ABSTRACT
Endosulfan toxicity affects the nervous system as well as immunological functions. It also causes oxidative stress and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. In the present study, we tried to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin on endosulfan (END) induced immunological and biochemical changes in rats. Wistar rats (200-250 g, n=8/group) were immunized with fresh SRBC (0.5×109 cells/kg) and were exposed to END (4-16 mg/kg, orally), simultaneously exposed animals were treated with vehicle or melatonin (10 and 50 mg/kg) for 14 days. On day 15, their blood and spleen was collected for immunological assays and oxidative stress markers. Endosulfan (8 and 16 mg/kg) significantly suppressed (i) anti-SRBC antibody titer; (ii) footpad thickness; (iii) spleen PFC counts; and (iv) Th1 (IFN-γ) & Th2 (IL-4) and significantly increases serum TNF-α level as compared to controls (P <0.05 in all parameters). Endosulfan induced immunological changes were found associated with changes in oxidative stress markers as evidenced by the results of this study. Endosulfan, while significantly decreased GSH, SOD and CAT activity (P <0.05), it increased serum TBARS activities (P <0.001). These endosulfan induced changes in immunological and biochemical parameters were found significantly reversed by the treatment with melatonin (10 and 50 mg/kg) in a dose dependent manner by differential degrees. Results of the present immunological and biochemical data suggest the protective role of melatonin in endosulfan induced immunomodulation which is associated with oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immune-mediated arthropathy, so for the treatment disease modifying antirheumatoid drugs are required. In this study we are evaluating the immunomodulatory property of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) as an alternative medicine.Methods: Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA), 0.1ml was injected intradermally in the footpad of left hind paw in 36 Wistar rats to induce RA. Animals were divided into 6 groups. BSE in the doses of 45mg/kg, 90mg/kg and 180mg/kg was administered and cyclophosphamide as standard drug. Various parameters as body weight, paw thickness, ankle diameter, paw volume, arthritis index, TNF- ? and histopathological changes were analyzed.Results: Marked reduction in paw thickness, ankle diameter, paw volume, arthritis index and an improved body weight was found in high dose BSE (180mg/kg) group but the effect was lesser than standard drug Cyclophosphamide.Conclusions: BSE has significant potential as an alternative medicine for treatment of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
ABSTRACT
Recently, a lot have been written and discussed about animal experiments and ethics. Still there is too much confusion among academicians and researchers about the future of use of animals in biomedical research and up to what extent their use in laboratory, research institutions, and medical colleges. This article highlighted and discussed about various aspects of this burning issue along with several pros and cons.
ABSTRACT
Students are attracted towards the medical profession to become a doctor and not to be a researcher. According to a recent study there are about 1,00,000 undergraduate medical students in India at a given point of time, out of them only 0.9% of the students have shown research aptitude. During their training period of graduation in medical sciences, they are so much burdened with the work load of exams, practicals, ward duties and tutorials. In such an over burdened situation very few of them can think about research. A study had shown that training in research methodology received early in medical school helps students to develop a positive attitude towards research. So changes in the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum are required to promote research among medical students.
ABSTRACT
Effect of restraint stress (RS) and its modulation by antioxidants were evaluated on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests in rats. Restraint stress (RS for 1 hr) reduced the number of open arm entries, as also the time spent on open arms indicating enhanced anxiogenic response in the EPM test as compared to normal non RS group of rats. Pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 and 200 mg/kg) and alpha-tocopherol (30 and 60 mg/kg) attenuated these RS-induced effects. In the OF test, RS-reduced (a) ambulations; and (b) rearings, whereas an increase was seen in (a) latency of entry and (b) number of fecal boluses. The RS-induced changes in OF parameters were reversed after pretreatment with the antioxidants, (ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol). Biochemical data showed that RS enhanced MDA levels in both serum and brain, and these were attenuated after pretreatment with the antioxidants. The pharmacological and biochemical results indicate that free radicals might be involved in such stress-induced neurobehavioural effects.