Evidence-based hepatic and renal toxicity evaluation of Prunus armeniaca L. seeds in albino Wistar rats.

The present study is a novel approach conducted to investigate dose dependent hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity of aqueous extract of Prunus armeniaca L. seeds in Albino rats. The use of the seeds is limited since the seeds have been subject of high controversy because of the presence of amygdalin, (Vitamin B-17) which in some studies revealed toxicity while in others incurred anti-cancerous ability and also scarce availability of toxicity evaluation studies which stimulates the need to expedite this study which would allow utilization of seeds in the pursuit of formulating novel remedies. 1000, 1500 and 2000mg/kg body weight of extract orally administered in experimental Groups DI, DII and DIII of rats (n=6) respectively for 42 days. Blood and tissue samples collected were then evaluated using liver enzymes; Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transferase, Alkaline Phosphatase and Bilirubin as hepatotoxic markers, Urea, creatinine and BUN as renal function indicators, antioxidants levels of liver and kidney; Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione reductase as oxidative stress markers and Melondylaldehyde as indicator of lipid peroxidation. The results displayed no significant increment (P>0.05) in liver enzymes, reduced liver and kidney MDA levels (P>0.05) and dose-dependent increased activity of antioxidants. This concludes that the extract did not show any remarkable hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity rather improved antioxidant activity. The histology of liver and kidney tissues further supported that the selected doses are safe for consumption.

Spatio-temporal partitioning and coexistence between leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in Gir protected area, Gujarat, India.

Time and space are essential niche dimensions along which species tend to coexist. We assessed spatiotemporal resource partitioning between leopards and lions and hypothesized the differential use of spatiotemporal resources by leopards with respect to lions. We used a systematic camera trap survey to collect the data at 50 sites. The data were analyzed using overlap indices, and non-parametric test statistics to assess the spatiotemporal associations. Leopard and lion were crepuscular and nocturnal in their activity pattern. They did not segregate temporally and showed substantially high overlap and strong temporal association. Leopard segregates with lion spatially by overlapping less and showing no association in space use at specific camera trap sites. Leopards showed preference for dense habitats, while the lion preferred both dense and open habitats. Leopard showed moderate-overlap and positive association with key prey species, i.e., chital and sambar. Lion, however showed low site-specific overlap and negative association with its crucial prey species, i.e., sambar and wild pig. We conclude that site-specific spatial partitioning along with differential affinities for habitat is helping leopards to partition their spatio-temporal resources with lions and hence facilitate coexistence of leopards with lions in Gir forest.