine histo-architecture. When the extract was given conjointly with estradiol dipropionate (EDP), there was a successive reduction in the uterine wet weight when compared to the gain with EDP alone and uterine histological structures were also inhibited. In the deciduoma test, the highest dose of 600 mg/kg interfered with the formation of deciduoma in 50% of the rats, showing some antiprogestational activity. Doses up to 600 mg/kg of the extract orally failed to induce a decidual response in the traumatized uterus of ovariectomized rats. The antifertility effect of the extract appears to be due to multiple attributes.

A study to correlate rotenone induced biochemical changes and cerebral damage in brain areas with neuromuscular coordination in rats

Rotenone induces neurotoxicity but its correlation with biochemical and cerebral changes in rat brain regions are not well defined. In the present study rotenone was administered (3, 6 and12mug/mul) intranigrally in adult male SD rats and its effect was assessed on neuromuscular coordination and in different brain areas viz. striatum (STR), mid-brain (MB), frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus (HP) cerebral and biochemical changes on 1st and 7th day after treatment. All the doses of rotenone significantly impaired neuromuscular coordination performance on Rota rod test on 1st and 7th day. TTC staining showed significant increase in cerebral injury volume on 1st and 7th day after rotenone treatment indicating mitochondrial enzyme deficiency but increase after 7th day was less that after 1st day. Rotenone treated rats showed significant decrease in GSH and increase in MDA in different brain regions though the pattern was varied. After 1 day of rotenone (6 and 12mug) treatment significant decrease in GSH was observed in STR and MB while MDA was significantly increased only in MB. The maximal effect on GSH and MDA was obtained in STR and MB on 7th day after treatment with 12mug dose of rotenone. Thus, based on the occurrence of changes, it may be suggested that impairment of neuromuscular coordination is inked to oxidative stress rather than mitochondrial enzyme deficiency, all the processes are correlated with each other with the progression of time. MB appeared as most sensitive brain area towards rotenone toxicity.

Rotenone induced neurotoxicity in rat brain areas: A histopathological study☆

Rotenone a pesticide is known to induce neurotoxicity. In earlier study we correlated rotenone induced biochemical changes and cerebral damage in brain areas with neuromuscular coordination in rats. The present study involves investigation of rotenone induced histopathological changes in the brain areas, viz. striatum (STR) and substantia nigra (SN) using HE (hematoxylin and eosin) and CV (Cresyl Violet) staining after 1, 7, and 14 day of unilateral intranigral administration of rotenone (3, 6 and 12 μg/5 μl) in adult male SD rats. Significant morphological changes in cell area or shape were shown by HE staining. The neuronal degeneration was shown by distorted neuronal cells, shrinkage of nuclei, dark staining in the regions of rotenone treated animals by CV staining. Rota rod test demonstrated significant impairment in motor coordination after 14 days of treatment along with decreased GSH and increased MDA in STR and mid brain (MB). The study inferred rotenone causes neuronal damage which is evident by histopathological changes, impaired neuromuscular coordination and biochemical changes. The pattern of histopathological alterations corresponds with behavioral and biochemical manifestations.

Non-hormonal post-coital contraceptive action of neem oil in rats.

Neem oil, a natural product of Azadirachta indica was investigated for various hormonal properties in relation to its post-coital contraceptive action. At subcutaneous doses up to 0.3 ml/rat, neem oil did not possess any estrogenic, anti-estrogenic or progestational activity and appeared not to interfere with the action of progesterone. These findings were confirmed using the histo-architecture of the uterus of treated rats. Since the post-coital contraceptive effect of neem oil seems to be non-hormonal, neem oil would be expected to elicit less side effects than the steroidal contraceptives.

Effects of zinc supplementation during chelating agent administration in cadmium intoxication in rats

The concomitant administration of zinc during chelation of cadmium (Cd) with meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or calcium trisodium diethylenetriamine penta‐acetic acid (DTPA) was investigated in male rats subchronically exposed to Cd. The results suggest that the administration of zinc alone after cadmium exposure does not elicit any protective effects. However, when supplemented during treatment with DTPA it produced a significant turnover in the altered biochemical variables and a depletion of Cd concentration in liver and kidneys. Cadmium‐induced elevated hepatic metallothionein (MT) contents remained practically unaltered on Zn–DTPA administration, but there was a significant increase in renal MT levels compared to rats administered Cd‐DTPA or Cd alone.

Pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis to alleviate beryllium-induced hepatorenal toxicity

Intervention of chelating agent tiferron (sodium‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,3‐benzene disulfonate; 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) with propolis (honey beehive product; 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated to encounter the characteristic biochemical and ultra‐morphological alterations following subchronic exposure to beryllium. Female albino rats were challenged with beryllium nitrate (1 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 28 days followed by treatment of the above‐mentioned therapeutic agents either individually or in combination for five consecutive days. Exposure to beryllium increased its concentration in the serum, liver and kidney, and caused significant alterations in cytochrome P450 activity, microsomal lipid peroxidation and proteins. Activities of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, creatinine and urea in the serum and activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose‐6‐phophatase and succinic dehydrogenase in the liver and kidney were significantly altered after beryllium administration. Beryllium exposure also induced severe hepatorenal alterations at histopathological and ultra‐morphological level. Tiferron along with propolis dramatically reversed the alterations in all the variables more towards control rather than their individual treatment. The study concludes that pharmacological intervention of tiferron and propolis is beneficial in attenuating beryllium‐induced systemic toxicity.

Postcoital contraceptive action in rats of a hexane extract of the aerial parts of Ferula jaeschkeana.

The hexane extract of Ferula jaeschkeana aerial parts was studied at an oral dose of 25 mg/kg per day for its postcoital effects in pregnant rats. Ovaries of treated rats remained in a cyclic state rather than undergoing pregnancy as demonstrated by constant ovulation accompanied by newly formed corpora lutea. Follicles were present in different stages of development. Uterine histoarchitecture of treated rats appeared non-receptive for implantation. No decidcoma were observed on day 5 of pregnancy and the luminal epithelium remained unresponsive. Uterus was non-oedematous and lumen was considerably wider. Administration of the extract caused increases in the protein and glycogen content of ovary and uterus, while the activity of acid phosphatase remained essentially unchanged and the activity of alkaline phosphatase was increased. The volume of uterine fluid in the treated rats was increased considerably on day 5 post coitum. It appears that the histological and biochemical modifications in the ovary and uterus of treated pregnant rats do not support the preparation of uterus for implantation.

Histoarchitecture of the genital tract of ovariectomized rats treated with an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots

The effect of an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots was studied histologically on the genital tract of ovariectomized rats in the presence and absence of estradiol dipropionate and progesterone. Administration of the extract itself stimulated the uterine histoarchitecture as revealed by increases in the height of luminal epithelium, well developed glands, loose stroma and rich vascularity. The cervix showed metaplastic changes in the epithelium with marked keratinization. In the vagina, cornification was very prominent, rugae increased and stroma was loose. Conjoint administration of the extract with estradiol showed a synergistic action, and an inhibition was observed when administered conjointly with progesterone.

Hepatic endogenous defense potential of propolis after mercury intoxication

Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl(2) ; 5 mg kg(-1) body weight; i.p.) induced oxidative stress in mice and substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the activities of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with propolis extract, a resinous wax-like beehive product (200 mg kg(-1) orally, after mercury administration), for 3 days inhibited LPO and the formation of GSSG and increased the level of GSH in the liver. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored after propolis treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were also concomitantly restored towards normal levels after propolis administration. These observations clearly demonstrate that propolis treatment augments antioxidant defense against mercury-induced toxicity and provide evidence that propolis has therapeutic potential as a hepatoprotective agent.

Co-administration of adjuvants along with Moringa oleifera attenuates beryllium-induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in rats

Abstract Context: Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a rich source of antioxidants. All parts of the plant are medicinally important and have been used as traditional medicine for a variety of human ailments in India. Objective: Therapeutic efficacy of adjuvants with M. oleifera (MO) root extract was investigated against beryllium-induced oxidative stress. Materials and methods: Hydroalcoholic (50% v/v) root extract of M. oleifera (150 mg/kg, p.o.) alone and combinations of M. oleifera with either piperine (2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) or curcumin (5.0 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 1 week were administered in experimental rats against beryllium toxicity (1.0 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 5 weeks). Oxidative stress parameters including blood sugar, G-6-Pase in liver, and DNA damage were analyzed. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney were also observed. Results: Beryllium enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO), depleted reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes activities, decreased blood sugar and G-6-Pase activity, and did not damage DNA. Histologically, liver was observed with structural loss and disintegration of hepatocytes, heavy vacuolation in hepatocytes, and kidney was observed with constriction of glomeruli and hypertrophy in epithelial cells of uriniferous tubules. Therapy of M. oleifera with piperine was effective; however, combination of M. oleifera with curcumin showed better therapeutic effect by reduction of LPO, elevated GSH level, maintained antioxidant enzymes activities, restored blood sugar, and G-6-Pase activity in liver together with almost normal histoarchitecture of liver and kidney. Discussion and conclusion: Curcumin enhanced therapeutic efficacy of M. oleifera root extract and showed better antioxidant potential against beryllium toxicity.