ABSTRACT
Background: Generation of reactive oxygen species together with paucity of antioxidant defense is considered as an important cause for dopaminergic neuronal death. Review of literature indicates that none of the drugs so far studied for preventing the PD were found to be promising for use. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Paeonia emodi Wall (PEW) in 6-hydroxy dopamine induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) model.Methods: The study was conducted on Wistar rats where Parkinson’s disease was induced by producing the striatal 6-hydroxy dopamine lesions. The test animals received ethanolic extract of PEW at dose of 200 and 300mg/kg for 28 days. Circling behavior, spontaneous locomotor activity, muscular coordination and akinesia were studied. Antioxidant levels were assessed by biochemical estimation and histopathology was carried out for dopaminergic neuronal loss.Results: PEW ethanolic extract showed significant dose dependent recovery in number of circlings, line crossing, muscular coordination and akinesia. A significant increase in MDA levels and decreased GSH level in PEW treated groups was observed in test groups as compared to control group (p<0.05). Normal architecture was retained only in PEW 300mg/Kg (p<0.05). L-Dopa did not showed effect on biochemical and histological parameters.Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of PEW showed neuroprotective activity against 6-hydroxy dopamine induced Parkinson’s disease in rats in both 200 and 300mg/kg doses. The protective action of PEW in PD can be because of its ability to reduce the oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rotational training programme for the postgraduate students of pharmacology should be planned with the aim of making them competent as pharmacologist. Thus in the present study we decided to develop a rotational duty programme and evaluate perception and attitude of postgraduate student towards it. Methodology: We developed a rotational duty programme at our department which was structured by defining objectives to be achieved, content to be learnt, weekly targets to be accomplished and assessment to provide feedback to the students. The perception and attitude were recorded using a questionnaire in which their adequacy of duration of posting; adequacy, relevance and implementation of weekly time table; adequacy and relevance of the training imparted in the posting; quality and pattern of assessment and their perceived benefit from the rotational training program were assessed. Results: Postgraduate students found the programme adequate and relevant in terms of duration, implementation of weekly targets, training imparted and quality of assessment. Students also perceived the programme as beneficial. Suggestions were given by the students in the areas they considered modification is required. Conclusion: Suggestion given by the students along with discussion by faculty members were incorporated in improving the standard and strengthening the programme. There is a need for development of such programmes to improve the standards in postgraduate teaching in pharmacology. These programmes also need to undergo relevant amendments in order to improvise them.