Mori fructus aqueous extracts attenuates liver injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via the Nrf2 pathway

Background Liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinogenesis secondary to liver fibrosis are serious liver diseases with no effective treatments.Mori fructus aqueous extracts(MFAEs)have served as successful treatments for many types of liver injury including fibrosis although the molecular mechanisms are unknown at present.Purpose To investigate the effect of MFAEs in alleviating acute and chronic liver injury and tried to decipher the underlying mechanism.Methods and results Mice were divided into 5 groups(n ps:contro=8)for acute(groups:control,0.3%CCl_(4),bifendate(BD),100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs,7 d)and chronic(groul,10%CCl_(4),BD,100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs,4 weeks)liver injury study.Each mouse was injected intraperitoneally with 10μL/g corn oil containing CCl_(4)expect the control group.HepG2 cells were used in vitro study.Eighteen communal components were identified by UPLC-LTQOrbitrap-MS.We utilized a mouse model for acute and chronic liver injury using CCl_(4)and MFAEs administration effectively blocked fibrosis and significantly inhibited inflammation in the liver.MFAEs activated the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2/heme oxygenase 1(Nrf2/HO-1)pathway and promoted the synthesis of the antioxidants glutathione(GSH),superoxidedismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)that resulted in reduced levels of CCl_(4)-induced oxidative stress molecules including reactive oxygen species.These extracts administered to mice also inhibited ferroptosis in the liver by regulating the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),thus reducing the occurrence of liver fibrosis.Both in vivo and in vitro tests indicated that the mechanism of MFAEs protection against liver fibrosis was linked to activation of Nrf2 signaling.These effects were blocked in vitro by the addition of a specific Nrf2 inhibitor.Conclusion MFAEs inhibited oxidative stress,ferroptosis and inflammation of the liver by activating Nrf2 signal pathway and provided a significant protective effect against CCl_(4)-induced liver fibrosis.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of the Aqueous Extracts of the Leaves of Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae)

Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae) is a woody plant with multiple medicinal claimed effects. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the decoction and macerate extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Moreover, acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were performed. The acute toxicity was evaluated on NMRI mice at 2000 mg/kg bw. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema and the lipoxygenase inhibition assay. The radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Qualitative and quantitative methods served for identifying and quantifying the extract’s phytoconstituents. The decoction demonstrated low acute toxicity;the lethal dose was therefore estimated to be superior to 2000 mg/kg bw. The extracts significantly reduced the mouse paw’s thickness at 600 mg/kg bw. The extracts developed weak radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. However, the macerate showed a high ability (664.90 ± 0.71 mol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry extract) to reduce the ferric ions. Saponins, sterols, triterpenes, and flavonoids were qualitatively detected in the two extracts. Total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) were found abundant in the extracts, especially the decoction (TP content (TPC) = 94.03 ± 2.66 mg GAE/g;TF content (TFC) = 35.05 ± 0.32 mg QE/g). Strong positive correlations existed between ferric-reducing capacity and TPC (r = 0.959) for the macerate, while TFC was mainly involved in the DPPH radical scavenging of the two extracts. Instead, most correlations were negative between the polyphenol compounds and the anti-inflammatory assays. The results indicate potent in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant effects of the aqueous extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Further studies are needed to find the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects mechanism.

Effects of Methanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) on the Inhibition of Falciformation of Human Hb SS Erythrocytes

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that affects the shape and transportation of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood vessels, leading to various clinical complications. Sickle cell disease is a widespread genetic disease in Black Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sickling inhibition activity of Griffonia simplicifolia. Quantitative and qualitative tests were used to determine the major groups of secondary metabolites present in the Griffonia simplicifolia leaves extracts and the modified Emmel test was used to perform the study of sickling inhibition activity. The OECD 423 toxicity study showed that at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg bw, Griffonia simplicifolia leaves extracts are not toxic. All tested substances inhibit erythrocyte falciformation in a dose-dependent manner. The percentages of inhibition were 50.35%, 73% and 94.23% for aqueous extract, hydromethanolic extract and phenylalanine respectively at the concentration of 15 mg/mL. The methanolic extract (70%) had higher activity compared to the aqueous extract. These results suggest that the Griffonia simplicifolia extracts have some potential to be used as alternative antisickling therapy in SCD management.

Allelopathy Effect of Wheat Root Aqueous Extracts on Different Vigna angularis Varieties

Objective] This study aimed to investigate the al elopathy effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of different adzuki bean （Vigna angularis） vari-eties in wheat root aqueous extracts. [Method] Culture dish method and pot experi-ment were carried out with the seeds and the seedling of 10 adzuki bean varieties, respectively, and seed germination rate and various indexes of the seedlings were measured. [Result] ① 30 g/L wheat root aqueous extracts very significantly im-proved the germination rate and sprouting index of B1789, Baihong 3, Baohong 947. ② The genotype differences of adzuki bean seedling was presented by the morphological index in wheat root aqueous extracts treatment; among al the mor-phological indexes, Baohong 947, Jinhong 3 presented a positive al elopathic effect, and their plant height, root length and leaf area were extremely significantly in-creased, while the fresh weights of both above-ground and underground parts were increased obviously, compared with the control. ③ According to the synthetical al-lelopathic indices, wheat root aqueous extracts had different degrees of promoting effects on the six adzuki bean varieties： Baohong 947〉Baihong 6〉B1789〉Zunhua-hong〉Jihong〉Jinhong 3〉Baohong 8824-17〉Baihong 3. ④ Treated by wheat root aqueous extract, the SOD activity, POD activity, MDA content, TTC activity and chlorophyl content in the seedlings of adzuki beans of different genotypes changed by a smal er range in al elopathic promotion varieties than in al elopathic inhibition varieties. [Conclusion] The results proved that Baohong 947 is the best summer-planting variety after wheat.

Allelopathic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Different Tissues and Rhizosphere Root of Adzuki Bean on Growth of Wheat Seedlings

Seedlings of wheat were used as receptor plants to study the allelopathic effects of Adzuki Bean aqueous extracts from different organs and rhizosphere soil at different concentrations （0, 10, 40 and 160 g/L） using sand culture of pot method. The results indicated that root aqueous extract of adzuki bean presented promotion effects at low concentrations and inhibition effects at the high concentra- tion on the growth of height and young leaf length of wheat seedlings, but inhibition effects at low concentrations and promotion effects at the high concentration on the growth of root length, the number of lateral roots and dry weigh of underground part of wheat seedlings. With the concentrations of rhizosphere soil, root, stem and leaf aqueous extracts of adzuki bean increasing, their inhibitory allelopathic effects on the growth of height and young leaf of wheat seedlings increased; the physiological parameters of wheat seedlings studied at the low concentrations of aqueous extracts, indicated that root and rhizosphere soil aqueous extracts of adzuki bean improved the activities of hyperoxid dismutase （SOD） and peroxide enzyme（POD）, but reduced the contents of chlorophyll and malonaldehyde （MDA）; the physiological parameters of wheat seedlings studied at the high concentration of aqueous extracts indicated that the leaf aqueous extract of adzuki bean inhibited root vigor, and reduced the contents of Chlorophyll and MDA, but it was found that the aqueous extract significantly improved the activities of SOD and POD; and as to the synthetic allelopathic effect （SE）, the allelopathic effects of different tissues and rhizosphere soil of adzuki bean on wheat seedlings were in order of leaf〉stem〉soil〉root.

Studies on the Allelopathic Potential of Corn （Zea mays L.） Aqueous Extracts and Root Exudates

This investigation was carried out at Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry-University of Duhok/Kurdistan-Iraq. Three experiments were included in this investigation： （1） First experiment was a bioassay related to the germination performance, shoot and root development of corn （Zea mays L.） and peanut （Arachishypogaea） at two concentrations of root （3% and 1.5%） and shoot （12% and 6%） aqueous extracts of corn medium; （2） The second experiment dedicated to the intercropping of corn and peanut at four treatments; （3） While the third experiment involved the effect of peanut root exudation on growth of corn. Experiment results revealed that corn shoot and root water extracts highly inhibited seed germination of both corn and peanut, the inhibitory of shoot extract was more than root aqueous extract. While its effect on the seedling growth was vice versa as compared with control treatment, there was an increase in root and shoot length of both corn and peanut when grown in corn aqueous extracts. Intercropping experiment results has stimulated most traits of peanut under studying. Also for corn, there was apparent and significant increase in all characteristics as compared with control. It was further confirmed from the results of peanut root exudates that had all studied characters of corn were stimulated than the control treatment.

Allelopathic Effect of Adzuki Bean Root Aqueous Extracts on Four Crops

For choosing suitable summer-planting adzuki bean crop, this experiment adopted the method of indoor petri dish bioassay to study the allelopathy effect of adzuki bean, radish, cabbage and wheat under different concentrations of adzuki bean root aqueous extracts. The result showed that the adzuki bean had a strong inhibition towards its germination rate and germination index. With the increasing concentration of the adzuki bean root aqueous extract, the seed germination rate and germination index of the three kinds of receptor crops presented a decreasing trend. From the root length, spire length, the number of lateral roots, plant height, fresh mass and other morphological indexes of seedlings, it was concluded that with the increase of concentration of adzuki bean root aqueous extract, only wheat pre- sented a promotion effect while the other two kinds of receptor crops showed an inhibition effect, which were not significant at low concentrations. With the increase of concentration of adzuki bean root extracts, the SOD and POD activities of radish and wheat also increased, while the two kinds of enzyme activities of cabbage showed a decreasing trend. The MDA contents in seedlings of radish and wheat decreased, while the MDA content in cabbage increased significantly, which showed that wheat could be used as a rotation crop of adzuki bean, and radish also had a great application potential in adzuki bean crop rotation.

Allelopathic Potential of Cucumber Tissues Aqueous Extracts

[Objective]The aim of this study was to explore allelopathic effects of the water-extracted crude of cucumber plant parts on seed germination and seedling growth of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.),cabbage(Brassica pekinensis L.),radish(Raphanus sativus L.) and scallion(Allium fistulosum L.).[Method]The allelopathic effects of different cucumber tissues aqueous extracts were investigated on lettuce,cabbage,radish and scallion using the water-soluble allelopathic principle by seedling bioassay tests.[Result]The trends of inhibitory effects of different cucumber parts increased with increasing extract concentrations.The inhibition effects and the inhibition rate of three aqueous extracts were more significant on root growth than shoot length.Leaf aqueous extracts represented the most exhibited and root aqueous extracts representing the least inhibitory on seed germination,shoot length and root length of lettuce,cabbage,radish and scallion.[Conclusion]This study had provided basis for allelopathic character of different cucumber plant parts.

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Evaluation of the Aqueous Extracts of Ammoides verticillata, an Endemic Species

Ammoides verticillata （Desf.） Briq. is an Algerian endemic species; the phytochemical screening （methods of Harborne, 1973） of the aerials parts wealth in polyphenol compounds： flavonoids, saponins, leucoanthocyanes, terpens and steroids and tannins; there is no alkaloids. There is an important quantity of essential oils in the flowers; the interest of this study is that this species remains until then it is not very known. The results of Aromatogram method by incorporation of Mtiller-Hinton on solid medium, showed a significant antimicrobial activity （method of Duraffourd, 1987） of the infusion and the ethanolic extract; the infusion of stems and flowers is indeed much more active on Echerichia coli, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis, such as flowers extracts demonstrate an important antimicrobial activity on Staph aureus, Staph epidermidis, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter recognized as antibiotic resistant. This could give opportunities for using this species in the treatment of diverse infections and as a disinfecting additive on nosocomial area. The valorization, preservation and sustainable use ofAmmoides verticillata require the protection of its habitats.

Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Seeds of Peganum harmala L. （zygophyllaceae） on 5th Stage Larvae Locusta migratoria cinerascens （Fabricius, 1781） （ Orthoptera： Oedipodinae）

The study has for objective the determination of the efficiency of the aqueous extracts from seeds of Peganum harmala L. on the mortality of the larvas of 5th stage and on the fertility of the female adults of Locusta migratoria cinerascens. For that purpose, a breeding of to custs was realized in th e conditions of labor atories. At hatching, the larvae are fed daily basis lawn Stenotaphrum americanum and a pro tein supplement of wheat b ran. The extraction of the aqueous extract of the seeds of P. harmala is done after maceration in the ethanol, under magnetic stirring using a rotavapor. To determine larval mortality L5, two modes of treatment have been made, one by contact and another by ingestion, using for both treatment 4 doses in a geometric progression, 0.03 mg/mL, 0.06 mg/mL, 0.12 mg/mL and 24 mg/mL. The results showed that the mortality for the doses of 0.12 mg/mL and 0.24 mg/mL, reaches respectively 40% and 60% on the 3rd day, as well for the treatment by contact as by ingestion. But the LD50 for ingestion treatment is lower. It is 0.19 mg/mL contrary to that of the contact treatment （0.19 mg/mL）. The larvae that survived the treatment by ingestion, have suffered morphological changes as well as physiological which consist of a deformation of the wings, delayed of the larval molt, of 6 day s, b locking the fledg ing, the change of the pigmentation as well as an extension of the preoviposition. Fertility was also affected and females lay only twice, a small number of eggs, unlike untreated females which come to lay 3 times with an average of 62.7 eggs/female at first spawning against 50 eggs for the females treated.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts from Three Anticancerous Fabaceae of Northern Cameroon Pharmacopoeia

Background: Cancer continues to pose a significant threat to our society, representing one of the most pressing health concerns worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant activity of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts from Acacia nilotica (An), Bauhinia reticulate (Br), and Tamarindus indica (Ti) of Fabaceae family, traditionally used in Northern Cameroon for cancer treatment. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the three plants was conducted using conventional colorimetric methods, followed by the measurement of total phenol content, flavonoids, and tannins. The antiradical and antioxidant activities of both plant extracts were assessed through FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH methods. A principal components analysis was employed to correlate the quantities of the evaluated secondary metabolites with the activities. Results: Both types of extracts from the three plants contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, coumarins, anthocyanins, and anthraquinones. The aqueous extracts of Br and An are significantly richer (p Conclusion: The three Fabaceae plants from northern Cameroon, prepared in different solvents, can be utilized for their antiradical properties in cancer treatment.

Spirulina platensis aqueous extracts ameliorate colonic mucosal damage and modulate gut microbiota disorder in mice with ulcerative colitis by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)that has become a major gastroenterologic problem during recent decades.Numerous complicating factors are involved in UC development such as oxidative stress,inflammation,and microbiota disorder.These factors exacerbate damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier.Spirulina platensis is a commercial alga with various biological activity that is widely used as a functional ingredient in food and beverage products.However,there have been few studies on the treatment of UC using S.platensis aqueous extracts(SP),and the underlying mechanism of action of SP against UC has not yet been elucidated.Herein,we aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of SP on microbiota disorders in UC mice and clarify the underlying mechanisms by which SP alleviates damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier.Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)was used to establish a normal human colonic epithelial cell(NCM460)injury model and UC animal model.The mitochondrial membrane potential assay 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)and staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)/propidium iodide(PI)and Hoechst 33258 were carried out to determine the effects of SP on the NCM460 cell injury model.Moreover,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR),western blot,and 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA)sequencing were used to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of SP on UC in C57BL/6 mice.In vitro studies showed that SP alleviated DSS-induced NCM460 cell injury.SP also significantly reduced the excessive generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential reduction after DSS challenge.In vivo studies indicated that SP administration could alleviate the severity of DSS-induced colonic mucosal damage compared with the control group.Inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress was associated with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the expression of tight junction proteins(TJs)post-SP treatment.SP improved gut microbiota disorder mainly by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and the expression of TJs in the colon.Our findings demonstrate that the protective effect of SP against UC is based on its inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine overproduction,inhibition of DSS-induced ROS production,and enhanced expression of antioxidant enzymes and TJs in the colonic mucosal barrier.

Aqueous and organic extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.inhibit the mycelia growth of fungi

Aqueous extracts from various plant parts of fenugreek(3%)(aerial parts:leaves and stems(LS),roots(R),ground seeds(GS)and not ground seeds(NGS))and petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions of the aerial parts were assayed to determine their antifungal potential against Botrytis cinerea,Fusarium graminearum,Alternaria sp.,Pythium aphanidermatum,and Rhizoctinia solani.All fenugreek plant parts showed antifungal potential and the magnitude of their inhibitory effects was species and plant parts d...

EVALUATION OF THE ESTROGENIC EFFECTS OF PLANTAGINIS SEMEN AQUEOUS EXTRACTS

The objective was to investigate the estrogenic effects of Plantaginis Semen aqueous extracts and study the mechanism of action.Mouse uterine weight test and MCF-7cell proliferation assay were used to evaluate the estrogenic effects of Plantaginis Semen aqueous extracts.Reporter gene assay were adopted to explore the mechanism

Antioxidant activity of alcohol aqueous extracts of Crypthecodinium cohnii and Schizochytrium sp.

Crypthecodinium cohnii(dinoflagellate) and Schizochytrium sp.(thraustochytrid) are the main sources for docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions of alcohol aqueous extracts of these two microalgae and to provide a theoretical basis for comprehensive utilization. The antioxidant activity was determined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC) determination, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging assay, ferrous ion-chelating ability(FICA) assay, and reducing power(RP) assay. The total phenolic content(TPC) and total flavonoid content(TFC) were also measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu and spectrophotometry methods, respectively. The results indicated that the extracts from these two microalgae possessed good antioxidant capacity. Analysis showed that most antioxidant performance indicators(TAC, DPPH, and RP) were positively correlated with the TPC of the extracts, suggesting that the phenolics might be the major components in C. cohnii and Schizochytrium sp., contributing to their antioxidative function. Therefore, the polar fractions of C. cohnii and Schizochytrium sp. could be further examined and considered for application in health products or cosmetics.

Dietary oregano aqueous extract improves growth performance and intestinal health of broilers through modulating gut microbial compositions

Background Intestinal health plays a pivotal role in broiler chicken growth.Oregano aqueous extract(OAE)effec-tively exerts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.However,the protective effects of OAE on intestinal health in broilers and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of OAE on growth performance,the gut microbiota and intestinal health.A total of 8401-d-old male and female broilers(Arbor Acres)were randomly allocated into 6 groups as follows:basal diet(Con),Con+antibiotics(Anti,colistin sulfate 7 g/kg,roxarsone 35 g/kg),Con+400,500,600 and 700 mg/kg OAE(OAE400,OAE500,OAE600 and OAE700).Subse-quently,fermentation in vitro together with oral administration trials were carried out to further assess the function of OAE on intestinal health of broilers.Results Dietary 700 mg/kg OAE supplementation resulted in an increase(P<0.05)in body weight and a decrease(P<0.05)in feed conversion ratio when compared with the control during d 22 to 42 of the trial.OAE addition resulted in lower(P<0.05)jejunal crypt depth and mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10 at d 42.In addition,dietary OAE addition increased the abundance of Firmicutes(P=0.087)and Lactobacillus(P<0.05)in the cecum,and increased(P<0.05)the content of acetic acid and butyric acid.In the in vitro fermentation test,OAE significantly increased(P<0.05)the abundance of Lactobacillus,decreased(P<0.05)the abundance of unspecified_Enterobacteriaceae,and increased the content of acetic acid(P<0.05).In the oral administration trial,higher(P<0.05)IL-4 expression was found in broilers when oral inoculation with oregano fermentation microorganisms at d 42.And SIgA content in the ileum was significantly increased(P=0.073)when giving OAE fermentation supernatant.Conclusions Dietary OAE addition could maintain intestinal health and improve growth performance through enhancing intestinal mucosal immunity and barrier function mediated by gut microbiota changes.

Characterisation and separation of infectious bursal disease virus-like particles using aqueous two-phase systems

Infectious bursal disease(IBD)causes considerable economic losses in the commercial poultry industry worldwide.The principal way to control IBD virus(IBDV),the causative agent of IBD,is still through vaccination programs.Virus-like particles(VLPs)are recognised as a safe and potent recombinant vaccine platform.This research work explores the characterisation and separation of infectious bursal disease virus-like particles(IBD-VLPs)from crude feedstock.Various characteristics were studied with highperformance size-exclusion chromatography(HP-SEC),sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)analyses.Subsequently,the separation of IBD-VLPs using polyethylene glycol(PEG)/sodium citrate-based aqueous two-phase systems(ATPSs)was conducted and optimised.Moreover,a scale-up study of the best ATPS constituted of 15%PEG 6000,11%sodium citrate and 10%crude feedstock was performed to compare the separation performance of IBD-VLPs with and without centrifugation-assisted.The results indicated that the optimised ATPS with centrifugation-assisted for both 5 g and 50 g systems showed good recovery of IBDVLPs of>97%in the interphase between the PEG-rich top and salt-rich bottom phases.These optimised systems also showed high removal efficiencies of impurities of>95%.The results demonstrated that aqueous two-phase extraction could be a promising technology for efficient VLPs separation.

Hypotensive Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Bambusa vulgaris (Poaceae) Leaves in Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Plant of Bambusa vulgaris is used in traditional medicine practice for the management of many pathologies including hypertension. The effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Bambusa vulgaris on blood pressure was evaluated in normotensive male rabbits. Blood pressure was measured by the invasive method. Thus, aqueous extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaves had been injected intravenously at doses ranging from 1 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg in rabbits anesthetized with thiopental. The effects of this extract on blood pressure were also evaluated in rabbits having previously received different doses of atropine. The aqueous extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaves induced a dose-dependent hypotension which is not canceled in the presence of atropine. The results obtained show that the extract has blood pressure lowering effect which may be mediated by muscarinic-type cholinergic receptors.

Effect of Tetracera potatoria Aqueous Extract on Mellitus Diabetes and Its Complication Preventions in Wistar Rats

Background: Diabetes is becoming a serious public health issue with expensive treatment that is less accessible to all patients in least developing countries. The traditional African pharmacopoeia offers accessible and lower cost alternative to diabetics’ treatments. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Tetracera potatoria, on diabetes and the prevention of its complications in Wistar rats. In order to evaluate respectively the hypoglycaemic, anti-hyperglycaemic and antidiabetic activities. Methods: an aqueous extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg was tested on normal rats and orally hyperglycaemic challenged rats by 10% glucose (3 g/kg), to induce diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan at 50 mg/kg. The glycaemia monitoring, and the determination of biological parameters were accessed through ASAT, ALAT, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin tests. Results: The aqueous extract at related doses administered to diabetic rats has significantly reduced the mean blood glucose levels in all diabetic rats at 55.56%, 63.34% and 62.38% compared to healthy control batches in the three batches treated. These doses improved the change in body weight compared to the healthy control group. There was an increase of 110.9%, 107.67% and 109.31% respectively after four weeks of treatment compared to the initial weight of the rats. The significant increase (p Conclusions: These results showed hypoglycaemic and antihy-perglycaemic, antidiabetic effects, preventing the installation of some diabetes related complications. The phytochemical parameters of the extract showed chemical compounds which would act the reduction of the putative diabetes and its complications. These indicators show the importance of medicinal plants on diabetes treatment.

A Rapid and Simple Method for the Detection of Rice Dwarf Virus by Aqueous Extract

Rice dwarf disease caused by rice dwarf virus （RDV） is one of the major rice virus diseases in China,which widely distributes in the rice area of China.A simple and rapid method for detection of RDV in rice plants and Nephotettix cincticeps was investigated in this study,and the whole detection only lasted for 20 min.After diseased leaves of rice （10 mg） and leaves of Nephotettix cincticeps （10 mg） both infected by RDV were ground by sterile water （100 μl）,the supernatant was analyzed by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis to steadily detect five specific electrophoretic bands with 1 000 bp to 5 000 bp.However,there was no electrophoretic band in the healthy rice leaves and aqueous extract of non-viruliferous N.cincticeps.Therefore,this method was more rapid and simple to detect RDV in rice plants and Nephotettix cincticeps,which avoided expensive reagents and tedious steps of conventional serological testing and molecular detection （RT-PCR and Western-blot）.