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The antidiarrhoeal effect of seven plant extracts namely: the aerial parts of Euphorbia paralias L. (EP), Bidens bipinnata L. (BB), Cynachum acutum L. (CyAc), Diplotaxis acris (Forssk.) Boiss (DA), Convolvulus fatmensis (CF) and Schouwia thebaica Webb (ST) and the leaves of Plantago major L. (PM), was evaluated on castor oil-induced diarrhoea, gastrointestinal movement in rats (charcoal meal) and on the motility of duodenum isolated from freshly slaughtered rabbits. A significant antidiarrhoeal effect of the tested plant extracts against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats was achieved by 200 and 400 mg/kg. The tested plant extracts decreased the gastrointestinal movement as indicated by the significantly (p<0.05 to 0.001) decreased distance travelled by the charcoal meal. The large dose of the tested plant extracts was slightly more effective than the small one. The antidiarrhoeal effect was confirmed by the reported dose dependent inhibition of the motility of duodenum isolated from freshly slaughtered rabbits. The EP and PM methanol extract produced a transient stimulation followed by inhibition in doses of less than 0.05 and 1.6 mg/kg, respectively. Higher concentrations caused rapid muscle relaxation. Tannins, flavonoids, unsaturated sterols/triterpenes, carbohydrates, lactones and proteins/amino acids were reported as major active constituents of the tested plants.

The present work was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of ginger, chicory and their mixture against carbon tetrachloride intoxication in rats. Carbon tetrachloride treatment significantly elevated the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltransferase activities and the serum triglycerides and cholesterol concentration as compared to control group. It also increased RBCs counts and Hb concentration, total or differential leucocytes counts. However it decreased platelet counts, platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume, platelet larger cell ratio. Methanol extract of ginger (250 and 500 mg/kg) and chicory (250 and 500 mg/kg) given alone or mixed (1:1 wt/wt) significantly restored the carbon tetrachloride-induced alterations in the biochemical and cellular constituents of blood. No toxic symptoms were reported in doses up to 5 g/kg. Alkaloids and/or nitrogenous bases, carbohydrates and/or glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and unsaturated sterols and/or triterpenes are the main active constituents of their methanol extract. The hepatoprotective effect of ginger and chicory was also confirmed by the histopathological examination of liver tissue.

1. The disposition kinetics and plasma availability of danofloxacin in Muscovy ducks after single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight were investigated. 2. Tissue residue profiles (liver, kidney and muscle) and plasma were also studied after multiple intramuscular and oral administration of 5 mg/kg once daily for 5 consecutive days. 3. The concentrations of the drug in the plasma and tissues were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection on samples collected at frequent intervals after drug administration. 4. Following intravenous injection, plasma concentration vs. time curves were best described by a two compartment open model. The decline in plasma drug concentration was bi-exponential with half-lives of (t(1/2alpha)) 0.08 h and (t(1/2beta)) 3.91 h for distribution and elimination phases, respectively. 5. After intramuscular and oral administration of danofloxacin at the same dose the peak plasma concentrations (C(max)) were 0.89 and 0.81 microg/ml and attained at 1.17 and 1.21 h (T(max)), respectively, and the elimination half-lives (T(1/2el)) were 2.91 and 2.39 h, respectively. The systemic bioavailabilities were 103.21 and 89.26%, following i.m. and oral admisistartion, respectively. In vitro protein binding percent of danofloxacin in Muscovy ducks plasma was 17%. 6. The tissue level following i.m. and oral administration were highest in liver and kidney, respectively, and decreased in the following order: plasma and muscle. No danofloxacin residues were detected in tissues and plasma after 96 h with either route of administration except in liver and kidney, after 120 h in case of oral administration.

A versatile, efficient, clean, and facile method was used for the synthesis of pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives by the one‐pot three‐component condensation reaction of thiobarbituric acid and malononitrile with p‐chlorobenzaldehyde, using Fe3O4 or ZnO or Mn3O4 as nanostructure catalysts. The catalyst could be easily recovered using an external magnet and reused for six cycles with almost a consistent activity. A series of polyheterocyclic compounds containing five and/or six rings fused with each other was designed. The anti‐inflammatory activities for some of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated. All the synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their elemental analyses and spectral data.

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The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Calligonum comosum were investigated for their antioxidant and dopaminergic effects on haloperidol (HL)-induced neuro- and hepatotoxicities in male albino rat model. The total phenolics, flavonoid content and free radical-scavenging activity of the extracts were determined. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was higher than the aqueous one. HL significantly reduced GSH and increased MDA in brain and liver tissues. These values were nearly normalized, in the examined tissues, on concomitant administration of C. comosum methanolic extract with HL. Superoxide dismutase activity in the examined tissues was significantly decreased by HL administration that was normalized by the coadministration of the methanolic extract and, to a less extent, the water extract. Determination of the brain neurotransmitter contents revealed a marked decrease in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, which were restored to near control values by concomitant administration of both C. comosum extracts with HL. The results of this study showed that C. comosum methanolic and aqueous extracts ameliorated HL-induced neuro- and hepatotoxicities in rats.

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