title: Some pharmacological and toxicological studies on Balanites aegyptiaca bark.
abstract: The aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca bark, which is used in Sudanese folk medicine in the treatment of jaundice, was without effect when studied on rabbit intestine, rabbit aortic strip, rat stomach strip, rat uterus and rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm in a dose up to 10 mg/mL gut bath. In a larger dose (25 mg) the extract decreased significantly the contractility and the rate of the isolated perfused rabbit heart. Administration of the aqueous extract to biliary duct-ligated rats, showed a dose-dependent significant decrease in serum bilirubin level. The chronic and subchronic toxicity investigations indicate the safety of the aqueous extract at a dose level which showed a significant decrease in serum bilirubin level in experimental obstructive jaundice in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Institute National Center For Research, Khartoum, Sudan, PO Box 2404.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Eltahir
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galal
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ayeed
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007565:Jaundice / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013397:Sudan; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts