Antifertility effect of Piper betle Linn. extract on ovary and testis of albino rats

Chronic administration (sc) of the extract of the stalk of P. betle at 30 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days produced significant decrease in oestrogen and androgen dependent target organ weights along with increase in cholesterol in adrenal, ovary and testis. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in serum, liver and kidney did not exhibit any toxic effect. There was marked change in morphology of testis and ovary. Vaginal smear showed prolonged dioestrus in treated female. The treated male showed decreased number and motility of sperm. Both male and female remained infertile after treatment suggesting antifertility activity of the extract on both sexes of albino rats.     

Antifertility investigations on the crude chloroform extract of Carica papaya Linn. seeds in male albino rats.

Crude chloroform extract of C. papaya seeds (5 mg/animal/day, po, for 20, 40 and 60 days) was investigated for contraceptive efficacy and related side effects in male albino rats. The crude extract reduced fertility to zero per cent by 40 to 60 days of treatment. Suppression of cauda epididymal sperm motility was the most pronounced effect of the drug administration. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed treatment induced abnormalities in sperms. Cauda epididymal and testicular sperm counts decreased following treatment. Clinical parameters did not show any alterations. Results suggest that the contraceptive effects of chloroform extract of papaya seeds are mainly post-testicular in nature without influencing toxicological profile and libido of the animals.     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats.

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Field evaluation of aqueous extract of Melia azedarach Linn. seeds against cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae Linn. (Homoptera: Aphididae), and its predator Coccinella septempunctata Linn. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Aqueous extract of Melia azedarach seeds were tested against cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, and its predator Coccinella septempunctata in a cabbage field. The field experiment was conducted at Bridge to Israel children village farm, around the vicinity of Tewodros campus, University of Gondar, where the cabbage was grown fully organically. A field experiment was started in the middle of April 2011 and completed at the end of May 2011. The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design (RBD). For the field trial, a total of 12 plots were prepared with 1 m² area for data collection. The powdered M. azedarach seeds were used to prepare 5% concentration of aqueous solution and sprayed. Before spraying, percentage of aphid infestation was recorded from the control plot and the experimental plot. The average percentage of cabbage infestation in the control plot was 72% and in the experimental plot before treatment was 80.85%. The percentage reduction of aphid population was 19.06% after the first spraying. However, maximum percentage reduction of 86.5% was recorded after the completion of six-week treatment. The overall percentage reduction increased proportionately from the first to sixth week. The number of predator population was reduced and the reduction was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The present study proved that Melia seed extracts were effective against cabbage aphids under field condition. Further, it is evident that the beneficial interaction between botanical extracts and biological control organism in the field showed safety to natural enemies. In conclusion, Melia seed extract can be useful for small-scale farmers to protect their cabbage crop against cabbage aphid, B. brassicae.     

Compatibility of a Melia azedarach extract with Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The integrated pest management (IPM) premises claim for a joint use of beneficial organisms (parasitoids and predators) and selective pesticides. Botanical pesticides are being considered as selective pesticides. During the last 20 years of the 20th century, the plant family Meliaceae was identified as a promising source of compounds with insect-control properties. The Chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach L., is a deciduous tree native to Persia, India, and China, but has been cultivated in many countries including Africa, Australia, and the Americas. It is a source of tetranortriterpenoid compounds called meliatoxins, which have similar structures and insecticidal activities compared to azadirachtin. Eriopis connexa Germar (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) is a native predator from the Neotropical Region. It is a beneficial organism associated to several agro-ecosystems, feeding on soft-bodies pest such as aphids, whiteflies and thrips. In horticultural crops, it has been observed to feed on worldwide important pest such as Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Heteroptera: Aleyrodeidae) and Myzus persicae L. (Heteroptera: Aphididae), both of them considered as virus vectors. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the side-effects of M. azaderach (Meliaceas) extract on eggs, larvae and adults of Eriopis connexa. Extracts from unripe fruits (1%, w/w, obtained by the CEPROCOR, Cordoba-Argentina) were employed for ecotoxicological bioassays. The exposure method was by immersion for eggs and by ingestion of drinking water for adults. The botanical extract solutions were prepared using distilled water as solvent and a tensioactive (Tween 20) for topical application. The bioassays were carried out in the laboratory under controlled conditions: 23 +/- 0.5 degrees C temperature, 75 +/- 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod. Hatching, development time, adult emergence, pre-oviposition period, fecundity and fertility were evaluated as endpoints. No detrimental effects were observed in treated organisms irrespective of the exposure way and development stage. According to these preliminary results, M. azaderach fruit extracts can be compatible with E. connexa for pest control. However, future studies should be addressed to conclude about its toxicity on beneficial organisms.     

Hepatoprotective action of ethanolic extracts of Melia azedarach Linn. and Piper longum Linn and their combination on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

A comparison of analysis in evaluating the hepatoprotective action of ethanolic extract of M. azedarach (MAE) and P. longum (PLE) with their combination biherbal extract (BHE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage is reported in albino rats. There was a marked elevation of serum marker enzyme levels in CCl4 treated rats, which were restored towards normalization in the drug (MAE and/or PLE:50 mg/kg body weight po, once daily for 14 days) treated animals. The biochemical parameters like total protein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea were also restored towards normal levels. The combined BHE showed more significant reduction of the enzymes than MAE or PLE against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. The results strongly indicate that BHE has more potent hepatoprotective action than MAE or PLE individually against CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats. Among these extracts, BHE showed similar hepatoprotective action to silymarin, which was the positive control in this study.     

Antifertility effect of Andrographis paniculata (Nees) in male albino rat

Dry leaf powder of A. paniculata, when fed orally to male albino rats, at a dose level of 20 mg powder per day for 60 days, resulted in cessation of spermatogenesis, degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules, regression of Leydig cells and regressive and/or degenerative changes in the epididymis, seminal vesicle, ventral prostate and coagulating gland. There was reduction in the weight and fluid content of the accessory glands. The treatment also resulted in accumulation of glycogen and cholesterol in the testis, and increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase in testis and alkaline phosphatase in testis and ventral prostate. The results suggest antispermatogenic and/or antiandrogenic effect of the plant.     

Efficacy of Melia azedarach L. extract on the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

Methanolic extracts of leaves and seeds from the chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) was tested against mature and immature mosquito vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera) under laboratory condition. The extract showed strong larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, antiovipositional activity, repellency and biting deterency. The M. azedarach seed and leaf extracts were used to determine their effect on A. stephensi adults and their corresponding oviposition and consequent adult emergence in comparison with the control. The seed extracts showed high bioactivity at all doses, while the leaf extracts proved to be active, only in the higher dose. Results obtained from the laboratory experiment showed that the seed extracts suppressed the pupal and adult activity of A. stephensi even at low dose. In general, first and second instar larvae were more susceptible to both leaves and seed extracts. Clear dose-response relationships were established with the highest dose of 2% plant extract evoking 96% mortality. Entire development of A. stephensi was inhibited by M. azedarach treatment. Less expensive (less than 0.50 US dollars per 1 kg seed), naturally accruing bio-pesticide could be an alternative for chemical pesticides.     

Antifertility effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) stem extract in male rats

Oral administration of 70% methanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem to male rats at the dose level of 100 mg/rat/day for 60 days did not cause body weight loss but decreased the weight of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate in a significant manner. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly which resulted in reduction of male fertility by 100%. The stem extract brought about an interference with spermatogenesis. The round spermatids were decreased by 73.12%. However, the population of preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes were decreased by 47.60% and 52.85% respectively, followed by secondary spermatocytes (48.10%). Leydig cell nuclear area and mature Leydig cell numbers were significantly reduced when compared with controls. Serum testosterone levels showed significant reduction after Tinospora extract feeding. Seminiferous tubule diameter, Leydig cell nuclear area as well as cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells were reduced significantly when compared to controls. Biochemical parameters i.e. protein, sialic acid, glycogen contents of testes decreased significantly. Seminal vesicular fructose also depleted whereas, testicular cholesterol was elevated significantly followed by a reduction in testosterone levels. These results suggested antifertility effects of the stem extract of T. cordifolia in male rats.     

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Melia azedarach (Meliaceae)

A new apotirucallane-type triterpenoid, 3α-benzoate triterpenoid A (1), along with six known triterpenoids (2–7), one aromatic ester (8) and eight lignans (9–16), were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach Linn. The structure of 1 was determined by spectral analyses, including HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and 2D NMR (HSQC and HMBC) analyses. 10, 11 and 16 were reported for the first time from the family Meliaceae, 8 was identified from the genus Melia for the first time, and 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12–15 were obtained from M. azedarach for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds is discussed.     

Plant regeneration from shoot apical meristems of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae)

A protocol was developed for plant regeneration of Melia azedarach L. by in vitro culture of apical meristem (0.5 mm in length). The influence of six clones was investigated. The culture procedure comprised two sequential steps: 1) Induction of shoots by in vitro culture of axillary buds from adult trees (10–15 years old) by culture on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemented with 0.5 mg·dm⁻³ BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), 0.1 mg·dm⁻³ IBA (indolebutyric acid), and 0.1 mg·dm⁻³ GA₃ (gibberellic acid). The Multiplication of the regenerated shoots was achieved in MS + 0.5 mg·dm⁻³ BAP + 0.1 mg·dm⁻³ GA₃. 2) In vitro culture of the apical meristems from the regenerated shoots in MS medium (0.7 %) supplemented with various combinations of BAP and IBA. Maximum shoot proliferation was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg·dm⁻³ BAP and 0.1 mg·dm⁻³ IBA. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS + 3.5 mg·dm⁻³ IBA (4 days) followed by subculture on MS lacking growth regulators (30 days). Complete plants were transferred to soil.     

In vitro plant regeneration in Melia azedarach L.

Nodal explants of 3- 6-week-old seedlings cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) (17.75 μm) produced multiple shoots. Shoots were isolated and induced to root on 1/2-strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (4.92 μm). In-vitro-rooted shoots resumed growth after a short period of acclimatization and resulted in plantlets which were successfully established in soil. In vitro flowering was observed in some of the nodal explants in the above medium, and also in cotyledonary leaves and internodal explants on MS medium supplemented with a combination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.06 μm)+BA (4.44 μm) and IAA (0.06 μm)+kinetin (4.65 μm). Received: 25 October 1997 / Revision received: 1 May 1998 / Accepted: 15 May 1998     

Two New Limonoids from the Fruits of Melia azedarach (Meliaceae)

Two new limonoids, trichilinin M ( 1 ) and ohchinin benzoate ( 2 ), along with two known limonoids, 12-hydroxyamoorastatone ( 3 ) and mesendanin H ( 4 ), were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach Linn. The structures of new limonoids were determined by analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) data. All compounds were evaluated against human pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells and the results showed that compounds 3 – 4 exhibited substantial cytotoxic activity ( 3 : IC₅₀=4.55 μM; 4 : IC₅₀=7.54 μM), and compounds 1 – 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity ( 1 : IC₅₀=27.06 μM; 2 : IC₅₀=21.17 μM).     

Evaluation of aqueous leaves extract of Moringa oleifera Linn for wound healing in albino rats

Aqueous extract of leaves of M. oleifera was investigated and rationalised for its wound healing activity. The aqueous extract was studied at dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight using resutured incision; excision and dead space wound models in rats. Significant increase in wound closure rate, skin-breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, hydroxyproline content, granuloma dry weight and decrease in scar area was observed. The prohealing actions seem to be due to increased collagen deposition as well as better alignment and maturation. From the results obtained, it may be concluded that the aqueous extract of M. oleifera has significant wound healing property.     

Different concentrations of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) ethanolic extract on the developmental time and egg laying of Tetranychus urticae Koch

The use of plant-derived chemicals is a new recommended method to control Tetranychus urticae. According to recent studies, Melia azedarach has several compounds which could be effective on insects and mites. The effect of the extract on the fertility and pre-mature period of the mites were investigated at concentrations of 1, 3, 4 and 5?mg mL^?1 of the extract under laboratory conditions. The effect of chemicals extracted from plants was determined using the spraying bioassay method. The leaves being the location of the mites’activity, were sprayed with ethanol extract, then the mites were placed on the discs. In this experiment, the results show that all concentrations were effective, but extract concentrations 4 and 5?mg mL^?1 caused a reduction of more than 50% in the egg laying of the mites and a significant increase in their pre-mature period.     

Experimental Induction of Dilatation Meristems in Melia azedarach L.

Dilatation meristems were induced experimentally in the barkof Melia azedarach L. by mechanical bark blocking, wounding,and by application of 1.0% of either naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA) or of ethrel. The treatments induced the formation ofdilatation meristems in the rays, in the axial phloem parenchyma,and in the primary cortex. Dilatation was the result of bothcell divisions and cell enlargement. The dilatation meristemswere sometimes several cells wide, and were formed in all possibleorientations; some were even branched. In many cases, whirlswere formed as the result of dilatation activity in many directionsover a small bark area. The possible hormonal regulation ofdilatation activity is discussed. Auxin, bark, cortex, dilatation, ethylene