Investigation of in vivo neuropharmacological effect of Alpinia nigra leaf extract

Objective: To analyze in vivo neuro-pharmacological effects of Alpinia nigra as anxiety is a particular form of behavioral inhibition that occurs in response to novel environmental events.Methods:In present study, the extract of Alpinia nigra was evaluated for its central nervous system depressant effect using mice behavioral models, such as hole cross, open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests for its sedative properties and an elevated plus-maze test for its anxiolytic potential, respectively.Results:In anxiolytic study, the extract displayed increased percentage of entry into open arm at the dose of 400 and 200 mg/kg. The extract produced a significant (P<0.01) increase in sleeping duration and reduction of onset of sleep compared to sodium thiopental at both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) also showed a dose-dependent suppression of motor activity and exploratory activity of the mice in both open field and hole cross test.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the treated extract has significant central nervous system depressant effect. Further studies on active constituent of the extract can provide approaches for therapeutic intervention.

In vitro study on the interaction of ketotifen fumarate with anhydrous theophylline

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interaction between ketotifen fumarate and anhydrous theophylline in aqueous media of various pH (1.2 and 6.8). Using Job's continuous-variation analysis and Ardon's spectrophotomeric measurement methods, the values of the stability constants of theophylline with ketotifen were determined at a fixed temperature (37 ºC) at various pH. The stability constants, ranging between 5.66 and 9.92, were derived from Ardon's plot, indicating that comparatively stable complexes had formed as a result of an interaction between the drugs. However, following the interaction of theophylline with ketotifen, stability constants were <1 at gastric pH (1.2) and intestinal pH (6.8). Concurrent administration of ketotifen and theophylline could result in the formation of a stable complex and this is likely to reduce the therapeutic activities of both drugs.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a interação entre o fumarato de cetotifeno e a teofilina anidra em meios aquosos com vários pH (1,2 e 6,8). Utilizando a análise da variação contínua de Job e os métodos de medida espectrofotométrica de Ardon, os valores das constantes de estabilidade da teofilina com o cetotifeno foram determinados em temperatura fixa (37 oC) em vários pH. As constantes de estabilidade, variando entre 5,66 e 9,92 derivaram-se a partir do delineamento de Ardon, indicando, comparativamente, que complexos estáveis se formaram como resultado da interação entre os fármacos. Entretanto, seguindo a interação da teofilina com o cetotifeno, as constantes de estabilidade foram <1, em pH gástrico (1,2) e intestinal (8,8). A administração concomitante de cetotifeno e teofilina poderia resultar na formação de complexo estável, o que reduz a atividade terapêutica de ambos os fármacos.