Objective:To study the effect of water extract of Solanum mrvum (S.torvum) on blood lipid and sex hormone levels in high-fat diet (HFD) fed male rats.Methods:Male Wistar rats were maintained on a standard diet or HFD for 10 weeks.During the last 4 weeks,the standard diet groups received distilled water or S.torvum (400 mg/kg) and the HFD groups received distilled water or S.torvum (100,200 and 400 mg/kg).Body weight,lipid profiles,sex hormone,internal organs weight and liver histopathology were all measured.Moreover,kidney function was evaluated using blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels,and liver function by the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.Results:The result showed that rats in the HFD control group had increased body weight and hyperlipidemia,but had decreased levels of both testosterone and estradiol.When receiving the S.torvum extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg,treated rats had significantly increased sex hormone levels of both types,and decreased total cholesterol levels,and at a dose of 200 mg/kg,treated rats had significantly decreased levels of triglyceride.Long term administration of the S.torvum did not produce any toxic signs in livers and kidneys.Pathological examinations of livers showed lipid accumulation in the HFD group,but the treatment of S.torvum slightly reduced lipid deposition in liver tissue.Conclusions:S.torvum extract can reverse the level of sex hormones to their normal level and reduce serum cholesterol in HFD-induced obese male rats.Furthermore,the long term oral administration of S.torvum extract is harmless.

Background: External parasites, particularly ticks and fleas, are among the most common problems affecting dogs. Chemical medicines are commonly used to prevent and eliminate such external parasites, but their improper use can cause adverse reactions, and the toxins they contain may remain in the environment. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro efficacy of Zanthoxylum limonella, citronella, clove, peppermint, and ginger essential oils against dog ticks and fleas and to test the sensitivity of dogs’ skin to these essential oils. Methods: The five essential oils were tested for in vitro efficacy against ticks and fleas, and the two most effective essential oils were then tested on the dogs’ skin. Results: The results revealed that these five essential oils at 16% concentrations effectively inhibited the spawning of female engorged ticks. In addition, all five essential oils had a strong ability to kill tick larvae at concentrations of 2% upward. Furthermore, 4% concentrations of the five essential oils quickly eliminated fleas, especially clove oil, which killed 100% of fleas within 1 h. A 50%, 90%, and 99% lethal concentration (LC50 , LC90 , and LC99 ) for the essential oils on tick larvae in 24 h were found to be low values. LC50 , LC90 , and LC99 for the essential oils on flea in 1 h was lowest values. Clove oil at 16% concentration was the most satisfactory essential oil for application on dogs’ skin, with a low percentage of adverse effects. Conclusions This study confirmed the effectiveness of essential oils for practical use as tick and flea repellents and eliminators. Essential-oil-based pharmaceutical can replace chemical pesticides and provide benefits for both consumers and the environment.

Objective: To determine the chemical composition, as well as the antioxidant, antityrosinase and antibacterial activities of essential oils obtained from some Apiaceous and Lamiaceous plants collected in Thailand. Methods: The essential oils of the specified spices and aromatic herbs were obtained by hydro-distillation, and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Antioxidant assays were based on the scavenging effects of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals as well as the lipid oxidation inhibition of ß-carotene bleaching by linoleic acid. Tyrosinase enzyme inhibition was evaluated by the dopachrome method. Broth microdilution technique was performed for the purposes of studying microbial growth inhibition against the isolated bacterial strains. Results: The essential oils of Elsholtzia stachyodes, Coleus amboinicus (I) and Trachyspermum ammi presented a high degree of potency in DPPH, ABTS and ß-carotene bleaching assays. The Trachyspermum ammi oil, which mainly contained thymol (49.04%) and p-cymene (22.06%), proved to be the most effective in terms of antibacterial activity. The major compositions of Coleus amboinicus (I) were carvacrol (51.57%), y-terpinene (18.04%) and p-cymene (7.81%); while thymol (43.76%) and y-terpinene (24.61%) were identified as the major components of Elsholtzia stachyodes oil, with p-cymene (6.73%) being identified as a minor constituent. Moreover, Cuminum cyminum oil containing cuminaldehyde (49.07%) and Elsholtzia communis oil composed with geranial (44.74%) and neral (35.27%) as the major components displayed a specific ability for the inhibition of the mushroom tyrosinase enzyme. Conclusions: The results indicated that these bioactive essential oils obtained from indigenous herbs are of significant interest as alternative raw materials in food, cosmetic and medicinal products.