Acute and subchronic toxicity of Anacardium occidentale Linn (Anacardiaceae) leaves hexane extract in mice

These studies focus on the toxicity leaf hexane extract of A. occidentale L (Anacardiaceae) used in Cameroon traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. Previous findings on antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory have given support to the ethnopharmacological applications of the plant. After acute oral administration, it was found that doses of the extract less than 6 g/kg are not toxic. Signs of toxicity at high doses were asthenia, anorexia, diarrhoea, and syncope. The LD(50) of the extract, determined in mice of both sexes after oral administration was 16 g/kg. In the subchronic study, mice received A. occidentale at doses of 6, 10 and 14 g/kg (by oral route) for 56 days. At doses of 2, 6 and 10 g/kg of extract, repeated oral administration to mice produced a reduction in food intake, weight gain, and behavioural effects. Liver or the kidney function tests were assessed by determining serum parameters like, creatinine, transaminases, and urea. All these parameters were significantly (p<0.01) abnormal. Histopathological studies revealed evidence of microscopic lesions either in the liver or in the kidney which may be correlated with biochemical disturbances. We conclude that toxic effects of A. occidentale L hexane leaf extract occurred at higher doses than those used in Cameroon folk medicine.

Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials with herbal preparations of Serenoa repens fruits in treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms : An overview

In this review, results of randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with extracts of Serenoa repens fruits at a dose of 320 mg/d for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are assessed. Of the RTCs conducted for up to 6 months, a benefit was seen in three of three RTCs with ethanolic, in eight of nine RTCs with hexane, and in one of two RTCs with CO₂ extracts. Of the RTCs conducted for more than 6 months, a benefit was seen in two RTCs with hexane and in one RTC with CO₂ extracts, whereas one RTC with an ethanolic, two RTCs with hexane, and one RTC with CO₂ extracts did not show positive results. As LUTS are dynamic conditions with strong spontaneous fluctuation over time, the majority of patients might expect improvement of single symptoms and thus of quality of life, particularly as the extracts are well tolerated even in long-term treatment.

Insecticidal activities of long pepper (Piper retrofractum Vahl) fruit extracts against seed beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius, Callosobruchus chinensis Linnaeus, and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) and their effects on seed germination

Bruchid beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis), and maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) are important insect pests during the postharvest period. Botanical insecticide is an alternative solution for controlling these insects, and long pepper (Piper retrofractum) has been reported as having insecticidal potential against general insect pests. Film seed coatings with various concentrations of hexane extracts were made for mung bean (Vigna radiata) and corn (Zea mays) seeds. Insecticidal activities of these treatments were assessed at before and after storage period of six months, and seed germination was also evaluated. The hexane extract was subjected to analysis of the bioactive components by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results revealed that the hexane extract presented extreme toxicity to both bruchid beetles higher compared to maize weevil at 24 h with LC₅₀ values of 5.57-6.75 and 58.04 μg⋅cm^-2, respectively. Bruchid beetles presented significant response to ethanol, acetone and hexane extracts, whereas maize weevil showed relatively low responsibility. Film seed coating with hexane extract at 1% and 3% concentrations with six-month storage presented high insecticidal activity against bruchid beetles by more than 88% mortality but had low kill rates against maize weevil. The coated mung bean seeds presented non-seed germination effect, whereas high effect was observed on coated corn. Isolation of bioactive components demonstrated that there were 74 compounds, where pentadecane was the main compound. Film seed coating technology for mung bean seed preservation by using 1% hexane extract from long pepper fruit presented to be an extremely effective method to control bruchid beetles without any seed germination effect. It could serve as one of the green insecticides of the future.