The Neuroprotective Action of Resveratrol Against Cognitive Impairments Induced by Lorazepam in Male Rats.

INTRODUCTION/AIM: The study examines how chronic resveratrol administration affects behavioral and neurochemical changes caused by Lorazepam (LZP), a classical anti-anxiety medicine associated with neurodegenerative and neurological problems. METHOD: Forty male rats were placed into four groups: a control group receiving 1% Tween 80, the LZP group receiving 2 mg/kg/day, the Resveratrol group receiving 50 mg/kg/day, and the LZP plus resveratrol group receiving the same doses of LZP and Resveratrol. Oral therapy was given daily for 6 weeks. The animals were euthanized after open field and Y maze behavioral tests. In specific brain regions, neurochemical analyses were performed on GABA, glutamic acid, monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) and their metabolites, DNA fragmentation (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine or 8-HdG), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Ca-ATPase. RESULTS: Resveratrol therapy improved GABA, glutamic acid, monoamines, and their metabolites in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Additionally, it reduced DNA fragmentation (8- HdG) and counteracted LZP-induced Ca-ATPase downregulation at a significant level (p < 0.05). Resveratrol also reversed LZP-induced behavioral changes in the Y maze and open field tests. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol has anxiolytic-like actions like benzodiazepines and neuroprotective capabilities against LZP-induced adverse effects.

Applications of L-Arginine in Pregnancy and Beyond: An Emerging Pharmacogenomic Approach.

L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a critical role in various physiological processes, such as protein synthesis, wound healing, immune function, and cardiovascular regulation. The use of L-arginine in pregnancy has been an emerging topic in the field of pharmacogenomics. L-arginine, an amino acid, plays a crucial role in the production of nitric oxide, which is necessary for proper placental development and fetal growth. Studies have shown that L-arginine supplementation during pregnancy can have positive effects on fetal growth, maternal blood pressure, and the prevention of preeclampsia. This emerging pharmacogenomic approach involves using genetic information to personalize L-arginine dosages for pregnant women based on their specific genetic makeup. By doing so, it may be possible to optimize the benefits of L-arginine supplementation during pregnancy and improve pregnancy outcomes. This paper emphasizes the potential applications of L-arginine in pregnancy and the use of pharmacogenomic approaches to enhance its effectiveness. Nonetheless, the emerging pharmacogenomic approach to the application of L-arginine offers exciting prospects for the development of novel therapies for a wide range of diseases.

Antiparkinsonian activity of Tabebuia impetiginosa bark and biochemical analysis of dopamine in rat brain homogenates.

OBJECTIVES: Improving economy and well-being in developing nations like India has expanded life expectancy and changed the attention from transmittable to non transmittable diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Tabebuia impetiginosa has been utilized by cultivators as a general tonic, immunostimulant, adaptogen and also in motor disorders. The present investigation was to explore the antiparkinsonian activity of Tabebuia impetiginosa bark by experimental methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Control group-I was served with distilled water. Group-II was considered as pathological control [1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 2mg/nostrils i.n, Reserpine 40mg/kg s.c, Haloperidol 0.5mg/kg, i.p]. Group-III served with standard drug (Apomorphine 40mg/kg, s.c). Group IV and V received aqueous extract of Tabebuia impetiginosa bark in doses of 300 and 500mg/kg/day respectively. Tremor, hypokinesia, muscular rigidity, catatonia, postural immobility, postural instability and catalepsy were assessed for antiparkinsonian activity. RESULTS: The bark extract served group exhibited the increased levels of dopamine (5700±1.84ng/g) when compared to control groups (4300±3.17ng/g). The extract at both the doses displayed a significant reduction in postural flexion, moderate decrease in tremor, muscular rigidity and postural immobility scores but do not exhibit significant lowering of hypokinesia score in reserpine induced Parkinsonian model. The reduction in catatonia and catalepsy scores is more remarkable in case of high dose of extract (500mg/kg) compared to standard drug in Neuroleptic induced Parkinsonism. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that Tabebuia impetiginosa bark extract has significant anti-cataleptic potentials and the antioxidant effect of the bark may also be a significant contributor to its antiparkinsonian activity.