Novel therapeutic opportunities from medicinal agents continue to arouse scientific interest in recent times. Still, there is a dearth of information as regards experimental evidence generated from ...medicinal plants that would yield pharmacological agents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Acridocarpus Smeathmannii (DC.) Guill. & Perr. Root (ASR) has a long history as an aphrodisiac in African traditional medicine. Thus, this study investigated the reproductive potentials and associated biochemical mechanisms of its hydroethanolic extract (HEASR) in male Wistar rats. Also, the bioactive compounds were identified.
Fifty-four male albino rats (180 ± 20 g) were divided into nine groups of six rats/group. Control, group 1 received normal saline (10 mL/kg). Groups 2–6 rats were administered sildenafil (1.43 mg/kg/day), mesterolone (0.36 mg/kg/day), doxazocin (0.03 mg/kg/day), HEASR1 (50 mg/kg/day) and HEASR2 (200 mg/kg/day) respectively. Others received co-administration of HEASR2 with standard drugs. Treatment lasted for 28 days via oral gavage.
An acute oral toxicity of HEASR up to 2 g/kg produced no mortality in mice p.o. while the median lethal dose was estimated to be 810 mg/kg i.p. HEASR2 administration or in combination with sildenafil, mesterolone and doxazocin increased mounting frequencies on day 28 by 77.44%, 122.65%, 148.5% and 93.88% and sperm counts by 38.29%, 55.21%, 42.48%, and 48.98% respectively in treated rats. HEASR2 + sildenafil elevated testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels by 36.33% and 24.55% while HEASR2 + doxazocin elevated luteinizing hormone levels by 97.44% in rats. HEASR modulated prostate-specific antigen and malondialdehyde levels respectively. Reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were raised in five selected organs. Serum nitric oxide but not cyclooxygenase-2 or tumor necrosis factor-α levels was moderately improved in rats.
Overall, the results obtained demonstrated the potential of HEASR as a male reproductive enhancer, thus justify its folklore applications. Further, octadecanoic acid ethyl ester was the most abundant bioactive component present.
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A review on the historical evolution of seismic hazard maps in Turkey is followed by summarizing the important aspects of the updated national probabilistic seismic hazard maps. Comparisons with the ...predecessor probabilistic seismic hazard maps as well as the implications on the national design codes conclude the paper.
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Recent adverse herb reactions have stimulated interest documenting the safety profile of medicinal agents. Thus, subacute and subchronic oral toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of ...Acridocarpus smeathmannii root (HEASR) in Wistar rats was investigated. In the 28 and 90-day subacute and subchronic toxicity tests, sixty-four rats (n = male: female = 1:1 = 32) were divided into four of eight/group and ninety-six (n = male: female = 1:1 = 48) into twelve/group respectively. Distilled water (10 mL/kg) or HEASR4, HEASR5 and HEASR6 (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day) respectively were administered via oral gavage. Animals were killed humanely 24 h after the last administration. Using standard methods, acute oral toxicity dose of HEAR (2000 mg/kg) was non-lethal in rodents. Subacute administration of HEASR6 increased total bilirubin (p < 0.05) in female rats. HEASR moderately altered both haematological and biochemical indices in rats. HEASR6 administration reduced ovary weight in both studies while follicle stimulating hormone level in male was reduced at all doses used. HEASR modulated lipid peroxidation, sperm quality and elevated cyclooxygenase-2 levels in rats. Histology revealed gastritis and congestions in vital organs. The low-observed adverse effect level for HEASR was below 250 mg/kg for both sexes. Overall, HEASR demonstrated inherent toxicity evidenced by our current findings. The exaggeration of its folklore medicine applications calls for cautions.
•Atrazine produces reproductive abnormality and biochemical alterations in rats.•Atrazine also causes motor dysfunction and neurobehavioural deficits in rats.•Pharmacological inhibition of ...cyclooxygenase-2 was achieved by celecoxib.•Potential therapeutic mechanism of COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, was demonstrated.
The cyclooxygenase-2/prostanoid pathway (COX-2) serves as a potential therapeutic target in various pathological conditions. Thus, the modulatory effect of celecoxib (CXB), a COX-2 inhibitor, in atrazine-induced toxicity was investigated. Five groups (n = 6 rats per group) of adult male Wistar rats received corn oil (2 ml/kg), atrazine (ATZ, 300 mg/kg) and CXB (5.7 mg/kg) respectively and their combinations via the oral route. Results obtained showed reduced (p < 0.05) sperm motility (25.8%) and counts (27.6%), testosterone (29.9%), luteinizing (33%) and follicle stimulating hormones (78.7%) plus elevated total cholesterol (112.3%), triglyceride (115.7%), malondialdehyde levels respectively in ATZ-treated rats. Similarly, ATZ administration causes reduced locomotion (33.6%), spontaneous motor activity (46.6%) and catalepsy effects (157.3%) respectively. However, CXB divided doses moderately reverse reproductive abnormalities, modulate neurobehavioural deficits and slightly preserved COX-2 elevation following ATZ intoxication. Furthermore, histopathology of testis shows improvement in treated rats. Overall, our data suggest chemopreventive actions via pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 activity during ATZ toxicity.
The misconception about dietary supplements being safe has led many into the in-patient wards. Cellgevity® (CGV) is a Max International premiere antioxidant supplement formula used by a large ...population. This study evaluated the effects of therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses of CGV on reproductive function and biochemical indices in Wistar rats.
Seventy-two Wistar rats weighing 130 ± 15.8 g were grouped into two categories (male or female) of six rats per group. Control group received distilled water (10 ml/kg). Others received therapeutic (14.3 mg/kg or 28.6 mg/kg) and supra-therapeutic CGV doses (1000, 2000 or 3000 mg/kg) body weight per oral respectively.
After 60 days, supra-therapeutic doses of CGV reduced sperm motility (p < 0.05) by 31.8%, 31.3% and 34.5% respectively and increased (p < 0.05) abnormality in sperms by 200%, 241% and 141.3% respectively. CGV altered male (luteinizing, follicle stimulating hormones and testosterone) and female reproductive hormones (luteinizing, follicle stimulating hormones estrogen and progesterone) respectively. Therapeutic doses of CGV elevated reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase, although, this was exceeded by supra-therapeutic doses and more in females than male rats. Supra-therapeutic dose (3000 mg/kg CGV) decreased body weight in both male and female rats by 50% (F(1.5, 30) = 1.2, p = 0.041) and 62.7% (F(2.1, 30) = 0.38, p = 0.038) respectively in treated rats. Supratherapeutic (3000 mg/kg) dose of CGV increased (p < 0.05) creatinine level by 99.1% while serum total protein was reduced (p < 0.05) by 60.1% (2000 mg/kg) and 57.2% (3000 mg/kg) respectively in male animals. In Female rats, supra-therapeutic doses of CGV elevated creatinine levels by 72.2% (1000 mg/kg), 60.2% (2000 mg/kg) and 124.8% (3000 mg/kg) respectively and 3000 mg/kg produces elevated serum low density lipoprotein by 34.6% in treated rats. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, alkaline phosphatase were unaltered by CGV dosing. Histology shows seminiferous tubules with reduced spermatogenic cells. Also, female rat kidney revealed acute tubular necrosis at highest dose used in this study.
Overall, these data suggest that pro-oxidant potential of the supra-therapeutic CGV doses is evident. Hence, it is necessary that its administration be done with caution using appropriate doses.
Background: The global increase in acceptance and use of herbal remedies in recent times is still accompanied with poor knowledge of their potential adverse effects and the toxicological implications ...of their use are underestimated. Methods: Bon-santé Cleanser® (BSC), a polyherbal containing Anogeissus leiocarpus, Terminalia ivorensis, Massularia acuminate and Macuna pruriens, is an ＂energizer and hormone booster＂. We assessed the effect of BSC on reproductive function after administration for 60 days in male Wistar rats. Rats (150 -300 g) were assigned into four groups of 8/group. Control received distilled water (10 ml/kg) while other groups received BSC 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day p.o. respectively. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and samples collected for analysis. Results: BSC (250 mg/kg) elevated (p ＜ 0.05) follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels respectively. BSC decreased sperm motility and the live-dead ratio at 1000 mg/kg and reduced reproductive hormone at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. BSC at 500 mg/kg increased (p ＜ 0.05, F = 3.18-13.21) testicular reduced glutathione level (50.3%) and catalase (43.7%) but not activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde level. Further, BSC influenced Mg, Zn, Cu, P, Mn, Ni and Fe levels (p ＜ 0.05). BSC (1000 mg/kg) decreased testis weight (p ＜ 0.05) and induced mild inflammation characterized by atrophic tubules. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest BSC at low doses may increase reproductive hormones regulated by FSH and LH as observed in this study. However, BSC administration should be done with caution as it may induce reproductive toxicity in large doses.
To understand barriers and facilitators to evidence-based prescribing of antibiotics in the outpatient dental setting.
Semistructured interviews.
Outpatient dental setting.
Dentists from 40 Veterans' ...Health Administration (VA) facilities across the United States.
Dentists were identified based on their prescribing patterns and were recruited to participate in a semistructured interview on perceptions toward prescribing. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and double-coded for analysis, with high reliability between coders. We identified general trends using the theoretical domains framework and mapped overarching themes onto the behavior change wheel to identify prospective interventions that improve evidence-based prescribing.
In total, 90 dentists participated in our study. The following barriers and facilitators to evidence-based prescribing emerged as impacts on a dentist's decision making on prescribing an antibiotic: access to resources, social influence of peers and other care providers, clinical judgment, beliefs about consequences, local features of the clinic setting, and beliefs about capabilities.
Findings from this work reveal the need to increase awareness of up-to-date antibiotic prescribing behaviors in dentistry and may inform the best antimicrobial stewardship interventions to support dentists' ongoing professional development and improve evidence-based prescribing.
The objective of this study was to understand veteran perspectives of grief/loss associated with their spinal cord injury (SCI).
Qualitative descriptive design using semistructured interviews with ...veterans with SCI (n = 15) was performed using interview questions informed by the literature. Analysis was conducted using a deductive/inductive approach.
The 15 participants' mean age was 64 years; six had paraplegia, eight had tetraplegia, one had unknown level of injury, six were ambulatory, and nine were not ambulatory. The grief/loss experience was individual and constant, consisting of seven phases: experiencing shock, releasing emotion, withdrawing, focusing on losses, problem solving, realizing strength and motivation, and accepting a new life. Veteran coping strategies used in each phase of the grief experience were also identified, as well as triggers that increased or decreased the grief/loss experience.
A better understanding of veterans living with SCI grief experience, coping strategies, and triggering events can help healthcare providers support veterans with SCI.
A 2-step process showed that Health personnel gave reliable estimates of lymphatic filariasis. Local people associate episodic attacks with witchcraft (60.9%) and isolate affected people. Display ...omitted
► Health personnel reliably identified communities for morbidity management. ► Rejection, divorce and isolation are common. ► Lymphoedema morbidity management should be integral component of transmission elimination.
Identification of communities with people that could benefit from adenolymphangitis (ADL) and lymphoedema morbidity management within Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programmes (NLFEP) in many African countries is a major challenge to programme managers. Another challenge is advocating for proportionate allocation of funds to alleviating the suffering that afflicted people bear. In this study we developed a rapid qualitative technique of identifying communities where morbidity management programme could be situated and documenting the pain and distress that afflicted persons endure. Estimates given by health personnel and by community resource persons were compared with systematic household surveys for the number of persons with lymphoedema of the lower limb. Communities in Northeastern Nigeria, with the largest number of lymphoedema cases were selected and a study of local knowledge, physical, psychosocial burden and intervention-seeking activities associated with the disease documented using an array of techniques (including household surveys, key informant interviews, group discussions and informal conversations). Health personnel gave a more accurate estimate of the number of lymphoedema patients in their communities than either the community leader or the community directed ivermectin distributor (CDD). Community members with lymphoedema preferred to confide in health personnel from other communities. The people had a well developed local vocabulary for lymphoedema and are well aware of the indigenous transmission theories. Although the people associated the episodic ADL attacks with the rains which were more frequent at that period they did not associate the episodes with gross lymphoedema. There were diverse theories about lymphoedema causation with heredity, accidental stepping on charmed objects and organisms, breaking taboos. The most popular belief about causation, however, is witchcraft (60.9%). The episodic attacks are dreaded by the afflicted, since they are accompanied by severe pain (18%). The emotional trauma included rejection (27.5%) by family, friends and other community members to the extent that divorce and isolation are common. Holistic approach to lymphoedema morbidity management should necessarily be an integral component of the ongoing transmission elimination programme. Any transmission prevention effort that ignores the physical and psychological pain and distress that those already afflicted suffer is unethical and should not be promoted.
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