Search

Context:Abnormal angiogenesis and evasion of apoptosis are hallmarks of cancer. Accordingly, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic therapies are effective strategies for cancer treatment. Medicinal plants, namely,Eugenia jambolanaLam. (Myrtaceae),Musa paradisiacaL. (Musaceae), andCoccinia indicaWight & Arn. (Cucurbitaceae), have not been greatly investigated for their anticancer potential. Objective:We investigated the anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic efficacy of ethyl acetate (EA) andn-butanol (NB) extracts ofE. jambolana(seeds), EA extracts ofM. paradisiaca(roots) andC. indica(leaves) with respect to mammary neoplasia. Materials and methods:Effect of extracts (2–200 μg/mL) on cytotoxicity and MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and endothelial cell (EC) proliferation andin vitroangiogenesis were evaluated by MTT,3[H]thymidine uptake and EC tube formation assays, respectively.In vivotumour proliferation, VEGF secretion and angiogenesis were assessed using the Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) model followed by rat corneal micro-pocket and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Apoptosis induction was assessed by morphological and cell cycle analysis. Results:EA extracts ofE. jambolanaandM. paradisiacaexhibited the highest cytotoxicity (IC5025 and 60 μg/mL), inhibited cell proliferation (up to 81%), and tube formation (83% and 76%).In vivotreatment reduced body weight (50%); cell number (16.5- and 14.7-fold), secreted VEGF (∼90%), neoangiogenesis in rat cornea (2.5- and 1.5-fold) and CAM (3- and 1.6-fold) besides EAT cells accumulation in sub-G1 phase (20% and 18.38%), respectively. Discussion and conclusion:Considering the potent anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic properties, lead molecules from EA extracts ofE. jambolanaandM. paradisiacacan be developed into anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context:Terminalia chebulaRetz (Combretaceae) andMusa balbisianaColla (Musaceae) have a traditional reputation as a male contraceptive. Objective:To determine the hypo-testicular activity of aqueous extracts ofTerminalia chebula(fruit) andMusa balbisiana(seed) separately, and in composite manner at the ratio of 1:1 named as ‘Contracept-TM’ compared to cyproterone acetate (CPA), for developing a polyherbal contraceptive. Materials and methods:The separate extract of above said plants or ‘Contracept-TM’ at the dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day or CPA at 2 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day was administered for 28 days. Spermiological, androgenic and oxidative stress sensors, LD50and ED50/100 g body weight values were measured. Results:Treatment of individual, ‘Contracept-TM’ or CPA resulted significant decrease in the count of spermatogonia A (36.36–49.09%), pre-leptotene spermatocyte (19.11–55.30%), mid-pachytene spermatocyte (28.65–47.28%) and step 7 spermatid (29.65–51.59%). Activities of testicular Δ5, 3β (21.25–48.02%),17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (29.75–55.08%), catalase (19.06–43.29%) and peroxidase (30.76–62.82%), levels of testosterone (28.15–63.44%), testicular cholesterol (19.61–49.33%), conjugated diene (29.69–84.99%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (41.25–86.73%) were elevated compare to the control. The ED50and LD50values were 40 mg and 5.8 g (T. chebula), 48 mg and 6.3 g (M. bulbisiana), 40 mg and 6.0 g (‘Contracept-TM’), respectively. Discussion and conclusion:The said spermiological and androgenic sensors’ levels were decreased significantly by ‘Contracept-TM’ than its constitutional individual plant extract and it may be comparable to standard anti-testicular drug like CPA. So, it may be concluded that above polyherbal formulation is potent for inducing hypo-testicular activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present study focused the antidiabetic activity of n-hexane fraction of hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract ofSwietenia mahagoniseed in steptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat. Significant increased in the levels of fasting blood glucose, glyclated hemoglobin and diminution in hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and elevation in glucose-6-phosphatase activities in diabetic animals. Said biosensors were significantly recovered towards the control after treatment of n-hexane fraction than other fractions. Renotoxic (serum urea, uric acid and creatinine) and hematoxic (red blood cell count, platelet index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) biosensors were significantly recovered towards control after n-hexane fraction treatment to diabetic group. Results suggest that n-hexane fraction has more potent non-toxic antidiabetic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Testicular dysfunctions in streptozotocin-treated diabetic rat were noted by an evaluation of sex organ relative weights, serum insulin and testosterone levels, sperm count and viability, androgenic enzyme activity, antioxidant enzymes, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels in testis and germ cells counts at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic state has been proved here by recording the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, hepatic glycogen along with the activities of hepatic hexokinase. Co-treatment of hydro-methanolic (40:60) extract of root of Musa paradisiaca, seed of Tamarindus indica, seed of Eugenia jambolana or leaf of Coccinia indica in separate manner to streptozotocin-treated diabetic rat resulted in a significant correction in the levels of all of the above-mentioned parameters towards the control values. Degree of recovery in diabetes-induced glycemic disorders and testicular dysfunctions was more prominent when co-treatment was performed with a herbal-formulated drug (MTEC) that consists of hydro-methanolic extracts of M. paradisiaca, T. indica, E. jambolana and C. indica to diabetic rat (P < 0.05). This herbal-formulated drug has no general toxic effect. The results support the validity of this herbal drug for the management of diabetes as well as diabetes- induced testicular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to find out the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide on testicular activities along with testicular oxidative stress at its therapeutic dose and the protective effects of α-tocopherol succinate on testicular dysfunctions induced by cyclophosphamide in mature albino rats. A significant diminution in the activities of testicular Δ 5 , 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) along with significant reduction in the plasma level of testosterone and number of spermatogonia-A (ASg), preleptotene spermatocytes (pLSc), midpachytene spermatocytes (mPSc) and step 7 spermatids (7Sd) at stage VII of spermatogenic cycle were observed following cyclophosphamide treatment. Oxidative stress was also noted in testis, which was enlightened by significant elevation in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes along with significant reduction in the activities of testicular peroxidase and catalase. Co-administration of α-tocopherol succinate in cyclophosphamide-treated rats resulted a significant restoration of all the above-mentioned parameters to the control level. The results of our experiment suggest that cyclophosphamide treatment at its clinical dose is associated with antigonadal activities as well as induction of oxidative stress in gonad that can be ameliorated significantly by α-tocopherol succinate co-administration. So, our data have some potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian, uterine, vaginal weights, and ovarian steroidogenic enzyme activities, along with plasma levels of gonadotrophins and estrogen, were measured in diestrous phase of mature Wistar-strain albino rats following subchronic treatment with Na-arsenite at the dose available in drinking water found in wide areas of West Bengal in India. A significant reduction in plasma levels of LH, FSH, and estradiol, with significant diminution in the activities of Δ [sup 5]-3 β , 17 β-HSD followed by a low level of ovarian and uterine peroxidase activity, were observed in Na-arsenite-treated rats at 0.4 ppm/rat/day for 28 days (7 estrous cycles) in comparison to control. This duration of treatment also exhibited weight loss of the above-mentioned organs, with prolonged diestrous phase followed by a high accumulation of arsenic in plasma and in those organs in contrast to controls. Supplementation of α-tocopherol succinate at 200 mg/kg body weight/rat/day for 28 days with arsenic treatment minimized the gonadal weight loss significantly and restored the activities of ovarian steroidogenic enzymes as well as ovarian and uterine peroxidase at control level. Not only that, this vitamin also elevated the plasma levels of LH, FSH, and estradiol compared with arsenic-treated rats. Vaginal smear showed normal cyclic changes of estrousin α-tocopherol succinate supplemented arsenic-treated rats, though arsenic levels in plasma and gonadal tissue remained unaltered in comparison to arsenic-treated rats. Thus, our experiments indicate the significant protective action of α-tocopherol succinate on the above-mentioned parameters in arsenic-treated rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]