ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The homeopathic complex HomeoAqua Mega 3(®) was designed to stimulate fish liver function resulting in enhanced lipid metabolism and improved overall performance. The effect of the complex in fatty acid compounds in the muscle tissues and the performance of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) were evaluated. METHODS: A control diet with 40 mL of alcohol solution (30° Gay Lussac (GL) alcohol) per kg of feed and another diet with 40 mL/kg of the homeopathic complex were analysed in sex-reversed juvenile male Nile tilapia with mean initial weights of 89.54 g (±7.97) and 89.74 g (±8.83) and initial total mean lengths of 16.93 cm (±0.56) and 16.85 cm (±0.56) for the control and homeopathy-treated fish, respectively. Overall, 200 fish were distributed into 10 water tanks, with 20 specimens in each 600 L tank, they were kept for 63 days. Monitoring of the water's physical and chemical parameters was performed. Additionally, the percentage chemical composition and the composition of the muscle tissue fatty acids were determined, and fish performance was evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between treatments with regard to the water's physical and chemical parameters, moisture, ashes, proteins of the Nile tilapia muscular tissue and mean rates of total weight and length of the animals in the final period of the assay. The total lipid (TL) rates of the tilapia muscle tissue were 1.133 ± 0.2% at the start (control and homeopathy) and 0.908 ± 0.14% (control) and 0.688 ± 0.14% (homeopathy) at the end of the experiment (p < 0.06). The sum total of the SFAs (saturated fatty acids) was 338.50 ± 0.15 at the start (control and homeopathy) and 271.49 ± 0.34 mg/g of the TLs for the control and 226.12 ± 0.77 mg/g of TL for the homeopathy at the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was also lower for the homeopathy-treated fish (8.45 ± 0.40) compared with the control fish (9.60 ± 0.14), (p < 0.05) at the end of the 63-day period. CONCLUSION: Nile tilapia juveniles that received the HomeoAqua Mega-3(®) in their diets had a decrease in the TL rates, mainly for the SFAs, and the n-6/n-3 ratio, compared with the control group, without any changes in the animal performance during the experimental period.
Subject(s)
Cichlids/metabolism , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Fish Diseases/metabolism , Homeopathy/methods , Liver/metabolism , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Animal Feed , Animals , Fish Diseases/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Male , Materia Medica/administration & dosage , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Plant Preparations/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Experiments have established that the first target for echinococcus is the liver and lung and that for pathogenic fungi and protozoa is the heart. Adult patients with hepatic hydatid disease complicated by paecilomycosis have been found to have atypical paecilomycosis-associated myocarditis, the treatment of which was developed by the authors, by using antibiotics, fungicides, and homeopathic remedies.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/complications , Heart/physiopathology , Mycoses/complications , Myocarditis/complications , Sarcocystosis/complications , Adult , Aged , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Coinfection , Echinococcosis/drug therapy , Echinococcosis/parasitology , Echinococcus/drug effects , Echinococcus/physiology , Female , Heart/drug effects , Heart/microbiology , Heart/parasitology , Humans , Liver/drug effects , Liver/microbiology , Liver/parasitology , Lung/drug effects , Lung/microbiology , Lung/physiopathology , Male , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/microbiology , Myocarditis/drug therapy , Myocarditis/microbiology , Myocarditis/parasitology , Paecilomyces/drug effects , Paecilomyces/physiology , Sarcocystis/drug effects , Sarcocystis/physiology , Sarcocystosis/drug therapy , Sarcocystosis/parasitologyABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: To study the anti-tumor activity of centipede extract on cervical tumor of mice and its mechanism. METHODS: The tumor-bearing mice were treated with centipede extract from two solvents [ether (CE) and alcohol (CA)] at different comcentration. The mice' life span, tumor inhibition rate and immune function were estimated. RESULTS: No mice died in CE and CA treatment groups and the tumor inhibition rate was 52.85% and 33.65% respectively. Observed the tumor tissue slices with light microscope and found infiltration of tumor cells in striated muscle in the control group but centipede treatment groups had massive necrosis and apoptosis. Karyopyknosis and apoptotic tumor cells were observed in the treatment groups under transmission electron microscopy. Compared with control group, the expression of Bax increased, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Survivin decreased, but the content of VEGF, the indexes of thymus and spleen had no significant change in treatment groups. The number of CD3+ T lymphocytes had no significant change while the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+, the number of CD19+ B lymphocytes decreaed in the CE group. The numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes decreased in the CA group. The pathological examine indicated no obvious change in the tissue slices of mice's liver and kidney, manifested the concentrations of CE and CA between the article's had no visible side effect. CONNCLUSION: The two extracts (CE and CA) can suppress the growth of cervical tumor and its mechanism may be related to Bax and Caspase-3 medicated the mitochondrial signal transit pathway.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Arthropods , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/isolation & purification , Arthropods/chemistry , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Ethanol , Ether , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Kidney/drug effects , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/isolation & purification , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Neoplasm Transplantation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism , Tumor Burden/drug effects , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/metabolism , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolismABSTRACT
The authors have detected atypical paecilomycosis-associated myocarditis with impaired amino acid exchange and pain syndrome for the first time. At first, pain occurs in the chest and radiates into the axilla, to the left arm to the finger tips, by paralyzing the arm. In some patients, pain manifests itself in both arms with radiation to the belly, by accompanying by fainting. The skin is wet, cold; the pulse is frequent and of poor volume and difficult-to-count. Heart pain spreads into the armpit and down the arm, by making the fingers numb. Attempts to use current analgesics (movalis, sirdalud, nimesil, morphine) in combination with fungicides (diflucan, mycosist, orungal) have failed to yield positive results. The homeopathic drug Latrodectus mactans, prepared from caracurt venom, in combination with the authors' designed diet and other homeopathic agents have relieved pain syndrome and normalized amino acid exchange, which offered possibilities for successful surgical treatment for echinococcosis with later recovery.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/metabolism , Echinococcosis/blood , Echinococcus/physiology , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Mycoses/blood , Paecilomyces/growth & development , Spider Venoms/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Analgesics/administration & dosage , Animals , Black Widow Spider/chemistry , Diet , Echinococcosis/complications , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Echinococcosis/drug therapy , Echinococcosis/parasitology , Echinococcosis/surgery , Echinococcus/drug effects , Female , Fluconazole/administration & dosage , Humans , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Liver/parasitology , Liver/surgery , Male , Materia Medica/administration & dosage , Middle Aged , Mycoses/complications , Mycoses/diagnosis , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/microbiology , Myocarditis/complications , Paecilomyces/drug effects , Pain/complications , Spider Venoms/chemistryABSTRACT
The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation on the activities of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) and pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) was studied in intact male pigs of purebred Landrace and Duroc breeds. Pigs were divided into four groups: two control groups of each breed, without hCG stimulation (n = 20 for each breed), and two experimental groups (n = 18 for each breed), with hCG stimulation (Pregnyl(®); N.V. Organon, Oss, The Netherlands, 30 IU/kg live weight). Pigs were slaughtered 3 days after hCG stimulation and enzyme activities were measured in hepatic microsomes using two approaches. First, only one substrate concentration was used for the analysis of each enzyme activity. We found that EROD activity was suppressed by hCG-stimulation in Landrace (p = 0.004), but not Duroc pigs (p > 0.05). Generally, EROD activity was higher in Duroc pigs compared with Landrace (p = 0.017). Methoxyresorufin O-demethylase and PROD activities did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). To further characterize EROD, MROD and PROD, enzyme kinetic studies were performed. V(max) values for EROD and MROD in both breeds were lower after hCG stimulation (p < 0.001 for Landrace and p < 0.05 for Duroc). Additionally, V(max) values for EROD significantly differed between Landrace and Duroc pigs being higher in Duroc pigs (p < 0.05). We concluded that both hCG stimulation and breed differences may be important in the regulation of EROD and MROD activities. This study provides the first data on the effect of hCG stimulation and thus high testicular steroids, on EROD, MROD and PROD activities. Further studies are needed to investigate individual CYP450 enzymes and their regulation in porcine tissues.
Subject(s)
Chorionic Gonadotropin/pharmacology , Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B1/metabolism , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Liver/enzymology , Swine/metabolism , Animals , Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B1/genetics , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Kinetics , Liver/drug effects , Male , Oxazines/metabolism , Reproductive Control Agents/pharmacology , Swine/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore therapeutic effect of Haobieyangyinruanjianfang (HBYYRJ) on mouse liver fibrosis by schistosomiasis. METHODS: Mice except for normal control were infected with Japanese schistosome cercarias, after 12 weeks, infected mice were divided into 7 groups: low HBYYRJ group, middle HBYYRJ group, high HBYYRJ group, Fufangbiejiaruangan tablet (FFBJRG) group, colchicine group, 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group. Hepatic fibrosis was found in 3 months infection group. Liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) was determined, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) were detected with gelatin zymography, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and precollagen III (PC-III) were detected using RIA. RESULTS: HBYYRJ obviously reduced hepatic fibrosis (probability value less than 0.01). Collagen and HA in 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group were higher than that in normal group (probability value less than 0.01), collagen in high and middle HBYYRJ groups and HA in middle and low HBYYRJ groups were lower than that in 6 months infection group (P less than 0.01, probability value less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group was higher than that in normal group (probability value less than 0.01), The expression of MMP-9 in three HBYYRJ groups and the expression of MMP-2 in high HBYYRJ group were lower than that in 6 months infection group (probability value less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: HBYYRJ can reduce liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis.
Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Schistosomiasis japonica/complications , Animals , Collagen Type III/blood , Disease Models, Animal , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Female , Hyaluronic Acid/blood , Hydroxyproline/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/etiology , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology , Male , Materia Medica/isolation & purification , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism , Mice , Schistosoma japonicum , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of centipede extracts on H22 tumor-bearing mouse, sarcoma S180 mouse and normal mouse. METHODS: Normal and tumor-bearing mouse were orally administrated by centipede extracts. Rate of restraining tumor, index of thymus and spleen were calculated after 12 days treatment. Acute toxicity testing tried to figure out In LD50 of centipede extracts. RESULTS: The restraining tumor rates of centipede ethanol extracts at low and medium doses were 22.2% and 17. 88%. There was no tumor restraining effect by the high dose treatment. The tumor growth of the H22 model mouse was not restrained by the centipede water extracts. There were no significant differences among the treatments in their spleen weight and spleen index. In LD50 test, the administrating dosages of centipede extracts given to the mouse were 48 times those given to patients on clinic. The result showed no mouse dead in centipede group. CONCLUSION: Centipede water extracts had no anti-tumor effect on tumor-bearing mouse. There is certain toxicity in ethanol extracts of centipede, suggesting that centipede alone for treatment of cancer needs further study.
Subject(s)
Arthropods/chemistry , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Materia Medica/toxicity , Sarcoma 180/pathology , Animals , Body Weight , Cell Line, Tumor , Ethanol , Female , Liver/drug effects , Male , Materia Medica/administration & dosage , Materia Medica/isolation & purification , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Neoplasm Transplantation , Random Allocation , Spleen/drug effects , Thymus Gland/drug effects , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Polyherbal formulations available with a wide range of indications like protective to liver, appetite and growth promoters, gastrointestinal and hepatic regulator, as treatment for hepatic dysfunction, for hepatic regeneration as well as liver stimulant and tonic. Despite the widespread use, there is a lack of scientific evidence on their efficacy and safety. This study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of six commercially available formulations, namely Liv 52, Livergen, Livokin, Octogen, Stimuliv and Tefroliv in acute liver toxicity in mice model induced by paracetamol (PCM). METHODS: Swiss albino mice of either sex were used, divided in 28 groups with six in each group. The dose of the polyherbal formulations was calculated from human dose (20 ml/day) using a standard conversion table. They were given as pretreatment (2.60 ml/kg/day) for 7 days by oral route twice a day prior to PCM administration. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering a single oral dose of PCM (500 mg/kg bw) on day 8. The study parameters were conducted on day 9. The biochemical parameters included liver enzyme levels alanine tranaminases (ALT), aspartate transaminases (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The pharmacological and pathological parameters were phenobarbitone sleeping time and macroscopic and microscopic changes of liver tissues respectively. RESULTS: PCM toxicity significantly increased ALT, AST and ALP (321.00 +/- 87.93, 273.17 +/- 45.68, 257.50 +/- 17.64 IU/l vs normal control, 33.33 +/- 0.61, 89.33 +/- 9.50, 152.17 +/- 11.40 IU/l respectively, P<0.05), prolonged phenobarbitone induced sleeping time (from 277.50 +/- 8.04 min to 335.83 +/- 7.00 min, P<0.05). When PCM higher dose (1g/kg p.o. single dose) was used, the liver tissue, in macroscopic appearance, showed extensive necrosis associated with haemorrhages. Low dose (500 mg/kg p.o. single dose) showed punctate haemorrhagic necrosis of liver tissue. In the microscopic studies, PCM induced toxicity showed haemorrhages, fatty changes and necrosis. The pretreatment in low doses (2.6 ml/kg/day) with liquid formulations of Liv 52 and Livergen reversed the PCM induced liver toxicity. At higher doses (5.2 ml/ kg/day), all the six herbal formulations conclusively showed marked beneficial effects in the studied pharmacological, biochemical and histological parameters. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrated the efficacy of polyherbal liquid formulations at two dose levels in PCM induced hepatotoxicity in mice. However, it suggests that a dose adjustment may be necessary to optimize the effects in clinical settings.
Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Phytotherapy/methods , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Acetaminophen/toxicity , Alanine Transaminase/metabolism , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Combinations , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Mice , Plant Extracts/therapeutic useABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the homeopathic complex Homeopatila RS (REAL Homeopathy, Brazil), in the performance, sexual proportion and gills and liver histology of the Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus L.). 4,800 post-larvae were treated for 45 days, in 12 tanks (500 L), in a closed environment, with density of 400 larvae per tank. Three treatments were given: alcohol 30%, negative control (C); hormonal, positive control, 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (H); homeopathic, Homeopatila RS, in ethanol (HH), with four replications. Mean values for length, weight, liver somatic index, condition factor, survival rate, average values of histological alterations and sexual proportion were determined. Analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in growth, survival rate, liver somatic index and average values of hepatic histological alterations between treatments. It was concluded that the addition of Homeopatila RS to the diet of Nile tilapias, during the phase of gonadal differentiation, did not induce any alteration in the sexual proportion. Homeopathically treated fish were significantly smaller, but had significantly greater survival than the other two groups, there was no significant difference in final total biomass. The homeopathically treated fish had a lower liver/somatic index with less hepatic lipid inclusions than the other groups.
Subject(s)
Anabolic Agents/pharmacology , Central Nervous System Depressants/pharmacology , Ethanol/pharmacology , Liver/cytology , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Methyltestosterone/pharmacology , Animals , Cichlids , Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology , Female , Gonads/cytology , Gonads/drug effects , Male , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Contraceptive implants provide long-acting, highly effective reversible contraception. Currently, the only subdermal implant available to women in the United States is the single rod etonogestrel implant, Implanon (N.V. Organon, Oss, the Netherlands) approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2006. Implanon is currently approved for 3 years of use, provides excellent efficacy throughout its use, and is easy to insert and remove. Similar to other progestin-only contraceptives, Implanon can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Implanon has been shown to be safe to use during lactation, may improve dysmenorrhea, and does not significantly affect bone mineral density, lipid profile, or liver enzymes.
Subject(s)
Contraception/methods , Contraceptive Agents, Female/adverse effects , Contraceptive Agents, Female/pharmacology , Safety , Acne Vulgaris/chemically induced , Acne Vulgaris/epidemiology , Bone Density/drug effects , Device Removal , Drug Implants , Female , Humans , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Liver/drug effects , Liver/physiology , Menstruation Disturbances/chemically induced , Menstruation Disturbances/epidemiology , Ovarian Cysts/chemically induced , Ovarian Cysts/epidemiology , Patient Satisfaction , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Homeopathy is considered as one modality for cancer therapy. However, there are only very few clinical reports on the activity of the drugs, as well as in experimental animals. Presently we have evaluated the inhibitory effects of potentized homeopathic preparations against N'-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats as well as 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas in mice. We have used Ruta, Hydrastis, Lycopodium and Thuja, which are commonly employed in homeopathy for treating cancer. Administration of NDEA in rats resulted in tumor induction in the liver and elevated marker enzymes such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum and in liver. Concomitant administration of homeopathic drugs retarded the tumor growth and significantly reduced the elevated marker enzymes level as revealed by morphological, biochemical and histopathological evaluation. Out of the four drugs studied, Ruta 200c showed maximum inhibition of liver tumor development. Ruta 200c and phosphorus 1M were found to reduce the incidence of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas and also increase the life span of mice harboring the tumours. These studies demonstrate that homeopathic drugs, at ultra low doses, may be able to decrease tumor induction by carcinogen administration. At present we do not know the mechanisms of action of these drugs useful against carcinogenesis.
Subject(s)
Drugs, Investigational/therapeutic use , Homeopathy , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/prevention & control , Liver/drug effects , Sarcoma, Experimental/prevention & control , Animals , Female , Liver/pathology , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced , Methylcholanthrene/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Ruta/chemistry , Sarcoma, Experimental/chemically inducedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chinese traditional medicine heluoshugan capsule on liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection in mice. METHODS: Liver fibrosis in mice was established by Schistosoma japonicum infection in 6 weeks. Suspension of heluoshugan prepared with normal saline was given orally to the mice, 2 capsules for 20 mice daily for 8 weeks. The level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and type I, III collagen in liver tissue were detected by immuno-histochemistry. RESULTS: The results showed that heluoshugan improved the pathological change of the liver tissue, decreased the level of type I, III collagen, especially type III collagen (P < 0.01). The level of VEGF and FAK expression was inhibited after the administration of heluoshugan, though the level usually increased in liver fibrosis due to the infection. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggests that heluoshugan capsule might have therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis induced by the infection of Schistosoma japonicum in mice, by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the pathological change of liver blood vessel.
Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Schistosoma japonicum/drug effects , Schistosomiasis japonica/drug therapy , Animals , Capsules , Collagen Type I/metabolism , Collagen Type III/metabolism , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/etiology , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Random Allocation , Schistosoma japonicum/growth & development , Schistosomiasis japonica/complications , Schistosomiasis japonica/parasitology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine whether the potentized homeopathic remedy Carcinosin 200, fed alone and in combination with Chelidonium 200, has differential protective effects against p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. DESIGN: Liver tumors were induced in mice through chronic feeding of p-DAB (initiator) and phenobarbital (PB, promoter). The mice were divided into two subgroups: (1) one was fed potentized Alcohol 200 and served as controls; and (2) the other was fed Carcinosin 200 alone or in combination with Chelidonium 200 and divided into several sets. The relative efficacy of the two potentized remedies, alone or in combination, in combating hepatocarcinogenesis was assessed through several cytogenetical endpoints such as chromosome aberrations, induction of micronuclei, sperm head anomaly, and mitotic index at several intervals of fixation (days 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120). Several toxicity biomarkers such as acid and alkaline phosphatases, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and lipid peroxidation activity were also assayed in three organs of treated and control mice. In addition, recovery by the homeopathic drugs, if any, of tissue damage inflicted because of chronic feeding of p-DAB and PB was also assessed by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies of liver done at days 60 and 120. RESULTS: Both Carcinosin 200 and Chelidonium 200 when administered alone show considerable ameliorative effect against p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice; but the conjoint feeding of these two drugs appears to have had a slightly greater protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: These homeopathic remedies have the potential to be used as complementary and alternative medicine in liver cancer therapy, particularly as supporting palliative measures.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy , Chelidonium , Homeopathy/methods , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Phytotherapy/methods , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Animals , Carcinogens , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced , Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced , Liver/drug effects , Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/chemically induced , Mice , p-DimethylaminoazobenzeneABSTRACT
Both in humans and animals hepatic elimination is an important factor determining the duration of action of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs. To elucidate the hepato-biliary disposition of muscle relaxants the pharmacokinetics of several structurally related but physicochemically distinct steroidal neuromuscular blocking drugs were studied in isolated perfused rat livers. Pharmacokinetics analysis with the DIFFIT computer program enabled the simultaneous fitting of independently measured perfusate disappearance and biliary excretion rate curves using a numerical approach. The hepatic disposition of the steroidal muscle relaxants could be adequately described by a three compartment model with elimination from the peripheral compartment V2 (biliary excretion) and storage in a deep compartment (V3) connected to V2. In addition, for vecuronium only slow ester hydrolysis occurring in V2 and V3 was included in the model. The lipophilicity rather than the relative mobility of the muscle relaxants showed a positive relationship with biliary clearance (Cl20) and the initial hepatic uptake (Cl12), indicating that hepato-biliary transport of these organic cations is highly dependent on the hydrophobic character of the compounds. In addition, net hepatic uptake of the steroidal cations was influenced markedly by transport from the liver to perfusate (hepatic efflux). This hepatic efflux (k21) decreased with increasing lipophilicity. In contrast, the extent of intracellular sequestration into deep compartments, indicated by high k23/k32 ratios, seemed to be inversely related to the lipophilicity of the muscle relaxants and might explain the observed prolonged hepatic storage of some of these compounds. In combination with data from subfractionation studies the results indicate that the pharmacokinetic analysis of the hepatic disposition of steroidal muscle relaxants may be used to evaluate actual transport phenomena participating in the hepatic disposition of these drugs.
Subject(s)
Bile/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Neuromuscular Blocking Agents/pharmacokinetics , Animals , Bile/drug effects , Biological Transport , Liver/drug effects , Male , Models, Biological , Pancuronium/analogs & derivatives , Pancuronium/pharmacokinetics , Perfusion , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Structure-Activity Relationship , Vecuronium Bromide/analogs & derivatives , Vecuronium Bromide/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine if the potentized homeopathic drug Arsenicum Album-30 can help restore the damage produced in protein profiles, DNA and RNA contents in liver and testis as a result of arsenic treatment in mice. DESIGN: Sets of mice were injected with arsenic trioxide, one set was fed with Ars. Alb-30, another with Alcohol-30 and the final set was fed neither. The gel electrophoretic protein profiles and DNA and RNA contents in these three sets were studied. METHODS: Protein profiles were studied by SDS-PAGE method; the DNA and RNA contents were assayed by the standard methods through diphenylamine and orcinol reactions respectively. RESULTS: arsenic trioxide injection produced some pathological conditions, drastic changes (mainly reduction of protein bands) in protein sub-fractions, reduced DNA and RNA contents in both liver and testis; Ars. Alb-30-fed arsenic-intoxicated mice showed revival and restoration in both liver and testis as revealed by gel patterns and quantitative assay of DNA and RNA. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of the homeopathic drug Ars. Alb-30 in reducing arsenic-induced damage to protein and nucleic acids is substantiated and the mechanism of action of the homeopathic drug through expression of regulatory genes inferred.
Subject(s)
Arsenic Poisoning/therapy , Arsenicals/therapeutic use , Homeopathy , Liver/drug effects , Testis/drug effects , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Protein Biosynthesis , Proteins/drug effects , Testis/metabolism , Testis/pathology , Transcription, Genetic/drug effectsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether internal use of low doses of Larrea tridentata tincture or topical applications of this traditional herbal medicine are safe. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all people prescribed Larrea for internal or for topical use over a 22-month period. SETTING/LOCATION: A general naturopathic practice in Sedona, Arizona. SUBJECTS: Thirteen patients were identified for whom Larrea tincture for internal use was prescribed. An additional 20 female and 3 male patients were identified for whom an extract of Larrea in Ricinus communis (castor) oil for topical use was prescribed. No patient had any history of liver disease. INTERVENTIONS: Larrea was prescribed as part of the usual care of each patient. In all cases it was given as either part of a complex herbal formula individualized for each patient containing less than 10% Larrea tincture or as an extract in Ricinus oil for topical use. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum liver enzyme levels as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, glucose levels, electrolytes, bilirubin levels, iron levels, ferritin levels, lipid levels, and complete blood count (CBC) were available for analysis in four patients; general clinical history and physical examination findings were relied on in all other cases. RESULTS: The four patients with complete before and after blood chemistry panels and CBC had no indication of liver damage from use of Larrea. This included one patient who was taking medications with significant potential for hepatotoxicity. No patient in the study, whether using Larrea for short term or long, internally or externally, showed any sign of organ damage during the period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively small intakes of Larrea tincture, or topical application of extracts in Ricinus oil, are safe when prescribed by a clinically trained botanical prescriber. Larrea should be used with caution in persons with a history of previous, or current, liver disease. It may be preferable to avoid the use of Larrea capsules because they have been associated with potentially dangerous overdosing.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy , Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Liver/drug effects , Plants, Medicinal , Plants, Toxic , Ricinus/adverse effects , Rosales , Administration, Cutaneous , Administration, Oral , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Plant Oils/adverse effects , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Ultralow doses of antibodies to phenobarbital and their mixture (1:1) with ultralow doses of antibodies to cholecystokinin reduced the severity of structural and metabolic disturbances in the liver of rats with acute CCl4-induced hepatitis. The mixture of antibodies had no effect on the course of CCl4-induced hepatitis.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/pharmacology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Hepatitis, Chronic , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Animals , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy , Cholecystokinin/immunology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Hepatitis, Chronic/drug therapy , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Phenobarbital/immunology , Rats , Rats, WistarSubject(s)
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Periplaneta/chemistry , Animals , Carbon Tetrachloride , Collagen/blood , Hyaluronic Acid/blood , Laminin/blood , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/blood , Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology , Liver Function Tests , Male , Materia Medica/administration & dosage , Mice , Random Allocation , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The liver injury mice model with Haliotis ruber (Leach), Haliotis disus hannai Ino and Haliotis lacvigata (Donovan) was studied. The results indicated three species Haliotidis could versus carbon tetrachloride-induced ALI aeute liver injury in mice. Comparision of reduced serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminass (SGPT) activity showed Halitis disacus hannai Ino > Haliotis Lacvigata (Donovan) > Haliotis ruber (Leach). The Liver starch was determined. It is suggested protection liver effect of Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis lacvigata (Donovan) are most powerful.
Subject(s)
Alanine Transaminase/drug effects , Lectins/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Mollusca/chemistry , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Lectins/isolation & purification , Liver/pathology , Male , Mice , Mollusca/classificationABSTRACT
The acute toxicity test in mice revealed no toxic effects after oral administration with mixed decoction of Radix Ginseng and Faeces Trogopterori. But a tendency of increasing toxicity was found with intraperitoneal injection. The subacute toxicity test in rats showed no obvious effect on white blood cell count (WBC), differential count (DC), platelet count (Pt), hemoglobin amount (Hb), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), body weight (BW), and so on after oral administration with the above-said mixed decoction.