Effect of Methanol Extract of Telfairia occcidentalis on Haematological Parameters in Wister Rats

Toxicological evaluation of hydroethanol leaf extract of Pupalia lappacea (Linn.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) in rodents

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have established the ethnobotanical benefits of Pupalia lappacea (PL) in laboratory animals without extensive toxicological evaluation of its safety profiles. Thus, an extensive toxicological investigation of sub-chronic oral administration of the hydroethanol leaf extract of P. lappacea in rodents was carried out in this study.

METHODS

Different groups of rats were treated orally with the extract (10, 50 and 250 mg/kg) daily for 90 consecutive days. The control group received distilled water (10 mL/kg). After 90 days, some rats were left for additional 30 days without treatment for reversibility study. Blood and organs samples were collected for different evaluations at the end of study periods.

RESULTS

The extract decreased the bodyweights, feeding and water intakes in female rats. PL increased the weights of the liver and kidney in male rats. PL increased the red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), triglycerides (TRIG), cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) contents in rats. PL (250 mg/kg) significantly reduced the sperm motility and serum testosterone level. Cyto-architectural distortions of the testes, liver and spleen were visible.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed that P. lappacea is relatively safe at lower doses but cautions should be taken at higher dose.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater and Suitability Analysis for Domestic and Agricultural Utility in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Groundwater is a critical water supply for safe drinking water, agriculture, and industry worldwide. In the Khanewal district of Punjab, Pakistan, groundwater has severely deteriorated during the last few decades due to environmental changes and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, 68 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for their main ions and trace elements to investigate the suitability of groundwater sources for drinking and agricultural purposes. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were employed to determine the major factors influencing groundwater quality. To assess the groundwater’s appropriateness for drinking and irrigation, drinking and agricultural indices were used. The pH of the groundwater samples ranged from 6.9 to 9.2, indicating that the aquifers were slightly acidic to alkaline. The major cations were distributed as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. Meanwhile, the anions are distributed as follows: HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > F−. The main hydrochemical facies were identified as a mixed type; however, a mixed magnesium, calcium, and chloride pattern was observed. The reverse ion exchange process helps in exchanging Na+ with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the groundwater system. Rock weathering processes, such as the dissolution of calcite, dolomite, and gypsum minerals, dominated the groundwater hydrochemistry. According to the Weight Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI), 50% of the water samples were unsafe for drinking. The Wilcox diagram, USSL diagram, and some other agricultural indices resulted in around 32% of the groundwater samples being unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The Khanewal’s groundwater quality was vulnerable due to geology and the influence of anthropogenic activities. For groundwater sustainability in Khanewal, management strategies and policies are required.

Toxicological evaluation of hydroethanol leaf extract of Pupalia lappacea (Linn.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) in rodents

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have established the ethnobotanical benefits of Pupalia lappacea (PL) in laboratory animals without extensive toxicological evaluation of its safety profiles. Thus, an extensive toxicological investigation of sub-chronic oral administration of the hydroethanol leaf extract of P. lappacea in rodents was carried out in this study.

METHODS

Different groups of rats were treated orally with the extract (10, 50 and 250 mg/kg) daily for 90 consecutive days. The control group received distilled water (10 mL/kg). After 90 days, some rats were left for additional 30 days without treatment for reversibility study. Blood and organs samples were collected for different evaluations at the end of study periods.

RESULTS

The extract decreased the bodyweights, feeding and water intakes in female rats. PL increased the weights of the liver and kidney in male rats. PL increased the red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), triglycerides (TRIG), cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) contents in rats. PL (250 mg/kg) significantly reduced the sperm motility and serum testosterone level. Cyto-architectural distortions of the testes, liver and spleen were visible.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed that P. lappacea is relatively safe at lower doses but cautions should be taken at higher dose.

Synthesis, Structural Studies, and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Antidiabetic, and Antioxidant Activities of 2,3-Dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones Derived from Pyrazol-4-carbaldehyde and Anilines

A series of new quinazoline derivatives were designed and synthesized via a one-pot condensation reaction between isatoic anhydride and aromatic aldehydes with anilines using aluminum sulfate as a catalyst in refluxing ethanol. Their structures were confirmed by their physical, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy data and evaluated for some biological effects, including the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities as well as some in vivo hematological parameters. The ability of synthesized compounds in the inhibition of α-glucosidase was also investigated through the in silico study. The significant and important changes in some hematological tests were perceived. Notably, compound 4h showed more reducing effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This molecule certainly has the potential to be developed as the antihyperlipemic compound. The tested compounds, in particular, compounds 4j and 4l, were found to be uniquely reducing blood sugar levels. The entire synthesized compounds showed the potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity compared with acarbose as a standard material. Amongst, the compounds 4h and 4i showed the strongest enzyme inhibitory potentials than the standard drug acarbose. There was a good correlation between in vitro and in silico studies for ligands 4i and 4l. The majority of compounds presented a good radical scavenging activity, though the compound 4j exhibited the strongest activity, even to the standard of ascorbic acid. Further studies are required to determine whether these main compounds could be a potential treatment for diabetes and hyperlipidemia diseases.

Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f. - associated haematopoietic effect is mediated by cytokines but independent of testosterone: A preliminary report

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f. (TO) is popular in Nigeria for the ethnopharmacological use of its leaves to improve haematological parameters in normal and anaemic subjects. Cytokines are well-known to regulate haematopoiesis. However, their involvement in TO-associated haematopoietic effect is not known and necessitated this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five (25) male rats were randomly divided into 3 oral treatment groups as follows: Group 1 (control, n=5) received 0.2 ml/kg normal saline for 14 days. Groups 2 and 3 (n= 10 each) were subdivided into 2 (n=5) and received 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of aqueous extract of TO respectively for 7 or 14 days.

RESULTS

TO had dose- and duration-dependent effects on the estimated parameters. Both doses of TO increased the RBC, WBC and erythropoietin concentrations at 14 but not 7 days. Moreover, its 100 mg/kg increased haemoglobin, neutrophil, and interleukin-3 concentrations at 7 days, while 200 mg/kg increased PCV and neutrophils at 14 days, lymphocytes at 7 days, and haemoglobin at both durations.

CONCLUSION

The haematopoietic effect of TO might be partly mediated by cytokines (interleukin-3 and erythropoietin) but independent of testosterone.