Regulatory role of adrenergic neurotransmitters on the spontaneous muscular activity in the ruminant trematode Paramphistomum cervi (Paramphistomatidae).

The neuromuscular system of helminths is an important area for target identification and drug development. Many anthelmintics, namely ivermectin, levamisole, piperazine, pyrantel, praziquantel and organophosphates, produce paralysis of helminths by affecting their neuromuscular systems. The neuromuscular system of helminths is also an important area of research to identify some of the important differences between the neuromuscular physiology of helminths and mammals. The identification of differences would help in developing newer target-specific, safe and effective anthelmintics. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of different adrenergic neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, l-dopa) and their antagonists (propranolol and haloperidol) on the spontaneous muscular activity of isometrically mounted Paramphistomum cervi.

Wound healing activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Alternanthera brasiliana Kuntz using in vivo and in vitro model.

Wound healing activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Alternanthera brasiliana Kuntz was studied by excision and incision wound model (in vivo) in Sprague Dawley rats and by Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model (In vitro) in 9-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. In excision wound model, compared to the control group, per cent contraction of wound was significantly higher in A. brasiliana (5% w/w ointment) treated group. In incision wound model, tensile strength of the healing tissue after treatment with A. brasiliana was found to be significantly higher compared to the control group indicating better wound healing activity of the test plant. These findings were also confirmed by histopathological examination. The extract also promoted angiogenesis as evidenced by CAM model. The results suggested that methanolic extract of A. brasiliana possess significant wound healing potential in normal wound.

Immunomodulatory effect of albizzia lebbeck.

The immunomodulatory effect of the bark of Albizzia lebbeck (Sirisha) was evaluated by studying humoral and cell mediated immune responses. The hot aqueous extract and its butanolic fraction were administered once daily for one week in mice, immunised previously with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). At the dose levels tested (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg, p.o.), A. lebbeck treated mice developed higher serum antibody titres compared to the vehicle treated group and the effect was comparable to the standard drug muramyl dipeptide (MDP). Delayed type hypersensitivity response was suppressed in SRBC immunised mice treated with A. lebbeck extract. The macrophage migration index remained unaltered in both mice and rats. These results are discussed in the light of possible immunopotentiating effects of A. lebbeck.