Cognition and memory impairment attenuation via reduction of oxidative stress in acute and chronic mice models of epilepsy using antiepileptogenic Nux vomica.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Processed Nux vomica seed extracts and homeopathic medicinal preparations (HMPs) are widely used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for respiratory, digestive, neurological and behavioral disorders. Antioxidant property of Nux vomica is well known and recent investigation has highlighted the anticonvulsant potential of its homeopathic formulation. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potential of Nux vomica HMPs (6CH, 12CH and 30CH potency) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced acute and chronic experimental seizure models in mice and investigate their effects on cognition, memory, motor activity and oxidative stress markers in kindled animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute seizures were induced in the animals through 70 mg/kg (i.p.) administration of PTZ followed by the evaluation of latency and duration of Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). Subconvulsive PTZ doses (35 mg/kg, i.p.) induced kindling in 29 days, which was followed by assessment of cognition, memory and motor impairment through validated behavioral techniques. The status of oxidative stress was estimated through measurement of MDA, GSH and SOD. RESULTS: HMPs delayed the latency and reduced the duration of GTCS in acute model signifying possible regulation of GABAergic neurotransmission. Kindling was significantly hindered by the HMPs that justified the ameliorated cognition, memory and motor activity impairment. The HMPs attenuated lipid peroxidation by reducing MDA level and strengthened the antioxidant mechanism by enhancing the GSH and SOD levels in the kindled animals. CONCLUSIONS: Nux vomica HMPs showed anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic potency in acute and chronic models of epilepsy. The test drugs attenuated behavioral impairment and reduced the oxidative stress against PTZ induced kindling owing to which they can be further explored for their cellular and molecular mechanism(s).

The placebo effect and homeopathy.

BACKGROUND: Like other forms of medicine, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), homeopathy elicits expectations in patients. The physician-patient relationship, personal and comprehensive treatment and lack of adverse effects are elements in creating positive expectations. Other elements may be associated with negative expectations. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review on placebo and nocebo effects in acupuncture and homeopathy using Medline. RESULTS: Findings on the psychophysiological and neuromediating mechanisms of the placebo-nocebo phenomenon are reviewed. Studies of these effects reveal how expectations and unconscious conditioning can be measured by imaging and EEG methods. They result in significant, non-specific therapeutic effects, which may confuse the evaluation of the specific therapeutic effects treatment, hampering selection of the simillimum. CONCLUSIONS: Directions for future research on non-specific therapeutic effects of homeopathy to improve clinical practice and clinical research are discussed.

Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Withania somnifera (Family: Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng is distributed widely in India, Nepal, China and Yemen. The roots of plant consist of active phytoconstituents mainly withanolides, alkaloids and sitoindosides and are conventionally used for the treatment of multiple brain disorders. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to critically assess and summarize the current state and implication of Ashwagandha in brain disorders. We have mainly focussed on the reported neuroactive phytoconstituents, available marketed products, pharmacological studies, mechanism of action and recent patents published related to neuroprotective effects of Ashwagandha in brain disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the information and data was collected on Ashwagandha using keywords "Ashwagandha" along with "Phytoconstituents", "Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathy marketed formulation", "Brain disorders", "Mechanism" and "Patents". Following sources were searched for data collection: electronic scientific databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, Wiley On-line Library, Taylor and Francis, Springer; books such as AYUSH Pharmacopoeia; authentic textbooks and formularies. RESULTS: Identified neuroprotective phytoconstituents of Ashwagandha are sitoindosides VII-X, withaferin A, withanosides IV, withanols, withanolide A, withanolide B, anaferine, beta-sitosterol, withanolide D with key pharmacological effects in brain disorders mainly anxiety, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Schizophrenia, Huntington's disease, dyslexia, depression, autism, addiction, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorders. The literature survey does not highlight any toxic effects of Ashwagandha. Further, multiple available marketed products and patents recognized its beneficial role in various brain disorders; however, very few data is available on mechanistic pathway and clinical studies of Ashwagandha for various brain disorders is scarce and not promising. CONCLUSION: The review concludes the results of recent studies on Ashwagandha suggesting its extensive potential as neuroprotective in various brain disorders as supported by preclinical studies, clinical trials and published patents. However vague understanding of the mechanistic pathways involved in imparting the neuroprotective effect of Ashwagandha warrants further study to promote it as a promising drug candidate.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug dependence.

The molecular and cellular actions of three classes of abused drugs--opiates, psychostimulants, and ethanol--are reviewed in the context of behavioral studies of drug dependence. The immediate effects of drugs are compared to those observed after long-term exposure. A neurobiological basis for drug dependence is proposed from the linkage between the cellular and behavioral effects of these drugs.

High incidence of primary cerebral lymphoma in tumor-induced central neurogenic hyperventilation.

An awake patient presented with central neurogenic hyperventilation induced by a cerebral tumor. Corticosteroid therapy and brain irradiation while the patient was anesthetized and respiration controlled under pancuronium-induced respiratory paralysis were followed by tumor regression and resolution of hyperventilation. Recurrence of tumor 6 weeks later was not accompanied by recurrence of hyperventilation. Cytologic study of cerebrospinal fluid revealed B-cell lymphoma. This patient brings to 10 the number of cases recorded with tumor-induced central neurogenic hyperventilation. Five of the eight patients with known tumor histology had a primary cerebral lymphoma, a rare neoplasm that comprises only 1% of all intracranial neoplasms. The disproportionately high frequency of central neurogenic hyperventilation in patients with cerebral lymphoma has therapeutic implications that are briefly reviewed.

Failure of Pavulon to consistently provide adequate EMG attenuation for recording electrocerebral inactivity.

It is important for the electroencephalographer to consult regularly and closely with the clinician ordering EEGs. This is particularly true in the relatively specialized area of recording for confirmation or support of the clinical impression of brain death. In the instances when a record is being run primarily to confirm the absence of electrocortical activity, it is clearly possible that artifact may be so high in the recording that such a determination is difficult or impossible. A particular artifact of concern is that of persisting muscle potential. As demonstrated in the cases above, this can be promptly eliminated with the use of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine chloride (Anectine). Often the use of pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) at a level that causes an equal clinical relaxation, leaves residual electrical muscle potentials that continue to make interpretation of the EEG difficult, if not actually impossible with any degree of certainty.

[Effect of cerebrum compositum preparation on functional state of the central nervous system in elderly patients with ischemic stroke]. / Vliianie preparata tserebrum kompozitum na funktsional'noe sostoianie tsentral'noi nervnoi sistemy u bol'nykh pozhilogo vozrasta, perenesshikh ishemicheskii insul't.

The article presents the results obtained after having treated patients with ischemic stroke during a rehabilitation period with cerebrum compositum. It has been also studied its influence on psychoemotional condition, bioelectrical activity of brain and cerebral hemodynamics. The results of the conducted trial prove cerebrum compositum remedy to have a harmonious influence on bioelectrical activity of brain and cerebral hemodynamics as well as it improves psychological state, alleviates anxiety and enhances initiative and physical activity of the treated patients. Positive complex influence on functional state of central nervous system of the medication ensure us to recommend cerebrum compositum during rehabilitation of patients having stroke positive anamnesis.

[The detection of cerebral circulation changes in children by Doppler ultrasonography in ambulatory care]. / Vyiavlenie izmenenii tserebral'nogo krovotoka u detei metodom ul'trazvukovoi dopplerografii v ambulatornykh usloviiakh.

To determine the role of ultrasonic and transcranial dopplerography in investigation of both arterial and venous systems of children's head in conditions of outpatient clinic were observed 100 children aged 4-14 years with autonomic dysfunction, migraine, neurosis-like and closed cerebrocranial trauma (concussion of the brain). There were estimated the qualitative indices of dopplerography (a form, distributions of the frequencies in spectrum, direction of the blood flow, acoustic characteristics) and quantitative indices (systolic, diastolic, mean rate of blood flow, indices RI and S/D) and alterations in venous circulation. In all the groups of children there were found angiodystonic manifestations in the form of the increase of vessels resistance in 87.5-97.6% of the patients; besides, the signs of venous dysgemia were observed in 28-50% of the cases.