Experimental animals
Male and female Swiss albino mice (30–40 g) and male Wistar rats (180–200 g) were used in the experiments. The animals obtained from the Southern Laboratory Animal Facility, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. All experimental protocols were approved by The Animal Ethic Committee, Prince of Songkla University (MOE 0521.11/303). Both Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats were housed in standard environmental conditions with a 12 h light/dark cycle. They were provided ad libitum with standard rodent diet and water.