Cyclophosphamide, a cancer chemotherapy drug-induced early onset of reproductive senescence and alterations in reproductive performance and their prevention in mice.

Although, cyclophosphamide (CP) treatment is known to cause degeneration of the ovarian follicular reserve, which may have a serious consequence of the onset of early reproductive senescence, thus far there is no experimental study either to demonstrate CP-induced early onset of reproductive senescence or its prevention. Intraperitoneal administration (ip) of CP [100 mg/kg body weight (bw)/mouse] resulted in a drastic reduction in reproductive life span as shown by the onset of reproductive senescence at a significantly early age (258 days) compared to controls (349 days), whereas treatment with the root extract of the herb (DH) (200 mg/Kg bw/day for 7 days), a cocktail of anti-oxidants prior to CP administration maintained normal reproductive life span in mice. Further, the CP treated mice showed a significant increase in pre-coital interval and a significant reduction in parturition index coupled with regressive changes in the uterine endometrium, whereas DH co-treatment prevented these changes.

Multiple dose treatment reduces cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian follicular loss in mice.

This study compares the effects of single dose and multiple dose treatment of cyclophosphamide (CP) on oxidative stress-mediated follicular damage in mouse ovary. In the first experiment, adult female mice were administered with a single dose of CP (100 mg/kg body weight/mouse) and autopsied 72 hr after treatment. In the second experiment, adult female mice were injected with multiple doses of CP (40 mg/kg body weight/day/mouse for 10 consecutive days) and sacrificed on Day 11.

Mode of Action of the Natural Insecticide, Decaleside Involves Sodium Pump Inhibition.

Decalesides are a new class of natural insecticides which are toxic to insects by contact via the tarsal gustatory chemosensilla. The symptoms of their toxicity to insects and the rapid knockdown effect suggest neurotoxic action, but the precise mode of action and the molecular targets for decaleside action are not known. We have presented experimental evidence for the involvement of sodium pump inhibition in the insecticidal action of decaleside in the cockroach and housefly.

Decaleside: a new class of natural insecticide targeting tarsal gustatory sites.

Natural sources for novel insecticide molecules hold promise in view of their eco-friendly nature, selectivity, and mammalian safety. Recent progress in understanding the biology of insect olfaction and taste offers new strategies for developing selective pest control agents. We have isolated two natural insecticidal molecules from edible roots of Decalepis hamiltonii named Decalesides I and II, which are novel trisaccharides, highly toxic to household insect pests and stored-product insects.