Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on the changes in central cholinergic system induced by acute noise stress.

The ethanolic extract from the leaves of Ocimum sanctum Linn was screened for its effects on the noise induced changes in the central cholinergic system of albino rats by investigating the acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in discrete areas of brain. Exposure to noise (10 kHz:100 dB) stress for 30 min caused a significant reduction in total acetylcholine content and increase in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in cerebral cortex, corpus striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus of brain. Pretreatment of the animals with ethanol extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves for 7 days prevented the noise induced changes in these two cholinergic parameters in all the four areas of brain.

Effect of acute noise stress on acetylcholinesterase activity in discrete areas of rat brain.

Effect of various stressor agents on the adrenergic system in brain had been studied extensively. However, reports on the effect of stress on various parameters of central cholinergic system are scanty. And very little is known about the effect of noise stress on the cholinergic system in brain.

Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on noise induced changes in plasma corticosterone level.

Ethanol extract of leaves of ocimum sanctum was screened for its antistressor actions against acute and chronic noise stress in albino rats by investigating the plasma corticosterone level in these animals. There was a significant elevation of the corticosterone level in plasma of rats subjected to 30 min noise (100 dB) stress. Chromic exposure (4 hr daily for 30 days) to noise with same intensity reduced the hormonal level significantly.

Finger - pulse volume during co(2) induced panic States.

Changes in Fingure-Pulse Volume (FPV) during CO(2) inhalation were studied in patients diagnosed as having Anxiety disorder with history of panic attacks. Waxing and Waning of the FPV was observed in all the cases after CO(2) inhalation, and this pattern was significantly intensified during panic attacks during the study. The significance and the mechanism underlying the same is discussed.