Effect of conventional antihypertensive drugs on hypolipidemic action of garlic in rats.

The present study was undertaken to determine the possible alteration in hypolipidemic actions of garlic homogenate (GH) in presence of conventional antihypertensive drugs, propranolol (PRO), hydrochlorothiazide (HYD) and captopril (CAP). Albino rats fed with normal fat diet (NFD) or high fat diet (HFD) were treated with GH at three different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) orally for 30 days or in combination with PRO (10 mg/kg, po), HYD (10 mg/kg, po) and CAP (30 mg/kg, po) during last 7 days of GH treatment. After the treatment, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol were measured in serum and antiatherogenic index was calculated. The result showed that moderate and high doses of GH possessed potential antiatherosclerotic property that was significantly attenuated by PRO and HYD. However, GH antihyperlipidemic activity was augmented by CAP. It was concluded that administration of PRO and HYD decrease the hypolipidemic effect of GH and administration of GH along with CAP augmented the hypolipidemic effect of GH in rats.

Immunomodulatory activity of acacia catechu.

The immunomodulatory effect of aqueous extract of Acacia catechu commonly known as Katha or Karangali was studied at two doses of 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg orally. The effect was studied in neutrophil adhesion test, mice lethality test, carbon clearance assay, cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia, serum immunoglobulin levels and the heamagglutination test. Acacia catechu extract showed an increase in the neutrophil adhesion to the nylon fibres, produced a significant increase in the phagocytic index and a significant protection against cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia indicating its effect on cell mediated immunity. On the other hand, Acacia catechu extract produced a significant increase in the serum immunoglobulin levels, increase in the haemagglutination titre values and decreased the mortality ratio in mice, suggesting its effect on the humoral arm of the immune system. From the above results, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of Acacia catechu has a significant effect on both cell mediated and humoral immunity.

Wound healing activity of Sesamum indicum L seed and oil in rats.

The seeds of S. indicum L (Pedaliaceae) are used traditionally in the folklore for the treatment of various kinds of wounds. The present study was undertaken to verify the effect of S. indicum seeds and its oil on experimentally induced excision wound, incision wound, burn wound and dead space wound models in rats. Aloe vera was used as standard wound healing agent. A formulation of seeds and oil was prepared in carbopol at 2.5% and 5% concentrations and applied to the wounds. In the excision and burn wound models, the so treated animals showed significant reduction in period of epithelization and wound contraction (50%). In the incision wound model a significant increase in the breaking strength was observed. Seeds and oil treatment (250 mg and 500 mg/kg; po) in dead space wound model, produced a significant increase in the breaking strength, dry weight and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue. The results suggest that S. indicum seeds and oil applied topically or administered orally possesses wound healing activity.

Pharmacological evaluation of Pachyrrhizus erosus (L) seeds for central nervous system depressant activity.

The research work deals with the screening of ethanol and chloroform extracts of Pachyrrhizus erosus seeds for central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity. The Pachyrrhizus erosus seed is known to contain rotinoids, flavonoids and phenylfuranocoumarin derivatives as chemical components and is reported to have antifungal, antisecretory, insecticides, antibacterial and spasmolytic activity. Since seeds of Pachyrrhizus erosus is used as folk medicine in treatment of insomnia, we made an attempt to study its CNS depressant effect. The different activities studied were potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleep, test for locomotor activity, effect on muscle co-ordination, antiaggressive and antianxiety activities. The result of the study reflected that ethanol extract of the seeds (150 mg/kg, p.o) decreased locomotor activity, produced muscle relaxation and showed antianxiety and antiaggressive activity.

Hepatoprotective activity of Psidium guajava Linn. leaf extract.

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of P. guajava in acute experimental liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or thioacetamide and chronic liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. The effects observed were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin. In the acute liver damage induced by different hepatotoxins, P. guajava leaf extracts (250 and 500mg/kg, po) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. The higher dose of the extract (500 mg/kg, po) prevented the increase in liver weight when compared to hepatoxin treated control, while the lower dose was ineffective except in the paracetamol induced liver damage. In the chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, the higher dose (500 mg/kg, po) of P. guajava leaf extract was found to be more effective than the lower dose (250 mg/kg, po). Histological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of leaves of guava plant possesses good hepatoprotective activity.

Effect of honey on carbamazepine kinetics in rabbits.

The study was undertaken to determine the effect of honey on carbamazepine kinetics in rabbits. The study was done on three occasions in each animal. Study 1 was carried out after single dose administration of carbamazepine (80 mg/kg, po), along with saline (2.34 ml/kg, po). After a wash out period of one week, the second study was carried out by co-administration of carbamazepine with honey (2.34ml/kg, po). After this, the animals continued to receive honey (2.34ml/kg, po), once daily, for 7 days. On the eighth day of honey treatment, the carbamazepine kinetics was studied again. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that single as well as multiple dose honey treatment showed a significant decrease in area under the plasma time concentration curve (AUC) when compared with saline treated control. A significant increase in the clearance (CL/F) rate of carbamazepine was observed only after multiple dose honey treatment. Both single and multiple dose honey treatment did not show any significant effect on other pharmacokinetic parameters like t1/2, Cmax, Tmax and Vd when compared with saline treated group. Data thus obtained suggested that honey decreases the bioavailability of carbamazepine.