The beneficial effect of Adansonia digitata products success to modulate lipid profiles and inhibit LDL oxidation in-vitro: An associational study.

Background: There is a growing interest in medicinal plants in recent years due to their many therapeutic benefits and low side effects. Among the medicinal plants is the African Adansonia digitata (baobab) that has edible fruit. In the current study, the effect of A. digitata juice consumption on the lipid profile was investigated. In addition, inhibition of the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in-vitro by A. digitata essential oil (EO) was also investigated. Methods: In this cohort study, a total of 70 subjects of A. digitata users (AD group, 42 male and 28 female) and 70 non A. digitata users (Non-AD group, 44 male and 26 female) were recruited to participate in this study. We evaluated lipid profile, HbA1c, liver/kidney functions, and phytosterol contents in fasting blood samples of all participants. Results: The present findings illustrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL in the AD group compared to Non-AD (p < 0.01). In addition, essential oil of A. digitata inhibited LDL oxidation in-vitro as shown by the significant decreases in the formation of malonaldehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) (P<0.05). No significant changes in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, HDL, kidney function, and liver function enzymes between the two groups were detected (P>0.05). Conclusion: The juice of A. digitata has hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects and might be beneficial for the management of lipid levels in the body.

Evaluation of Hematological and Biochemical Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Zygophyllum simplex Linn. in Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Zygophyllum simplex is commonly used in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of horny patches of skin and as an anthelmintic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The experiment was to aimed at to evaluate the constituents of Zygophyllum simplex extract and their effect on blood biochemical parameters in Wistar male rats. METHODOLOGY: The plant extract was orally administered to the rats (n = 10) at two doses of 250 and 500 mg kg -1 b.wt., for 30 days. Its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea were investigated. RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol, blood glucose and CK levels. However, levels of AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unaltered. CONCLUSION: In coclusion, the ethanolic extract of Z. simplex may act as hypoglycemic and hypolipidimic in rats.

Influence of Cyperus esculentus tubers (tiger nut) on male rat copulatory behavior.

BACKGROUND: Cyperus esculentus tubers (tiger nut) are one of the ancient food sources known to humanity. It is traditionally used in the Middle East to stimulate sexual arousal in men. However, there has been no scientific evidence about its assumed aphrodisiac properties. This study aimed to investigate the influence of tiger nut on the copulatory behavior of sexually active male rats. METHODS: Two sets of sexually active male rats -highly active and moderately active- were identified depending on baseline sexual activity. Rats in each set were randomly divided into a control and treated groups. Highly active rats were treated with doses of 1 and 2 g/kg/d of raw tiger nut powder, while moderately active rats were treated with a dose of 2 g/kg/d. After 30 days' treatment, copulatory behavior and serum hormonal levels were measured and compared between the groups within each experimental set. Phytochemical analyses including liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and atomic absorption were performed to elucidate the main constituents of tiger nut that may be responsible for altering serum hormones. RESULTS: Tiger nut stimulated sexual motivation in both highly and moderately active rats, indicated by reduced mount and intromission latencies in these rats compared to controls. Furthermore, tiger nut improved sexual performance, indicated by increased intromission frequency and ratio, in treated moderately active rats compared to controls. Serum testosterone levels increased significantly after tiger nut administration. Lastly, phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and mineral zinc in tiger nut. CONCLUSIONS: Tiger nut has positive effects on the copulatory behavior of adult male rats.

Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice.

BACKGROUND: The effects of Orchis anatolica plant roots on adult male mice testicular structure and function were explored and compared with those of the red Korean Panax ginseng. METHODS: Both plants were administered orally to two separate mice groups at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day for 35 days and compared with control group. After treatment, 5 mice of each group were sacrificed and total mice weights, reproductive organs' weights, spermatogenesis, and androgenic serum markers were investigated. The remaining mice from all groups were allowed to mate with virgin female mice to explore male fertility potential. RESULTS: RESULTS indicated that body and organs' weights were increased significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica where only slight changes were observed in red Korean Panax ginseng treated and control mice. Intestinal testicular Leydig cells and germinal cells counts were elevated significantly in mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant when compared with the other two groups. Testicular dynamics parameters recorded in both testes and caudae epididymides were found to be increased only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Although testosterone serum titer was observed to be elevated in both treated mice groups a marked elevation was observed only in Orchis anatolica treated mice. Follicular stimulating hormone blood serum titer was also elevated obtained in Orchis anatolica treated mice when compared with the other two groups. The fertility index of male mice treated with Orchis anatolica plant was enhanced to a greater value when allowed mating with virgin female mice if compared with male mice fertility index recorded in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that Orchis anatolica plant could be more useful to improve testicular functions and structural parameters in mice when compared with red Korean Panax ginseng.

Fresh onion juice enhanced copulatory behavior in male rats with and without paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction.

Onion (Allium cepa) is one of the most commonly cultivated species of the family Liliaceae, and has long been used in dietary and therapeutic applications. Treatment with fresh onion juice has been reported to promote testosterone production in male rats. Testosterone is the male sex hormone responsible for enhancing sexual libido and potency. This study aimed to investigate the effects of onion juice on copulatory behavior of sexually potent male rats and in male rats with paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction. Sexually experienced male rats were divided into seven groups: a control group, three onion juice-treated groups, a paroxetine-treated group, and two groups treated with paroxetine plus different doses of onion juice. At the end of the treatments, sexual behavior parameters and testosterone levels were measured and compared among the groups. Administration of onion juice significantly reduced mount frequency and latency and increased the copulatory efficacy of potent male rats. In addition, administration of onion juice attenuated the prolonged ejaculatory latency period induced by paroxetine and increased the percentage of ejaculating rats. Serum testosterone levels increased significantly by onion juice administration. However, a significant reduction in testosterone because of paroxetine therapy was observed. This reduction was restored to normal levels by administration of onion juice. This study conclusively demonstrates that fresh onion juice improves copulatory behavior in sexually potent male rats and in those with paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction by increasing serum testosterone levels.

Effects of Ballota nigra on blood biochemical parameters and insulin in albino rats.

Ingestion of aqueous 70% ethanol extract of Ballota nigra (400 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) by albino rats (n=10) was investigated to study its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), troponin I (TnI), serum creatine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea. Ballota nigra extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and CK levels. Blood levels of TnI, AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unchanged. The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was further investigated by conducting a glucose tolerance test intraperitoneally (IPGTT). Healthy rats that were fasting for 18 hours followed by administration of a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract of Ballota nigra, orally. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels (after 15, 30, and 45 minutes) with a significant increase in serum insulin level (after 15 and 30 minute) was noted. These results suggest that, the crude extract of Ballota nigra have hypoglycemic, insulin-releasing and cholesterol lowering effects in rats.

Effects of Ballota nigra on glucose and insulin in alloxan-diabetic albino rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose. Administration of aqueous extract of B. nigra extract significantly reduced glucose in both healthy and diabetic rats. These results suggest that B. nigra possess hypoglycemic effects in rats and therefore, can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Adverse effects of propranolol on reproductive function in adult male mice.

Ingestion of propranolol at 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) body weight for 35 days by adult male mice was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were reduced and the average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle decreased significantly. A significant decline of spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the treatment group 2 (15 mg kg(-1)) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone, LH and FSH. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of group 2 treated male mice. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female mice impregnated by the group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.