An immunologically active arabinogalactan from Tinospora cordifolia.

An arabinogalactan of mean M(r) 2.2 x 10(6) has been isolated from the dried stems of Tinospora cordifolia and examined by methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis and carboxyl reduction. Purified polysaccharide showed polyclonal mitogenic activity against B-cells, their proliferation did not require macrophages.

Olanzapine in the treatment of delirium.

Delirium is an organic psychiatric syndrome characterized by fluctuating consciousness and impaired cognitive functioning. Eleven delirious patients were treated with olanzapine (dosage mean +/- standard deviation [SD]: 8.2 +/- 3.

Use of risperidone in delirium: case reports.

Traditionally, high-potency neuroleptics such as haloperidol have been used with success in the treatment of organic brain syndromes, but they have been associated with significant side effects such as EPS. We present the first case reports of a newer antipsychotic, risperidone, in the treatment of two delirious patients. Risperidone may prove to be an effective alternative to haloperidol in delirious patients, especially the elderly and the severely medically ill, who are more prone to adverse effects.

Cordifolisides A, B, C: norditerpene furan glycosides from Tinospora cordifolia.

Several glycosides were isolated, as polyacetates, from the n-BuOH fraction of the Tinospora cordifolia stems. The structures of three new norditerpene furan glycosides cordifoliside A, B and C have been established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.

Lipophilic amino alcohols with calcium channel blocking activity.

A series of novel lipophilic amino alcohols, analogs of the anticholinergic drug vesamicol, were evaluated for Ca2+ channel blocking activity. The effects of these drugs on depolarization-induced intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients were examined in single NG108-15 cells and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture. [Ca2+] was recorded with the Ca2+ indicator Indo-1 and a dual emission microfluorimeter.

Detection of N-nitrosamines in the saliva of habitual chewers of tobacco.

The saliva of habitual chewers of tobacco and of non- chewers was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-thermal energy analysis. N-Nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosonornicotine and N- nitrosohydroxyproline were detected in the saliva from the tobacco chewers . These N-nitroso compounds are probably leached from the tobacco itself and/or are formed in situ by the nitrosation of tobacco alkaloids as well as that of secondary amines.