Studies on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of extracts from marine sponges

Two specimens of sponges collected from Red Sea, Egypt, were investigated for their contents of secondary metabolites. The crude extracts of the sponges were tested for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The toxic effects of the extracts of the two marine sponges were studied. LD50 determination revealed that the investigated extracts of Iregnella and Ircinia sps were 4.69 and 134.7 mg/100g b.wt. respectively, when injected of intraperitoneally in mice. The toxic signs were recorded within the first 24 hrs after injection. Also the two marine sponges extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

Study of some antioxidants in cases of bronchial asthma

The aim of this study was to explore some of the local antioxidant defenses in patients with asthma focusing on superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione [GSH] and selenium. Two groups of subjects were included in this study: Group I included 20 asthmatic patients and group II included 10 normal control subjects. Glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and selenium were estimated in bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] of all subjects. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the level of BAL glutathione among asthmatic group as compared with the control group. Also, the study showed a significant decrease in the level of BAL selenium among the asthmatic group as compared with the control group. Also, there was a significant decrease in the level of BAL superoxide dismutase among the asthmatic group when compared with the control group

Renal and pulmonary functional changes in patients with silicosis

The objective of this study was to investigate the early renal and pulmonary functional changes among workers exposed to silica dust. The study was performed on the following three groups of subjects: Group I consisted of 15 healthy subjects as a control group, group II consisted of 15 workers exposed to silica dust without a manifestation suggestive of silicosis [chronic cough and expectoration, dyspnea, fatigability, normal spirometric data and normal chest radiographic appearance] and group III consisted of 15 workers exposed to silica dust with manifestations suggestive of silicosis, clinical [chronic cough and expectoration, dyspnea and fatigability], physiological [abnormal spirometric data] and chest radiographic appearance. The study concluded that patients suffering from silicosis showed significant changes in the renal functions together with mild combined obstructive and restrictive ventilatory defect compared with the healthy silica exposed workers and the healthy nonexposed ones. It was recommended that kidney function tests should be routinely done, especially those which detect the early dysfunction as B2-microglobulins, even if chest X-ray and simple pulmonary functions were normal

Adnexal masses: clinical issues and magnetic resonance imaging appearance

Magnetic resonance images [MRI] of the pelvis in 33 women suspected of having an adnexal mass on physical examination or ultrasound study were done to determine accuracy of MRI in characterization of adnexal masses prior to surgery with correlation to histopathology. Masses were classified according to MRI diagnosis into three groups [benign [neoplastic and non neoplastic] and malignant groups]. They were analysed for size, location, morphologic characteristics and signal behaviour. In every case an attempt was made to generate a specific diagnosis according to previously reported characteristics MR appearance. Surgical follow up was obtained within 19 days of MRI examination for 30 patients. Surgical interference was avoided in 3 non neoplastic cases which diagnosed by MRI as theca lutein cysts, where follow up by clinical, examination, MRI and serial serum titre of B-subunit of hCG showed regression of masses by medical treatment. Of the total 30 operative adnexal masses, MRI, was 85.7% sensitive and 95% specific in prosectively diagnosing ovarian malignancy. MRI is highly accurate in identifying common benign and non neoplastic pelvic masses. In conclusion, when physical examination or ultrasound examination are inconclusive, pelvic MRI can aid in the evaluation of women with suspected pelvic masses

Chlamydia trachomatis infection and relation to female infertility

Sera from 70 infertile female women [30 with primary and 40 with secondary infertility], 30 women with cervicitis attending the gynaecology clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals, and 30 women selected from the family planning clinic without overt genital disease [control group] were tested for the presence of antichlamydial Ig[G] antibody using the screening test immunoComb., which is based on a [Dot enzyme immunoassay-solid-phase EIA] Antichlamydial Ig[A] antibody was tested in the serum and cervical mucus of the 130 women included in this study by the same screening test. The positive samples for C. trachomatis Ig[G] antibody were confirmed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test [IFA] Antichlamydial antibody Ig[G] was found in 13 [18.57%] of infertile women, 4 [13.33%] of women with cervicitis and one [3.33%] women from control group. No significant statistical; difference between the presence of serum Ig[G] and serum and cervical mucus Ig[A] was found. In this study, though the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection is low, there is 5 times increase in the presence of antichlamydial Ig[G] antibody in infertile women than in control group, with significant statistical difference [P>0.05], which necessitate prompt diagnosis and rapid treatment of C. trachomatis genital infection

Synthesis and analgesic activity of benzofuran carboxamide derivatives

Treating 4-methoxy- and 4,7-dimethoxy-6-hydroxybenzofuran-5-carboxylic acid with ethyl chloroformate in dry acetone leads to the formation of the monocarbethoxy derivatives, which on cyclization give the corresponding anhydrides. The latter compounds react with hydrazines to give the hydrazide carboxylate derivatives. On the other hand, when the benzofuran-5-carboxylic acids are treated with ethyl chloroformate in dimethyl formamide, the 5-carbethoxy derivatives are obtained. These react with hydrazine hydrate and amines. Some of the new compounds show analgesic activity

Pharmacological studies on some new pyrazolones

Some new synthesized pyrazolone derivatives were tested for their possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic action. Compounds [II] 3-[p-chlorophenoxy]-1, 2-di phenyl-3- pyrazolin-5-one and [III] 3-[2, 4-dichlorophenoxy]-1, 2-diphenyl-3- pyrazolin-5-one showed a significant anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Tested compounds failed to demonstrate any significant analgesic effect while they were all ulcerogenic

Pharmaco-toxicological study on ammi majus seeds

The total alcoholic extract [I], coumarin [II] and glycosidic [III] fractions of Ammi majus seeds were studied from the toxic and pharmacological points of view. The acute LD50's of the extracts were 2925.6, 1197.7, and 570.48 mg/kg body weight respectively. The extracts produced significant decrease in the mean hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count and lymphocytic count in white rate Ammi majus seeds given as 10% of the diet of rats for 6 months significantly increased then decreased the mean body weight and significantly decreased the hemoglobin concentration and total leucocytic count. I, II, III produced lowering of the arterial blood pressure and increase of the respiratory rate in dogs, decrease the amplitude of the frog's heart and inhibit the intestinal motility of rabbit intestine. I stimulated and II and III inhibited the isolated perfused rats uteri at different stages of sex Cycle

Some hepatotoxic and reproductive effects of vincristine sulphate and doxorubicin chloride in normal and liver damaged male rats

Vincristine sulphate [I] and doxorubicin hydrochloride [II] in large doses for short time increase significantly serum liver enzymes in both young and aged rats. Smaller doses from each and both in combination failed to affect liver enzymes of young rats, also smaller doses from all treatments for 21 days failed to affect liver enzymes of young and liver damaged rats. Smaller or larger doses for short or long periods significantly affected liver enzymes of aged rats. [I] in large or small doses did not affect the sperm quality or internal organs, while [II] significantly affected sperm quality when given alone or with [I] in all conditions

Effects of oral administration of vicince and convicine isolated from fava beans [vicia fabal] on the reproductive system and apeen quality of maid mice

Daily oral administration of 5 mg/25 g body weight glycosides vicine and convicine for two weeks in male mice caused significant increase in seminal vesicle and vas deferens weight while there was no change in the weight of the prostate. Concerning the effect on semen quality, there were an increase in the percent of abnormal sperm and decrease in the percent of motile sperm. Histopathological findings revealed areas of degenerations appeared in the transverse section of the testes where edema present, seminiferous tubules showed arrest of spermatogenesis. The results of this study demonstrated that vicine and convicine when given to male mice have a prominent effect on the reproductive organs as well as the spermatogenesis

Effect of hibiscus sabdarifla on the blood picture, sperm quality and genital organs of rats

Oral administration of water extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers [20 mg/100 gm body weight] daily for 8 weeks to male albino rats produces increase in total leucocytic count, haemoglobin percent and lymphocytes after 4-8 weeks, in the mean time the neutrophils decreases after 4 weeks. The increase in the percentage of motile sperms and the increase of abnormal sperms were observed after 4 to 8 weeks of experiment. The extract also causes decrease in body weight and epididymis. However, the reduction in weight starts from the 4[th] to the 8[th] week of treatment. All the effects obtained were found to be reversible after discontinuation of treatment

Some pharmacological and toxicological studies on some food by-products

Oral and intraperitoncal administration of fooder yeast [I], Proteolain [II] and Rootlets [III] decoctions in mice showed no toxic effects in doses up to 3 gm/100 gm body weight. The three extracts inhibited the isolated frog's heart. I and III inhibited the other hand I significantly decreased the haemoglobin conhibited also the intestinal activity of the isolated rabbit's intestine. Feeding the three extracts for six months as 10% of the diet to rats showed that, II and III produced to toxic effects on, the other hand I significantly decreased the haemoglobin Concentration and packed cell volume

Toxicity and teratogenicity of abrin

The toxicity of the purified isolated toxic protein [Abrin] from Abrus precatorius L, seeds was determined. The acute LD[50] +/- Fid. L. of Abrin intraperitoneally injected in mice was found to be 8.34 +/- 1.3 mg/Kg. A heat labile haemagglutinating effect was demonstrated and was found to be 1290 Hu/g Abrin. Prolonged administration of Abrin in mice produced initial anemia which normalises at the end of the experiment, also it produced significant increase in white blood cell count all over the course of the experiment. intraperitoneal injection of Abrin to pregnant rats produced significant maternal and fetal changes, while Abrin po. produced significant fetal effects only

Evaluation of some drug solvents for teratological investigation in rats

Female rats were treated by oral administration of 0.2 ml. of 10% solution of propylene glycol in distilled water or by 0.2 ml. olive oil. These doses were found to have no toxic effects on rats [El-Shabrawy, 1980]. Treatments were put to fulfill pre-mating and/ or during pregnancy exposure of animals to propylene glycol or olive oil. Significancy reduction in postnatal body weights was found in offspring from females treated with olive oil before mating and continued during the 1[st] 10 days of pregnancy. Non-significant results indicative of maternal toxicity, embryotoxicity or teratogenicity were obtained in any of the treated groups

chemical composition and micro structure of quark cheese manufactured by standard and by ultrafiltration techniques

Quark cheese was manufactured by standard [S] and by ultra filtration [UF] techniques. Chemical composition of skim milk, pre-cheese milk and the gross composition of both type cheeses were determined. Also, free amino acids and microstructure of cheese were investigated. The results show that major differences in the contents of casein, whey proteins [in total protein] and [-SS-] group were observed in UF cheese as compared with S cheese. The levels of amino acids contents were higher in UF cheese than S cheese and level of glutamic acid and NH [3] were present in significant amount in both cheeses. Micrographs [transmission electron microscopy-TEM] of S cheese illustrates that the size of casein micelles is larger continuously of slightly fused micelles, while electron micrographs of UF cheese illustrates smaller micelles