Novel Pesticidal Efficacy of Araucaria heterophylla and Commiphora molmol Extracts against Camel and Cattle Blood-Sucking Ectoparasites.

Botanical insecticides are promising pest control agents. This research investigated the novel pesticidal efficacy of Araucaria heterophylla and Commiphora molmol extracts against four ectoparasites through treated envelopes. Seven days post-treatment (PT) with 25 mg/mL of C. molmol and A. heterophylla, complete mortality of the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii and cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus were reached. Against H. dromedarii, the median lethal concentrations (LC50s) of the methanol extracts were 1.13 and 1.04 mg/mL and those of the hexane extracts were 1.47 and 1.38 mg/mL, respectively. The LC50 values of methanol and hexane extracts against R. annulatus were 1.09 and 1.41 plus 1.55 and 1.08 mg/mL, respectively. Seven days PT with 12.5 mg/mL, extracts completely controlled Haematopinus eurysternus and Hippobosca maculata; LC50 of Ha. eurysternus were 0.56 and 0.62 mg/mL for methanol extracts and 0.55 and 1.00 mg/mL for hexane extracts, respectively, whereas those of Hi. maculata were 0.67 and 0.78 mg/mL for methanol extract and 0.68 and 0.32 mg/mL, respectively, for hexane extracts. C. molmol extracts contained sesquiterpene, fatty acid esters and phenols, whereas those of A. heterophylla possessed monoterpene, sesquiterpene, terpene alcohols, fatty acid, and phenols. Consequently, methanol extracts of C. molmol and A. heterophylla were recommended as ecofriendly pesticides.

Anxiety, depression-like behaviors and biochemistry disorders induced by cannabis extract in female mice.

Cannabis is an annual herbaceous plant sometimes grown for decoration and used as bird food that looks like flax. The study wanted to determine if a Cannabis extract may have an effect on how anxious and depressed the female mice behaved. forty healthy female mice were divided into four groups. Tap water was administered to the first group (control). Ethanol was administered to second group (positive control). The third and four groups were given 1 and 2 mg/kg cannabis extract respectively. Treatment continued for 14 days. After therapy, the light-dark chamber, forced swimming, tail suspension, plus lamb and open field tests were done to assess anxiety and depressive behavior. The results indicated that the anxiety and depression were increased in treated females significantly compared to control. Biochemical results showed that DA,5-HT, AChE, GSH, GST, CAT and SOD were decreased while TBARS, corticosterone and cortisol were increased. In conclusion, cannabis effects this kind of females' behavior but the mechanisms are not clear yet. We need more researches on this trend.

Immunomodulatory effect of curcumin on hepatic cirrhosis in experimental rats.

Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease. The present work aimed to evaluate the regulatory immune effect of curcumin in hepatic cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injections in experimental rats' model. Chronic liver fibrosis was induced in experiment animals by recurrent injections of CCl4 for more than 5 weeks. They were divided into five groups: first group was injected with normal saline, second group with CCl4, third, fourth, and fifth groups were injected with CCl4 (intraperitoneal injection) at dose 3 ml/kg, two times weekly for 6 weeks supplemented with the administration of curcumin with concentrations 250, 200, and 150 mg/kg. Immune response was analyzed to different treatments. Interleukin 10 (IL-10), pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, TGF-1ß, and liver histopathological examinations were conducted. The results showed that estimations of IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased in curcumin groups compared with CCl4 group, whereas TNF-α and TGF-1ß levels were significantly decreased comparing with CCl4 group. The histopathological examinations for liver tissues showed that curcumin treated groups have almost retained the normal structure of liver tissues. In conclusion, curcumin inhibited hepatic fibrosis and liver fibrogenesis with regulation of the immune system mechanism against invader chemical toxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Curcumin is well documented for its medicinal properties, commonly used as a spice. Our work has thus demonstrated its effectiveness as an immunomodulatory agent. Practically, clinical studies have suggested that curcumin displays a diverse and powerful array of pharmacological effects in nearly all of the human body's major organ systems. These are: antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiaging, antioxidant, antibacterial infection, hepatoprotective, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular effects.

Impact of Ginkgo biloba extract and magnetized water on the survival rate and functional capabilities of pancreatic ß-cells in type 2 diabetic rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a widely distributed disease that affects large population worldwide. This study aimed to verify the role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) extract and magnetized water (MW) on the survival rate and functional capabilities of pancreatic ß-cells in type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2D was induced by feeding the rats on a high-fat diet (20% fat, 45% carbohydrate, 22% protein) for eight weeks followed by intra-peritoneal injection of a single low dose of streptozotocin (25mg/Kg). Forty rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10 rats) as follows: non treated control and three diabetic groups. One diabetic group served as a positive control (diabetic), while the other two groups were orally administered with water extract of GB leaves (0.11 g/kg/day) and MW (600 gauss) for four weeks, respectively. RESULTS: The ß-cell mass and insulin expression in these cells increased markedly after both treatments, particularly in GB treated group. In addition, the immune-expression of the two antioxidant enzymes; glutathione and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the pancreatic tissue demonstrated a down-regulation in GB and MW treated groups as compared with the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: A four-week treatment of GB and MW protected pancreatic ß-cell cells and improved their insulin expression and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats.