Rita de Cássia da Silveira e Sá

Evaluation of long-term exposure to Mikania glomerata (Sprengel) extract on male Wistar rats' reproductive organs, sperm production and testosterone level.

Many plant substances are known for their interference with the reproductive system. Mikania glomerata is a plant popularly used to treat respiratory diseases and is reported to have flavonoids and coumarin, which have been shown to have antifertility activity in male dogs and female rats, respectively. This work analyzes the effect of a high dose of M. glomerata extract administered during the spermatogenic cycle of rats. Adult Wistar rats were treated with 1 mL of a M. glomerata extract at a dose level of 3.3 g/kg of body weight for 52 days. Body and organ weights, sperm production, circulating testosterone level and food consumption were evaluated. The results showed that the administration of the M. glomerata extract during the rat spermatogenic cycle did not significantly alter the body and organ weights nor did it interfere with gamete production, serum testosterone level or food intake.

Antinociceptive and Toxicological Effects of Dioclea grandiflora Seed Pod in Mice

The acute treatment of mice with an ethanolic extract from the seed pod of Dioclea grandiflora (EDgP) at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg by intraperitoneal administration produced a significant antinociceptive effect as displayed by the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin test. The antinociception was observed through the first (neurogenic pain) and second (inflammatory pain) phases in the formalin test. The hot plate test did not show an increase in the antinociceptive latency whereas the motor performance was affected by the administration at 300 mg/kg at the beginning (30 minutes) of the observation period but not at later periods (60 and 120 minutes). These results suggest that EDgP has a central antinociceptive action and a possible anti-inflammatory activity in mice.

Reproductive toxicity of lapachol in adult male Wistar rats submitted to short-term treatment

Lapachol is a therapeutic naphthoquinone, but little is known about its general and reproductive toxicity. In female rats, a high incidence of resorptions and fetal mortality has been reported. This work analyses the effect of the short‐term administration of lapachol on vital and reproductive organs, and sperm production in Wistar rats. Adult animals were treated with 1 mL of lapachol hydroalcohol solution (100 mg/kg of body weight) for 5 days and killed 3 (T1) and 14 days (T2) after the end of treatment. Body and organ weights and sperm production were evaluated. The administration of lapachol significantly reduced the weight of the seminal vesicle (T1 animals). No significant alteration of gamete production, body weight and the weight of the other organs analysed were detected. The results suggest a reproductive toxicity effect of lapachol, indicating the seminal vesicle as a possible target organ. Copyright

Preliminary assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis toxicity on male Wistar rats' organs and reproductive system

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L. - Lamiaceae) is a shrub used in the treatment of hepatic, intestinal, renal and respiratory affections. Its toxicity was assessed in female rats and an anti-implantation effect was reported after treatment with this plant. This work analyzes the effect of the short-term administration of R. officinalis extract on vital organs, on the organs of the reproductive system and sperm production of mature male Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats were treated with 1 mL of R. officinalis aqueous extract at a dose level of 291.2 mg and 582.4 mg/kg of body weight for five days. Body and organs weights, sperm production and food consumption were evaluated. The results showed that the lower dose administration of R. officinalis extract did not significantly alter body and organs weight nor did it interfere with gamete production. However, animals treated with the higher dose showed significant weight increase of the seminal vesicle but no significant alteration of the other variables. Food intake was not affected by the treatments.

Absence of mutagenic effect of Mikania glomerata hydroalcoholic extract on adult wistar rats in vivo

Mikania glomerata e uma planta utilizada na medicina popular, cujas folhas possuem flavonoides e cumarina. Essas substâncias, segundo a literatura, interferem na fertilidade de caes e ratas, respectivamente. O presente trabalho faz um estudo do teste do letal dominante com M. glomerata em ratos Wistar. Animals adultos foram tratados com 1 mL de extrato hidroalcoolico de M. glomerata na dose de 3.3 g/kg de peso corporal durante 52 dias. Os animais foram acasalados com femeas nao tratadas por sete semanas (grupo 1) ou uma semana antes do inicio do tratamento e na semana seguinte ao termino do mesmo (grupo 2). As variaveis analisadas foram: numeros de embrioes implantados, reabsorcoes e corpos luteos, indices de acasalamento, gestacao, perda pre-implantacao, implantacao e reabsorcao (grupo 1); numero de filhotes nascidos e de animais desmamados (grupo 2). A administracao de M. glomerata nao interferiu com a fertilidade dos animais e nao foram observadas alteracoes significativas das variaveis analisadas, o que sugere a ausencia de efeito mutagenico em ratos Wistar por parte dessa planta.

Pharmaceutical properties and toxicology of Dioclea grandiflora

Abstract Context: Since the beginning of civilization, herbal medicines have been an important source for human beings to treat their ailments. Despite the large number of synthetic remedies available in the market, the use of plants is seen as a great challenge in the search for new substances endowed with therapeutic properties. One example is Dioclea grandiflora Mart. ex Benth. (Leguminosae) employed in traditional medicine to treat prostate disorders and kidney stones. Objectives: This work presents a brief overview of D. grandiflora, including a description of the plant, its chemical composition and pharmacological properties. Methods: This review gathers information available in the scientific literature compiled from databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Dr. Dukes Phytochemical and Ethnobotany, Missouri Botanical Garden and The International Plant Names Index. Results: The information found in the literature showed that flavonoids are the major constituents of D. grandiflora that account for most of the pharmacological properties so far disclosed. Several studies have revealed that D. grandiflora possesses antinociceptive, cardiovascular, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion: Research shows that D. grandiflora is a potential source of compounds pertaining medicinal applications. It provides an interesting subject in the search for new drugs of natural origin.