Analysis and Toxicity of Plain (PMP) and Blended (PMT) Indian Pan Masala (PM).

Objective: Betel leaf combined with areca nut is known as betel quid pan masala (PM), and tobacco with areca nut, catechu and lime is pan masala (PMT) blended with gulkhand. These narcotics are popular among young and old individuals. A prima facia chemical analysis and a toxicity assessment of PM in mice were conducted to study the relationship between longtime consumption of PM and health hazards.

Differential diagnosis of byssinosis by blood histamine and pulmonary function test: a review and an appraisal.

A study was conducted on byssinotic (N = 8) and nonbyssinotic (N = 16) mill workers exposed to cotton dust and on controls (N = 15) from a cotton dust-free zone. They were examined for chest tightness and breathlessness during successive days from Mondays to Fridays. In addition to monitoring the workers only on Mondays after shift work, their blood histamine levels and pulmonary function tests such as FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75% (PEFR represents airflow of larger airways, FEF25-75% reflects airflow in smaller airways, and FEV1 represents airflow in both central and peripheral airways) were screened, but Monday data were only counted to appraise a contrast between these two parameters.

Effect of sensitized macrophages in transplantable sarcoma in mice. synergistic effect of hyperimmunized serum, sensitized spleen cells and macrophages in tumor transplantation.

Background: Immunosuppression cannot develop tumors by itself. It may induce tumors under appropriate conditions and may accelerate tumor development which may be reversed by sensitized spleen cells. This study concerns the effect of sensitized macrophages in murine-transplantable sarcomas by a combination of hyperimmune serum, sensitized spleen cells and macrophages.

Potentiation of acetylcholine-induced smooth muscle contraction in rat ileum by lead.

The aim of this study was to find out lead interaction on acetylcholine-induced ileal (0.8 "to 1" longitudinal total strips) contractions in varying calcium (Ca++) or magnesium (Mg++) media and the cholinergic mechanism. Potentiation of ileal strips by lead (Pb++) remained dose-dependent as elicited by acetylcholine-induced contractions (1.

Carbon disulphide induced sensitivity changes of rat anococcygeus muscle to noradrenaline (NA).

The sensitivity of rat anococcygeus muscle to noradrenaline (NA) was reduced following carbon disulphide (CS2) pretreatment. Preparations incubated in excess Ca++ (4.2 mmol.

Effect of lead on anorexia and body weight in albino rats.

Rats exposed to lead (lead acetate) in doses of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/ml in drinking water for a period of 90 days showed mild to moderate changes in food consumption compared to control group.

Magnesium and reserpine influence norepinephrine sensitivity of vas deferens in rats.

Reserpine induced supersensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) in rat vas deferens was sought by alteration of Mg++ and Ca++ concentration in incubation medium in the absence and presence of EDTA. Vas deferens incubated in Mg++ free and Mg++ excess media showed supersensitivity and subsensivity to NE respectively. Alterations in the sensitivity to NE produced by varying the concentrations of Mg++ were comparatively less.

In vitro study of rat uterus after chronic formaldehyde exposure.

To measure cholinergic, adrenergic and tryptaminergic receptor activity of formaldehyde (HCHO) in rat uterus, albino rats were treated with 5 and 10 mg/kg, ip HCHO for 30 days. Acetylcholine (ACh) in doses 1.33, 2 and 3 micrograms/ml produced mild to moderate contraction of isolated rat uterus in control group.

Effect of lead on the blood serum, liver and brain sialoglycoconjugate levels in rats.

Rats were exposed to an acute dose of lead (Pb) to study the effect of Pb intoxication on different sialoglycoconjugates in serum, brain and liver. Serum levels of total sialic acid (TSA), perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble sialic acid (PSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (LBSA), free sialic acid (FSA) and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AG) were determined. They were also estimated in brain and liver tissues, except for LBSA and FSA.

Lithium effect: review on chemico-biologic interactions.

Lithium affects nerve excitation, synaptic transmitter and neuronal metabolism. These effects may be produced by alteration of ions transport or distribution, by inhibition of adenyl cyclase mediated responses or by more direct interference with neuronal metabolism. Which of these effects is responsible for the therapeutic benefit in mania, if any, is still unknown.

Inhibitory effect of lead on 5-hydroxytryptamine induced contractions of isolated ileum of rat.

The present study examined the effects of lead (Pb) on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) contracture and calcium (Ca++) kinetics of ileum of rat. Isolated ileum preparations incubated in excess Ca++ (2.8 mM) or in Ca++ free Tyrode solution showed decrease in sensitivity to 5-HT.

Effects of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) on the contractile response induced by norepinephrine in the rat isolated vas deferens.

Effects of hexachlorocyclohexane (Technical HCH) on the contractile responses of rat isolated Vas deferens to norepinephrine (NE) were investigated by varying the Ca++ and Mg++ concentrations of the incubation medium. Preparations incubated in excess Ca++ (4.2 mM) or in Ca++-free Krebs solution showed decrease in sensitivity to NE.

Pharmacology of Acorus calamus L.

Water soluble dried powder of alcoholic extract of roots and rhizomes of A. calamus L. was used.

Histological and pharmacological changes in vas deferens of rats exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane.

The effect of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) treatment in male albino rats at dosages of 3 and 6 mg/kg body weight by force-feeding were studied over a period of 180 days. Histological observations revealed graded degeneration in the muscular layer of vas deferens. Moreover, the accumulation of HCH residue in serum and vas deferens is highly significant in the experimental group.

Influence of trace metals on serum total sialic acids and perchloric acid--soluble proteins and sialic acids in mice.

Male Swiss mice were exposed to a single LD50 (75%; i.p.) of mercury, zinc, lead and manganese to determine their influence on serum sialic acid and protein levels after a refractory period of 48 h.

Folklore therapeutic indigenous plants in periodontal disorders in India (review, experimental and clinical approach).

Though a number of plants and their parts are used for dental ailments among population in rural and urban areas of developing countries, in India however, the most common house-hold, road-side plants are mango (Mangifera indica), neem (Azadirachta indica; Melia azadirachta), ocimum (Ocimum basilicum), tea-dust (Camellia sinensis) and uncommonly murayya, i.e., currey leaf (Murayya koenigi) [Chopra et al.

Effect of Momordica charantia Linn. pomous aqueous extract on cataractogenesis in murrin alloxan diabetics.

The fruit extract of Momordica charantia Linn. was studied in Charles Foster rats of both sexes in respect of its dose-response hypoglycemia and at maximal effective dose, its influence on the development of diabetic cataract. Alloxan (120 mg/kg s.