Antiandrogenic effect of Striga orobanchioides

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of crude fractions and isolated compound from Striga orobanchioides Benth on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background

Striga orobanchioides Benth is a traditionally used Ayurvedic medicinal plant for the treatment of diabetes. Scientific validation of the claim is studied in this research. The significant bioactivity of the plant components is obligatory for its use in medicine.

Objective

The present work is to extract bioactive fractions and chemicals, biological activity of the chemicals and to identify potentially bioactive compound(s) from ethanolic extract of the plant.

Materials and methods

Ethanolic extract of the authenticated plant was fractionated and subjected to in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity. In vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activity was carried out on digestive enzyme. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in rats model was preferred for in vivo activity where antidiabetic parameters body weight, urine volume, blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum insulin, liver glycogen and lipid profile as an antihypertensive parameters were assessed. Isolation of bioactive compounds was carried out by chromatographic techniques and identification of the compound was done by FTIR, Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular docking study with α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), glucokinase (GK) as diabetic markers and on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) and Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) was carried out.

Results

Ethyl acetate-methanol fraction of the ethanol extract showed presence of pentacyclic triterpenoids (81.5% w/w) in GC-HRMS study. Spectroscopic analysis of the isolated compound revealed presence betulin. In vitro antidiabetic activity pointed out robust inhibition of the digestive enzymes by the fractions known as bioactive fraction and betulin. Betulin at a dose of 40 mg/kg treated group showed significant improvement of diabetic conditions. The gene expression studies revealed that betulin in 40 mg/kg dose has positive effects for carbohydrate metabolism in liver, lowers the hepatic inflammation and increases insulin secretion. The plant compound demonstrated significant inhibitory potential on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, DPP-IV and GK enzymes in silico.

Conclusion

The biological study reveals that betulin could dominate the succession of diabetes in dose dependent manner. The plant and specifically Betulin exerts a significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects that are more possibly through stimulation of insulin secretion, increase in PPAR-α level with an increase in GRIA2 mRNA expression.

Experimental dapsone administration induces infertility in male Wistar rats: Mechanisms and clinical implications

Dapsone (4, 4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS) is a potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compound which has been used in the treatment of leprosy, vasculitis and dermatitis herpetiformis, lupus erythematosus profundus and even as an antimalarial in combination with proguanil. This study investigated the effect of the administration of dapsone on the reproductive activities of male rats using in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study, dapsone was administered orally to male Wistar rats for 5 days or 6 weeks after which their body weight, relative reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters and reproductive hormones were determined while testicular and epididymal histology were also assessed. Data were compared using analysis of variance and Students-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test. For the in vitro study, Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with varying doses of dapsone at different durations, thereafter Sertoli cell viability and nuclei integrity were determined. Also, the genetic expressions of Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and transferrin were assessed. The results obtained from the in vivo study showed a duration-dependent significant decrease in body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters and serum testosterone concentration. Testicular and epididymal histology also showed duration-dependent degenerative changes. However, all these changes were restored towards control values in the recovery experiment. The viability and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity of the treated Sertoli cells showed dose and duration-dependent adverse effects while GDNF and transferrin showed normal genetic expressions. These results suggest that dapsone could induce male reproductive stress by affecting testicular and epididymal structure and function.

In vitro antioxidant and antitumor activities of six selected plants used in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian herbal medicine

CONTEXT

Despite several pharmacological applications of the medicinal plants in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine in Palestine (TAPHM), studies on their antioxidant properties are still scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This work evaluates the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the ethanol extracts from different parts of six plants: [Arum palaestinum Boiss (Araceae), Urtica pilulifera L. (Urticaceae), Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Reichb (Lamiaceae), Majorana syriaca (L.) Rafin. (Lamiaceae), Teucrium creticum L. (Lamiaceae), and Teucrium capitatum L. (Lamiaceae)] used in the TAPHM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antioxidant activity was evaluated for the ethanol extracts by DPPH and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays together with total contents of phenols and flavonoids. For the anti-carcinogenic evaluation, the extracts were tested for the ability to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) using the MTT reduction assay.

RESULTS

Among the extracts, the U. pilulifera had the highest amount of total phenolics, possessing the second highest total flavonoids. It also showed a maximum cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 63 µg/ml), followed by C. capitatus, and A. palaestinum. Otherwise, the extract of T. creticum was demonstrated to be an efficient scavenger of O2 (IC50 = 83 µg/ml), followed by M. syriaca, C. capitatus, T. capitatum, A. palaestinum, and U. pilulifera.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the investigated plants have shown varied antioxidant capacities which were strongly correlated with their contents of phenolics. Accordingly, this study proposes that the therapeutic benefit of these plants can be, at least in part, attributed to its potential inhibition of oxidative processes.

Review on Research of Suppression Male Fertility and Male Contraceptive Drug Development by Natural Products

Male contraceptive development in the present scenario is most viable aspect of research due to uncontrolled population growth in the world. In this respect investigators are busy to find out a safe male contraceptive drug. Researchers have started their finding for a suitable drug from natural sources because these are safe and easily acceptable for common man, most of natural sources are plants and their products. In this review 137 plants and their effects on reproduction and reproductive physiology are summarized. Some of them have intense effect on male reproductive system and do not produce any side effects. Reproductive toxicological studies are also important aspects of these kinds of researches, so it is important that drugs are safe and widely acceptable. An ideal male contraceptive can influence semen, testes, hormone level, accessory reproductive organs and general physiology of animals and produced some alterations. Many plants in this review are showing antifertility as well as antispermatogenic effects, so these may be used for further study for contraceptives development but it is important to find out the mechanism of reaction and further laboratory and clinical research on some plants are needed for final male contraceptive drug development. In conclusion this review will help for finding suitable plant products for male contraceptive clinical and laboratory studies.

Post-Coital Antifertility Activity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. roots

Ancient literature mentions the use of a number of plants/preparations for fertility regulation. Some local contraceptive agents have also been described in Ayurvedic and Unani texts. Documented experiments or clinical data are, however, lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the antifertility and estrogenic activity of ethanolic extract of the roots of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. A strong anti-implantation (inhibition 100%) and uterotropic activity was observed at the dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight. Histological studies were carried out to confirm this effect.

Assessment of sperm production and reproductive organs of Wistar rats to long-term exposure of Caesalpinia ferrea

Caesalpinia ferrea Mart (Leguminosae) is a medicinal plant used to treat diabetes, among other therapeutic properties, but which is also reported to have hepatotoxic effects. Although it contains substances such as flavonoids and coumarin, which are known to have antifertility activity, no studies have apparently been conducted to evaluate the potential adverse side effects of this plant on the function of the reproductive system after a chronic treatment. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect and safety of the long-term exposure to C. ferrea on male Wistar rats' vital organs, reproductive system and sperm production. Adult and immature male rats were treated with an aqueous extract of C. ferrea at a dose level of 300 mg/kg of body weight, administered during one or two spermatogenic cycles of this species. The reproductive and vital organs were analyzed, and sperm was collected from the epididymal secretion of the right epididymis cauda. The long-term administration of C. ferrea did not significantly alter the body, vital and reproductive organs weights. Gamete production was not affected either. The chronic assessment of C. ferrea suggests that this plant does not affect the normal functioning of the Wistar rat reproductive system.

Effect of Curculigo orchioides rhizomes on sexual behaviour of male rats

The rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides have been traditionally used as aphrodisiac. In the present study ethanolic extract of rhizomes was evaluated for its effect on sexual behavior in rats. Administration of 100 mg/kg of extract change significantly the sexual behavior as assessed by determining parameters such as penile erection, mating performance, mount frequency and mount latency. Moreover a pronounced anabolic and spermatogenic effect was evidenced by weight gains of reproductive organs. The treatment also markedly affected sexual behavior of animals as reflected in reduction of mount latency, an increase in mount frequency and enhanced attractability towards female. Penile erection index was also incremented in treated group.

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.

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.

Antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of Striga orobanchioides

Plants containing flavonoids have been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. The ethanolic extract of Striga orobanchioides was screened for in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties using standard procedures. The ethanol extract exhibited IC(50) values of 18.65+/-1.46 and 11.20+/-0.52 micro g/ml, respectively in DPPH and nitric oxide radical inhibition assays. These values were less than those obtained for ascorbic acid and rutin, used as standards. In the in vivo experiments the extract treatment at 100mg/kg body weight dose caused a significant increase in the level of the catalase in the liver and the kidneys. A significant increase in the level of SOD in the liver was observed. The treatment also caused a significant decrease in the TBA-RS and increase in the ascorbic acid levels. These results suggest strong antioxidant potentials of the ethanolic extract of S. orobanchioides.

A review on potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles

Recently, a review has already been made on the synthetic contraceptive agents whereas this review embraces the natural contraceptives upto year 2001 with 355 references. It also includes the isolation of their active principles, methods of analysis of active ingredients through TLC, HPLC, their side effects and pharmacological action.

Antihistaminic and mast cell stabilizing activity of Striga orobanchioides

The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the whole plant of S. orobanchioides were evaluated for antihistaminic and mast cell stabilizing activities. Both extracts inhibited histamine-induced contractions of the guinea-pig ileum at the concentration range of 2.5-25 microg/ml in a dose-related manner. At 25 microg/ml, both extracts inhibited the response of histamine (0.5 microg/ml) almost completely. The effect of these two extracts on the degranulation rate of sensitized peritoneal cells of albino rats when challenged with antigen (horse serum) was studied. Triple vaccine was used as adjuvant. Ketotifen and prednisolone were used for comparison. The ethanolic extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight was found to significantly inhibit degranulation of mast cells to an extent of 52.14+/-3.24 and 67.96+/-3.70%, respectively. At the same doses, the aqueous extract showed 42.09+/-2.91 and 60.67+/-3.50% reduction in degranulation of mast cells, respectively. Hence, both extracts markedly protected the rats against antigen-induced challenge of mast cells.

Evaluation of the toxicity of Solanum lycocarpum in the reproductive system of male mice and rats

Powdered Solanum lycocarpum fruit is commonly used to treat diabetes, but apparently no studies have been conducted to evaluate potential adverse side effects. In the present paper the toxic effect of S. lycocarpum was evaluated in adult male Wistar rats and Swiss mice. The administration of an aqueous extract prepared using a powder obtained from the S. lycocarpum fruit at two different dose levels (60 mg/15 ml and 120 mg/15 ml distilled water for rats and 30 mg/15 ml and 60 mg/15 ml distilled water for mice, twice daily for 5 days in each case) did not produce body weight variations in either species although a significant weight change was observed in some organs. Significant weight loss was observed only in the ventral prostate of mice receiving the high dose treatment. These results suggest a toxic effect of S. lycocarpum on the male reproductive system of the Swiss mouse, with possible antiandrogenic activity, but there was no apparent antifertility activity in rats at the doses given.

Antifertility and hormonal properties of flavones of Striga orobanchioides

The two flavones, apigenin and luteolin, isolated from Striga orobanchioides, were investigated for endocrine and contraceptive properties. Graded doses of these compounds (5-25 mg/kg body weight/day) when administered from day 1 to day 4 of pregnancy showed dose-dependent and significant anti-implantation activity. The mean effective Dose 100% (MED(100)) for both compounds was found to be 25 mg/kg body weight. Oral administration of these compounds caused a significant increase in uterine weight in immature ovariectomised rats. It also caused a significant increase in uterine diameter, thickness of the endometrium and its epithelial cell height when compared with those of control rats. The uterotrophic potency was less than that of ethinyl estradiol. Simultaneous administration of these compounds with ethinyl estradiol caused a significant increase in uterine weight, uterine diameter, thickness of the endometrium and height of endometrial epithelium. The extent of these changes was also less than that in only ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. Hence the compounds exhibited estrogenic properties at their contraceptive dose level when given alone. However, along with ethinyl estradiol, they exhibited slight anti-estrogenic activity.