Phytochemical analysis and fertility enhancement effects of aerial parts of Fagonia arabica in male and female rats.

In this study, fertility enhancing effect of ethanol extract of aerial parts of Fagonia arabica was evaluated. 24 female and 12 male virgin Wistar rats (Average wt 150-250g) were selected. Dose was given daily for 23 days in 4 groups of animal. After 23 days, they were cohabitated for mating. Then dosing was continued for further 5 days. On 5th day of mating, sperm counting was done by observing vaginal smear under the microscope which showed fertility enhancement in male. Female were kept separately until delivery. The number of pubs born provided female fertility enhancement as compared to control. Average sperm count in 1 cm2 were counted in group A, B, C and control as 14.000±1.732, 12.000±1.000, 23.333±1.528 and 11.000±1.000 respectively. Number of pubs were counted in Group A, B, C and D as 8.667±2.082, 7.333±1.528, 7.333±1.528 10.000±2.000 and 5.333±0.577 respectively and fertility index was calculated for Group A, B and C as 62.516%, 37.502% and 87.512% respectively. Result showed that the orally administered dose of Fagonia arabica possess highly significant fertility enhancing activity in male and female rats after observing improvement in the sperm count and number of pubs as compared to control.

Spectroscopic interactions of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with levocetirizine.

Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) drugs such as glibenclamide and metformin is employed to heterogeneous disorder characterized by alteration in production of glucose due to impairment of both insulin secretion and insulin action. These patients might suffer with allergic rhinitis and in this case, there is a possibility to maintain patient on levocetirizine, an anti-allergic drug commonly used in rhinitis. The object of the present study is to detect possible interaction between glibenclamide or metformin with levocetirizine Current study was performed using UV spectroscopic technique sing simultaneous equation in pH simulated to gastric juice (pH 1), pH 4, pH 7.4 and in pH 9. All drugs followed Beer Lambert's Law. Results showed that glibenclamide and metformin can increase or decrease availability of levocetirizine and in the same way levocetirizine can alter availabilities of glibenclamide and metformin in different pH. Hence, drug interaction between glibenclamide or metformin with levocetirizne occurred. This may be due to his may be due to the charge transfer or binding capabilities of these drugs which resulted in significantly changed availability of NIDDIM as well as levocetirizine. Therefore, co-administration of these drugs should be avoided and furtherinvestigations at clinical and pre-clinical levels should be done.

Effects of ciprofloxacin or co-amoxicillin with and without antidepressants on behavioral deficit in rats induced with chronic suppurative otitis media.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is chronic infection of middle ear which is usually managed with antibiotic therapy. This infection may cause the depression and cognitive changes in patients. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of antibiotic (ciprofloxacin and co-amoxicillin) with antidepressant or without antidepressants (bromazepam and imipramine) at low doses on rats with induced with CSOM. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used to induce CSOM by in rat ear (tympanic bulla). The rats were divided into eight groups having six animals in each group. Neuropharmacological activities and gross behavior were observed in open field activity, force swimming cage, maze test, light and dark activity box and traction test. Observations were noted weekly after the administration of ciprofloxacin (15.3mg/kg), co-amoxicillin (15.3mg/kg), imipramine (1.15mg/kg) and bromazepam (0.09mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The altered behavior and depression was observed in control positive but reverted back in groups maintained on antidepressants with antibiotics with significant improved locomotor activity, memory in memory cage, muscular co-ordination and body balance and decreased anxiety. On the other hand, groups treated with only antibiotics showed significant improvement only in force swimming and traction test at day 14. Therefore, the antidepressant effects of the drugs can be employed to attenuate stress and depression in patients with CSOM.

Antibacterial, Antifungal and antioxidant activities of some medicinal plants.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of medicinal plants. The antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of three medicinal plants (Swertia chirata, Terminalia bellerica and Zanthoxylum armatum) were tested against Gentamicin (standard drug) on eleven gram positive and seventeen gram negative bacteria by agar well method. It was revealed that seven-gram negative and six gram positive bacterial species were inhibited by these plant extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts were determined by broth micro-dilution method. The significant MIC value of Swertia chirata was 20mg/ml against Serratia marcesens, Zanthoxylum armatum was 10 mg/ml against Aeromonas hydrophila and Terminali bellerica was 20mg/ml against Acinetobacter baumanii as well as Serratia marcesens. Antifungal screening was done for methanolic extracts of these plants by agar well method with the 6 saprophytic, 5 dermatophytic and 6 yeasts. In this case Griseofulvin was used as a standard. All saprophytes and dermatophytes were showed resistance by these plants extracts except Microsporum canis, which was inhibited by Z. armatum and S. chirata extracts. The significant MIC value of Zanthoxylum armatum was 10mg/ml against Microsporum canis and Swertia chirata was 10mg/ml against Candida tropicalis. The anti-oxidant study was performed by DPPH free radical scavenging assay using ascorbic acid as a reference standard. Significant antioxidant activities were observed by Swertia chirata and Zanthoxylum armatum at concentration 200µg/ml was 70% DPPH scavenging activity (EC50=937.5µg/ml) while Terminalia bellerica showed 55.6% DPPH scavenging activity (EC50=100µg/ml). This study has shown that these plants could provide potent antibacterial compounds and may possible preventive agents in ROS related ailments.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and neuro-pharmacological activities of Cyperus rotundus Linn.

This article reports the assessment of anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and neuropharmacological activities of crude extract of Cyperus rotundus. The plant exhibited significant property to act as an anti inflammatory agent. In experimental design, inflammation was produced by carrageenan in rats and compare with saline treated and Aspirin treated group. Simultaneously the drug was also observed for its antiulcer response and found effective enough (these two activities were observed at the dosage of 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg). The anti ulcer activity was observed 41.2% as a dosage of 500mg/kg. Neuropharmacological activities (open field, head dip, rearing traction and forced swimming test) were also observed at 300 and 500mg/kg of C. rotundus extract. The crude extract showed mild decreased in all test and exhibited slight muscle relaxant effect. Powder drug studies and FTIR analysis were performed for the authentication of C. rotundus.