Activity In Female Rats Research Articles

Influence of seasonal variation on steroidal content and in vivo post-coital antifertility activity of bark extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that seasonal variations in phytoconstituent levels eventually lead to alterations in the biological activities of the plant materials. The research assessed the effects of seasonal changes on β-sitosterol levels and the anti-fertility properties of two solvated bark extracts (ethanol and water) from Caesalpinia pulcherrima (CP) Linn. in female rats. Materials and methodsSoxhlet and hot reflux extraction with ethanol and water solvents were used to separate the active components from the barks. The phytochemical screening, characterization, and in-vivo antifertility activity in female rats were carried out to determine the presence of bioactive components. Two dosages of the extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) were chosen based on the results of an acute toxicity investigation. Uterine tissue histopathology was performed to analyze the effects of various treatments. The data was statistically examined and p value less than 0.05 was considered to reflect the significance. ResultsThe extracts were characterized for the presence of beta-sitosterol using FT-IR, H1-NMR, and HR-Mass. The animals were able to withstand a dose of up to 2000 mg/kg without exhibiting any toxicological signs or symptoms. Based on in vivo investigations, an ethanolic extract of the bark showed 88.93 % and 77.21 % anti-implantation action at 200 and 400 mg/kg, while an aqueous extract showed 78.31 and 70.52 % activity at the same doses. When compared to the control, the anti-implantation and estrogenic actions of both extracts were shown to be statistically significant (p<0.001). The abortifacient effect in the rainy season ethanolic extract was linear and dose-dependent, as compared to the control (p<0.001). ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that the presence of the phytosterol beta Sitosterol in Caesalpinia pulcherrima (CP) Linn. is responsible for its post-coital antifertility effect. It appears that the amount of beta-sitosterol in the plant, which may have an antifertility effect, is greatly affected by seasonal change.

Antifertility potential of leaves and seeds of Delonix regia in female rats

Objective: To evaluate the antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Delonix regia (Boj. ex Hook.) Raf. leaves and seeds which are traditionally being used by Yanadi tribe to treat dysmenorrhea. Methods: Three experimental animal models, including anti-implantation, early abortifacient, and estrogenic activity in female rats, were used for evaluation of the antifertility activity of both extracts at two dose levels (250 and 500 mg/kg, orally). There were five groups in the anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity while six groups in estrogenic activity including the standard. The number of implants, resorptions, vaginal cornification, body weight, uterus weight, and biochemical parameters were measured. Results: At doses 250 and 500 mg/kg, the leaf extract was found to have strong anti-implantation action. The extract administered at the same doses also caused a significant rise in the number of resorptions, showing early abortifacient activity, increased uterine weight, and altered numerous biochemical parameters. Meanwhile, the seed extract only displayed slight anti-implantation activity at both levels. Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, we can conclude that the leaf extract outperformed the seed extract in terms of antifertility activity, exhibiting potent estrogenic, anti-implantation and early abortifacient activities in a dose-dependent manner. These findings are consistent with the literature study and corroborate to the antifertility activity of the plant.

Effect of Music Exposure on Sexual Behavior of Female Rats

Background: The human limbic system is excited by music. The nervous system sends music signals converted into neural information by inner hair cells to the primary auditory area and limbic system. This activates genes that play a role in social and cognitive function. This study aims to prove the effect of music on physiological sexual behavior. Methods: The study was conducted on adult female Rattus norvegicus rats aged 2-3 months with a body weight of about 200 grams. The rats were exposed to the sound of music which divided into soft (Javanese), medium (Balinese gamelan), and loud (Dangdut tekno) music categories. The duration of exposure for each type of music is two hours in a row for seven days. During music exposure, rats' behavior in cages was recorded using CCTV. The test carried out is a normality test using the T-test (student's t-test). Results: A comparison test between treatment groups showed that all groups did not show differences in general behavior. For sexual behavior, the normality test showed that the Balinese group was the only abnormal group. The Piano group's sexual behavior was statistically the same as the control group. Conclusion: Exposure to Balinese gamelan showed an increase in sexual activity in female rats. Balinese gamelan music shows a relationship between music and limbic system activity, which is indicated by increased activity in the estrous phase. Keywords: emotion, limbic system, music, sexual activity

Y-Chromosome Gene, Uty, Protects Against Pulmonary Hypertension by Reducing Proinflammatory Chemokines.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a terminal pulmonary vascular disease characterized by increased pressure, right ventricular failure, and death. PAH exhibits a striking sex bias and is up to four times more prevalent in females. Understanding the molecular basis behind sex differences could help uncover novel therapies. Objectives: We previously discovered that the Y chromosome is protective against hypoxia-induced experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH), which may contribute to sex differences in PAH. Here, we identify the gene responsible for Y-chromosome protection, investigate key downstream autosomal genes, and demonstrate a novel preclinical therapy. Methods: To test the effect of Y-chromosome genes on PH development, we knocked down each Y-chromosome gene expressed in the lung by means of intratracheal instillation of siRNA in gonadectomized male mice exposed to hypoxia and monitored changes in right ventricular and pulmonary artery hemodynamics. We compared the lung transcriptome of Uty knockdown mouse lungs to those of male and female PAH patient lungs to identify common downstream pathogenic chemokines and tested the effects of these chemokines on human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. We further inhibited the activity of these chemokines in two preclinical pulmonary hypertension models to test the therapeutic efficacy. Measurements and Main Results: Knockdown of the Y-chromosome gene Uty resulted in more severe PH measured by increased right ventricular pressure and decreased pulmonary artery acceleration time. RNA sequencing revealed an increase in proinflammatory chemokines Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 as a result of Uty knockdown. We found CXCL9 and CXCL10 significantly upregulated in human PAH lungs, with more robust upregulation in females with PAH. Treatment of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells with CXCL9 and CXCL10 triggered apoptosis. Inhibition of Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 expression in male Uty knockout mice and CXCL9 and CXCL10 activity in female rats significantly reduced PH severity. Conclusions:Uty is protective against PH. Reduction of Uty expression results in increased expression of proinflammatory chemokines Cxcl9 and Cxcl10, which trigger endothelial cell death and PH. Inhibition of CLXC9 and CXLC10 rescues PH development in multiple experimental models.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide extracted from Escherichia coli on total WBCs, granulocytes and on phagocytic activity in female rats

The present study was conducted to compare the total white blood cells count, granulocytes and phagocytic activity in female rats immunized with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from two different isolates of Escherichia coli, one normal isolate from the gut of healthy adult and the other was pathogenic strain isolated from patients suffering from urinary tract infection. The study was included 35 female albino rats divided randomly into seven groups, three groups injected with different concentrations of LPS of normal flora of E.coli 90, 120 and 150 microgram/kilogram body weight respectively and the other three groups were injected with the same concentrations of LPS extracted from pathogenic strain of E.coli, the last group (7th) represented the control group which given normal saline only. The results showed that the LPS from normal isolate causes a significant increase in the total number of leukocytes, granulocytes and phagocytic activity in animals immunized with the concentration of 120 µg/kg compared with the control group, and the concentration of 150 µg/kg of the same extract resulted in a high significant increase in phagocytic activity and the concentration of 90 µg/kg did not stimulate any significant differences in all the variables, while immunization with the extract of pathogenic strain increases the total leukocytes at a concentration of 90 µg/kg only with a significant increases in phagocytic activity at all concentration, and it also did not cause any significant differences in the granulocytes count.

Estrogenic Effect of Bambusa arundinacea, Trichosanthes dioica and Punica granatum on Rats

Background: Phytoestrogens have recently become a hot topic among scientists. Phytoestrogens’ estrogen-like properties have led to their widespread use in the reproductive system. The aim of this research was to see whether the ethanolic extract of Bambusa arundinaceae, Trichosanthes dioica and Punica granatum had any estrogenic activity in female wistar rats. Methods: In female wistar rats, the estrogenic effect was studied using a uterotropic assay, vaginal cytology and vaginal opening. In ovariectomized immature and mature female wistar rats, a 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) dose of ethanolic extract of Bambusa arundinaceae, Trichosanthes dioica and Punica granatum was given. Result: When compared to ovariectomized control rats, the uterine wet weight increased significantly. The estrogen-treated rats had only cornified epithelial cells, indicating the existence of oestrogen, as well as 100% vaginal opening. At 400 mg/kg b.w., the ethanolic extract of Bambusa arundinaceae, Trichosanthes dioica and Punica granatum demonstrated promising estrogenic activity, as evidenced by uterotropic assays, vaginal opening measurements and histopathological changes. As a result of this research, it’s possible to infer that the ethanolic extract of Bambusa arundinaceae, Trichosanthes dioica and Punica granatum play an important role in estrogenic activity in female rats.

Effects of α-pyrrolidino-phenone cathinone stimulants on locomotor behavior in female rats

The α-pyrrolidino-phenone cathinone stimulants first came to widespread attention because of bizarre behavior consequent to the use of α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP, “flakka”) reported in popular press. As with other designer drugs, diversification of cathinones has been driven by desirable subjective effects, but also by attempts to stay ahead of legal controls of specific molecules. The α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) and α-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (α-PPP) compounds have been relatively under-investigated relative to α-PVP and provide a key opportunity to also investigate structure-activity relationships, i.e., how the extension of the alpha carbon chain may affect potency or efficacy. Female rats were used to contrast the effects of α-PHP and α-PPP with those of α-PVP in altering wheel activity and effects on spontaneous locomotion, temperature and intracranial self-stimulation reward. The α-PPP, α-PHP and α-PVP compounds (5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed wheel activity. Inhalation of α-PHP or α-PVP also suppressed wheel activity, but for an abbreviated duration compared with the injection route. Spontaneous activity was increased, and brain reward thresholds decreased, in a dose-dependent manner by all three compounds; only small decrements in body temperature were observed. These data show that all three of the α-pyrrolidino-phenone cathinones exhibit significant stimulant-like activity in female rats. Differences were minor and abuse liability is therefore likely to be equivalent for all three α-pyrrolidino-phenones.

The GABAB receptor positive allosteric modulator ASP8062 reduces operant alcohol self-administration in male and female Sprague Dawley rats.

Pre-clinical evidence implicates the GABAergic system in mediating the reinforcing effects of alcohol and offers a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The orthosteric GABAB receptor agonist baclofen decreases alcohol self-administration in animals and alcohol use in humans; however side effects limit its utility. Pre-clinical evidence shows positive allosteric GABAB receptor modulators also decrease alcohol self-administration without untoward side effects. We assessed the impact of the novel GABAB-positive allosteric modulator ASP8062 and baclofen on operant alcohol self-administration and their potential non-specific effects. The effects of ASP8062 (1 - 10mg/kg, PO) and baclofen (0.3 - 3mg/kg, IP) were evaluated in male and female rats lever pressing for alcohol (10%, w/v) under a fixed ratio 2 schedule of reinforcement. On the fourth consecutive day of vehicle, ASP8062 or baclofen administration, active and inactive lever presses, reinforcers earned, head entries, and estimated alcohol consumed were analyzed. Locomotor activity was assessed in separate groups of rats following dosing. Both ASP8062 and baclofen decreased alcohol self-administration and amount consumed (g/kg) in male and female rats. ASP8062 decreased operant alcohol self-administration to a greater extent in male rats, whereas baclofen was more efficacious in female rats. ASP8062 did not alter locomotor activity in either sex, whereas baclofen (3.0mg/kg) decreased activity in male rats yet (1.0mg/kg) increased activity in female rats. ASP8062 decreases alcohol reinforcement like baclofen but without non-specific effects which are influenced by sex. Results support further development of ASP8062 as a potential treatment for AUD in humans.

Post-weaning stroking stimuli induce affiliative behavior toward humans and influence brain activity in female rats

Gentle touch contributes to affiliative interactions. We investigated the effects of gentle stroking in female rats on the development of affiliative behaviors toward humans and we exploratively examined brain regions in which activity was influenced by stroking. Rats that had received stroking stimuli repeatedly after weaning emitted 50-kHz calls, an index of positive emotion, and showed affiliative behaviors toward the experimenter. Hypothalamic paraventricular oxytocin neurons were activated in the rats after stroking. The septohypothalamic nucleus (SHy) in the post-weaningly stroked rats showed decreased activity in response to stroking stimuli compared with that in the non-stroked control group. There were negative correlations of neural activity in hypothalamic regions including the SHy with the number of 50-kHz calls. These findings revealed that post-weaning stroking induces an affiliative relationship between female rats and humans, possibly via activation of oxytocin neurons and suppression of the activity of hypothalamic neurons.

Evaluation of C. pareira L stem and T. peruviana (pers.) K. Schum leaf for estrogenic activity

Context: Methanolic extract of C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves are capable of producing antifertility activity in female rat by increasing estrogen level and decreasing progesterone level. Aim: The aim of the present study is to C. pareira L stem and T. peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum leaf for estrogenic activity. Material and Method: Methanolic extract were made from C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves (after removal of cardiac glycoside) using cold maceration process. Extracts were tested for estrogenic activity on female immature rat (50-60 gm) at dose level of 250mg/kg. Obtained data were compared with control and standard (estrogen treated) group data. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis of all data was made with statistical packages (GraphPad Instat) and ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s ttest was used for statistical analysis. Result: Decrease in the absolute weight of the uterus and uterine weight to body weight ratio in CPS-Me and TPL-Me-G group treated were significant (p&lt;0.05) as compared to control. Conclusion: In our earlier studies it was found that methanolic extract of C. pareira stem and T. peruviana leaves increased serum estrogen level and decreased progesterone level in pregnant rat. In the present study, these extracts decreased the absolute weight of the uterus and uterine weight to body weight ratio significantly (p&lt;0.05). So, we can conclude that these two-extract possessed partial estrogenic activity.

Journal-related Activities and Other Special Activities at the 2020 American Society of Anesthesiologists Meeting.

Journal-related Activities and Other Special Activities at the 2020 American Society of Anesthesiologists Meeting.

Abstract MP172: Y-chromosome Gene, Uty, Confers Male Protection Against Pulmonary Hypertension by Mediating Pro-inflammatory Chemokine Effects

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a terminal vascular lung disease characterized by increased PA pressure resulting in right ventricular (RV) failure and death. For reasons largely unknown, PAH is up to 4x more prevalent in females. We published that the Y-Chromosome (Chrm) is protective against hypoxia (Hx)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mice and identified four Y-Chrm genes expressed in the lung. Here, we identify the protective Y-Chrm gene, investigate its mechanism and demonstrate a novel therapeutic approach. Methods and Results: To test the effect of Y-Chrm candidate genes on PH development, we knocked down (KD) each Y-Chrm gene via sequential intratracheal instillation of siRNA in the lungs of male mice exposed to Hx. KD of Y-Chrm gene Uty, but none of the other genes, resulted in more severe PH measured by increased RV systolic pressure (RVSP) and decreased pulmonary arterial acceleration time (PAAT) compared to control (n=4/group; RVSP: Uty-KD= 48.93mmHg, Control= 37.33mmHg, p=0.04; PAAT: Uty-KD= 11.88ms, Control= 14.43ms, p=0.01). RNAseq analysis (Uty-KD vs Control) revealed an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines Cxcl9 (Log2FC: 1.3, p-adjusted=0.05) and Cxcl10 (Log2FC: 0.9, p-adjusted=0.002). We found Cxcl9/10 significantly upregulated in human PAH lungs vs healthy and female PAH lungs vs male (RT-qPCR). Fluorescent in-situ hybridization revealed Uty and Cxcl9/10 expression co-localized in CD68 + macrophages within the lung. Treatment of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) with Cxcl9/10 resulted in significantly increased apoptosis. We inhibited Cxcl9/10 activity in female rats 14 days post monocrotaline (MCT) injection by treating them with a small molecular inhibitor. Treated rats (n=6) had less severe PH than vehicle-treated controls (n=5) when measured 28-days post MCT (RVSP: Treated= 36.75mmHg, Vehicle=43.62 mmHg, p=0.03; PAAT: Treated= 26.7ms, Vehicle=20 ms, p=0.01; RV hypertrophy index (RV/(LV+IVS)): Treated= 0.48, Vehicle= 0.35, p=0.01). Conclusion: Y-Chrm gene, Uty, is protective against PH. Uty inhibition increases pro-inflammatory cytokines Cxcl9/10 which contribute to PAEC death. Inhibition of Cxcl9/10 activity may provide a novel therapy for the treatment of PH.

Dexamethasone increases renal free fatty acids and xanthine oxidase activity in female rats: could there be any gestational impact?

Dexamethasone (DEX) is used for various conditions in female and even during pregnancy. We tested the hypothesis that DEX exposure in female rats would lead to renal free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation with elevated xanthine oxidase (XO) activity that would be aggravated by pregnancy. Twenty-four female rats (n = 6/group) were randomly assigned to non-pregnant (NPR), DEX-exposed non-pregnant (NPR + DEX), pregnant (PRE) and DEX-exposed pregnant (PRE + DEX), respectively. NPR and PRE rats received vehicle (po) while NPR + DEX and PRE + DEX groups received DEX (0.2 mg/kg; po), between gestational days 14 and 19. Data showed that DEX exposure caused increased plasma creatinine, urea, renal FFA accumulation, lipid peroxidation, aminotranferases, depressed glutathione, increased activity of XO, and elevated uric acid in both pregnant and non-pregnant rats. The findings of this study indicate that DEX exposure would cause renal FFA accumulation and glutathione depletion that are accompanied by increased activity of XO/uric acid independently of gestation. The study also implies that DEX-induced renal damage could be worsened by gestation.

Adolescent CB1 receptor antagonism influences subsequent social interactions and neural activity in female rats.

We previously demonstrated that repeated exposure to the CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 in adolescence (PND 30-44) increased social interactions in female rats when tested 48h after the final exposure to the antagonist. Here, we investigated whether the increased sociality would be present after a longer drug washout period (5days) in both male and female rats (experiment 1), and sought to identify candidate brain regions that may explain the observed differences in social behaviours between AM251 and vehicle-treated female rats (experiment 2). While drug-free, adolescent AM251 treatment increased social interactions in females and not in males. AM251 female rats had increased neural activity (as measured by the expression of early growth response protein-1; EGR-1) in the nucleus accumbens shell and cingulate gyrus of the medial prefrontal cortex, with no observed differences in EGR-1 expression in the dorsal hippocampus, nucleus accumbens core, or prelimbic and infralimbic subdivisions of the medial prefrontal cortex relative to vehicle rats. Together, these results demonstrate a sex-specific role of adolescent endocannabinoid signalling in the normative development of social behaviours and provide further support for adolescence as a vulnerable period for the effects of altered endocannabinoid signalling.

Effects of chronic silencing of relaxin-3 production in nucleus incertus neurons on food intake, body weight, anxiety-like behaviour and limbic brain activity in female rats.

Eating disorders are frequently triggered by stress and are more prevalent in women than men. First signs often appear during early adolescence, but the biological basis for the sex-specific differences is unknown. Central administration of native relaxin-3 (RLN3) peptide or chimeric/truncated analogues produces differential effects on food intake and HPA axis activity in adult male and female rats, but the precise role of endogenous RLN3 signalling in metabolic and neuroendocrine control is unclear. Therefore, we examined the effects of microRNA-induced depletion (knock-down) of RLN3 mRNA/(peptide) production in neurons of the brainstem nucleus incertus (NI) in female rats on a range of physiological, behavioural and neurochemical indices, including food intake, body weight, anxiety, plasma corticosterone, mRNA levels of key neuropeptides in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and limbic neural activity patterns (reflected by c-fos mRNA). Validated depletion of RLN3 in NI neurons of female rats (n = 8) produced a small, sustained (~ 2%) decrease in body weight, an imbalance in food intake and an increase in anxiety-like behaviour in the large open field, but not in the elevated plus-maze or light/dark box. Furthermore, NI RLN3 depletion disrupted corticosterone regulation, increased oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin, but not corticotropin-releasing factor, mRNA, in PVN, and decreased basal levels of c-fos mRNA in parvocellular and magnocellular PVN, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and the lateral hypothalamic area, brain regions involved in stress and feeding. These findings support a role for NI RLN3 neurons in fine-tuning stress and neuroendocrine responses and food intake regulation in female rats.

Reduced Sensory-Evoked Locus Coeruleus-Norepinephrine Neural Activity in Female Rats With a History of Dietary-Induced Binge Eating.

Noradrenergic pathways have been implicated in eating pathologies. These experiments sought to examine how dietary-induced binge eating influences the neuronal activity of the locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine (NE) system. Young adult female Sprague Dawley rats (7–8 weeks old) were exposed to a repeated intermittent (twice weekly) cycle of 30-min access to a highly palatable sweetened fat (i.e., vegetable shortening with 10% sucrose) with or without intermittent (24 h) calorie restriction (Restrict Binge or Binge groups, respectively). Age- and weight-matched female control rats were exposed to standard chow feeding (Naive group) or intermittent chow feeding (Restrict group). The Binge and Restrict Binge groups demonstrated an escalation in sweet-fat food intake after 2.5 weeks. On week 3, in vivo single-unit LC electrophysiological activity was recorded under isoflurane anesthesia. Restrict Binge (20 cells from six rats) and Binge (27 cells from six rats) had significantly reduced (approximate 20% and 26%, respectively) evoked LC discharge rates compared with naive rats (22 cells, seven rats). Spontaneous and tonic discharge rates were not different among the groups. Signal-to-noise ratio was reduced in the groups with intermittent sweetened fat exposure. In order to investigate the neuropeptide alterations as a consequence of dietary binge eating, relative gene expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1r), prodynorphin, and related genes were measured in LC and hypothalamic arcuate (Arc) regions. Glp-1r, Npy2r, and Pdyn in LC region were reduced with repeated intermittent restriction. Npy1r was reduced by approximately 27% in ARC of Restrict compared with Naive group. Such data indicate that dietary-induced binge eating alters the neural response of LC neurons to sensory stimuli and dampens the neural stress response.

Effects of post-weaning social isolation on social behaviors and oxytocinergic activity in male and female rats

AimsPost-weaning social deprivation is known to induce behavioral and neuronal alterations associated with anxiety and stress responses in adulthood. However, the effects of social deprivation on the development of sociability are poorly understood. We examined the effects of social deprivation on subsequent social behaviors and oxytocinergic activity using socially-isolated (approximately two months post-weaning) male and female rats. Main methodsThe behaviors were analyzed using a social preference test and a social approach test. Immunohistochemical investigations were conducted in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) to examine the effects of social isolation on oxytocinergic activity in these regions. Oxytocinergic activity was measured by quantifying the number of oxytocin neurons expressing Fos following exposure to a novel conspecific. In all of the experiments of this study, ovariectomized females were used for social stimuli. Key findingsThe behavioral results show that isolation-reared females, but not males, displayed impaired social preference and decreased social approach towards ovariectomized females, compared with the pair-reared group, suggesting low priority of processing social versus non-social stimuli and low motivation for contact with a stranger, respectively. The immunohistochemical results show that social isolation decreased both the number and the ratio of Fos-positive cells in oxytocin neurons in the PVN in females, but not in males, following exposure to ovariectomized females. In the SON, the Fos-positive ratio was decreased in isolation-reared females, but not in males, compared with the pair-reared group. SignificancePost-weaning social isolation changed social behaviors and oxytocinergic activity in female rats, suggesting that in female rats post-weaning social experiences contribute to the development of sociability. These findings could impact the treatment of social dysfunction in humans.

English

Many rural and poor women have now resorted to use of potential medicinal plants as a means of fertility control. Asparagus africanus Lam and Annona senegalensis Pers are some of the plants used for this purpose. The efficacy and safety of many of such plants, however, have not been verified. Therefore, screening for anti-fertility activity of potential medicinal plants, would thus provide alternative safe and affordable contraceptive, if effective and less toxic. This study aims to carry out phytochemical screening, acute toxic effects and antifertility activity in female rats of the aqueous extracts of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers combination. Acute toxicity test was done according to Lorke’s methods and antifertility activity of the extracts by use of the method described by Khanna and Chaudhary, with modification for our local use. The percentage inhibition of conception of the extract was compared with those of the controls. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of known anti-fertility principles such as saponins, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Acute toxicity studies indicated that the extract was non-toxic up to the highest dose of 12.8 g and the antifertility activity of the aqueous crude extract was found to be dose dependent. This study therefore demonstrated that the aqueous root extract of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers combination has antifertility activity and is safe at the doses employed in this study. Key words: Anti-fertility, rats, phytochemical screening, acute toxicity, Asparagus africanus, Annona senegalensis.

Effects of frovatriptan and almotriptan on locomotor activity in female rats with experimental model of migraine

There is no data available on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesion and candida infection among DM patients which necessitate conducting a local or nation-wide study to assess the oral mucosa lesions and candida prevalent in diabetic patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The objective of the present study was to characterize oral mucosa lesions, and the prevalence of yeasts in diabetic patients and their association with the risk factors in comparison with a group of non-diabetic controls.Study design: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted assuming 50% of the diabetic patients have oral lesions compared to nondiabetic patients and a power of 80% with 5% level of significance, the minimum required sample size was estimated to be 115 in each group.The buccal swabs were collected to isolate Candida species from the individual patient with a current and former history of diabetes. The laboratory findings were collected and the clinical examination of the oral mucosa was processed at the department of microbiology.The results inferred a significant presence of oral mucosa alterations in the diabetic group. A majority of the patients were suffering from type 2 diabetes for the past 10 years. C. albicans was the predominant yeast, followed by. C. tropicalis and C. krusei nonalbicans species that were most frequently isolated. Diabetes and smoking habit were the two risk factors for oral mucosa alterations.The study found a significant presence of oral mucosa alterations in the diabetic group and the fungal infection tended to be more in the diabetic group with a high incidence of C. albicans. The presence of diabetes and smoking habit were two risk factors identified as significant for oral mucosa alterations. The significant variation in education level in groups indicates that education would help to enhance the prognosis in diabetic patients and healthcare behavior.

Hyperlocomotion induced by inhalation of nicotine and a low dose of Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol in female rats

BackgroundsGrowing availability of e‐cigarette devices permits users to prepare their own cocktail of drugs for inhalation, including polysubstance inhalation. Some individuals use nicotine and (−)‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in combination by smoking tobacco and cannabis together or in sequence; this practice may extend to electronic cigarette users. THC exerts biphasic effects on locomotion in rats, with high doses (e.g., 5 mg kg−1, i.p.) decreasing, and lower doses (e.g., 0.03 mg kg−1, i.p.) increasing, locomotor activity. Nicotine (NIC) also increases locomotor activity in rodents. This study was designed to determine if interactive effects of THC and NIC result from vapor inhalation in rats using a novel e‐cigarette based procedure.MethodsFemale Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to vapor produced by the propylene glycol vehicle (PG), NIC (1 mg/mL in PG), THC (12.5 mg/ml in PG) or a combination of NIC with THC for a duration of 15 minutes. Body temperature and locomotor responses were evaluated post‐inhalation using a radiotelemetry system.ResultsLocomotor activity was increased in the rats for the first 60 min after NIC (1 mg/ml) exposure and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with mecamylamine. Activity was also increased 15 min after initiation of THC vapor compared with PG. Female rats did not show any further hyperlocomotion following exposure to the combination of NIC+THC vapor compared with either NIC or THC vapor inhalation, alone. The body temperature was decreased following the THC (12.5 mg/ml) or a combination of THC (12.5 mg/ml) +NIC (1 mg/ml) inhalation with significant effects starting 120 min post‐exposure, while NIC (1 mg/ml) inhalation did not alter the body temperature.DiscussionVapor inhalation of NIC or low dose THC stimulates locomotor activity in female rats. The co‐administration of a lower dose of THC with NIC produced no additive locomotor stimulation in female rats compared to either THC or NIC alone. The observed data provided behavioral evidence to suggest that the effect of nicotine on locomotion might not be modified by the physiological action of cannabinoids.Support or Funding InformationFunding support provided by USPHS grants AA007456, DA035482 and DA041967This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.