AIMTo investigate the effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed (RCE) on male rats reproductive functions.

METHODSThirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were gavaged with 0.2 mL of 2.5% tween 80 (RCE vehicle; control) or 20 mg/(kg x d) and 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE, respectively, for 30 days, and group 4 was also gavaged with 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE, but was allowed a recovery period of 30 days. Five untreated female rats were cohabited with male rats in each group from day 25 of RCE treatment for 5 days, except group 4, where cohabitation began on day 25 of the recovery period. All male rats were sacrificed 24 h after the experiments. The female rats were laparotomized on day 19 of pregnancy and the number and weight of litters were recorded.

RESULTSThere was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm functions and serum levels of testosterone in RCE treated rats. There was disorganization in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, disruption of the seminiferous tubules and erosion of the germinal epithelium. The number and weight of litters of rats in groups 2 and 4 decreased significantly (P<0.05) but no changes were observed in group 3. RCE caused no changes in liver, kidney, heart or body weights in male rats.

CONCLUSIONRCE has a reversible negative impact on male reproductive functions, which appears to be mediated via gonadal disruption in testosterone secretion.

Animals ; Epididymis ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; Female ; Litter Size ; drug effects ; Male ; Methanol ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Prostate ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects

AIM: Diabetes Mellitus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The need for enhanced efficacy and safety, and cheaper and more readily available new drugs has increased the search for new antidiabetic drugs from plants. This study was conducted to investigate the antidiabetic activity of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of B. coccineus in rats. METHODS: The effect of B. coccineus extract (100-800 mg · kg(-1), p.o.) on blood glucose levels in normal and glucose loaded rats, and alloxan-induced diabetic rats was determined. After 10 days of treatment, blood samples were collected from rats for lipid and insulin profiling. Animals were thereafter sacrificed and the kidneys, heart, and liver were harvested for antioxidant indices assay. RESULTS: In normal rats, B. coccineus did not cause significant reduction in blood glucose. At the dose of 800 mg · kg(-1), significant increase in blood glucose level was not observed 30 min. after glucose load. B. coccineus administered acutely did not generally produce significant reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic rats. Administered subacutely, the extract significantly reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats from the 3(rd) day with peak effect observed at the dose of 800 mg · kg(-1) on the 10(th) day. The extract generally preserved in vivo antioxidant levels in the kidneys, heart, and liver, increased the level of high density lipoprotein and insulin, and reduced the level of triglycerides and low density lipoprotein compared to diabetic control. CONCLUSION The findings in this study suggest that the hydroethanolic leaf extract Byrsocarpus coccineus possesses antidiabetic activity possibly mediated through inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption, in vivo antioxidant activity, and enhancement of regeneration of beta cells of the pancreas and insulin secretion.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Connaraceae ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar