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Biomedical subjects

B H Ali

Publications and source records attributed to B H Ali.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effect of Rhazya stricta Decne on monoamine oxidase and cholinesterase activity and brain biogenic amine levels in rats.

The effect of treatment with the medicinal plant Rhayva stricta Decne, on monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cholinesterase activity, and on the concentration of brain biogenic amines was studied in rats. R. stricta extract, at doses of 0.2 and 0.5 g kg(-1), significantly (P < 0.05-0.01) increased the hepatic and cerebral activity of MAO by 36-127%. The higher doses used (2.0 and 8.0 g kg(-1)) produced smaller (10-26%) and statistically insignificant increases in MAO activity in liver and brain. Cholinesterase activity in blood, liver and brain was not significantly influenced by treatment with R. stricta. The concentrations of the measured biogenic amines (noradrenaline, adrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine) were significantly lowered in rats treated with R. stricta. The observed increase in MAO activity may be responsible for the lowered biogenic amines levels and may, in part, be responsible for the pharmacological effects of R. stricta extract in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The effect of Rhazya stricta Decne, a traditional medicinal plant, on spontaneous and drug-induced alterations in activity of rats.

The effect of acute and chronic treatment of rats with a lyophilized extract of the leaves of the medicinal plant Rhazya stricta on total and ambulatory activity was studied. Given acutely at single oral doses of 1, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg, the extract produced dose-dependent decreases in total activity and ambulatory activity. Diazepam (20 mg/kg, orally) produced a decrease in rat activity comparable to that produced by a dose of 1 g/kg of the extract. When given daily at an oral dose of 2 g/kg for 21 consecutive days, the extract produced, on the last day of treatment, significant decrease in activity amounting to about 30% of control activity levels. Subcutaneous (SC) treatment of rats with caffeine (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg), dose-dependently and significantly increased total activity and ambulatory activity. These effects were dose-dependently attenuated when the extract was given concomitantly with caffeine at oral doses of 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg. Treatment of rats with zoxazolamine alone (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg, SC) or R. Stricta (1 and 4 g/kg orally) alone significantly decreased total and ambulatory activities. Concomitant treatment with zoxazolamine and R. Stricta decreased the rats activity to a greater degree than with either treatment given alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacological, therapeutic and toxicological properties of furazolidone: some recent research.

Some of the recent publications on the pharmacological, therapeutic and toxicological properties of the antimicrobial agent furazolidone (FZ) are briefly reviewed. In animals, most of the recently published papers focus on (1) the methodology of measuring the residues of the drug and its metabolites in edible tissues; (2) the carcinogenicity and genotoxicity of FZ; (3) the cellular and molecular basis of FZ-induced cardiomyopthy, and the action of different cardioprotectant drugs thereon; and (4) hormonal effects. In humans, the use of FZ as an anti-ulcer drug and in controlling infectious diseases, especially opportunistic infections in AIDS patients, is described.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The effect of gentamicin on acetylsalicylic acid-induced platelet antiaggregatory action in mouse pial arterioles.

Gentamicin (G) treatment (5, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg[-1] day[-1] given intramuscularly for 6 days) was shown to cause a dose-related platelet proaggregatory effect in mouse pial microcirculation. This was associated with a reduction in mouse renal function, indicated by high plasma creatinine and urea concentrations. When G was given at the same doses but as a single injection, it caused no change in renal function or platelet aggregation. Gentamicin (20 and 80 mg kg/day, given intramuscularly for 6 days) significantly (P < 0.05) impeded the platelet antiaggregatory effect of acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg kg[-1], intraperitoneally).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of extract of Rhazya stricta, a traditional medicinal plant, on rat brain tribulin.

Rhazya stricta leaves, which have both antidepressant and sedative properties in animal models, are widely used in folk medicine in the Arabian peninsula. In this study, the effects of oral administration of leaf extracts on rat brain tribulin levels [endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitory activity], were determined. In an acute study, low doses brought about an increase in MAO A inhibitory activity, while intermediate doses caused a significant reduction. The highest doses had no significant effects on activity. There were no significant effects on MAO B inhibitory activity at any dose. Subchronic administration (21 days) caused a significant decrease in MAO A inhibitory activity, most prominent at low dosage, and an increase in MAO B inhibitory activity. Acute intramuscular administration also resulted in a similar pattern. Such paradoxical effects were at least partially explained when different extracts of the leaves were used; a weakly basic chloroform fraction caused an increase in MAO A inhibitory activity, whereas butanol extracts brought about a decrease. These fractions had no significant effects on MAO B inhibitory activity. The findings show that Rhazya stricta leaves contain at least two different components that affect MAO inhibitory activity in opposite directions. It may be that the antidepressant and sedative actions of the plant are explicable in terms of these different components.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The effect of Rhazya stricta Decne, a traditional medicinal plant, on the forced swimming test in rats.

Immobility induced by forced swimming is well known as an animal model of depression. Using this paradigm, we have, in the present work, tested the possibility that the medicinal plant Rhazya stricta, which has previously been found to affect the monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity in rat brain, may have an antidepressant-like action. Rats were pretreated with various doses (0.025-6.4 g/kg) of the lyophilized extract of the plant leaves, or with desipramine (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and were subjected to the forced swimming test. The results indicated that the plant extract produced a biphasic (bell-shaped) effect on the immobility time. The lower doses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg) elicited a highly significant and inversely dose-dependent decrease in immobility time, and the higher doses (0.8, 1.6, and 6.4 g/kg) showed a dose-dependent decrease in immobility time. Under the same experimental conditions desipramine (20 and 40 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent significant decreases in immobility time. Following administration of R. stricta (6.4 g/kg) the immobility time recovered progressively with time, and 4 h after its administration the immobility time was about 70% of the control level (statistically insignificant). It is concluded that R. stricta extract [or component(s) thereof] may possess an antidepressant-like effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effect of endotoxin on gentamicin pharmacokinetics in old and young adult rats.

The effect of endotoxin administration on gentamicin pharmacokinetics in young adult (2-3 months) and old (22-24 months) rats was studied. Gentamicin (3 mg/kg, iv) was administered 24 hours after an endotoxin challenge (5 mg/kg, ip). Some blood biochemical parameters, viz. urea, AST, GGT activities in addition to PCV and Hb concentration and creatinine clearance were also measured. In young animals, endotoxin caused prolongation in gentamicin half life (t1/2), increased area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and reduced total body clearance (ClB) and volume of distribution (Vd). Endotoxin effects in the old rats were qualitatively similar to those induced in the young but were more pronounced. They included more than 10 fold increase in the t1/2 and AUC. In addition, a rising early phase in gentamicin plasma concentration was noticed in old rats treated with endotoxin which was, probably, due to an early redistribution process of gentamicin. The results indicate that aging and endotoxin, individually, can significantly alter gentamicin pharmacokinetics in the rat. These alterations were exacerbated when endotoxemia was induced in old rats.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Comparative pharmacokinetics of ampicillin trihydrate, gentamicin sulphate and oxytetracycline hydrochloride in Nubian goats and desert sheep.

In this investigation the pharmacokinetics of three commonly used antibiotics, ampicillin trihydrate (10 mg/kg), gentamicin sulphate (3 mg/kg) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), given intravenously, were each studied in five Nubian goats and five desert sheep. The pharmacokinetic parameters were described by a two-compartment open model. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the two species in some kinetic parameters of ampicillin and oxytetracycline but not gentamicin. Ampicillin elimination half life (t[1/2beta]) in goats (1.20 h) was shorter than that in sheep (2.48 h), and its clearance (Cl) significantly higher in goats (2921 mL/h x kg) compared to sheep (262 mL/h x kg) (P < 0.01). Ampicillin volume of distribution (Vd[area]) was found to be significantly larger in goats (5673 mL/kg) than in sheep (992 mL/kg) (P < 0.01). For oxytetracycline, the t(1/2beta) in goats (3.89 h) was significantly shorter than that in sheep (6.30 h) and the Cl value in goats (437 mL/h x kg) was significantly higher than in sheep (281 mL/h x kg). The results suggest that when treating sheep and goats, the pharmacokinetic differences between the two species must be considered in order to optimize the therapeutic doses of ampicillin and oxytetracycline.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1997

Furosemide-induced changes in plasma and blood volume of camels (Camelus dromedarius).

This work examines the effect of treatment of camels with furosemide (1 or 2 mg/kg, intravenously) on blood volume (BV), plasma volume (PV) and the plasma concentrations of total solids (PTS), plasma total protein (PTP) haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (PCV). The cumulative urine produced during the 4 h following furosemide administration (2 mg/kg) averaged 22.2 mL/kg, compared to 2.3 mL/kg in controls. None of the above parameters were significantly changed by furosemide treatment at either dose. In another experiment, the effect of the two doses of furosemide on the sequential changes on some of the above parameters was investigated at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 and 240 min after the drug administration. On the whole, there were no significant changes in any of the measured parameters, except for small but statistically significant increases in the PCV and Hb at 30 and 45 min post treatment. It is concluded that, despite the marked diuresis following furosemide administration, the camel appears to be able to maintain its bodily fluid haemostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Phenylbutazone pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Phenylbutazone was administered intravenously and intramuscularly at a dosage rate of 4.4 mg/kg to a group of 6 female camels in a two-period crossover study. After intravenous (i.v.) administration, disposition was characterised by a two-compartment open model, with a low volume of distribution (0.174 l.kg-1), and distribution and elimination half-lives of 0.43 and 12.51 h, respectively. After intramuscular (i.m.) dosing absorption was relatively rapid with absorption half-time and time of maximal concentration values of 1.14 and 3.95 h, respectively. Plateau concentrations of phenylbutazone in plasma were obtained between 2 and 12 h and mean bioavailability was 97%, although this was subject to wide inter-animal differences. Plasma concentrations of the phenylbutazone metabolite, oxyphenbutazone, were low after iv dosing and generally undetectable after im administration, indicating that it is unlikely to contribute significantly to the pharmacological effects produced by phenylbutazone administration. An indication was obtained that phenylbutazone inhibited the ex vivo synthesis of serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) for 24h after i.v. dosing, but this finding requires confirmation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effect of experimental fascioliasis on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine in desert sheep.

Healthy adult male desert sheep were experimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica, to investigate the influence of experimental fasciolasis on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine. Each animal received 500 metacercariae orally. The experimental infection was confirmed histologically, by detection of Fasciola eggs in faeces and by measuring the activities of the enzymes sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in plasma during the course of the disease. Changes in the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine were reported in the experimentally infected animals. Significant prolongation of antipyrine half life was observed 16 weeks after infection. The half-life of sulphadimidine was also significantly prolonged 5, 9 and 16 weeks after infection. Clearance of the sulphonamide was decreased significantly 5 and 9 weeks after infection and it regained its pre-infection value 16 weeks after infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effect on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon levels of treatment of diabetic rats with the medicinal plant Rhazya stricta and with glibenclamide, alone and in combination.

Because many diabetic patients in the United Arab Emirates use medicinal plants as a supplement to treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents, the effect on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentrations of simultaneous treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats with Rhazya stricta extract and glibenclamide has been examined. Treatment of control rats with the extract at oral doses of 0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 g kg-1 did not significantly affect the concentration of glucose, insulin or glucagon for up to 4 h after administration of the extract. The same doses in diabetic rats reduced the glucose level 1 h (2 and 4 g kg-1) and 2 h (4 g kg-1) after administration of the extract. This was accompanied by significant increases in insulin concentration 1, 2 and 4h after administration of the extract at doses of 2 and 4 g kg-1. Glibenclamide (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg kg-1) dose-dependently reduced glucose and glucagon levels, and increased that of insulin in normal and diabetic rats. Simultaneous treatment of normal and diabetic rats with the plant extract (0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 g kg-1) and glibenclamide (5.0 mg kg-1) significantly exacerbated the effects on glucose, insulin and glucagon induced by the extract or by glibenclamide when given separately. When the plant extract was given at doses of 0.5, 2 and 4 g kg-1 per day for 6 consecutive days the glucose level was reduced by approximately 6, 8 and 30%, respectively. No significant effect was seen on the levels of cholesterol or protein. These results imply that co-administration of the extract with glibenclamide might adversely interfere with glycaemic control in diabetic patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Neuromuscular and microvascular changes associated with chronic administration of an extract of Teucrium stocksianum in mice.

This work examines the effect on the weights of vital body organs, on blood biochemical variables, on neuromuscular coordination and on cerebral microcirculation of aqueous extracts of Teucrium stocksianum, given to mice in drinking water at concentrations of 2 and 4% for 56 days. The treatment caused progressive impairment of neuromuscular coordination, as evidenced by the time spent on the rota-rod. After photochemical challenge, the time for first observable platelet aggregation in arterioles was shorter than for the control group by 22 and 45% in the 2 and 4% T. stocksianum-treated groups, respectively. Platelet aggregation on the venular side was not affected by the treatment nor were microvascular diameters. Treatment with the plant extract produced no statistically significant effect on the plasma biochemical variables that are considered indices of liver and kidney function. Histologically, brains obtained from mice treated with T. stocksianum showed loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Although it is likely that the accelerated platelet aggregation might have contributed to an ischaemic effect which could, at least in part, have caused the cytotoxicological changes, this does not exclude the possibility of a direct cytotoxicological effect of the plant extract. Further pharmacological and toxicological investigations on Teucrium species seem warranted.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Some effects of Cassia italica on the central nervous system in mice.

This work examines some effects of the crude ethanolic extract of the medicinal plant Cassia italica, given at single oral doses of 0.25, 0.5 or 1 g kg-1, on the central nervous system in mice. Several models of nociception have been used to examine the analgesic effect of the extract. HPLC fingerprinting of the extract was performed to ensure uniformity of the extract material used. In treated mice, the extract caused dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, and in the formalin test of antinociception the extract reduced formalin-induced pain in the second (late) but not in the first (early) phase of the pain. Treatment with the extract at doses of 0.5 and 1 g kg-1 significantly increased the reaction time in the hot-plate and warm-water tail-flick tests. Naloxone was ineffective in antagonizing the analgesic effect of C. italica on tail-flick and abdominal constriction tests, possibly indicating that the effect occurs via non-opiate pathways. The C. italica extract caused slight dose-related impairment of motor control which was significant only at a dose of 1 g kg-1. Treatment at the three doses used did not affect the rectal temperature of normothermic mice, but was effective in significantly reducing the rectal temperature of hyperthermic rats, 0.5 and 1 h (but not 6 h) after administration of the extract at doses of 0.5 and 1 g kg-1. The extract also produced progressive diminution in the ambulatory and total activity of treated mice for up to 2 h after administration. It is concluded that the crude ethanolic extract of C. italica has CNS depressant properties, manifested as antinociception and sedation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Theileria annulata schizonts found in calf kidney cell culture.

Mononuclear cells infected with Theileria annulata schizonts were isolated at 4 different times from monolayer cultures of primary kidney cells derived from apparently healthy, 2 to 6 weeks old zebu calves. The presence of such an organism could interfere with the manufacturing procedure of rinderpest tissue culture vaccine if it is to be carried out in calf kidney cell culture.

Acridine Orange↗
PubMed1996

Effect of superoxide dismutase treatment on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

The effect of administration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on gentamicin nephrotoxicity was examined in rats. SOD was administered at a dose of 2000 i.u/kg or 8000 i.u/kg for 10 consecutive days, and nephrotoxicity was induced by daily i.m. injections of gentamicin at a dose of 80 mg/kg during the last 6 days of the experimental period. Gentamicin induced significant increases in plasma creatinine and urea and protein urinary concentrations, and significant decreases in creatinine clearance and kidney cortical alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations. The antibiotic also produced marked necrosis of the renal proximal tubules. SOD treatment (8000 i.u/kg) reversed most of these variables, indicating that it was effective in ameliorating gentamicin nephrotoxicity. However, at a dose of 2000 i.u./kg it was mostly ineffective.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Some pharmacologic and toxicologic studies on Rhazya stricta decne in rats, mice and rabbits.

1. This work examines some in vivo and in vitro pharmacologic and toxicologic effects of extracts of Rhazya stricta, a medicinal plant in the United Arab Emirates. 2. R. stricta extracts at doses of 0.1-10 mg reduced the mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) of anesthetized rats in a dose-dependent manner. The depressor effect was partially sensitive to atropine (5 microM). Although the MBP was reduced by 50% by both doses of extracts, the normal electrocardiogram pattern and the heart rate remained unaltered. 3. Acute treatment of rats with the lyophilized extract at doses of 4 g/kg produced a significant rise in insulin concentration. In streptozotocin-diabetic rats loaded orally with glucose (1 g/kg), R. stricta at doses of 8 g/kg produced significant decreases in plasma glucose concentration at 0.5 and 1 h after treatment. 4. Chronic treatment of rats and mice for 28 days with the lyophilized extract of R. stricta did not affect the plasma glucose or insulin concentration or any of the hematological or biochemical indices measured. 5. The extracts of R. stricta (0.5-4 g/kg) dose-dependently decreased the gastrointestinal transit time in mice by 4-50%. 6. The butanolic extract of R. stricta (1 and 2 g/kg) significantly reduced the carrageenan-induced increase in raw paw edema 3 and 4 h after the extract administration. 7. The rectal temperatures of normothermic and pyrexic rats were reduced significantly 0.5 and 1 h after administration of butanolic R. stricta at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg. 8. The butanolic extract of R. stricta at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg significantly increased the reaction time on the hot plate 30 and 60 min after administration to rats. 9. At concentration < 0.05 mg/ml (bath concentration), lyophilized water and butanol extracts of R. stricta potentiated the twitch responses induced by indirect electrical stimulation in the rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation. The responses were inhibited by concentrations > 0.05 mg/ml. Neostigmine (2 x 10(-4)M) did not alter these effects of the extracts. 10. R. stricta extracts dose-dependently decreased the force of contraction and heart rate of the isolated rabbit heart. Atropine (1 x 10(-5)M) had no effect on the inhibitory activity of these extracts. The lyophilized water extract (> 10 mg) and butanol extract (> 5 mg) produced irreversible inhibition and disturbances in the force of contraction and heart rate.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗