@article {687, title = {Comparative Study to Evaluate the Anti-viral Efficacy of Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract and Ribavirin Against the Newcastle Disease Virus}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {December,2013}, pages = {6-11}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {6}, abstract = {

Background: The Newcastle disease represents as one of the most infectious viral disease, which afflicts almost every species of the birds. The causative agent of the disease is a single-stranded RNA virus with rapid replication capability. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the comparative anti-viral efficacy and toxicity of Glycyrrhiza glabra aqueous extract and ribavirin against the Newcastle disease virus. Materials and Methods: The embryonated eggs were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). Groups A, B, C, and D were further subdivided into three subgroups. The virus was identified by hemagglutination inhibition test. Spot hemagglutination test and viability of embryos were also evaluated. Three different concentrations i-e., 30 mg/100 ml, 60 mg/100 ml, and 120 mg/100 ml of the Glycyrrhiza aqueous extract and 10 μg/ml, 20 μg/ml, and 40 μg/ml ribavirin in deionized water were evaluated for their toxicity and anti-viral activity in the embryonated eggs. Results: 60 mg/100 ml concentration of Glycyrrhiza extract did not produce any toxicity in the embryonated eggs and showed anti-viral activity against the virus. Similarly, 20 μg/ml ribavirin was non-toxic in the embryonated eggs and contained anti-viral activity. Conclusion: It may conclude from the presented study that 60 mg/100 ml Glycyrrhiza extract inhibits replication of Newcastle disease virus and is non-toxic in the embryonated eggs. So, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract may be further evaluated in future to determine the potentially active compounds for their anti-viral activity against Newcastle disease virus. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of these active phytochemicals as an antiviral agent would be helpful to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease.

}, keywords = {Anti-viral agents, Embryonated eggs, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Newcastle disease virus, Ribavirin}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.122911}, author = {Muhammad Ovais Omer and Waleed Hassan AlMalki and Imran Shahid and Shahzada Khuram and Imran Altaf and Saeed Imran} } @article {686, title = {The Hypoglycemic Effect of the Aqueous Extract of the Fruits of Balanites Aegypticea in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {December,2013}, pages = {1-5}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

Background: Balanites aegypticea is used medically for many purposes e.g. anti-spasmodic, stomach pain, malaria, and yellow fever. The extract of the fruit is also used to reduce the blood glucose levels. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of the aqueous extract of the fruits of the Balanites aegypticea in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five adult male Vistar rats were used in this study. The rats were randomly collected and divided into 5 groups (5 rats in each group). The untreated rats (negative control group) received basal diet and tap water only for 15 days. The experimental rats became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). The fruit of Balanites aegypticea was powdered, extracted, and dried using organic solvents. The diabetic rats received aqueous extract 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg, respectively, for 2 weeks. Plasma glucose levels were measured by using Glucose GOD-PAP method through spectrophotometer. Results: The results showed that 800 mg/kg aqueous extract decrease significantly the plasma glucose level (P <= 0.05) in diabetic rats, and there is a considerable gain in body weight (P <= 0.05) compared to the diabetic control group. Four-hundred mg/kg aqueous extract has a mild effect on body weights and plasma glucose levels, while 200 mg/kg aqueous extract has no significant effect on plasma glucose level and a little effect on body weight. Conclusions: The results of the presented study revealed that the aqueous extract of Balanites aegypticea has hypoglycemic properties. It can decrease the plasma glucose level and can improve weight in diabetic experimental animals

}, keywords = {Balanites aegypticea, Diabetic rats, Hypoglycemic effect, Plasma glucose level}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.122909}, author = {Abdella Emam Abdella Baragob and Waleed Hassan AlMalki and Imran Shahid and Fatimah Abdullah Bakhdhar and Hanouf Saeed Bafhaid and Omar Muhammad Izz Eldeen} }