Abstract
Purpose: Solubilizers play an important role in
dissolution of pharmacological ingredients and should properly dissolve the
active principle(s) while preserving its activities. This study investigated
the effect of starch, gelatin, methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000
in the preservation of the androgenic activity of the methanol extract Basella alba (MEBa).
Methods: Different groups of male albino rats were
orally given the MEBa (1 mg/kg) dissolved into either 1% gelatin (1% gel), %1 methylcellulose
(1% MC) and 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000 (1% PVP 10000) or 2% starch solution
(2% SS) for 30 days. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and serum testosterone
and creatinine levels as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity
determined. Vital and reproductive organs were dissected out and weighed, while
liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione levels were determined.
Results:
Different treatments did not affect the animal body and organ weights. The MEBa
stimulatory effect on testosterone production was preserved with 2% SS and 1%
PVP 10000 as vehicles. Increased
liver glutathione and TBARS levels were also observed in the animals fed with
the MEBa dissolved in 2% SS and 1%
Gel, respectively, while other biochemical parameters remained unchanged.
Conclusion: Starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone 10000
stand as good preservation agents for MEBa androgenic activity, with starch
exhibiting additional antioxidant activity through increase of glutathione
levels.