Enriched environment palliates nicotine-induced addiction and associated neurobehavioral deficits in rats

This study was designed to investigate the role of enriched environment in preventing and/or reducing the neurobehavioral deficits produced after nicotine administration in albino Wistar rats. Equal numbers of rat in two groups were either placed in social environment [control group] or social along with physically enriched environment for four weeks before the administration of nicotine. Exposure to different environmental conditions was followed by the intraperitoneal injection of nicotine at the dose of 0.6 mg/kg for seven consecutive days during which addictive behavior was monitored using conditioned placed preference paradigm. Behavioral responses to locomotor activity, anxiety and retention of short term memory were investigated in control and nicotine injected groups exposed to different environments. Results of this study showed that the rats pre-exposed to physical along with social enrichment exhibited a decrease in drug seeking behavior, hyper locomotion, anxiogenic effects along with improvement of working memory as compared to control and nicotine injected groups that were kept in social environment alone. This behavioral study suggests that the exposure to physical enrichment along with socialization in young age can later reduce the chances of compulsive dependence on nicotine and related neurobehavioral deficits

Intravenous lignocain 2% [plain] efficacy in attenuation of stress response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation with impact on in-hospital morbidity and mortality

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of plain lignocain in attenuation of stress response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation with impact on in-hospital mortality or morbidity

Study Design: A randomized control trial

Place and Duration of Study: Our study was carried out from December 2013-14, at tertiary-care hospital

Material and Methods: Patients [n=100 total] were randomized, using non-probability convenient sampling, dividing the population in two groups. Group A [n=50] as control, and in group B [n=50] Injection lignocain plain 2% 1.5 mg/kg was used 3 minutes prior to intubation. Both the groups were observed for changes in hemodynamic parameters i.e. heart rate [HR] systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Mean Arterial Pressure for every minute after baseline [0] and for 5 consecutive minutes [1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. Deviation of >20% from baseline was considered significant. The mortality [death within hospital, irrespective of cause] and morbidity [defined as emergence of 4 condition as hypertensive encephalopathy, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Lab proven Myocardial Infarction and negative pulmonary edema] within 10 days of hospitalization were noted

Results: Statistically significant [p-value extremely significant at confidence interval of 98 degrees] results were obtained in the effect of study drug; however, 10 days of hospitalization remained inconclusive for emerging morbidity categories strictly due to the intubation reflexes. We consider few technicalities in peri-operative management resulted in such events

Conclusion: Lignocain is effective in blunting the pressor response towards laryngoscopy and intubation. However the impact on mortality/ morbidity for four conditions remained inconclusive

Vitamin D status; the epidemiology in Sargodha

Our primary objective was to estimate the vitamin D status among both the rural and urban dwellers of Sargodha. A cross sectional population survey. Individuals were selected from six different medical centers in the Sargodha city, Vitamin D measurement was done in Khan Lab Sargodha from January 2013 to June 2013. After an awareness campaign, healthy individuals and medical patients from six different clinics in Sargodha city were selected after excluding the diseases that interfered with the metabolism of calcium and vitamin D. The initial assessment involved an interview based questionnaire, at the clinic by the treating doctor. It recorded the information regarding age, sex, weight, residence, and co-morbid conditions like, DM, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and kidney disease and medications especially oral vitamin D supplementation. The physical assessments included height, weight record and blood pressure measurements. It was performed in Khan Lab Sargodha. Quantitative determination of 25-OH vitamin D was done from the serum by using competitive immunoluminometric assay on Maglumi 1000 fully automated chemistry analyzer. Out of total 100 specimens 46 were found to be having low levels of vitamin D levels. Insufficient levels [21-29 ng/ml] were present in 10 individuals. It was less than 10 ng/ml in 11, less than 5 ng/ml in 4, while 21 individuals were having levels between 10-20 ng/ml. Five individuals had levels more than 100 ng/ml. None of the individuals had level in toxic range. Out of 56 females 27[48.22%] had low vitamin D levels, while out of 44 males 19 [43.2%] were found to be having levels less than 30ng/ml. The median age of individuals having levels less than 30ng/ml was 37 years [14-57 years]. The relationship of high BMI and vitamin deficiency was statistically non-significant [p-value = .282]. Although the sample size is small, however our study reveals that a large proportion [46%] of studied individuals representing the asymptomatic general population is having low level of vitamin D. in order to address this public issue concrete measures need to be taken in order to prevent adverse consequences of low vitamin D levels

Effects of apomorphine on locomotive activity and monoamine metabolism: a dose related study

We have monitored dose dependent effects of apomorphine on motor activity and monoamine metabolism. Behavioral sensitization and craving, which develop upon repeated treatment with dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine, are major limitations of the therapeutic use of apomorphine in Parkinson's patients. Effects of single [intraperitoneal] injection of apomorphine at different doses [i.e., 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg] on exploration in a novel environment [open field] and locomotion in a familiar environment [home cage] were investigated. Results show significantly enhanced activity in home cage [monitored 5min post injection] in a dose dependent manner. However, no significant influence of apomorphine on exploration of open field was observed in the present study [monitored 15min and 40min post injection]. Animals were decapitated 1 hr post apomorphine injection and whole brains of animals were collected and stored at -70°C. Biogenic amines [i.e., 5-Hydroxytryptamine and dopamine] and metabolites [i.e., Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, Homovanillic acid and 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid] were estimated by reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography with electrochemical detector [HPLC-EC]. Effect of low [l.0mg/kg] dose of apomorphine was found to be nonsignificant on 5-Hydroxytryptamine [5-HT], 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA] and dopamine [DA] levels. Moderate [2.0 mg/kg] dose of drug increased [p<0.05] levels of Homovanillic acid [HVA]. Whereas, high [4.0 mg/kg] dose of apomorphine decreased Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid [DOPAC] levels. Results could be helpful in elucidating the effect of apomorphine at different doses and its implication for extending therapeutics in Parkinson's and related disorders

Scientific evaluation of some plants with male contraceptive properties a review

Our modern world is facing different global challenges and rise in population is one of them. Reduction in population is necessary not only for making the life of people luxurious but also for the development of nations. World Health Organization is sponsoring many programmes to control the increasing population especially in the developing countries where the rate of increase in population is high enough? The concept of male contraception is new. Various scientific researches are going on to discover safe and suitable anti-fertility agents for males. Many agents like anti-androgens, progestin and estrogen have been discovered. Due to side effects [impotency and loss of libido] these are being avoided. There are many plants, which are being used in Unani Medicine for different purposes, have anti-spermatogenetic and spermtcidal effects. These plants may be proved as better option to the world. The present paper deals with a discussion on some medicinal plants having anti-fertility activities

Clinical efficacy of polyherbal formulation in patients with mild to moderate asthma

Asthma is a dangerous disease of the respiratory system. It affects about 4-5% population of the world and causes about 5000 deaths every year from 10 million patients with asthma at risk. In the materia medica of Unani system of Medicine, there are many medicinal plants attributed with bronchodilating, anti-histaminic and expectorant activities. These herbs can exhibit similar effect in asthma as modern synthetic drugs including bronchodilators, corticosteroids and mucolytic agents. Therefore we have evaluated the effect of a polyherbal formulation [comprising Adhatoda vasica, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Hyssopus officinal is] in patients with mild to moderate asthma. Twenty-five patients of mild to moderate asthma with positive history of allergy were included in the study. Main parameters included frequency of dyspnoea, rate of respiration and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]. These parameters were measured before the start of the study and during the study at a regular interval of 15 days for six weeks. It was found that after six weeks treatment, frequency of dyspnoea per week, rate of respiration and PEFR were 0.5 +/- 70 [205 +/- 74]*. Changes in all these parameters were statistically significant [p<0.001] as compared to baseline values. It was concluded that treatment with polyherbal formulation for six weeks results in significant improvement in the frequency of dyspnoea, rate of respiration and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] in asthma

Glycyrrhiza glabra linn, in unani formulations

Liquorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.] is a wellknown Unani drug. The present paper is an attempt to review the Liquorice-based' Unani pharmacopoeia1 formulations as well as branded products in the Indian market. Liquorice consists of the dried unpeeled roots and stolons of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. [Leguminosae], Better known as Mulethi and Rubul Sus in Unani medicine, the roots are used as tonic, demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, laxative and bronchodilator. There are a number of liquorice-based Unani formulations used to treat a variety of disorders

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Stem Callus of Morus alba Linn.

Morus alba Linn. [Moraceae], commonly known as mulberry, is monoecious, occasionally dioecious shrub or a moderate sized tree and is valued for its foliage which constitute the chief feed for mulberry silkworms [Anonymous, 1962]. The contents of Cu, Zn, B and Mn in stem were 9, 8, 13 and 29 ppm respectively [Shiha and Kodaira, 1952]. Betulinic acid, and four new flavone derivatives - mulberrin, mulberrochromene, cyclomulberrin and cyclornulberrochromene have been isolated from root and stem bark [Deshpande et al., 1968]. Till date there is no report on the stem callus of M. alba. The present study on Morus alba stem callus was undertaken in order to investigate the possibility of production of phytochemicals in the callus

Computer applications in pharmaceutical sciences

Computers, their applications, various softwares and utilization in pharmaceutical sciences have been discussed briefly to improve knowledge-base of scientists who are willing to work with computers in their specific fields of interest

Commiphora mukul [Hook, ex stocks] Engl., a review

A comprehensive review of the medicinally important plant Commiphora mukul [Hook. ex Stocks] Engl., comprising taxonomic, pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical and pharmacological attributes is presented in this article supported by published references

Pistacia integerrima Stewart ex Brandis. A review

P. integerrima galss are traditionally used in the Indian System of Medicine mainly for the treatment of respiratory disorders and inflammatory conditions. The phytochemical and pharmacological works, done on this leaser known plant drug, have been reviewed in this article