Antibacterial,antioxidant and antiproliferation activities of essential oils and ethanolic extracts from Chinese mugwort(Artemisia vulgaris L.)leaf in Shanxi

Background:Artemisia vulgaris,a medicinal aromatic plant,is widely used as a food item,tonic pharmaceutical,and cosmetic industry additive owing to its antibacterial,antihypertensive,hepatoprotective,antioxidant,and antispasmodic properties.But the effect of different geographic locations on the chemical composition and bioactivities of its extracts is unclear.Methods:Biological activities of essential oils and ethanol extracts of three varieties of Artemisia vulgaris leaves,which are grown in Shanxi province China,were studied.Results:Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main components of essential oils were terpenes and ketones.Essential oils and ethanol extract of Artemisia vulgaris leaves possessed good antioxidant activities,and their half maximal inhibitory concentrations determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)assays were 57.0 and 22.9μg/mL,respectively.The essential oils also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against three foodborne pathogenic bacterial strains.The ethanol extract presented a high anticancer activity against the MGC-803 human gastric cancer cell line.Conclusion:These biological activities were well correlated with the composition of the extract and EOs,which in turn is affected by the genetic composition of Artemisia vulgaris and geographic location and diverse climatic condition under which it is grown.These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of Artemisia vulgaris as a valuable source of antioxidant,antibacterial,and anticancer agents.

Protective effect of Solanum Nigrum Linn green fruit ethanolic extract on alcoholic liver injury in mice

Alcoholic liver injury is a liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption,which can lead to chronic liver disease death.Solanum Nigrum Linn taste bitter,cold,has the effect of clearing heat and detoxification,promoting blood and detumescence.Solanum Nigrum Linn fruit contains a variety of antioxidant enzymes,can remove the body produced by aerobic metabolism harmful substances.In this paper,a model of alcohol-induced liver injury in C57BL/6 mice was established to evaluate the protective effect of Solanum Nigrum Linn green fruit(SNGF)ethanolic extract on alcohol-induced liver injury.H&E staining and oil red O(ORO)staining showed that hepatic lobules were clearly demarcated,vacuoles were significantly reduced and lipid droplets were reduced in SNGF ethanolic extract treatment group.Serum levels of TC,TG,LDH,TBA,AKP,ALT and AST were decreased in the SNGF ethanolic extract treatment group,and SNGF ethanolic extract could clear reactive oxygen species(ROS)in time.MDA content was signifi cantly decreased after SNGF ethanolic extract treatment,while superoxide dismutase(SOD)and GSH-Px contents were increased after SNGF ethanolic extract treatment.These results suggest that SNGF ethanolic extract has a protective effect on alcohol-induced liver injury.

Anti-tumor Effect and Protective Effect on Chemotherapeutic Damage of Water Soluble Extracts from Hedyotis diffusa

Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (Ru-biaceae) is a medicinal herbwidely distributed in northeast Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has the effectof 'clearing away heat and toxic material, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis'.It is a well known Chinese folk-medicine used for the treatment of appendicitis, sore throat, mumps,acne, sebo-rheic dermatitis and various kinds of tumors, such as tumors of digestive tract,carcinoma of liver. It was reported that the MeOH extract of H. diffusa demonstrated a significantantitumor activity and ursolic acid succeeded in being isolated from the MeOH extract as an activecomponent . Shan BN, et al suggested that the direct aqueous extract of H. diffusa hadimmuno-modulating activity and antitumor activity in vitro through stimulating the immune system tokill or engulf tumor cells. But regarding anti-tumor activity in vivo of water soluble extracts fromH. diffusa, no detail was reported. Therefore, we prepared water soluble extracts (H_1 and H_2)from H. diffusa and evaluated their anti-tumor property in vivo experiments as well as protectiveeffect on chemo-therapeutic damage.

Extraction and Content Determination of Shikimic Acid in Pinus elliottii Engelm

[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific basis for development and utilization of Pinus elliottii Engelm resources.[Method] The extraction process of shikimic acid in Pinus elliottii Engelm was studied,and the content of shikimic acid was determined by HPLC.The HPLC conditions were as follows;Alltima NH2 （5 μm,4.6 mm × 150 mm） column separation;the mobile phase was acetonitrile-2%H3PO4 （90：10）;the flowing velocity was 1 ml/min;test wavelength was 213 nm,the width of belt was 16 nm;reference wavelength was 300 nm,the width of belt was 80 nm.[Result] By the single factor and orthogonal tests,the optimum conditions were found as follows：ethanol concentration 60%,extraction temperature 75 ℃,solid-liquid ratio 1：25,extraction time 2.5 h.The extraction rate of shikimic acid was 1.49%.[Conclusion] Shikimic acid in Pinus elliottii Engelm could be used as a new resource to develop and utilize.

Sedative and Hypnotic Effects of Tartary Buckwheat Ethanol Extract

[Objective]The aim was to study the sedative and hypnotic effects of Tartary Buckwheat ethanol extract and lay a foundation for further expanding the application of Tartary Buckwheat. [Method]The effects of Tartary Buckwheat ethanol extract on pentobarbital sodium and mice spontaneous action times were recorded. [Result]Ethanol extract of Tartary Buckwheat could prolong mice sleep duration caused by pentobarbital sodium （suprathreshold dosage）,increase mice sleep number caused by pentobarbital sodium （subthreshold dosage）,and obviously inhibit mice spontaneous action times. [Conclusion]Ethanol extract of Tartary Buckwheat has a function of sedation.

Extraction Efficiency of Soil Soluble Nitrogen under Different Conditions

[Objective] The extraction efficiency of soluble nitrogen in common moun- tain red soil under different conditions was analyzed to provide experimental refer- ences for the extraction of soil soluble nitrogen. [Method] The fresh soil and air-dried soil, which were the common mountain red soil under evergreen broad-leaved forest vegetation, were used as the experimental materials. The 2 mol/L KCI and 0.5 mol/L K2SO4 were used as the extractants to extract the soil soluble nitrogen with the extractant-to-soil volume ratio at 4：1, 6：1 and 10：1, respectively, to examine the extrac- tion efficiency of soluble nitrogen in the experimental soil with different extraction conditions. [Result] Compared with K2SO4, the NH4＋-N extracted by KCI was better in quantity and stability; while only at high extractant-to-soil volume ratio could K2SO4 fully extract the soil NH4＋-N. The 2 extractants showed small difference in extracting NO3--N, but at low extractant-to-soil volume ratio, the stability of NO3--N extracted by KCI was higher than that extracted by K2SO4. The properties of NO2- -N extracted by the 2 extractants were very similar. As for soil SON extraction, there was small dif- ference between the 2 extractants. However, the SON extracted by KCI was fewer in quantity than that by K2SO4, but had higher stability, and the extracted SON amount of the 2 extractants showed significant correlation. The extractant-to-soil ratio had little effect on MBN extraction using K2SO4, but the effect was significant when using KCI to extract MBN. The difference between the extraction efficiency of KCI and K^SO4 in extracting fresh soils was greater than that in extracting air-dried soil; therefore, the extractants should be carefully selected in soluble nitrogen extraction from fresh soil. [Conclusion] The results lay the experimental foundation for improving the extraction efficiency of soil soluble nitrogen and increasing the comparability of measurement results.

Comparison of Molluscicide Activity of Ethanol Extract of Sapium sebiferum,Pterocarya stenoptera and Cryptomeria fortunei

[Objective] The aim was to compare the molluscicide activity of ethanol extract of Sapium sebiferum,Pterocarya stenoptera and Cryptomeria fortunei.[Method] The molluscicide activity of ethanol extract of S.sebiferum,P.stenoptera and C.fortunei was determined through poison test of Oncomelania hupensis in laboratory.[Result] S.sebiferum,P.stenoptera and C.fortunei had certain molluscicide effect,and S.sebiferum and C.fortunei had better effect with little difference than P.stenoptera;ethanol could extract the effective molluscicide component from plant more completely,and its molluscicide effect was better than that of plant infusion.[Conclusion] Our study could provide theory reference for the plant selection of controlling O.hupensis ecologically.

Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities of ethanol extracts of selected traditional Chinese medicinal herbs

Objective:To evaluate in ritro antimicrobial activities of selected 58 ethno-medicinal plant extracts with a view to assess their therapeutic potential.Methods:A total of 58 traditional Chinese medicinal plants were carefully selected based on the literature review and their traditional use.The antimicrobial activities of ethanol extracts of these medicinal plants were tested against fungi(Aspergillus funigaius),yeast(Candida albicans),gram-negative(Acirelobacter haumannii and Pseudornnruis aeruginosa)and gram-positive bacteria(Staphglococcus aureus).The activities were tested at three different concentrations of 1.00,0.10 and 0.01 mg/mL.The data was analysed using Gene data Screener program.Results:The measured antimicrobial activities indicated that out of the 58 plant extracts,15 extracts showed anti-fungal activity and 23 extracts exhibited anti-bacterial activity.Eight plant extracts have exhibited both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities.For instance,Eucommia ulmoides,Pohgonum cuspidcrtum,Poria cocas and Uncaria rhineophylla showed activity against both bacterial and fungal strains,indicating their broad spectrum of activity.Conclusions:The results revealed that the ethanol extracts of 30 plants out of the selected 58 possess significant antimicrobial activities.It is interesting to note that the findings from the current study are consistent with the traditional use.A clear correlation has also been found between the antimicrobial activity and the flavonoid content of the plant extracts which is in agreement with the literature.Hence.the results presented here can be used to guide the selection of potential plant species for the isolation and structure elucidation of novel antimicrobial compounds in order to establish the structure-activity relationship.This in turn is expected to lead the way to the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents for therapeutic use.

A Study on the Protective Effect of Cynodon dactylon Leaves Extract in Diabetic Rats

Objective To investigate the antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic efficacy of Cynodon dactylon in diabetic rats. Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into three groups： Group I： control; Group II： Alloxan diabetic, untreated; and Group III： Alloxan diabetic treated with ethanolic extract of C. dactylon leaves （450 mg/kg bw）. Experimental diabetes was induced by alloxan in a single dose of 150 mg/kg bw. Results A Significant diminution of fasting blood sugar level was observed and also significant increase in HDL and decrease （P0.05） in cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL were observed after 15 days of treatment. The investigation also revealed, the activities of AST, ALT, ALP, AP, LDH, and CPK （P0.05） were decreased in the extract‐supplemented group. The significant decrease in protein content and SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH （P0.05） activity and increase in LPO in plasma were found to be ameliorated after treatment. Conclusion Our result supports the fact that administration of extract of C. dactylon leave is able to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk and also reduced the oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

Objective:To evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea(I.coccinea).Methods:To investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I.coccinea Linn,five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals.Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study.The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone(NFZ) ointment(0.2%w/w). Six extracts(ethanol.aqueous,petroleum ether,benzene,chloroform and ethyl acetate ) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains riz. Staphylococcia aureus.Bacillus pumilius,Enterococcus facialis.Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griscofulvin for antifungal screening.The serial dilution and cup(or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined.Results:The ethanolic extract showed significant (P【0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group.Amongst all.ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard.The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study. Conclusions:The ethanolic root extract of I.coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity.The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.

And-hyperglycemic activity of leaves extract of Hyptis suavcolens L.Poit in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective:To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens using streptozotocin model.Mothods:Hyptis suaveolens extract(HSE) 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to streptozotocin induced diabetes,once daily for 21 days.Results:A significant reduction in blood glucose was observed in diabetic animals treated with HSE at different doses when compared with diabetic rats.Levels of triglyceride,total cholesterol,low density lipoprolein.very low density lipoprotein were decreased while administering HSE at different doses,compared with their control values in diabetic animals.Conclusions:Our results show that HSE possesses significant antihyperglycemic activity which might be attributed to stimulating effects on glucose utilization and antioxidant enzyme.

Biodegradability of soil water soluble organic carbon extracted from seven different soils

Water soluble organic carbon （WSOC） is considered the most mobile and reactive soil carbon source and its characterization is an important issue for soil ecology study. A biodegradability test was set up to study WSOC extracted from 7 soils differently managed. WSOC was extracted from soil with water （soil/water ratio of 1：2, W/V） for 30 min, and then tested for biodegradability by a liquid state respirometric test. Result obtained confirmed the finding that WSOC biodegradability depended on the both land use and management practice. These results suggested the biodegradability test as suitable method to characterize WSOC, and provided useful information to soil fertility.

Protective effects of organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla against hydrogen peroxide-induced cvtotoxicitv in PC12 cells

Alpinia oxyphylla,a traditional herb,is widely used for its neuroprotective,antioxidant and memory-improving effects.However,the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of its active ingredients are unclear.In this study,we investigated the neuroprotective effects of various organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla on PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury in vitro.Alpinia oxyphylla was extracted three times with 95%ethanol(representing extracts 1–3).The third 95%ethanol extract was dried and resuspended in water,and then extracted successively with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and n-butanol(representing extracts 4–6).The cell counting kit-8 assay and microscopy were used to evaluate cell viability and observe the morphology of PC12 cells.The protective effect of the three ethanol extracts(at tested concentrations of 50,100 and 200μg/mL)against cytotoxicity to PC12 cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner.The ethyl acetate,petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts(each tested at 100,150 and 200μg/mL)had neuroprotective effects as well.The optimum effective concentration ranged from 50–200μg/mL,and the protective effect of the ethyl acetate extract was comparatively robust.These results demonstrate that organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla protect PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide.Our findings should help identify the bioactive neuroprotective components in Alpinia oxyphylla.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

AIM: To evaluate the preventive effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries in rats. METHODS: Female Wistar albino rats were used for the studies. We randomly divided the rats for each study into five subgroups: normal control, experimental control, and three experimental groups. The gastric ulcers were induced by instilling 1 mL 50% ethanol into the stomach. We gave GbE 8.75,17.5,26.25 mg/kg intravenously to the experimental groups respectively 30 min prior to the ulcerative challenge. We removed the stomachs 45 min later. The gastric ulcers, gastric mucus and the content of non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), malondialdehyde (MDA), c-Jun kinase (JNK) activity in gastric mucosa were evaluated. The amount of gastric juice and its acidity were also measured. RESULTS: The findings of our study are as follows: (1) GbE pretreatment was found to provide a dose-dependent protection against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats; (2) the GbE pretreatment afforded a dose-dependent inhibition of ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wall mucus, NP-SH contents and increase in the lipid peroxidation (increase MDA) in gastric tissue; (3) gastric ulcer induced by ethanol produced an increase in JNK activity in gastric mucosa which also significantly inhibited by pretreatment with GbE; and (4) GbE alone had no inhibitory effect on gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. CONCLUSION: The finding of this study showed that GbE significantly inhibited the ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. We suggest that the preventive effect of GbE may be mediated through: (1) inhibition of lipid peroxidation; (2) preservation of gastric mucus and NP-SH; and (3) blockade of cell apoptosis.

Evaluation of aqueous and ethanol extract of bioactive medicinal plant,Cassia didymobotrya(Fresenius)Irwin & Barneby against immature stages of filarial vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate aqueous and ethanol extract of Cassia didymobotrya leaves against immature stages of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods:The mortality rate of immature mosquitoes was tested in wide and narrow range concentration of the plant extract based on WHO standard protocol.The wide range concentration tested in the present study was 10 000,1 000,100,10 and1 mg/L and narrow range concentration was 50,100,150,200 and 250 mg/L.Results:2nd instar larvae exposed to 100 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract showed 100%mortality.Remaining stages such as 3rd,4th and pupa,100%mortality was observed at 1 000 mg/L and above concentration after 24 h exposure period.In aqueous extract all the stages 100%mortality was recorded at 1000 mg/L and above concentration.In narrow range concentration 2nd instar larvae 100%mortality was observed at 150 mg/L and above concentration of ethanol extract.The remaining stages 100%mortality was recorded at 250 mg/L.In aqueous extract all the tested immature stages 100%mortality was observed at 250 mg/L concentration after 24 h exposure period.The results clearly indicate that the rale of mortality was based dose of the plant extract and stage of the mosquitoes.Conclusions:From this study it is confirmed and concluded that Cassia didymobotrya is having active principle which is responsible for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus.The isolation of biouctive molecules and development of simple formulation technique is important for large scale implementation.

Extraction of cellulose with subcritical and Supercritical ethanol

Cotton cellulose was extracted with ethanol in sub-and supercritical states dynamically. The degree of conversion was 95.4% and the extract yield was 55.2% when cotton cellulose was non-isothermally extracted with ethanol from 20°C to 400°C. From an engineering standpoint, in the temperature range from 200°C to 320°C, the rate of extract formation could adequately be described by a second-order reaction kinetics equation with the activation energy of 105.3 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential factor of 3.53×107 s?1. With the non-isothermal experimental technique, it was possible to determine the kinetic parameters; conversion degree and extract yield by one experiment.

Supercritical fluid extraction of useful compounds from sage

A qualitative analysis of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the medically useful compound, sage (Salvia officinalis) is presented in this study. Carbon dioxide was used as a supercritical solvent. Effects of operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, and extraction time were investigated. The effect of addition of cosolvents was also studied. The extracted useful compounds were identified and analyzed using GC-MS chromatography. The analysis of the extract obtained by SFE showed certain significant major compounds that are considered medically important. These major compounds are 1R-.alpha.-Pinene, D-Limonene, l-Camphene, and b-Pinene, and Eucalyptol. Although, there was no consistent trend with respect to the effect of the studied parameters on the composition of the extract, the selectivity of these major compounds are dependant on the operating conditions, manily the operating pressure. An increase in the pressure resulted in an increase in herb extraction yield;this is true for certain group of extracts, while the inverse is also true for other group of compounds. The effect of certain cosolvents on the extractability of sage showed a significant improvement of the yield of some particular constituents of sage.

Scorpion ethanol extract and valproic acid effects on hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of chronic-kindling epilepsy induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine

The present study analyzed the effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on epilepsy prevention and hippocampal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in a lithium chloride-pilocarpine epileptic rat model. Results were subsequently compared with valproic acid. Results showed gradually- increased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression following model establishment; glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression was significantly increased at 3 days, reached a peak at 7 days, and then gradually decreased thereafter. Ethanol extracts of scorpion doses of 580 and 1 160 mg/kg, as well as 120 mg/kg valproic acid, led to a decreased number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression, as well as decreased seizure grades and frequency of spontaneously recurrent seizures. The effects of 1 160 mg/kg ethanol extracts of scorpion were equal to those of 120 mg/kg valproic acid. These results suggested that the anti-epileptic effect of ethanol extracts of scorpion were associated with decreased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in a rat model of lithium chlofide-pilocarpine induced epilepsy.

Effects of ethanol extracts of scorpion on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression in lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that scorpion venom in the scorpion can inhibit epilepsy and apoptosis. However, it remains unclear whether ethanol extracts of scorpion （EES） exhibit similar effects. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of EES on hippocampal apoptosis and caspase-3 expression, and to compare the effects on sodium valproate （positive control drug） in a rat model of status epilepticus induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized, controlled study was conducted at the Drug Research and Development Center, Kanghong Pharmaceuticals Group, and the Department of Pathology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences ＆ Sichuan Provincial People＇s Hospital, China from May 2007 to April 2008. MATERIALS： EES were prepared by Huashen Pharmaceutical, China. Sodium valproate （Hunan Xiangzhong Pharmaceutical, China） and lithium chloride-pilocarpine （Sigma, USA） were also used in the present study. METHODS： From a total of 156 rats, six served as normal controls. The remaining rats were intraperitoneally injected with lithium chloride-pilocarpine to establish status epileptlcus models, and then assigned to five groups （n = 30, respectively）. Animals in each group were administered drugs at 15 minutes after epileptic seizure by gavage, i.e. in the normal control and model groups, rats were treated with 1 mL/0.1 kg saline. The sodium valproate group was administered 120 mg/kg/d sodium valproate. The low-, moderate-, and high-dose EES groups received treatments of 290, 580 and 1 160 mg/kg/d EES. The dispensed concentration was 1 mL/0.1 kg. Rat seizure behavior was observed. If status epilepticus did not terminated after 1 hour, the rats were intraperitoneally administered atropine （1 mg/kg） and diazepam （10 mg/kg） to terminate seizure. These rats were continuously observed for 6 hours to ensure seizure termination. Then rats were treated with the above-mentioned drugs at 8：00 am each day until sacrifice, which took place 4 hours after drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Terminal dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）-positive cells and caspase-3 expression were, respectively, determined by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry at 6, 24 48, and 72 hours, as well as 7 days, after status epilepticus. Behavioral changes were also measured. RESULTS： A few caspase-3-positive cells were observed. TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive ceils were mainly visible in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions 6 hours following status epilepticus in the model and drug intervention groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours following status epilepticus in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, and number of TUNEL-positive cells reached a peak at 72 hours in the model and low-dose EES groups. The number of caspase-3-positive cells reached a peak at 48 hours in each group. Following treatment of sodium valproate and EES, the number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells significantly decreased compared with the model group at various time points （P 〈 0.05）. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was greatest in the low-dose EES group, followed by the moderate- and high-dose EES groups. The number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive cells was similar between the sodium valproate and high-dose EES groups. Epileptic seizure was significantly improved in the sodium valproate group, as well as the moderate- and high-dose EES groups, compared with the model group （P〈 0.05 or P〈 0.01）. Treatment with sodium valproate and high-dose EES resulted in the best outcome, although the results were similar （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： A dose of 1 160 mg/kg/d EES significantly inhibited status epilepticus. This outcome corresponded to a decreased number of apoptotlc cells and caspase-3-positive cells, which was similar to sodium valproate. These results suggest that it is not necessary to extract a component from the scorpion for the treatment of epilepsy. The high dose of EES significantly inhibited epilepsy, which correlated with decreased hippocampal caspase-3 expression.

Effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus on the fecundity of Wistar rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of leaves of Helianthus annus(H.annus) on the fecundity of Wistar rats.Methods:Forty(20 male and 20 female) Wistar rats,grouped into control,ethanol extract treated rats and untreated,were used for the study.Treated rats had 0.5 g/kg of ethanol extract orally for 2 weeks;control rats had 5%alcoholic water(solvent);and untreated rats had their normal feed and clean drinking water.Following treatment,the animals were sub-grouped into 5 mating groups to observe the coital frequency,pregnancy rate and average number of pups per group in pairs.Results:The results showed that coital frequency was unaffected by the extract treatment but pregnancy rate and number of pups per rat and per group were reduced significantly in groupsⅡ,ⅢandⅣcompared to those of groupⅠandⅤrats which were not treated with the ethanol extract of leaves of H.annus.Conclusions:The histodegenerative in the gonads reportedly induced by this ethanol extract in previous studies may be responsible for the reduced fecundity observed in treated adult rats.