RESUMEN
The effects of an indigenous drug, Celastrus oil, extracted from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus on learning and memory in a two compartment passive avoidance task was studied in albino rats. The effects on the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in the brain and on the levels of their metabolites both in the brain and urine were also assessed. Significant improvement was observed in the retention ability of the drug treated rats compared with the saline administered controls. The contents of NE, DA and 5-HT and their metabolites in the brain were significantly decreased in the drug treated group. The urinary metabolite levels were also significantly decreased except for total 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol. These data indicate that Celastrus oil causes an overall decrease in the turnover of all the three central monoamines and implicate the involvement of these aminergic systems in the learning and memory process.
Asunto(s)
Reacción de Prevención/efectos de los fármacos , Aminas Biogénicas/metabolismo , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Transmisión Sináptica/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Aminas Biogénicas/orina , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Dopamina/metabolismo , Dopamina/orina , Masculino , Metoxihidroxifenilglicol/orina , Norepinefrina/metabolismo , Norepinefrina/orina , Umbral del Dolor/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Aceites de Plantas/administración & dosificación , Aceites de Plantas/farmacología , Plantas Medicinales , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Semillas , Serotonina/metabolismo , Serotonina/orinaRESUMEN
Urolithiasis, following implantation of Zn discs in urinary bladder (foreign body insertion technique), was examined in albino rats of either sex. Marked variation was observed between sex, regarding the formation of bladder stones. Ethylene glycol (1%) mixed in drinking water for 4 weeks, was unable to augment Zn disc-induced stone deposition. Chemical nature of stones was identified as of magnesium ammonium phosphate type. Neither urinary pH nor infection in the urinary bladder/tract affected chemical nature and quantity of stone formed. There was no significant influence of electrolytes or metabolic products on the uroliths. No correlation could be drawn between the quality and quantity of uroliths formed and the urinary electrolytes concentration. M. Pudica was not effective in either preventing stone deposition or dissolving preformed stones.