ABSTRACT
Curcumin possesses wide spectrum of biological actions, on that account the current study was aimed to investigate the beneficial effectiveness of curcumin on memory and oxidative stress if any, over synthetic drug donepezil approved for the treatment of memory disorders. Eighteen Albino wistar [male] rats were divided into 3 groups namely vehicle control which received neutral oil orally and 0.9% saline intraperitoneally, curcumin which received curcumin orally dissolved in neutral oil at the dose of 100mg/ml/kg for seven days, donepezil which received donepezil intraperitoneally at the dose of 1mg/ml/kg for seven days. To assess memory and cognition Elevated Plus Maze and Morris Water Maze tests were performed. Rats were sacrificed after behavioral analysis and their brains were removed for biochemical assays including lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase. Acetylcholine esterase activity and acetylcholine levels were also determined. Our results showed that both curcumin and donepezil improved memory and inhibited acetylcholinesterase, however curcumin inhibited AchE with more potency than donepezil when compared to vehicle control rats. Moreover curcumin exhibited greater antioxidant potential to decrease the load of oxidative stress in brain cells than donepezil as compared to vehicle control rats. In conclusion present study proposed that increased antioxidant potential of curcumin may be responsible for its increased acetylcholine levels and associated enhanced memory performance
ABSTRACT
Stress has become an integral feature of everyday living. Each individual that lives encounters some manifestation of stress in life. Stress causes certain alterations in the structure and functions of the body and is considered to be a major factor in many health problems. Many synthetic and natural compounds are used for the attenuation of stress induced changes in the body. Medicinal plants are used since ancient times to prevent from neurological disorders. Lavender [Lavandula angustifolia] is very efficacious and possesses the ability to improve several neurological disorders. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] are commonly used against pain and inflammation. However, effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of various psychiatric ailments is also reported. The present study investigated the effects of ibuprofen and lavender oil on stress induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. The rats were subjected to restraint stress and behavioral parameters like open field test [OFT], light/dark transition box activity [LDT] and forced swim test [FST] were used to assess exploratory, anxiolytic and antidepressant activity, respectively. Corticosterone, lipid peroxidation [LPO] and endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. Results of OFT, LDT and FST showed substantial effects of lavender oil and standard drug ibuprofen. A significant decrease in plasma corticosterone and LPO levels with increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in the study. However, the effects of lavender oil were more as compared to standard drug ibuprofen in diminution of stress induced behavioral and biochemical changes in rats. This study demonstrates that lavender oil is more remedial than ibuprofen in stress related disorders
ABSTRACT
Essential oils are natural products having several important chemical constituents. Traditionally used worldwide as natural alternatives for treating various pathological conditions due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidants properties. Citral is one of the mono terpene present in lemon peel oil. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of citral at low [0.1 mg/kg] and high [1 mg/kg] doses. In this study rats were subjected to different behavioral parameters such as tail suspension test [TST] to monitor depressive behavior, open field test [OFT] for locomotor activity, light/dark transition test [LDT] for the assessment of level of anxiety and the strength of muscles were monitored by Kondziela's inverted screen test. Plasma corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. The results from the present study showed that citral at 0.1mg/kg dose significantly increased the mobility time in TST, increased number of square crossed in OFT, increased time spent in LDT and showed muscles strengthen activity in Kondziela's inverted screen test. Lipid per oxidation [LPO] was decreased and antioxidant profile was improved along with the decrease in plasma corticosterone following the administration of 0.1mg/kg dose of citral in rats. However, at a high dose of 1 mg/kg of citral, behavioral alterations were observed along with the increased plasma corticosterone and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in rats. Therefore present findings suggested that citral at low dose has therapeutic potential as compared to high dose. It can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of various ailments in humans and animals
ABSTRACT
Excessive exposure of cadmium which is regarded as a neurotoxin can stimulate aging process by inducing abnormality in neuronal function. It has been reported that supplementation of almond and walnut attenuate age-related memory loss. Present study was designed to investigate the weekly administration of cadmium for one month on learning and memory function with relation to cholinergic activity. Cadmium was administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg/week. Whereas, almond and walnut was supplemented at the dose of 400 mg/kg/day along with cadmium administration to separate set of rats. At the end of experiment, memory function was assessed by Morris water maze, open field test and novel object recognition test. Results of the present study showed that cadmium administration significantly reduced memory retention. Reduced acetylcholine levels and elevated acetyl cholinesterase activity were also observed in frontal cortex and hippocampus of cadmium treated rats. Malondialdehyde levels were also significantly increased following the administration of cadmium. Daily supplementation of almond and walnut for 28 days significantly attenuated cadmium-induced memory impairment in rats. Results of the present study are discussed in term of cholinergic activity in cadmium-induced memory loss and its attenuation by nuts supplementation in rats
ABSTRACT
Rotenone [organic pesticide and inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I] is used to generate an experimental model of Parkinson's disease [PD]. In the present study, we investigated rotenone-induced locomotor deficits, gait dynamics and muscular weakness in rats. The study also determined dopamine [DA] and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid [DOPAC] levels following rotenone administration. In the study, adult male rats were administered subcutaneously [s.c.] with rotenone [1.5 mg/kg/day] for 8 days. Motor activities were monitored by the Kondziela's inverted screen test, beam walking test and footprint test. Animals were decapitated after behavioral analysis and brains were dissected out for neurochemical estimation. Results showed that the levels of DA and DOPAC were significantly decreased, which further supported by significant impaired motor coordination in rotenone treated rats. In conclusion, the behavioral and neurochemical findings of our study further strengthen the previous report and emphasizes on short term administration of rotenone producing PD-like symptoms in rats
ABSTRACT
Energy drinks enhance physical endurance and cognitive ability. The ingredients present in these drinks are considered as ergogenic and have memory boosting effects. In the present study effects of taurine administration for one week was monitored on physical exercise and memory performance in rats. Animals were divided into two groups namely control and test. Taurine was injected intraperitoneally to the test group at the dose of 100mg/kg. After one week of treatment rats were subjected to physical exercise and memory task. Results of this study revealed that rats injected with taurine for one week exhibited improved muscular strength as well as enhanced memory performance in Morris water maze and elevated plus maze. Biomarker of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in brain and plasma of test animals. Taurine administration also resulted in higher levels of corticosterone in this study. The results highlight the significance of taurine ingestion in energy demanding and challenging situations in athletes and young subjects
ABSTRACT
Stress is a vulnerable state to cellular homeostasis which leads to oxidative damage via free radical generation. The acute stress induces alteration in antioxidant enzyme activities to an extent which produce oxidative stress and causes certain pathological conditions. The use of Nigella sativa L. oil [NSO] in folk medicine has increased throughout the world for the prevention or treatment of various ailments because of potent antioxidant properties. In the present study, potential therapeutic effects of NSO on memory in both unrestrained and 2h restrained rats were observed. Shortterm memory [STM] and long-term memory [LTM] were assessed by elevated plus maze [EPM] and Morris water maze [MWM] respectively. The present study also demonstrated the effect of NSO on lipid peroxidation [LPO] and activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase] along with the activity of acetyl cholinesterase [AChE]. The results obtained from the present study showed that 2h restraint stress significantly enhanced both short-term memory [p<0.01] and long-term memory [p<0.05] in rats. Pretreatment with NSO at a dose of 0.2ml/kg/day also significantly improved STM [p<0.05] in restrained rats and LTM [p<0.01] in unrestrained rats. This study also showed significantly decreased [p<0.01] LPO and significantly increased [p<0.01] endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity in NSO treated restrained rats. Similarly significant decreased [p<0.01] AChE activity was also observed in NSO treated unrestrained and 2h restrained rats. Therefore, current findings suggested that repeated administration of NSO may exert memory enhancing effects against restrained stress and it can be used for therapeutic purpose because of having fewer side effects
ABSTRACT
Aging is a natural complex process that is regulated at genetic, cellular, molecular and systemic levels and leads to the development of a variety of changes including structural, chemical and genetic in the senescent brain. The major goal of the present study was to investigate the age associated cognitive dysfunction and other behavioral changes and their association with age related alterations in levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine [DA] and serotonin [5- HT] in the hippocampal region. Twelve male Albino Wistar rats were taken for the study including six young rats [04-05 months old] and six aged [20-22 months old] rats in each group. The learning and memory performance of rats was assessed by passive avoidance test [PA] and novel objective recognition task [NOR]. Ambulatory activity was monitored by Open field test. Light/Dark transition test was used to monitor anxiety, whereas depression like symptoms was examined by Forced Swim Test [FST]. Results showed that aged rats exhibited learning and memory impairment in PA and NOR. There was a negative relation between aging process and locomotion, consistent with previous findings. Moreover, an augmented increase in level of anxiety and depression was also observed in senescent rats. A marked decrease in DA and 5-HT was observed in the hippocampus of aged rats. Similarly, levels of 5-HIAA and DOPAC were also found to be decreased in aged rats. It is therefore concluded that age has a negative influence on cognitive function, depression, anxiety and locomotion in rats. Cells in all brain regions, especially hippocampus are affected by aging. In general aging exhibits a decline in sensory, motor and cognitive functions. These behavioral changes or functional deficits may be attributed to the age related decline in the levels of different neurotransmitters in brain /hippocampus. The present findings of behavioral deficits and altered neurotransmission in hippocampus of aged rats suggest a relationship between senescence, altered brain neurotransmitters and behavioral deficits
ABSTRACT
Background: CLD is considered a major cause of mortality throughout the world including south Asia. The clinical examination is often unreliable in assessing the severity of disease. Liver biopsy [LB] is the gold standard for assessing CLD but it is invasive, painful and has complications and technical problems. Hyaluronic acid [HA], an ideal marker of fibrosi, it has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and is a simple laboratory test detecting fibrosis in CLD patients
Objectives: To compare the strength of SHA and liver biopsy
Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry BMSI/JPMC Karachi. Total 120 subjects were taken and divided into control group and case group. In histopathology grades and stages were scored according Batts and Ludwig criteria. SHA was measured in serum by ELISA
Results: The mean SHA in case group [119.39ng/ml] was significantly higher compared to the control group [53.60ng/ml].The SHA levels 75ng/ml, 103ng/ml and 130ng/ml were determined in grades I, II and Ill respectively and in stages I, II, Ill and IV were 87ng/ml, 101 ng/ml, 124ng/ml and 172ng/ml respectively. There was positive linear correlation between SHA and histological grades and stages
Conclusion: SHA is a definite diagnostic tool and can be used routinely in the diagnosis of CLD
ABSTRACT
Caffeine administration has been shown to enhance performance and memory in rodents and humans while its withdrawal on the other hand produces neurobehavioral deficits which are thought to be mediated by alterations in monoamines neurotransmission. A role of decreased brain 5-HT [5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin] levels has been implicated in impaired cognitive performance and depression. Memory functions of rats were assessed by Water Maze [WM] and immobility time by Forced Swim Test [FST]. The results of this study showed that repeated caffeine administration for 6 days at 30 mg/kg dose significantly increases brain 5-HT [p<0.05] and 5-HIAA [p<0.05] levels and its withdrawal significantly [p<0.05] decreased brain 5-HT levels. A significant decrease in latency time was exhibited by rats in the WM repeatedly injected with caffeine. Withdrawal of caffeine however produced memory deficits and significantly increases the immobility time of rats in FST. The results of this study are linked with caffeine induced alterations in serotonergic neurotransmission and its role in memory and depression
ABSTRACT
Numerous studies have consistently shown that repeated restraint stress produces functional neuromorphological and physiological alteration that are linked to the pathophysiology of brain disorder, like depression and bipolar disorder, causes alteration in cognition and learning memory. Lithium is the drug of choice in the treatment of depression and mania in bipolar disorder as a mood-stabilizing agent. Present study was designed to investigate the effects of long term lithium administration on memory function and its relation with 5-HT metabolism following repeated restraint stress. In this experiment memory was assessed by novel object recognition task in water treated and lithium treated unrestraint and restraint rats. Recognition memory decreased in water treated repeated restraint rats while in lithium treated repeated restraint rats recognition memory increase. 5-HIAA level increased in water treated restraint rats while decreased in lithium treated restraint rats. The findings indicate a role of brain serotonin in improved memory function in repeated restraint rats following long term lithium administration
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Stress, Physiological , Stress, Psychological , Memory/drug effects , SerotoninABSTRACT
The black cumin or Nigella sativa L. seeds have many acclaimed medicinal properties. Pharmacological studies have been conducted on the aqueous and methanol extracts of N. sativa L. seeds to evaluate their effects on the central nervous system. In the present study, N. sativa oil was used to study its effect on anxiety in rats. Open field and elevated plus maze models were selected for the evaluation of anxiolytic effect of drug. After four weeks of daily administration of drug, the rats exhibited an increase in open field activity. The drug also produced anti-anxiety effect in rats when tested in elevated plus maze. Concentrations of 5-HT, 5-HIAA in brain and concentrations of plasma and brain tryptophan determined by HPLC-EC detector. Result shows that oral administration of N. sativa oil increased brain levels of 5-HT but the levels of brain 5-HIAA decreased significantly. Brain and plasma levels of tryptophan also increased significantly following oral repeated administration of N. sitiva oil. Based on this, it may be suggested that N. sativa oil is a useful choice for the treatment of anxiety
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Anxiety/drug therapy , Serotonin/biosynthesis , Serotonin , Flumazenil , Serotonin/metabolism , Anti-Anxiety Agents , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Brain function can be affected by the availability of dietary precursors of neurotransmitters. The diet induced increase in tryptophan [TRP] availability has been shown to increase brain serotonin synthesis and various related behaviors. Evidence shows that TRP and serotonin [5HT; 5 Hydroxytryptamine] play a significant role in memory function. Enhanced brain serotonin activity has been shown to improve cognitive performance in animals and human whereas decreasing brain 5HT levels by acute TRP depletion has been shown to impair cognition. A number of methods have been used for the assessment of memory in animals. In the present study, the radial arm maze and the passive avoidance was used for the assessment of memory in rats following long-term TRP administration. TRP at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight was orally administered for 6 weeks. The present study shows a significant improvement in memory of rats following both doses of tryptophan. Plasma TRP, brain TRP, 5HT and 5 hydroxy indol acetic acid [5HIAA] levels were increased significantly following administration of TRP. The results of the present study suggest that increase in brain 5HT metabolism following long term TRP administration may be involved in enhancement of memory
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Tryptophan , Rats, Wistar , Serotonin , Brain/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the prescribing patterns and clinical practices in the use of pharmaceutical agents in pregnancy
Study Design: Observational, Cross-sectional study
Study Period: March 2002 to March 2003
Setting: Study was conducted at antenatal clinic, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
Materials and Methods: 250 patients from antenatal clinic were interviewed to collect information regarding age, parity, gestational age, any medication, its indication, route, duration and prescriber during current pregnancy on a pre-designed proforma
Sampling Method: Patients were enrolled in this study on first come and enroll basis
Results: Most of the women [90%] visiting the antenatal clinic were in the age group 21-30years. 94% of the women were taking medications and the prescriptions included haematenics [88%], folic acid [61%], calcium supplements [63%], antibiotics [22%], anti-fungals [19%], antiemetics [8%] and laxatives [6%]. 6% of women were not taking any medication. Commonest prescribers were general practitioners [46%]. Rest of the prescribers were medical officers at antenatal clinic [28%], LHVs/nurses [11%] and specialists [9%]. Self-medication was seen in 6%. 47% of the women taking self-medications were among the educated group [Matric and above] and 53% of the women were among the uneducated group [P < 0.001]. 28% took treatment from general practitioners and lady health visitors without any certain diagnosis, on symptomatic grounds
Conclusion: The use of drugs in pregnancy is substantial and varied. Information on the use of drugs during pregnancy is scarce and anecdotal. Careful consideration of the benefits to the mother and risks to the fetus is required, when prescribing drugs during pregnancy. All prescriptions or drugs recommended in pregnancy must have solid evidence derived from current literature
ABSTRACT
To monitor pre and postsynaptic receptor responsiveness and consumption of ethanol following the repeated administration of a selective serotonin-1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylaminotetralin [8-OH-DPAT], to ethanol treated rats. Design: The experimental protocol was designed to administer ethanol orally to rats for three weeks and 8-OH-DPAT during the 3rd week. Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were performed in the department of Biochemistry, Karachi University. Samples collected after three weeks of treatment were analyzed within a week. Subjects and The study was conducted on 24 males albino Wistar rats treated with ethanol for three weeks. 8-OH-DPAT at a dose of 1mg/kg or saline was injected to ethanol treated rats from day 1 to day 5 during the 3rd week to monitor the effects on ethanol consumption. Pre and postsynaptic responses to 8-OH-DPAT were monitored by injecting the drug on the 6th day to a group of 5-day saline and a group of 5-day 8-OH-DPAT injected animals. Control animals of the two groups were injected with saline. Before the injection of 8-OH-DPAT, weekly intakes of ethanol were highly comparable in the two groups. Administration of 8-OH-DPAT, from day 1 to day 5, decreased ethanol intake. Pre and postsynaptic serotonin-1A receptor dependent responses monitored on the 6th day were higher in 5-day saline than 5-day 8-OH-DPAT injected animals. A decrease in the effectiveness of negative feedback control over the synaptic availability of serotonin following 5-day administration of 8-OH-DPAT is involved in the decreases of ethanol consumption
Subject(s)
Male , Animals, Laboratory , Animals , Serotonin Receptor Agonists/metabolism , Serotonin Receptor Agonists/administration & dosage , Ethanol/metabolism , Alcohol Drinking , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Employing a spectrophotometric method, azodrin residues have been dtermined in cotton seed and its related products. It has been significant in the oil in comparison to whole seed and seed cake. Treatments and varieties have also exhibited a significant variation in the amount of azodrin residues. Location has shown non-significant effect on the accumulation of azodrin residues. The residues of six cotton varieties ranged between 2.66 to 4.12 ppm in the crude oil and from 1.62 to 2.41 and 0.77 to 1.96 ppm in the whole seed and seed cake respectively. Storage of cotton seed oil for one year resulted in non-significant effect on the concentration of azodrin residues, whereas thermal cokking procedures of cotton seed oil affected a reduction of 84% of the chemical contaminant
Subject(s)
Seeds/growth & development , Spectrophotometry , CarbarylABSTRACT
The concept of defective cervix resulting in habitual pregnancy loss was described as early as 17th Century. The recent concept of incompetent cervix in certain women with recurrent pregnancy loss was introduced only 35-years ago. Since then little progress has been made in clearly understanding the pathophysiology of cervical incompetence or in clearly defining its diagnosis. At present there are various surgical procedures involving cervical encirclage. Over the years various workers have done randomised prospective trials with the emphasis on various techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. Most of these procedures involved a circlage around the cervix in some fashion