Abstract
The goal of this study is to determine the effect of Citrullus colocynthis (CC) fruit (bitter apple) on some physiological aspects; the body weight, hematological parameters and the function of thyroid gland of male rabbits as a model for mammals. Two experiments were accomplished on sixty mature male rabbits that equally (30 animals in each experiment) and randomly divided into six groups each one contains five animals. In the experiment No.1 and experiment No.2 , independently, three groups were considered as treated groups in each experiment ( represented as T1, T2 and T3 groups ) and daily orally administrated low dose of CC (4.8mg/Kg/day, experiment No.1) for three groups in experiment No.1 and double dose of CC extract (9.6mg /Kg /day , experiment No.2) for 2, 4 and 8 weeks for the three groups in experimentNo.2,respectively. The other three groups in each experiment were considered as control (C1, C2 and C3 groups, respectively) groups were given orally distilled water (DW) at the same periods of treated groups. Different hematological parameters and thyroid hormones were studied. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the body weight gaining, with no significant changes in RBCs, WBCs, and Hb concentration through the first two weeks in all the treated rabbits compared to before treatment and control groups. Results of this study revealed that all the groups showed a significant (P<0.05) increased in the serum triiodothyronine hormone level and a decrease in the serum thyroxin hormone level of the thyroid gland when both doses were orally administrated through different periods of treatment compared to control groups. It is concluded that low dose of CC treatment has an advantageous physiological effect on the body weight and triiodothyronine hormone with no changes in certain hematological parameters through first two weeks .The significant differences that found following 4 and 8 weeks of CC treatment were within physiological normal level, and accordingly with the dose and treatment periods in rabbits.
Highlights
Herbal remedies are widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and often contain highly active pharmacological compounds (1)
In the experiment No.[1] and experiment No2,independently, three groups were considered as treated groups in each experiment(T1,T2,and T3).Rabbits of Exp.[1] were orally administered with low dose (4.8mg/Kg/day) of CC crude fruit powder extract once a day in intervals 2,4 and 8weeks by using stainless steel gavages needle .The three rabbits groups of Exp.2(T1,T2,andT3) were treated with high dose(9.6mg/kg/day) of CC once a day for 2,4 and 8weeks
Animals Body Weight and Thyroid hormones The effect of CC crude extract treatment on the body weight in rabbit groups administrated orally a dose of 4.8 and 9.6 mg/kg/day during different experimental periods is shown in the table 1
Summary
Herbal remedies are widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and often contain highly active pharmacological compounds (1). Interest in the exploitation of medicinal plants as pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, flavorings, perfumes, cosmetics and other natural products has greatly increased in the recent years. It is important to note that in the traditional utilization of medicinal plants, many toxic plants were used at a low dose and/or treated before being used in order to eliminate the poisonous components of the plant (by cooking, decoction, etc.) (2). Before 1994, the herbal medicines were regulated as food and were evaluated for safety before being launched into the market for consumer purchase. In 1994, Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was allowed the distribution herbal supplements without testing their efficacy and toxicity. There are many agencies which are working on the regulation of these products (3)
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