Title: Pharmaco-toxicological study of Opuntia ficus indica L. aqueous extract in experimental animals.
Abstract: Opuntia ficus indica is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and dermal burns. The aim of present study was to analyze and compare the effects caused by the Opuntia ficus indica aqueous extract on serum and lipid parameters in white male rabbits (initial mean weight 1.95 kg). Rabbits were divided into two groups (n=6), the first group represented the control group, fed with standard diet; the second group was fed with the control diet supplemented orally with OAE (2ml/kg), once a day, 7 days per week, for 3 months. Food and water were provided ad-libitum. The Rabbits body weights were measured every week. Organ weights were determined at the end of treatment. Blood samples were subject to the determination of fasting blood glucose, serum lipid profile, serum protein and albumin, creatinine and urea. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the body weight of the two groups. The relative weights in the OAE group of pancreas and kidneys were similar to those of the control, while, weights of liver were lower than those in the control group. Biochemical analysis showed that cholesterol (CHOL) and triglycerides (TG) were significantly decreased in blood plasma re spectively in OAE group. Glucose level (GLU) was significantly lower in OAE group; the rest of the parameters (Albumine, Total proteins, Creatinine, Urea) were not significantly affected. However, these variations do not show any biological toxicity .
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 9
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