Lactogenic activity of (Linn.) fruit with special reference to the estimation of serum prolactin and cortisol level in nursing rats.

Aim: The objective of the study was to investigate the lactogenic activity of methanolic extract of (L.) fruit (MTLF) on rats.

Subjects And Methods: Nursing rats (200-250 g) with their suckling pups were selected and were divided into five groups ( = 6).

Effect of potassium channel openers in acute and chronic models of glaucoma.

Purpose: Glaucoma is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). The effect of nicorandil and pinacidil on IOP in experimentally induced acute and chronic models of glaucoma and the mechanism of action involved were studied.

Methods: New Zealand white rabbits were used for the study.

Chemopreventive potential of Apium leptophyllum (Pers.) against DMBA induced skin carcinogenesis model by modulatory influence on biochemical and antioxidant biomarkers in Swiss mice.

Aim: The study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive potential of flavonoidal fractions of Apium leptophyllum fruits (FFALF) on Swiss mice.

Materials And Methods: Skin tumor or papilloma was developed by topical application of DMBA (25 μg in 0.1 ml acetone) on intrascapular region of mice, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Evaluation of antiulcer potential of Mimusops hexandra in experimental gastro duodenal ulcers.

The study was aimed to investigate antiulcer effects of acetone extract and its different fractions Mimusops hexandra against experimental gastro-duodenal ulcers. 80% acetone extract of stem bark of Mimusops hexandra (Extract A, p.o.

Diuretic Potential of Whole Plant Extracts of Pergularia daemia (Forsk.).

The whole plant, Pergularia daemia (Family: Asclepediaceae), was extracted with 50% alcohol and a fresh batch of the plant material was successively extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol to determine its diuretic activity. The diuretic activity of the different extracts at a dose of 400 mg/Kg was assessed orally in rats with furosemide as a standard drug using Lipschitzs test. All extracts except the petroleum ether extract showed significant increase (p < 0.

Antiurolithiatic Activity of Whole-Plant Hydroalcoholic Extract of Pergularia daemia in Rats.

The whole-plant, Pergularia daemia (Family: Asclepediaceae), extract (50% alcohol) was investigated for its antiurolithiatic and diuretic activity. Ethylene glycol (0.75% in water) feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Premna integrifolia root.

Roots of Premna integrifolia Linn. Mant. (Verbanacea) are important rasayana (Adaptogenic) drugs and are considered to be useful in the treatment of variety of ailments.

Involvement of the PI3K/AKT pathway in the hypoglycemic effects of saponins from Helicteres isora.

Aim Of The Study: Saponins from Helicteres isora have previously been shown to exert antidiabetic effects. The present study explored the underlying mechanisms in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.

Materials And Methods: C2C12 cells were incubated with saponins and sapogenin followed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.

Effect of saponins from Helicteres isora on lipid and glucose metabolism regulating genes expression.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: We characterized saponins as active constituents from traditionally used antidiabetic plant Helicteres isora.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the changes in the gene expression of the glucose and lipid metabolism regulating genes in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

Materials And Methods: C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were divided into four different groups; one diabetic control, the mice in other three groups were treated with methanol extract (100 mg/kg), saponins (100 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) for 14 days.

Experimental evidence for the cardioprotective effects of red wine.

Both epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed that intake of wine, particularly red wine, in moderation protects cardiovascular health; however, the experimental basis for such an action is not fully understood. Because all types of red wine contain varying amounts of alcohol and antioxidants, it is likely that the cardioprotective effect of red wine is due to both these constituents. In view of its direct action on the vascular smooth muscle cells, alcohol may produce coronary vasodilation in addition to attenuating oxidative stress by its action on the central nervous system.

Pathophysiological actions of protease activated receptors (PARs).

Serine proteases such as thrombin, mast cell tryptase, trypsin, or cathepsin G, for example, are highly active mediators with diverse biological activities. So far, proteases have been considered to act primarily as degradative enzymes in the extracellular space. However, their biological actions in tissues and cells suggest important roles as a part of the body's hormonal communication system during inflammation and immune response.

Angiogenesis--a new target for future therapy.

Development of blood vessels from in situ differentiating endothelial cells (EC) is called vasculogenesis, whereas sprouting of new blood vessels from the pre-existing ones is termed angiogenesis or neovascularisation. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is essential during tissue repair, foetal development, and female reproductive cycle. In contrast, uncontrolled angiogenesis promotes tumor and retinopathies, while inadequate angiogenesis can lead to coronary artery disease.

A novel use of methylene blue as a pharmacological tool.

Introduction: A new use of methylene blue as an ulcerogenic agent and the mechanisms involved were identified with an objective to exploit methylene blue as a pharmacological tool to study investigational antiulcer agents.

Methods: Ulcerogenic potential was assessed using electron microscopy and measurement of an ulcer index after administering methylene blue (5-125 mg kg(-1), p.o.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 on catalase activity and other antioxidant parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Although coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a component of the oxidative phosphorylation process in mitochondria that converts the energy in carbohydrates and fatty acids into ATP to drive cellular machinery and synthesis, its effect in type I diabetes is not clear. We have studied the effect of 4 wk of treatment with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, ip, daily) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (40 mg/kg, iv in adult rats) type I diabetes rat models. Treatment with CoQ10 produced a significant decrease in elevated levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and atherogenic index and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in diabetic rats.

Effect of Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard against experimentally-induced gastric ulcers.

Effects of the flavonoid rich fraction of the stem bark of Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard, have been studied on ethanol, ethanol-indomethacin and pylorus ligated gastric ulcers in experimental animals. Oral administration of the ethyl acetate extract (extract A3) inhibited the formation of gastric lesions induced by ethanol in a dose dependent manner.

Effects of chronic treatment with cromakalim and glibenclamide in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

We have studied the effects of chronic treatment with cromakalim (75 ug kg(-1) per day) and glibenclamide (20 mg kg(-1) per day) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Injection of alloxan (60 mg kg(-1)/i.v.

Evaluation of the effects of nicorandil on experimentally induced gastric ulcers.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of a potassium channel opener, nicorandil, and to elucidate its possible mechanism of action in aspirin plus pylorus ligation induced and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. In an attempt to ascertain the involvement of K(ATP) channels in the modulation of gastric ulcers, the effects of nicorandil alone as well as in the presence of the K(ATP) channel blocker glibenclamide were studied. Nicorandil and glibenclamide were administered orally at a dose of 2 mg/kg throughout the study.

Antiulcer activity and the mechanism of action of magaldrate in gastric ulceration models of rat.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of cytoprotective effects of magaldrate in aspirin plus pylorus-ligation model and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Magaldrate (60 mg/kg, p.o.

Effect of nifedipine and enalapril on insulin-induced glucose disposal in spontaneous hypertensive and diabetic rats.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. The present work was undertaken to study the effects of enalapril and nifedipine on insulin sensitivity in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats and diabetic rats. Insulin sensitivity was measured by insulin tolerance test using K(ITT) as an index of insulin mediated glucose metabolism.

Effect of chronic treatment with amlodipine in non-insulin-dependent diabetic rats.

We have investigated the effects of amlodipine on streptozotocin-(STZ) induced neonatal non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. NIDDM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (70 mg kg-1) to 5-day-old rat pups. The animals were weaned at 30 days and maintained with food and water ad libitum for 3 months.

Effect of chronic treatment with spirapril on biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of 6 week treatment with spirapril (2 mg/kg po) on insulin sensitivity, and serum lipid levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Treatment of rats with spirapril in diabetic and diabetic with hypertensive animals significantly prevented STZ-induced loss of body weight, hypertension, and bradycardia. It also partially but significantly prevented STZ-induced hyperglycaemia in both diabetic Wistar and SH animals.

Evidence for alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist activity of minoxidil.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the mechanism of action of minoxidil using various smooth muscle preparations. Minoxidil (4.7 x 10(-6) M to 4.

Effects of chronic treatment with amlodipine in streptozotocin-diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Calcium antagonists have been reported to alter insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. However, there still exists a controversy over the benefits of calcium antagonists in the conditions when diabetes mellitus and hypertension coexist. In the present study the effects of six-week chronic amlodipine treatment (5 mg kg-1 p.

Investigation into the possible mechanisms involved in altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible factors which may contribute to the altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients. The digoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetics (1.74 +/- 0.

Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in rabbits pretreated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: an interaction study.

Interaction between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other drugs occurs relatively frequently because of the wide use of NSAIDs. Such interactions with drugs of narrow therapeutic index used in serious disease states may lead to toxicity. Gentamicin toxicity is based on its concentration in serum, and any alteration in pharmacokinetic parameters may lead to gentamicin accumulation in the body and subsequently to severe nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.