Effect of combined Citrullus colocynthis and Rhazya stricta use in Najdi sheep.

The effect of oral administration of 0.25 g/kg/day of Citrullus colocynthis fruits, 0.25 g/kg/day of Rhazya stricta leaves or mixture of the two plants at 0.25 g/kg/day of C. colocynthis fruits plus 0.25 g/kg/day of R. stricta leaves in Najdi sheep was examined. Oral administration of 0.25 g/kg/day of C. colocynthis fruits or 0.25 g/kg/day of R. stricta leaves for 42 days proved not fatal but that of the mixture of the two plants (0.25 g + 0.25 g/kg/day) proved fatal within 26 days with profuse diarrhea, dehydration, loss in condition, ataxia and recumbency, prior to death. These manifestations accompanied by enterohepatonephrotoxicity, gelatinization of the renal and epicardial fat and transudate in serous cavities were correlated with alterations in serum LDH and AST activities and concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, bilirubin, cholesterol and urea and hematology.