ABSTRACT

In the present study the selenium and chromium content of different plant foods such as fruits, greens, flowers, vegetables, dried fruits, spices, condiments, cereals and pulses were analysed. The selenium values for cereals indehiscent vegetables, root vegetables, stem vegetables, pulses, fleshy vegetables, greens, fleshy fruits, condiment seeds, spices and dried fruits ranged between 24.2-32.16, 2.4-18.9, 2.8-21.5, 3.0-32, 48.7-92.5, 1.25-9.5, 3.0-8.2, 2.0-9.4, 6.2-66.2, 6.2-17.5 and 3.5-16.8 micrograms/100 g respectively. The chromium values for the same ranged between 48.2-52.6, 31.0-45, 21.2-25.7, 23.7-62.8, 15.0-43.5, 20.4-65, 14.2-42.1, 14.25-46.7, 58.4-150 and 96-168 micrograms/100 g respectively. Thus dried fruits have the highest chromium content and pulses the highest selenium content.

Oestrus urine was proved as a potential endocrine modulator in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) in male rats. We, in this study, aimed to prove the attributing potential of toxicity alleviation to squalene, an oestrus-specific pheromone in rats. A single dose of 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg BW, i.p.) was administered to male Wistar rats with concurrent exposure to squalene sprayed in bedding material (Group III). Group II rats did receive 3-MC treatment but did not expose to squalene. Group I rats were intact control neither administered 3-MC nor sprayed with squalene. In consequence of 3-MC toxicity, liver and testes weights were increased and the components of blood cells (RBC and WBC count, Hb level) and testosterone concentration were significantly reduced in Group II rats. Moreover, sperm count was reduced and antioxidants (testes and epididymis) were significantly altered. Exposure to squalene in Group III rats comparatively normalised all the variable components towards baseline and reorganised the histological architecture of reproductive tissues that were exacerbated with 3-MC toxicity. This study ultimately proved squalene as a potent molecule in alleviating the toxicity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene.

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro free radical scavenging activities were analyzed in the various extracts of Medicago sativa seeds. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, phytosterols, tannins, terpenoids and phenols. Among the various extracts, phytochemicals were extracted best in ethanol. Free radical scavenging activities such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, superoxide, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferrous ion chleating activity and non radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide were analyzed in the various extracts of Medicago sativa seeds and were compared with standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. All the extracts of Medicago sativa seeds scavenged the free radicals in a concentration dependent manner. The antioxidative activity of all the extracts was found to be more pronounced than that of the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. Among the various extracts, the antioxidant activity was found to be more pronounced in ethanolic extract of Medicago sativa seeds