NSAIDs ameliorate cognitive and motor impairment in a model of parkinsonism induced by chlorpromazine

Parkinson's disease [PD] is a long-lasting neurodegenerative brain disease. It is characterized by a gradual decline in motor and non motor symptoms especially postural instability, tremors and memory impairment with localized loss of neurons mainly in the Substantia nigra. In the current research we evaluated the effects of Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] on motor coordination and memory in chlorpromazine [CPZ] induced Parkinson's experimental model. Intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of CPZ [3 mg/kg] was given to all rats for 21 days to induce Parkinson like symptoms; ibuprofen [40mg/kg/day] and celecoxib [20mg/kg] were administered 30 minutes after CPZ injection. Behavioral parameters like Catalepsy, muscle strength [wire hanging test], locomotor activity [open field test] were observed. Moreover, its effect on memory was explored by the use of water maze and passive avoidance test. Our results showed CPZ significantly induced motor fluctuation and cognitive impairment in a period of 21 days. Celecoxib and ibuprofen significantly improved cataleptic scores [P<0.01], locomotion and muscular coordination in open field [P<0.01] and in wire hanging test [P<0.01]. Significant improvement in memory was observed with celecoxib [P<0.01] and ibuprofen [P<0.05] in water maze test as well as in passive avoidance test. Therefore, the present study showed neuroprotective and memory enhancing effect of ibuprofen and celecoxib against CPZ induced Parkinson's model

Attenuation of methylphenidate-induced tolerance on cognition by buspirone co-administration

Methylphenidate as a psycho stimulant drug has been prescribed in neuropsychiatric disorders to increase cognition and attention therefore is a medication of choice for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder however long-term administration of central nervous system stimulant produces tolerance on cognitive behavior. Previously it has been shown that long-term psychostimulant administration increases somatodendritic5HT-[IA] receptors effectiveness. Repeated buspirone administration attenuates 5-HT[IA] soma to dendritic receptors effectiveness. This study was designed to determine that buspirone co-administration may reduce methylphenidate-induced tolerance on cognitive behavior. Cognitive effects were compared by using water maze and passive avoidance test weekly after long-term administration of methylphenidate, buspirone and their co-administration. Methylphenidate at a dose of 2.0mg/kg/day in rats initially improve memory but after long-term treatment produce tolerance on cognitive behavior this effect is more pronounce in case of spatial working memory of water maze test than passive avoidance learning memory. However oral buspirone co-administration at a dose of 10mg/kg/day prevents methylphenidate-induce tolerance on cognition. It is suggested that buspirone may oppose methylphenidate-induced cognitive tolerance by reducing the sensitivity of 5-HT1A soma to dendritic receptors. These findings may help to extend future therapeutics in ADHD

Assessment of lipid lowering effects of vitamin E

Aim of this study was to determine the role of antioxidant vitamin E in lowering the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This study was conducted in the department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi. Duration of study was 42 days froml-03-2008 to 11-4-2008. Male 20 rabbits were equally divided into 2 groups, group A was served as control and the group B was vitamin E treated. All the animals were maintained on cholesterol rich diet for a period of 30 days in order to induce hypercholesterolemia. After induction of hypercholesterolemia the group B was given vitamin E in a dose of 8.57mg/kg/day while the control group A was maintained on distilled water only for a period of 42 days. At the end of 42 days the blood samples were collected from marginal ear vein of rabbits and were analyzed to determine the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The results showed that there was decrease in the level of cholesterol but the level of triglyceride was reduced much significantly by administration of vitamin E. It has been reported earlier that vitamin E has potential to decrease levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. It can be concluded that vitamin E use can reduce the level of cholesterol and triglyceride in hypercholesterolemia and may prove to be beneficial