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This study suggests potential benefits of SP and DS in an experimental model of colitis.

This study performed to examine the ability of pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds to induce sterility in male and female of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five groups were prepared; negative control group with mixed sex fish (G1) and positive control with monosex fish (G2) fed on basal diet, while G3, G4 and G5 were mixed sex fish fed on basal diet with addition of 60, 90, 120g of C. papaya seeds/kg diet, respectively. Ten fish with average weight of 30±1g were stocked at each of fifteen tanks (triplicates/treatment) with dimensions 135×50×60cm. Gonado-somatic index (GSI), egg diameter, fecundity and plasma sexual hormones level were determined and histological examination of gonads were performed. GSI, egg diameter and fecundity of treated females decreased significantly (P≤0.05) after treated and recovery months, while GSI of males was not significantly different (P≥0.05) among treatments. The levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) significantly (P≤0.05) decreased after treated and recovery months. All values decreased gradually with increasing the dose of C. papaya seeds. Histological sections showed several structural changes in testes and ovaries of the treated groups with different degree according to C. papaya seeds dose. Sections after recovery month showed that C. papaya seeds induced permanent sterility in the high dose while the low and medium doses may have reversible effect. The study concluded that, the seeds of C. papaya can be used with adjusted amount as a feed additive to control the problem of precocious maturity and breeding of O. niloticus in growing ponds instead of unfavorable and expensive hormone.

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Introduction Diabetic neuropathy is a common consequence of diabetes. Hyperalgesia is one of the main symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In response to noxious stimuli, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats show exaggerated hyperalgesic behavior, while Spirulina platensis has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin-like effects. To assess the antinociceptive effect of oral Spirulina platensis (SP) powder on formalin-induced nociceptive responses in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods Sixty mature male albino rats were randomly allocated into six equal groups (10 in each group). Group 1 (control non-diabetic group) received 0.9% saline; group 2 was given oral pure SP powder-treated as a non-diabetic control group, group 3 was sodium salicylate-treated rats and used as a positive non-diabetic control group, group 4 managed as vehicle-treated diabetic rats, group 5 considered as SP-treated-diabetic group, and sodium salicylate-treated-diabetic rats used as a diabetic positive control group (group 6). STZ-diabetic rats were orally given SP in a dose of 500 mg kg/day for 1 month. The formalin test was implemented in two phases: the early phase in the first 10-min post-formalin injection, and the late phase was considered in the 15–60 min post-formalin injection time interval. Results Pain scores were increased in the diabetic groups during both phases of the experiment. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in diabetic rats that received oral SP, P < 0.01. Besides, SP-treated rats had lower pain scores during both phases of the experiment than untreated diabetic ones. However, in the sodium salicylate group, the pain score was reduced only during the second phase. An exaggerated nociceptive response occurred in diabetic rats after the formalin test. A significant antinociceptive effect appeared in SP-treated control and diabetic rats. Discussion The findings suggest that oral Spirulina platensis could have a potential therapeutic role for managing induced painful diabetic neuropathy in rats.