RESUMO
Stress and depression and associated mental health problems have increased tremendously in modern times. The search for effective and safe alternatives from natural sources especially plant products should, therefore, continue. Forced immobilization is one of the best explored models of stress in rats and the role of corticosterone, serotonin and catecholamines, i.e. norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) is well documented. Numerous studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and utility in cerebrovascular insufficiency and impaired cerebral performance. We investigated the effect of G. biloba on whole brain catecholamine, serotonin and plasma corticosterone levels following 1, 2 and 4 h restraint stress using HPLC and also plasma corticosterone using luminescence spectrophotometry. G. biloba extract (14 mg/kg p.o.) restored restraint stress-induced elevation in whole brain levels of catecholamines (NE, DA), 5-HT and plasma corticosterone to near normal levels. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical potential of this encouraging lead in the management of stress and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Assuntos
Catecolaminas/biossíntese , Corticosterona/sangue , Ginkgo biloba , Serotonina/biossíntese , Estresse Fisiológico/metabolismo , Animais , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Restrição Física , Estresse Fisiológico/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
This report provides selective coverage of this meeting. Over 2000 participants (including some Nobel laureates) from 67 countries attended. Among these was a significant number from Eastern European countries. This report focuses primarily on DNA vaccines and conventional vaccine development, as well as drug development. It also covers some of the plenary lectures that were delivered by immunology luminaries. The overall focus of the meeting centered on developments in the areas of vaccines, HIV and immune mechanisms. A significant number of presentations concentrated on tumor immunology and immunotherapy. Immunomodulation was another area of major discussion. With such a large, well-attended meeting, it is difficult to provide coverage for each of the speakers in a particular section, and the omissions are unintentional.
RESUMO
Calcined gold preparations, Ayurvedic Swarna Bhasma (SB) and Unani Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK) were investigated for analgesic effects in rats and mice using four types of noxious stimuli. Auranofin (AN) used in modern medicine was also studied for comparisons. The test drugs SB and KTK (25-50 mg/kg, p.o.) and AN (2.5-5.0 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited analgesic activity against chemical (acetic acid induced writhing), electrical (pododolorimeter), thermal (Eddy's hot plate and analgesiometer) and mechanical (tail clip) test. While the analgesic effects of SB and KTK could be partly blocked by pretreatment with naloxone (1-5 mg/kg, i.p.,--15 min), such antagonism was not discernible with AN at the doses used. Involvement of opioidergic mechanism is suggested for the observed analgesic activity.
Assuntos
Analgésicos/farmacologia , Ouro/farmacologia , Noxas/antagonistas & inibidores , Animais , Camundongos , Noxas/toxicidade , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Gold preparations are highly valued in Indian systems of medicine and extensively used for tonic and rejuvenating properties. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Ayurvedic gold preparation Swarna Bhasma (SB) and Unani preparation Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK) on non-specific immunity in mice. A gold-containing drug auranofin (AN) used in modern medicine was studied for comparison. METHODS: Male mice were administered with the incremental doses of these drugs orally for 10 days. Parameters of study included body weight, organ weight, peritoneal exudate cell (PEC) counts and phagocytic activity of PEC. RESULTS: Both test drugs (KTK and SB) significantly (P < 0.001) increased counts of peritoneal macrophages and stimulated phagocytic index of macrophages. AN elicited a suppressive action on these parameters. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Traditional preparations of gold exhibited immunostimulant activity on macrophage functions in contrast to immunosuppressive effects of AN. This is an interesting observation and gives a rational basis to the claims of efficacy and safety of gold when used in calcined forms.
Assuntos
Ouro , Ayurveda , Animais , Peso Corporal , Macrófagos Peritoneais/imunologia , Camundongos , Tamanho do ÓrgãoRESUMO
PIP: The effect of 6 indigenous plants on early pregnancy in albino rats was tested by a screening procedure standardized in this laboratory. Pe troleum ether, alcoholic, and aqueous extracts of each plant were tested for antifertilizing, antizygotic, blastocystotoxic, antiimplantation, and early abortifacient activity. The aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaves and alcoholic extract of Polygonum hydropiper Linn. roots showed encouraging results while the extracts of Abroma augusta Linn. roots, Calotropis gigantea Linn. flowers and leaves, Michaelia champaka Linn. unripe fruit, and Plumbago rosea Linn. roots did not show any antiimplantation activity. None of the rats delivered to experimental rats showed evidence of teratogenicity up to the age of 1 month.^ieng
Assuntos
Gravidez/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Implantação do Embrião/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Idade Gestacional , Índia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , RatosRESUMO
Joshandah, polypharmaceutical herbal preparations, are used in the form of a sweetened decoction for the treatment of common cold, catarrh, cough and associated fevers in Unani (Greco-Arab) medicine. The rationale of their therapeutic efficacy is discussed in the light of reported chemico-pharmacological properties of the ingredients.
Assuntos
Resfriado Comum/tratamento farmacológico , Tosse/tratamento farmacológico , Febre/tratamento farmacológico , Fitoterapia , Ácido Ascórbico/análise , Humanos , Plantas Medicinais/análiseRESUMO
Crude alkaloidal fraction isolated from the leaves of Solanum melongena was screened for its effects on the central nervous system. It exhibited significant analgesic effect and some CNS depression but no anticonvulsant action. The analgesic effects were of non-narcotic type. LD50 was estimated to be higher than 1 g/kg i.p. in mice.
Assuntos
Depressores do Sistema Nervoso Central , Alcaloides de Solanáceas/farmacologia , Anfetamina/toxicidade , Analgésicos , Animais , Anticonvulsivantes , Aprendizagem da Esquiva/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Temperatura Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Gatos , Dose Letal Mediana , Camundongos , Morfina/farmacologia , Motivação , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Pentobarbital/farmacologia , Ratos , Sono/efeitos dos fármacos , Alcaloides de Solanáceas/toxicidadeRESUMO
An ethanol extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes was screened for CNS effects using a battery of 20 tests in rats and mice. The extract exhibited a large number of actions similar to alpha-asarone (an active principle of A. calamus) but differed from the latter in several other respects including the responses to electroshock, apomorphine- and isolation-induced aggressive behaviour, amphetamine toxicity in aggregated mice, behavioural despair syndrome in forced swimming, etc. These differences could be due to chemical substances yet to be isolated from the plant extract.
Assuntos
Sistema Nervoso Central/efeitos dos fármacos , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Plantas Medicinais/análise , Glândulas Suprarrenais/metabolismo , Analgésicos , Animais , Anticonvulsivantes , Aprendizagem da Esquiva/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Temperatura Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Etanol , Feminino , Índia , Masculino , Camundongos , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Pentobarbital/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos , Sono/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The knowledge of Sartan (cancer) in the Unani (Greco-Arabian) systems of medicine can be traced to ancient times (131-200 A.D.). Like all other diseases its etiology has also been attributed to the combustion and imbalance of certain humors in the body. Unani simples-plants, animals and minerals-and formulations used for the treatment of the disease have been tabulated with recipes, methods of preparation, doses (wherever available) and modes of administration. The claims have been reviewed in the light of research work conducted in India during the last three decades.
Assuntos
Medicina Arábica , Neoplasias/terapia , História Antiga , Humanos , Neoplasias/históriaRESUMO
Juzam (leprosy) is attributed to excessive accumulation, infiltration and dispersal of sauda (burnt humours) throughout the body disturbing the normal temperament of the organs. A variety of causative factors responsible for excessive production or retention of sauda are enumerated. Unani simple plants, animals and minerals and formulations used for the treatment of leprosy are tabulated with recipes, methods of preparation, does and modes of administration.
Assuntos
Hanseníase/tratamento farmacológico , Medicina Arábica , Plantas Medicinais , Humanos , Índia , Hanseníase/etiologiaRESUMO
Pharmacological studies on Lepidium sativum suggested in it the presence of a cardioactive substance, which is unstable in solution, shows tachyphylaxis and probably exerts its actions through adrenergic mechanisms.