NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJEB Vol.45(10) [October 2007]

Antifertility effect of Melia azedarach Linn. (dharek) seed extract in female albino rats

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Antifertility effect of Melia azedarach Linn. (dharek) seed extract in female albino rats

Authors: Mandal, Reshu; Dhaliwal, Patwant Kaur

Abstract: In the present study, the effect of oral administration of Melia azedarach Linn. (dharek) seed extract on fertility index, uterine weight and various histological and biochemical parameters of uterus were studied in the adult cyclic Wistar rats. Average number of embryos and implantation losses in the pregnant animals treated with dharek seed extract was also studied. The extract was prepared using a flash evaporator at 35°C and dissolved in olive oil to prepare doses on per kg body weight basis. The results indicated a reduction in fertility index and average number of embryos in mated rats treated with the dharek extract. Pre-implantation, post-implantation and total prenatal mortalities were increased in rats treated with dharek seed extract during early (D₁-D₇) and late (D₇-D₁₈) stages of gestation period at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg kg^-1 body wtday^-1. Histological studies showed a significant reduction in myometrial thickness, uterine gland diameter, luminal diameter of uterine glands and luminal epithelial cell height in rats treated with dharek seed extract at 1mg kg^-1 body wt day^-1 for 18 days. Pits and folds in luminal epithelial, mitotic activity in luminal and glandular epithelial cells of uterus were observed to be absent. Biochemically, a significant increase in protein and glycogen contents was observed. Thus, in conclusion, the application of this plant extract in rodent control programme may help to elevate the socioeconomic status of the society.

Page(s): 853-860

Biomolecular changes during in vitro organogenesis of Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees — A medicinal herb

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Biomolecular changes during in vitro organogenesis of Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees — A medicinal herb

Authors: Panigrahi, J; Behera, M; Maharana, S; Mishra, R R

Abstract: High frequency plant regeneration in A. longifolia (L.) was achieved from leaf explant implanted on MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l) + BA (2.0 mg/l) through intervening callus phase. Well-developed shoots (>3cm) were successfully rooted on MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.1 mg/l). Protein and total soluble sugar contents were maximum during organogenesis and multiple shoot induction phase compared with non-organogenic callus and root induction phase. Esterase and catalase activities were maximum during organogenic differentiation, while activities were minimum at non-differentiated callus stages. Peroxidase activities were higher during rhizogenesis. Contradiction to peroxidase activity, acid phosphatase activities were high during organogenesis and declined during rhizogenesis. SDS-PAGE analysis of total soluble proteins revealed expression of non-organogenic callus (97.9 kDa), organogenic callus (77.2, 74.1, 21.9 kDa), multiple shoot induction phase (106.6, 26.9, 11.6 kDa) and root induction phase (15.9 kDa) specific polypeptides. Esterase zymogram revealed one band (Rm 0.204) appeared in both organogenic callus and multiple shoot induction phase. Peroxidase zymogram detected two stage specific bands, one band (Rm 0.42) was specific to root induction phase, while another (Rm 0.761) was specific to multiple shoot induction. Catalase and acid phosphatase zymogram resolved one band (Rm 0.752 and 0.435, respectively) in differentiated stages including both multiple shoot induction phase and root induction phase, but absent in undifferentiated phases.

Page(s): 911-919

Effect of Curcuma longa or parziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice liver — Histological and histochemical study

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Effect of Curcuma longa or parziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice liver — Histological and histochemical study

Authors: El-Banhawey, Mahmoud A; Ashry, Madeha A.; EL-Ansary, Afaf K.; Aly, Sanaa A.

Abstract: Effect of drug praziquantel (PZQ) and C. longa extract on S. mansoni infected mice is reported. The level of glycogen, alkaline and acid phosphatases (ALP and ACP respectively), and body weight, liver weight and liver weight/body weight ratio were studied in mice infected with S.mansoni. ALP level was increased after infection. C. longa treated mice showed marked reduction in ALP level more than after PZQ-treatment. C. longa enhanced the concentration of glycogen after being reduced by infection, while PZQ-treatment revealed more reduction. C. longa caused enhancement in body weight while PZQ treatment had no effect. The formation of granuloma around schistosome eggs in the liver produced inflammation. C.longa extract and PZQ were effective in reducing granuloma size in infected mice.

Page(s): 877-889

Juvenile hormone activity in Dysdercus cingulatus Fabr by juvenile hormone esterase inhibitor, OTFP

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Juvenile hormone activity in Dysdercus cingulatus Fabr by juvenile hormone esterase inhibitor, OTFP

Authors: Elayidam, U Gayathri; Muraleedharan, D

Abstract: Application of juvenile hormone esterase inhibitor 3-octylthio-1,1,1- trifluropropan-2-one (OTFP) to 5^th instar nymphs and virgin females of D. cingulatus revealed the profound role played by juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) in metamorphosis and reproduction. The ability of OTFP to cause delay and the formation of malformed nymphs, suggests that inhibition of JHE in vivo maintains a higher than normal hemolymph JH titer. It is obvious that OTFP does inhibit in vivo JHE activity in late instar nymphs. Further, the application of JHE inhibitor, OTFP to virgin females demonstrates that substituted trifluropropanones can indirectly stimulate egg development by inhibiting JHE activity in virgin females.

Page(s): 901-906