The present study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical screening, the acute toxicity, in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities of the Zizyphus lotus (Z lotus) leaf’s aqueous extract. The extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study, anti-inflammatory evaluation using carrageenan induced paw edema and the anti-diarrheal activity was assessed by the castor oil induced diarrhea inhibition method in laboratory rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. The extract at the doses used caused a significant (P< 0.05) reduction in the wet feces dumped by the rat with the castor oil-induced diarrhea, and decreased the distance travelled by the charcoal meal. The results showed that the extract of Zizyphus lotus has a significant antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice.

First insemination success is considered as good indicator of heifer fertility to ensure renewal of dairy herds. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between first insemination success and biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS). A total of 25 heifers were divided into two groups according to their success at first insemination: group FS+ (heifers that were pregnant at first service, n = 14) and group FS- (heifers that were not pregnant at first service, n = 11). The serum of these two groups were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric Oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as oxidative stress biomarkers and biochemical parameters. Heifers in the group FS+ showed no significant difference in all OS parameters compared to heifers in the group FS-. The OS parameters showed almost similar values in both groups except for GST and CAT where the difference was at the limit of significance. The plasma concentration of OS biomarkers assessed in our study were not related to first service success in heifers. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of oxidative status in the reproductive performance of heifers.