Aristolochia gehrtii inhibits liver toxicity and apoptosis in Schistosoma malayensis infection

Objective:To evaluate a protective effect of Aristolochia gehrtii(A.gehrtii)leaves to inhibit liver toxicity and apoptosis in Schistosoma malayensis(S.malayensis)infection.Methods:Forty male albino mice were divided into four equal groups:group 1 control including noninfected healthy mice and groups 2,3&4 subcutaneously infected with S.malayensvs cercariae where groups 3&4 pretreated with A.gehrtii leaves(200 mg/kg,bwt)&cinnamoylamide(250mg/kg,bwt),respectively.Results:5.malayensis caused a significant increase in serum AST,ALT,ALP,MDA,NO,bilirubin,urea,creatinine,total cholesterol,LDL,triglycerides,and HDL levels.The pretreatment of A,gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide significantly inhibited that increase.On the other hand,S.malayensis induced a significant decrease in serum total protein,albumin,globulin,albumin/globulin ratio,blood SOD and GPx,while A.gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide pretreatment increased the above parameters.Treatment with A.gehrtii leaves and cinnamoylamide to S.malayensis infected mice increased p53 expression but decreased bcl-2expression.These results were supported by hislopalholqgical investigations.Conclusions:A.gehrtii inhibits liver toxicity and apoptosis in S.malayensvs infection and this effect is associated with the major cinnamoylamide ingredient of A.gehrtii leaves.

Antidiarrheal and protein conservative activities of Psidium guajava in diarrheal rats

Objective: Psidium guajava occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. It has been used to treat inflammation, diabetes, fever, hypertension and ulcers. However, its antidiarrheal and protein conservative activities still need to be investigated.Methods: Fifty-four male rats were divided into normal and diarrheal rats. The normal rats were divided into 4 groups: control, low-dose P. guajava leaf extract(50 mg/kg), high-dose P. guajava leaf extract(100 mg/kg) and gallic acid. Treatments were administrated orally in 1 mL saline for a 1-month period.The diarrheal rats were divided into 5 groups: desmopressin(0.2 mg/kg) drug, low-dose P. guajava leaf extract(50 mg/kg), high-dose P. guajava leaf extract(100 mg/kg), gallic acid and an untreated control.Doses were given daily for a 1-month period while the untreated control received no treatment.Results: Diarrhea was responsible for an observed decline in kidney weight and serum sodium, potassium and chloride. Further, diarrhea was positively correlated with a significant increase in urine volume, and excretion of electrolytes, serum urea, creatinine and uric acid in the urine. In contrast, there was a proportional increase in the lipid peroxidation value in diarrhea and a significant decline was observed in serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione levels in diarrhea. Also, diarrhea inhibited blood proteins. The oral intake of P. guajava leaf extract by diarrheal rats restored all of these parameters to near normal levels. High-dose P. guajava leaf extract was more effective than the same compound at a low dose.Conclusion: P. guajava leaf extract elicited antidiarrheal and protein conservative effects.