OBJECTIVETo determine the hepatoprotective effect of acetone semicarbazone (ASC) in vivo in normal and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing male Swiss albino mice.

METHODSDrug-induced changes in biochemical and behavioral parameters at dose of 2.0 mg/kg body weight for 14 d and nullifying the toxicity induced by EAC cells were studied. The histopathology studies of the protective effects of ASC on vital organs were also assessed.

RESULTSThe administration of ASC made insignificant changes in body weight and behavioral (salivation, diarrhea, muscular numbness) changes during treatment period due to minor toxicity were minimized after the treatment in normal mice. The biochemical parameters, including serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloactate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum glucose, cholesterol, urea, triglyceride and billirubin changed modestly in normal mice receiving ASC. Though the treatment continued, these values gradually decreased to normal level after the treatment. In EAC bearing mice, the toxic effects due to EAC cells in all cases were nullified by treatment with the ASC. Significant abnormalities were not detected in histology of the various organs of the normal mice treated with ASC.

CONCLUSIONSASC can, therefore, be considered safe in formulating novel anticancer drug, as it exhibits strong protective effect against EAC cell bearing mice.

Acetone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinogenesis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor ; drug therapy ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Semicarbazones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the morphology, biochemistry and bioactivity of the epidermal glands of the glandular morphotype of Christella parasitica (C. parasitica) (L.) H. Lev.

METHODSMorphological studies on epidermal glands were carried out by using light microscope and scanning electron microscope. To prepare the extract, the shade-dried fronds of glandular morphotype were soaked in acetone. For antibacterial studies paper disc method was followed by using various pathogenic bacteria.

RESULTSDetailed micromorphological, phytochemical and bioactivity studies on a medicinal fern C. parasitica (L.) H. Lev. showed its intraspecific variation in antibacterial activity. The presence or absence of the epidermal glands was the key factor for antibacterial activity in the morphovariants of this species. The epidermal glands were orange-coloured, stalked and elongated ones of about 84.2 µm × 45 µm, and distributed on the undersurface of costa, costules and veins in croziers, young and mature leaves. Frequency of glands varied from 15/cm on costa in mature leaves to 140/cm on costules in croziers. The acetone extract of the glands showed antibacterial activities and also toxic effect against mosquito larvae and tadpoles of frog. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPLC studies of the gland extract showed the presence of various kinds of terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids in it.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study shows that epidermal glands of the glandular morphotype of C. parasitica (L.) H. Lev. have several bioactive compounds and such rare morphovariant should be conserved in nature. The next step is to isolate the pure compounds and to screen the bioactivity of individual compounds of the epidermal glands.

Acetone ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Anura ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Culicidae ; Ferns ; chemistry ; Larva ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

We examined the ultrastructural features of the lung parenchyma and the expression of apoptosis of the respiratory cells by TUNEL technique. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30) were intra-tracheally injected with cadmium (2.5 mg/kg) into both lungs. The light and electron microscopic features of the lung tissues were examined on Days 1, 3, 7 and 10 after the injection of cadmium. Specimen preparations for the light and electron microscopic TUNEL stains were performed. Ultrastructurally, on Days 1 and 3, the alveolar spaces were filled with edematous fluid, and desquamated type I epithelial cells. On Days 7 and 10, the alveolar spaces and interstitium were patchy infiltrated with young fibroblasts and some collagen deposition. The light microscopic TUNEL stain showed that apoptosis of the alveolar cells was most prominent on Day 1, and then the number of apoptosis was markedly decreased on Days 3, 7 and 10. The electron microscopic TUNEL stain showed the electron dense homogenous nuclear expression, and the formation of intra-nuclear blebs which protrude to the outside of nuclei. On Days 7 and 10, there are frequent apoptotic nuclear bodies in the alveolar macrophages. We could examine the identification of the equivocal apoptotic cells and various morphologic expression of apoptotic nuclei on the electron microscopic TUNEL stain.
Acetone/pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cadmium/metabolism/*pharmacology ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; *In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lung/*cytology/*injuries/pathology/*ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pulmonary Alveoli/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Time Factors