Developmental effects of Malathion exposure on locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in Wistar rat

Developmental exposure to organophosphate insecticide is well known to induce neurobeha-vioral impairments, at late period. The present study aims to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to Malathion, from in utero to young adult stage, on locomotor skills and anxiety like- behavior among wistar rat. Four groups of female rats, bred with one non-pesticide exposed male, are used. On gestational day 6, three groups receive daily, by intragastric gavage, 3 different doses of Malathion dissolved in corn oil (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight). The control group receives the corn oil only. On postnatal day 21, weaned offsprings are submitted to the similar treatment until adult age. Spontaneous locomotor activity is evaluated using the Open-Field test (OF) and anxiety-like behavior is measured using both Open-Field (OF) test and Elevate Plus-Maze (EPM). Malathion at 300 mg/kg is toxic to pregnant dams, and pups are stillborns. In males, Malathionlevelat 100 and 200 mg/kg induced significant impairment of spontaneous locomotor activities, which is reflected by high decrease of number of squares crossed in OF. In contrast, no discernible changes are observed within females Malathion-treated-group. However, females exposed to both malathion levels develop further anxiety-like response, expressed by significant reductions of exploratory activities in OF and time spent in open arm of EPM. Neurochemistry assay shows that cerebellum and neocortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity inhibition are significantly increased with neurobehavioral deficits in males, relative to females. Overall, neurobehavioral outcomes of current study reveal that developmental exposure to Malathion induces sex-selective effects with greater changes in females.

Four new indole alkaloids from Plantago asiatica

Four new indole alkaloids,plasiaticines A-D(1-4),together with two known ones,were isolated from the seeds of Plantago asiatica.The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data.All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity,and all compounds except 4 were tested for their acetylcholinesterase(AChE)inhibitory activities.

Biochemical Changes Associated with Long Term Exposure to Pesticide among Farmers in the Gaza Strip

The study characterized the biochemical changes associated with long term exposure to pesticides. Practical parameters of pesticides were collected using 500 questionnaires. Farmers having 10 years working period were invited to a private clinic for blood sampling and enzyme analysis. All participants were male farmers of different age groups, and education levels. Occupational parameters indicated that majority of farmers used manual methods for pesticide works. About 130 pesticides are currently used in Gaza. Toxicological symptoms indicated that dizziness, headache, and nausea were dominant among farmers, whereas vomiting abdominal colic and tearing were less dominant. Acetyl Cholinesterase (ACHE) cumulatively inhibited among farmers after work whereas Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities were above range after long term exposure. It can be concluded that long term exposure to pesticides may damage liver and kidney cells resulting in hepatic-toxicity and/or nephrotoxicity.

New Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodium obscurum

Three new Lycopodium alkaloids,obscurumines C-E(1-3),along with nine known compounds,were isolated from the club moss Lycopodium obscurum L.Structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic analysis and the relative configurations of 1 were established by X-ray crystallographic analysis.All the new isolates were tested for the acetylcholinesterase(AChE)inhibitory activity.

Carinatines A and B,Lycopodium Alkaloids from Phlegmariurus carinatus

Carinatine A(1),a C16N2-type Lycopodium alkaloid possessing a 5/6/6/6 ring system formed by a new C-4/C-12 bond,and carinatine B(2),the first derivative of lycojaponicumin C,along 16 known compounds,were isolated from the whole plant of Phlegmariurus carinatus.Their structures were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data.The two new isolates were no inhibitory activity for the acetylcholinesterase(AChE).

A pair of new tirucallane triterpenoid epimers from the stems of Picrasma quassioides

A pair of new tirucallane triterpenoid epimers,picraquassins M and N(1 and 2),were isolated from the stems of Picrasma quassioides(D.Don)Benn.Their structures were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses.In addition,their ACh E inhibitory activity,cytotoxicity against five human tumour cell lines(SW480,MCF-7,HepG2,Hela,and PANC-1),and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria(Staphylococcus.aureus 209 P and Escherichia coli ATCC0111)and two fungi(Candida albicans FIM709 and Aspergillus niger R330)were evaluated.