Administration Of Aqueous Leaf Extract Research Articles

Effects of Water Crude Leaf Extract of Moringa Oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) on Normotensive Rat Blood Pressure and Isolated Duodenum

Moringa oleifera is used in folk medicine for the treatment of many ailments among which, hypertension and intestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypotensive and/or antihypertensive activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on normotensive anaesthetized rats by direct measure of the arterial pression and in the other hand, to determine its antispasmodic effects on isolated rat duodenum. Intravenous administration of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (EAMO 5mg/kg -75 mg/kg body weight), caused a transitory dose-dependent fail in the mean arterial blood pressure of normotensive anaesthetized rats (p< 0.05). Moreover, hypertensive arterial blood pressure induced by phenylephrine 100µg/kg rat body weight, was completely abolished by aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera 10mg-40mg/kg body weight. The studies on isolated rat duodenum smooth muscles demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera produced a dose dependent relaxation of these muscles (p

Histopathological and Biochemical Assessment of Chronic Oral Administration of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Thymus Serrulatus in Mice

Background: Medicinal plants are the source of treatment for many diseases throughout the developing world. The provision of safe herbal therapies could, thus, become a critical tool to increase access to health care in minimizing the undesirable effects. Thymus serrulatus is among commonly used herbal remedy in Ethiopia in addition to its use for spicing a food and as infusion in tea. This study was designed to investigate toxic effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Thymus serrulatus in mice. Methods: In this study, the mice were randomly divided into control and treatment groups that received distilled water and oral administration of single dose of 300, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 mg/kg (n=5) extract for acute toxicity, respectively and followed for 14 days. The chronic toxicity was evaluated through daily oral administration of extracts at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg for 90 days in mice (n=6). On the 91st day, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Liver and kidney were harvested for histopathological examination by tissue section preparation and microscopic examination. Results: The acute toxicity study found no signs of toxicity; hence LD50 was greater than 10,000 mg/kg. After 90 days of extract administration, there was no significant change in body weight, and most of the evaluated hematological and biochemical parameters. There was a significant decrease in count of basophils in male mice treated at dose 600 mg/kg. In addition, creatinine level of female mice at both doses was also significantly reduced. No death was recorded, and body weight change remained normal compared to the control. In gross observations, the kidneys and liver appear normal compared to the control. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney were essentially normal. Conclusions: Thymus serrulatus is relatively safe. However, mild mononuclear leukocytic infiltration was observed in mice treated at higher doses.

Risk of liver damage, reduced serum T3 and TSH, reduced placental and litter birth weights are some of the outcomes of Hybanthus enneaspermus infusion to pregnant rats

Hybanthus enneaspermus is used by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in southwest Nigeria in antenatal care. We examined the effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of H. enneaspermus (HEaq) on liver weight and assay, maternal-thyroid hormones, foetal growth and litters birth weights in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Twelve pregnant SD rats were used for this study. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2 g/kg body weight of HEaq orally throughout the period of pregnancy. On day 19 of pregnancy, animals were sacrificed by CO2 asphyxiation and cervical dislocation. Blood samples were withdrawn into sterile tubes and centrifuged to obtain serum that was used for assay. Liver hormogenate was used for liver function test. The following were assayed; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), thyroid hormone, thyrotrophin and TSH in both control and treated rats. Some rats were allowed to carry their pregnancy to term. All rules guiding animal care and humane handling methods of laboratory animals in animal experimentation were followed. The results of the study showed a significant increase in serum and liver homogenate level of biomarkers of liver injury (ALP, ALT and AST). The serum T3 and TSH were significantly lowered in all extract treated rats compared to control, while T4 and thyrotrophin were not significantly altered. A significant reduction in placenta and foetal birth weights were recorded in the extract treated group. Oral administration of HEaq during pregnancy adversely affected maternal thyroid hormones, placental and foetal development. HEaq administration to pregnant rats also precipitated increased biomarkers of liver damage. Key words: Hybanthus enneaspermus, pregnancy outcome, thyroid hormone, litters birth weight, liver function test.

In-vivo and ex-vivo inhibition of intestinal glucose uptake: A scope for antihyperglycemia

ObjectiveTo study hypoglycemic effect of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) leaf extract and its glucose uptake inhibition effect in rat small intestine ex-vivo and in vivo models. MethodsHypoglycemic studies were carried out in glucose loaded and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic albino rats. Blood glucose levels were estimated at I, III and IV hour time intervals after administration of aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus. The study on the effect of plant extract on intestinal glucose absorption in rat was carried out using everted gut sacs. ResultsThe blood glucose levels were significantly depleted in the animals administered with aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus (250 mg/kg body weight). Incubation of the rat everted intestinal sacs with the aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus resulted in the inhibition of glucose transport across the intestinal membrane. ConclusionsThe kinetic studies on the glucose transport inhibition across the intestinal membrane by the plant extract was a non competitive type of inhibition of the intestinal glucose transporter protein (GLUT2 and SGLT1) revealing the probable mechanism of hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus .

Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa milne-redh (Asteraceae) in rats

This study aims at evaluating the effect of administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa on total cholesterol (TC) level, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and atherogenetic index of plasma (AIP) in albino rats and to determine its preliminary phytochemical constituents. The phytochemical tests were carried out using standard methods. The control group received distilled water (2ml/kg, orally) only, olive oil (hyperlipidemic) treated group received distilled water and olive oil (5ml/kg, orally) while the other three groups were pre-treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa, 100mg of the extract plus 15mg/kg atorvastatin and 100mg/kg plus 30mg/kg atorvastatin respectively. Olive oil (5ml/kg) was administered to each of the groups after 30 mins of treatment. After 2 hours following olive oil administration, blood samples were collected through abdominal aortae under chloroform anaesthesia for analysis of plasma TC, TG, HDL, LDL, AIP. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrate, reducing sugar and terpenoids and absence of alkaloids and saponins. The result showed significant decreases in plasma TC, TG, LDL, and AIP levels of the rats and increase in HDL when compared with the hyperlipidemic group. Co-administration of the extract and atorvastatin significantly increased HDL and decreased LDL and AIP. It is then concluded that oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Emilia praetermissa reduces hyperlipidemia and could serve as a good alternative in its treatment.

Ocimum Gratissimum Alleviates Derangements in Serum and Biliary Bilirubin, Cholesterol and Electrolytes in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

Aims: The effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on biliary and serum bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes in streptozotocin (STZ)induced diabetic Albino Wistar rats was studied. Methodology: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus was induced in the test groups (DM and DMT) by a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.). The phytoconstituents and median lethal dose of the plant extract was determined before administration. The extract was administered per oral to the DMT group at a dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days. All the groups were fed normal rat chow and allowed water ad libitum. Biliary secretion was collected and assayed, biliary bilirubin was measured by colorimetric method, Sodium and potassium was determined using a flame photometer and Chloride was determined by end point calorimetric titration. Research Article

Biochemical and histopathological effects on liver due to acute oral toxicity of aqueous leaf extract of Ecliptaalba on female Swiss albino mice

Background:Limited data is available about the toxicity of herbal remedies used for self-medication. Since a popular medicinal plant Ecliptaalba contains various bioactive molecules, the present study aimed to observe the biochemical and histological changes in liver associated with acute oral toxicity (LD50) of aqueous extract of E. alba (L.) Hassk. in female Swiss albino mice.Materials and Methods:For the acute oral toxicity study, the animals were divided into six groups of 6 mice each. Group– I was normal control and the treatment groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of E. alba orally at different doses of 500 mg (group – I),1750 mg (group–III), 2000 mg (group- IV), 2500 mg (group- V) and 3000 mg/ kg/b.wt.(group- VI) for seven consecutive days. The mice were sacrificed on the eighth day and blood was collected for the analysis of ALP (alkaline phosphatase), SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transferase), total protein and albumin. The liver was dissected, weighed, and processed for histopathological analysis.Results:The LD50 was found to be 2316.626 mg/kg /body weight in female mice. Serum SGPT, total protein and albumin increased in treated group- IV (P < 0.05), V (P < 0.01), and VI (P < 0.01) as compared to the control (group- I). ALP level significantly decreased in the treated group- IV (P < 0.05), V (P < 0.01) and VI (P < 0.01). Histopathological changes were observed at dose of 2000 mg (group- IV), 2500 mg (group- V) and 3000 mg (group- VI).Conclusion:It was concluded that oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of E. alba had detrimental effects on biochemical parameters and induced histopathological alterations in liver of female Swiss albino mice at doses higher than 2000 mg/kg/day indicating that its indiscriminate use should be avoided.

Oral Administration of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum Ameliorates Polyphagia, Polydipsia and Weight Loss in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on food, water intake and weight changes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Albino Wistar rats was studied. Eighteen rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 6 rats each for control, diabetic (DM) and diabetic-treated (DMT) groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the test groups (DM and DMT) by a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.). The extract was administered per oral to the DMT group at a dose of 1500 mg/k body weight daily for 28 days. All the groups were fed normal rat chow and allowed water freely. The fasting blood glucose levels in the DM and DMT groups were higher (P<0.001) than the control group, with the DMT group lower (P<0.01) than the DM group. There was a significant (P<0.05) loss of body weight in the DM group compared to the control (P<0.01) and DMT (P<0.05) groups. There was an increase (P<0.01) in volume of water taken by the test groups compared to the control. The water intake in DMT group was lower (P<0.01) than the DM group. The food intake in the DM group was greater (P<0.001) than the control and DMT groups, with the later higher (P<0.05) than the control group. We therefore conclude that Ocimum gratissimum reduces blood sugar level in STZ-induced diabetic rats and alleviates the cardinal symptoms of diabetes mellitus namely; polydypsia, polyphagia and weight loss.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Passiflora edulis on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters of Wistar Albino Rats.

Passiflora edulis is traditionally used in folk lore medicine for the treatment of various ailments. To validate its use in traditional medicine, it is important to evaluate its toxicity in the animal system. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the toxicological effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of P. edulis in Wistar albino rats. Acute toxicity tests were conducted by the oral administration of 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight of the animal. In subacute study, they were administered with various doses of aqueous extract of P. edulis (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg body weight) to evaluate its toxicity for a period of 7 days. The effect of aqueous extract of P. edulis on organ weight, hematological, renal, and hepatic markers were analyzed. In acute toxicity study, no mortality was seen with in 24 h of the administration of P. edulis extract. No signs of neurological and behavioral changes were noticed with in 72 h. In the subacute study, the extract intake has not changed the hematological parameters such as RBC, WBC, and platelets and it was also found that the plasma level of amino transferases, ALP, urea, uric acid and, creatinine were also not altered by the administration of P. edulis extract throughout the study. The weight of organ was found to be unaltered in all the doses selected. The acute toxicity study reveals that the oral administration of the extract was found to be safe up to the dose level of 2000 mg/kg. The subacute study indicates that the extract is safe on the bone marrow function and it is neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotoxic. This supports the safety use of the aqueous extract of P. edulis in pharmacological studies.

Artemisia afraJacq. Ameliorates Oxidative Stress in the Pancreas of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in pancreatic insulin secretion and/or impaired target cell responsiveness to insulin, and Artemisia afra Jacq. is widely used in South Africa to treat the disease, but the mechanism of action is yet to be elucidated. This study explored the effect of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of A. afra on the pancreas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We found that the extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels, accompanied by an increase in the serum insulin concentration. Moreover, the antioxidant enzymic activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase also improved significantly after treatment with the extract. Increased pancreatic lipid peroxidation in the diabetic rats was also normalized by the extract. This study indicates that A. afra possesses hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. Our findings suggest that the herb might exert its anti-diabetic activity by regenerating pancreatic beta cells, thereby stimulating the release of insulin.

Some of the Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cnidoscolous aconitifolius (Euphorbiaceae) on the Morphology and Histology of the Kidney and Liver of Sprague Dawley Rat.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius belongs to a group of arbrescent shrubs. It has continued to be used as food, medicine and ornamental plant till date.Awide variety of claims have been made for its medicinal efficacy as atreatment for numerous ailments ranging from its ability to strengthen fingernails and darken gray hair to curing alcoholism, insomnia, gout, and scorpion stings. This study was to elucidate the effect of aqueous leafextract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius commonly used as food supplement on the kidney and liver of Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes (with an average weight of 235g) were randomlyassigned into one control group (n=8) designated as A, while the extract treated groups consists of 3 subgroups and were designated as B, C, and D. the animals in the extract treated groups B, C and D were administered600mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 200mg/kg bwt of the extract respectively, while the control group received equal volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The administration was done orally using an orogastric tubefor seven days (7d). Twenty-four hours after the last administration, all the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Laparatomy was performed and the liver and kidney excised, trimmed free of fat, rinsedin cold phosphate buffered saline solution. The liver was quickly fixed in 10% formolsaline, while the kidney was fixed in Bouin's fluid for histological processing. The histological findings after Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining showed that the extract treated sections the Kidney and Liver has no compromising effect on the cellular integrity of thestudied organs. There were no degenerative changes and no intercellular vacuolations in the renal cortex and liver parenchyma. These findings indicate that the administration of aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolusaconitifolius has no adverse effects on hepatic and renal morphology of the treated Sprague Dawley rats. It is therefore recommended that further studies at corroborating these observations be carried out.

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cajanus cajan on litter size and serum progesterone in pregnant rats

Aqueous leaf extract of Cajanus cajan is consumed by pregnant women in our locality. However, its effect on pregnancy has not been studied. C. cajan is known to contain genistein and diadzein which are potent phytoestrogens. We studied the effect of aqueous leaf extract of C. cajan on litter size and serum progesterone in pregnant rats. Oral administration of C. cajan on timed-pregnant rats increased litter size from 7.2 ± 1.1 in the control gorup to 10.1 ± 1.5 (p < 0.01) and 10.6 ± 0.8 (p < 0.003) in 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively. Serum progesterone increased from 98.6 ± 3.5 ng/ml in the control group to 112.4 ± 5.3 ng/ml (p < 0.003) and 114.2 ± 3.7 ng/ml (p < 0.002) in the 100 and 200 mg/kg treated groups respectively. There was reduction in litter weight from 6.93 ± 0.2 g in the control group to 4.60 ± 0.3 g (p < 0.0002) and 4.40 ± 0.1 g (p < 0.0003) in the 100 and 200 mg/kg treated groups respectively. There was no statistical significant difference in the litter weight among the treated groups. Aqueous extract of C. cajan caused reduced maternal weight gain in the treated group compared to the control. Maternal weight gain reduced from 62.4 ± 3.4 g in the control to 58.9 ± 2.8 g (p = 0.053) and 57.6 ± 3.1g (p < 0.05) in the 100 and 200 mg/kg treated groups respectively. There was no statistical significant difference in the litter weight among the treated groups. In conclusion, oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of C. cajan increases litter size and plasma progesterone in pregnant rats.

Reversible antifertility effect of aqueous leaf extract ofAllamanda catharticaL. in male laboratory mice

The efficacy of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Allamanda cathartica (150 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 14, 28 and 42 days) in inducing infertility and changes in various male reproductive endpoints was evaluated in Parkes strain mice. The effect of the treatment on organ weight, histopathology, sperm parameters, testosterone level, haematology, serum biochemistry and on fertility indices was assessed. Histologically, testes in extract-treated mice showed nonuniform degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules as both affected and normal tubules were observed in the same sections. The treatment also had adverse effects on motility, viability, morphology and on number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymidis. Serum levels of testosterone, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine, haematological parameters and liver and kidney histoarchitecture were, however, not affected by the treatment. Fertility of the extract-treated males was also suppressed, although the libido remained unaffected. By 56 days of treatment withdrawal, however, the above parameters recovered to control levels. Our results thus suggest that A. cathartica treatment causes reversible suppression of fertility in male mice, without causing detectable toxic effects.

Clerodendron inerme protects cellular integrity during 7,12-dimethylbenz[A]-anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Clerodendron inerme on cellular integrity by measuring the status of glycoconjugates, lipids, osmotic fragility, and membrane bound enzyme activity in 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral carcinogenesis. Oral squamous cell carcinoma was induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin thrice a week for 14 weeks. The levels of glycoconjugates, lipids, osmotic fragility and membrane bound enzyme activity were analyzed by using specific colorimetric methods. We observed 100% tumor formation in DMBA painted hamsters. Altered glycoconjugates and lipid pattern were observed in DMBA painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Erythrocytes from DMBA painted hamsters were more fragile than those from control hamsters. The activity of membrane bound enzyme (Na(+) K(+) ATPase) decreased in DMBA painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Clerodendron inerme (CiALet) at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight significantly prevented the tumor formation and histopathological abnormalities as well as normalized the above said biochemical variables in DMBA painted hamsters. Our results thus demonstrate the protective effect of Clerodendron inerme on cellular integrity during DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.

Mechanisms responsible for the vascular effect of aqueous Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf extract in diabetic rats

Background and Objective:Since a beneficial vascular effect of aqueous leaf extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TFG) has previously been reported, this study was conducted to evaluate the underlying mechanisms, including the role of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase pathways, in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into control, extract-treated control, diabetic, and extract-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg). Treatment groups received TFG extract (200 mg/kg; ip.) every other day for 1 month. Contractile reactivity of the thoracic aorta to KCl and noradrenaline (NA) and relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were determined. For determination of the participation of NO and prostaglandins in the relaxation response to ACh, aortic rings were incubated for 30 min before the experiment with N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and/or indomethacin (INDO).Results:The diabetic state significantly increased the maximum contractile response to KCl and NA (P < 0.01-0.005) and reduced the maximum relaxation due to ACh (P < 0.01) as compared to controls and treatment with TFG extract in the diabetic group significantly improved these changes relative to the untreated diabetic group (P < 0.05). With L-NAME pretreatment, no significant difference between diabetic and extract-treated diabetic groups was found out. On the other hand, there was a significant difference between these two groups following INDO pretreatment (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Intraperitoneal administration of aqueous leaf extract of TFG for one month could improve some functional indices of the vascular system in the diabetic state and endothelium-derived prostaglandins are essential in this respect.

Acanthus ilicifolius plant extract prevents DNA alterations in a transplantable Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing murine model

To investigate the chemopreventive efficacy of the Indian medicinal plant Acanthus ilicifolius L Acanthaceae in a transplantable Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing murine model. Male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups: Group A was the untreated normal control; Group B was the EAC control mice group that received serial, intraperitoneal (ip) inoculations of rapidly proliferating 2 x 10(5) viable EAC cells in 0.2 mL of sterile phosphate buffered saline; Group C was the plant extract-treated group that received the aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of the plant at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight by single ip injections, once daily for 10, 20 and 30 consecutive days following tumour inoculation (ALE control); and Group D was the EAC + ALE-treatment group. The chemopreventive potential of the ALE was evaluated in a murine model by studying various biological parameters and genotoxic markers, such as tumour cell count, mean survival of the animals, haematological indices, hepatocellular histology, immunohistochemical expression of liver metallothionein (MT) protein, sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and DNA alterations. Treatment of the EAC-bearing mice with the ALE significantly (P < 0.001) reduced viable tumour cell count by 68.34% (228.7 x 10(6) +/- 0.53) when compared to EAC control mice (72.4 x 10(6) +/- 0.49), and restored body and organ weights almost to the normal values. ALE administration also increased (P < 0.001) mean survival of the hosts from 35 +/- 3.46 d in EAC control mice to 83 +/- 2.69 d in EAC + ALE-treated mice. Haematological indices also showed marked improvement with administration of ALE in EAC-bearing animals. There was a significant increase in RBC count (P < 0.001), hemoglobin percent (P < 0.001), and haematocrit value (P < 0.001) from 4.3 +/- 0.12, 6.4 +/- 0.93, and 17.63 +/- 0.72 respectively in EAC control mice to 7.1 +/- 0.13, 12.1 +/- 0.77, and 30.23 +/- 0.57 respectively in EAC + ALE-treated group, along with concurrent decrement (P < 0.001) in WBC count from 18.8 +/- 0.54 in EAC control to 8.4 +/- 0.71 in EAC + ALE. Furthermore, treatment with ALE substantially improved hepatocellular architecture and no noticeable neoplastic lesions or foci of cellular alteration were observed. Daily administration of the ALE was found to limit liver MT expression, an important marker of cell proliferation with concomitant reduction in MT immunoreactivity (62.25 +/- 2.58 vs 86.24 +/- 5.69, P < 0.01). ALE was also potentially effective in reducing (P < 0.001) the frequency of SCEs from 14.94 +/- 2.14 in EAC control to 5.12 +/- 1.16 in EAC + ALE-treated group. Finally, in comparison to the EAC control, ALE was able to suppress in vivo DNA damage by abating the generations of 'tailed' DNA by 53.59% (98.65 +/- 2.31 vs 45.06 +/- 1.14, P < 0.001), and DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) by 38.53% (3.14 +/- 0.31 vs 1.93 +/- 0.23, P < 0.01) in EAC-bearing murine liver. Our data indicate that, ALE is beneficial in restoring haematological and hepatic histological profiles and in lengthening the survival of the animals against the proliferation of ascites tumour in vivo. Finally, the chemopreventive efficacy of the ALE is manifested in limiting MT expression and in preventing DNA alterations in murine liver. The promising results of this study suggest further investigation into the chemopreventive mechanisms of the medicinal plant A. ilicifolius in vivo and in vitro.

FENUGREEK ATTENUATES NORADRENALINE-INDUCED CONTRACTION OF AORTIC RINGS OF STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS

The present study evaluated the beneficial effect of aqueous leaf extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.; 100 and 200 mg/kg; i.p.) on the a-adrenergic aortic contraction of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. After two months of treatment, thoracic aortic rings of rats were mounted in organ baths and contractile responses to KCL and noradrenaline (NA) were measured. Diabetic state significantly increased contractile responses to KCL and NA in aortic rings in both endothelium-intact and–denuded rings. Extract-treated diabetic group (200 mg/Kg) showed a lower contractile response to KCL and NA only in endothelium-intact rings as compared to vehicle-treated-diabetic rings. It is concluded that intraperitoneal administration of aqueous leaf extract of fenugreek in an endothelium-dependent pattern could attenuate the contractile response to NA and KCL in STZdiabetic rats. Poster Abstracts / Cardiovascu S90