Acute toxicity of ferulenol, a 4-hydroxycoumarin isolated from Ferula communis L.

The acute LD50s of ferulenol were determined in albino mice by single po or ip as 2,100 and 319 mg/kg bw, respectively. Ferulenol had a higher LD50 compared to warfarin and thus has a lower acute toxicity. Three days after ferulenol administration, dosed animals showed hypoprothrombinemia with internal and external hemorrhages similar to those described in ferulosys and anti-vitamin K experimental poisonings. Male mice were more sensitive to intoxication by ferulenol than were females.

Inhibition of glycosidases by Astragalus lusitanicus and correlation with toxicity.

This study determined whether Astragalus lusitanicus inhibits glycosidase enzymes other than alpha-mannosidase. Plasma collected from lambs given fresh A lusitanicus inhibited beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase, indicating the presence of inhibitors in their blood. The residual activity of these enzymes was also modified in tissues of dead animals. beta-glucosidase activity was reduced in liver and kidney specimens with pronounced effects in tissues of animal that presented with prominent clinical signs of poisoning; beta-galactosidase activity was decreased by 88.5 to 95% in kidney, while that of liver remained unchanged. Fractions of the plant butanol extract inhibited the gycosidase enzymes. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of hypaphorin in the extract of A lusitanicus. As a tryptophan derivative, this alkaloid may play a role in the toxicity of this legume.

Acute and chronic toxicity of fessoukh, the resinous gum of Ferula communis L, compared to warfarin.

The acute toxicity of the fessoukh extract (FE) was studied in rats and mice. In single oral dose administration mode, FE has moderate toxicity; the LD50s were 1650 mg/kg bw in rats and 2000 mg/kg bw in mice. In albino rats, with baits containing 0.01 to 10% FE, 0.01% produced 100% mortality in 15 d; with 0.1%, all rats died in 9 d. Baits containing 0.1% were toxic, more consumed, required less product and did not cause apprehension in the rats. A trial conducted with wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) using 0.1% FE baits demonstrated fessoukh's rodenticide effects.

Toxicology of Astragalus lusitanicus Lam.

Astragalus lusitanicus is a toxic legume grown in Morocco and in some other Mediterranean countries. In small ruminants, poisoning by this plant is dominated by nervous signs characterized by many cycles of excitement-depression. Macroscopic examination of poisoned animals showed congestive lesions and oedema in the brain and lungs. Microscopic lesions consisted mainly of vacuolar degeneration in neurons, hepatocytes and in spleen and kidney cells. Serum activity of AST and CK as well as blood glucose and urea were increased as a result of poisoning. However, serum activity of alpha-mannosidase was not modified as is the case in locoism. Chemical investigations showed that A. lusitanicus does not contain swainsonine or miserotoxin and its selenium concentration is very low. However, this legume contains indolizidin alkaloids and a first compound was purified and identified.

[Anticoagulant activity of coumarins from Ferula communis L]. / Activité anticoagulante des coumarines de Ferula communis L.

Ferula communis is an ombelliferous plant of the Mediterranean regions. It is represented in Morocco by two varieties: brevifolia and genuina. The later is very rich in a soap or resinous gum. This product, collected from the roots, is largely used in traditional medicine. It is know as fessoukh in Morocco and other Arab countries. This plant is also well known for its toxicity and its anticoagulant activity. In the present review, are discussed: (1) the ethnobotany of the plant, especially medicinal uses of fessoukh in traditional medicine as well as alimentary use of young stems as legumes; (2) clinical and biochemical data of intoxication by this plant, which are dominated by haemorrhage as a consequence of blood coagulation disturbance; (3) 4-hydroxycoumarins isolated from Ferula communis L. and their anticoagulant activity; (4) the role of vitamin K1 in the treatment of poisoning by this plant.

Clinical and analytical studies of sheep dosed with various preparations of Astragalus lusitanicus.

Dosing different preparations and extracts of Astragalus lusitanicus to lambs showed the fresh plant or its dry powder were highly toxic while the ethyl acetate or methanol extract did not cause toxicosis, suggesting the toxic principle is an extremely water soluble compound. The animals alternated excitement and depression, with cardiac and respiratory disorders terminally. Alpha-mannosidase inhibition was not detected in blood of dosed lambs, but an inhibitory activity was in tissues from lambs given the fresh plant or its powder. There was increased aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity, suggesting skeletal muscle and neurological effects. Thin-layer chromatography and the alpha-mannosidase inhibition assay did not detect swainsonine in ethyl acetate, methanol or water: methanol plant extracts.

Human fluorosis in Morocco: analytical and clinical investigations.

A clinical investigation of human chronic fluorosis, known as "Darmous" in Morocco, was carried out in Youssoufia city and its region. Fluoride concentrations were also measured in soil and water from this area and in urine collected from the surveyed persons; soil and to a lesser extent water were rich in fluoride (948.6 +/- 356.2 micrograms/g and 1.03 +/- 0.19 micrograms/ml, respectively). Fluoride concentrations in urine were heterogenous and varied from 0.17 to 47.5 micrograms/ml. There was a good correlation between these values and the age of the sampled persons. This study revealed that 14% of the urine samples were at or above the maximum fluoride concentration in urine from non-intoxicated individuals (ie 10 micrograms/ml). Dental caries, teeth loss and teeth pigmentation and deviation were the most frequent dental effects in this area. Skeletal effects were mostly joint pain and exostosis. With the exception of dental caries, teeth and bone abnormalities were more frequent and pronounced in people living in the rural area.

Serum proteins and their fractions in the Timahdite sheep in Morocco: variations with age and with liver or lung diseases.

The serum proteins and their fractions were analyzed in the Moroccan "Timahdite" sheep. The values of those parameters in 20 two year-old adult animals were: total proteins 64.2 +/- 1.6 g/l; albumin 458 +/- 31 mumol/l; alpha-glob 11.9 +/- 1.0 g/l; beta-glob 6.2 +/- 1.6 g/l; gamma-glob 14.7 +/- 2.3 g/l. The total proteins increase with age is particularly due to an increase of the globulin fractions. In animals with liver or pulmonary affections the total proteins are increased. The amount of albumin is lower in liver diseases, whereas the globulin fractions are increased in both pathological processes.