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Extensive and indiscriminate use of synthetic compounds and natural compounds obtained from plant sources have resulted in serious threats to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Aqueous extract of the root of the plant, Milletia pachycarpa Benth is currently used for killing fish in the state of Manipur, India. Moreover, this plant is also used as traditional medicine in this region. Although it is widely used in traditional medicine, there is limited information available regarding the adverse effects and mechanism underlying its toxicity. This study examined the effects of exposure to aqueous extract of Millettia pachycarpa (AEMP) on early embryonic development of zebrafish embryos and mechanisms underlying toxicity.Zebrafish embryos treated with different concentrations of the AEMP produced embryonic lethality and developmental defects. The 96hr-LC 50 of AEMP was found to be 4.276 µg/ml Further, multiple developmental abnormalities such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, spinal curvature, swim bladder deflation, decreased heart rate, and delayed hatching were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Zebrafish embryo showing moderate to severe developmental defects following AEMP exposure can not swim properly. Further, this study examined oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos exposed to AEMP. Enhanced production of ROS and apoptosis were found in brain, trunk, and tail of zebrafish embryos treated with AEMP. Data suggest that oxidative stress and apoptosis are associated with AEMP-induced embryonic lethality and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

The present study aims at systematic evaluation of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa to establish its scientific validity for anti-urolithiatic property using ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria model in male albino rats. Administration of a mixture of 0.75% ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate. The decrease in the serum calcium concentration indicates an increased calcium oxalate formation. Supplementation of aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa at different doses (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight) significantly lowered the deposition of stone-forming constituents in the kidneys and serum of urolithiatic rats. These findings have been confirmed through histological investigations. Results of in vivo genotoxicity testing showed no significant chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of ethylene glycol-induced rats. The plant extracts at the doses investigated induced neither toxic nor lethal effects and are safe. It can be concluded that the calyces of H. sabdariffa are endowed with anti-urolithiatic activity and do not have genotoxic effects. Thus, it can be introduced in clinical practices and medicine in the form of orally administered syrup after further investigations and clinical trials.

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Background: From time immemorial medicinal plants are used in treating urolithiasis in ayurvedic system and other forms of traditional health practitioners. In Manipur, local traditional health practitioners used Cissus adnata Roxb. and Cissus discolor Blume for treating kidney stone problems. However, proper scientific validation is not well studied and evaluated. Methods: The present study investigates the inhibitory effect of the chloroform extract of Cissus adnata Roxb. (CAc) and Cissus discolor Blume (CDc) on calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal nucleation and aggregation using spectrophotometer. Furthermore, phytochemical studies of both plants were performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS), Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results: CDc exhibited significantly higher inhibitory effect on nucleation and aggregation of CaOx than CAc and Cystone (p<0.05). GC-MS analysis of the CDc and CAc revealed presence of nine compounds, the highest area percentage occupied by stigmasterol in CAc and gamma-sitosterol in CDc. Elemental analyses of both plants detected twenty elements, strontium being the dominant element. The reduction in CaOx nucleation and crystal aggregation by CAc and CDc observed in this study could be attributed to calcium replacement by strontium. Conclusion: This study reported the inhibitory effect on CaOx crystal aggregation and nucleation by CAc and CDc in the in vitro assay. Further in vivo studies are necessary to validate the inhibitory effect of the studied plant extracts.