https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 Aphrodisiac activity of an aqueous extract of wood ear mushroom, auricularia polytricha (Heterobasidiomycetes), in male rats https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:33592 Auricularia polytricha is a popular mushroom found all over the world. In this study we considered the effect of an aqueous extract of A. polytricha (AEAP) on restoring sexual performance parameters to normal, evaluated by considering observations of sexual behavior. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 days, the following parameters of sexual performance were identified before and throughout the observations: mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, mounting frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency, and postejaculatory interval. Treatment of rats under stress with AEAP showed promising effects on overcoming stress-induced sexual dysfunction, on sexual performance, and on accessory sexual organs and body weight. Mounting latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, and postejaculatory interval parameters were significantly decreased by AEAP, whereas mounting frequency, intromission frequency, and ejaculation frequency were significantly increased by AEAP. These properties were identified in sexually dynamic and indolent male rats. We conclude that AEAP has a potent aphrodisiac activity.]]> Thu 22 Nov 2018 13:41:22 AEDT ]]> Rosmarinic acid attenuates inflammation in experimentally induced arthritis in Wistar rats, using Freund's complete adjuvant https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48491 Punica granatum. Method: Rosmarinic acid was isolated by bioactivity-guided isolation from butanolic fraction of Punica granatum and acute toxicity of rosmarinic acid was carried out. The experiment was conducted at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic rats. Various parameters, that is arthritic score, paw volume, thickness of paw, hematological, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) were also estimated. Results: Rosmarinic acid significantly decreased the arthritic score, paw volume, joint diameter, white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It also significantly increased body weight, hemoglobin and red blood cells. The significantly decreased levels of TNF-a were observed in treated groups as compared to arthritic control rats (P < 0.001). At the same time antioxidant parameters (like GSH and SOD) were increased significantly while levels of MDA were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The outcome of the present research concludes that rosmarinic acid showed significant anti-arthritic potential in FCA-induced arthritis in Wistar rats. This study represented the therapeutic role of rosmarinic acid from Punica granatum for the management of arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis/osteoarthritis and related inflammatory complications with negligible side effects which was still far from complete mitigation with available conventional medicines.]]> Mon 20 Mar 2023 11:51:53 AEDT ]]>