Objective To develop a novel suspension concentrate of niclosamide (SCN) and evaluate its characteristics and molluscicidal effect against Oncomelania snails. Methods Niclosamide was milled by a sand granule mill and mixed with different amounts of wetting agent, dispersant agent, thickener, and water etc., to develop suspension concentrates, and its dispersion, suspensibility and stability were evaluated. According to the results of evaluation the best recipe and quality indexes for producing SCN were selected. The molluscicidal effects against Oncomelania snails were tested under lab condition and in field. Results The novel SCN contained 25% niclosamide (w/w), 1.5%-2.0% wetting agent (RS 3), 4% dispersant (FS 2), 0.10% thickener, a litte of other agent and water. The quality indexes which the SCN reached were as following: the content of niclosamide was more than 25%(w/w); the suspensibal rate was more than 90%; the pH was from 4 to 7; the size of more than 98% granules of niclosamide was smaller than 44?m; the thickener was smaller than 600 mpa.s. The SCN was very stable when it was stored in high or in low temperature. Under lab condition the LC 50 concentrations of SCN by the immersion method for 24, 48 and 72 hours were 0.0474 mg/L, 0.0412 mg/L and 0.0412 mg/L respectively while the LC 50 concentrations of 50% wettable powder of niclosamide (WPN) were 0.0947 mg/L, 0.0583 mg/L and 0.0442 mg/L. In the field death rates of the snails sprayed with 2.0 g/(L?m 2 ) of 25% SCN after 3, 7 and 15 days were 95.77%, 99.07%, 97.09% while the death rates of the snails sprayed with 2.0 g/(L?m 2 )of 50% WPN were 97.37%, 95.17% and 97.41%. Conclusion SCN had stable quality and high molluscicidal effect against Oncomelania snails, and it was suitable to be used in the field. The molluscicidal effect using 2.0 g/(L? m 2 ) of 25% SCN was similar with that using 2.0 g/(L?m 2) of 50% WPN.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODRats suffering from intrahepatic cholestasis were treated with UDCA. Their serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), total cholesterol (TCH), bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH of bile were measured before and after treatment. In addition, the changes of liver tissue under microscrope were observed and recorded.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, serum ALT, ALP, TBIL, DBIL, gamma-GT and TCH of rats in the treatment group decreased, while bile flow, total bile acid excretion, total Na(+) and TCH decreased significantly. Degeneration of hepatocytes, infiltration of inflamed cells and proliferation of small bile ducts in the treatment group were improved under microscope.

CONCLUSIONUDCA may have therapeutic effects on cholestatic hepatitis. The mechanism may involve in its hydrophilicity, choleretic effect and immune modulation.

Animals ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; therapeutic use