Peptidergic mechanisms in feeding behaviour.

Hyperphagia was induced in mice by p.o. administration of different types of CNS depressant drugs, like chlordiazepoxide 25 mg/kg diazepam 2.5 mg/kg, cyproheptadine 2 mg/kg and phenobarbitone 25 mg/kg. Such hyperphagia was abolished by pretreatment with naloxone 0.1 mg/kg sc. Naloxone per se at this dose produced no significant effect on the food intake. This is suggestive of the role of peptidergic mechanisms in the feeding behaviour in mice.

p-Aminobenzene sulphonyl morpholine, compound 82/208 a new anticonvulsant agent.

p-Aminobenzene sulphonyl morpholine, compound 82/208, was evaluated for acute toxicity and anticonvulsant action in mice against tonic seizures induced by supramaximal electroshock and pentylene tetrazole and strychnine induced seizures and for its effect on blood pressure and respiration in cat. Diphenyl hydantoin (DPH) was used as reference standard. Compound 82/208 exhibited anticonvulsant activity against electroshock induced seizures and PTZ induced tonic seizures in mice. The compound had several distinct advantages over DPH in experimental evaluation in mice.

Adaptogenic activity of Indian Panax pseudoginseng.

The crude extract and saponins of Indian pseudoginseng and saponins of Korean ginseng have been studied using a battery of biological tests in rats and mice. Indian pseudoginseng saponins were found to exhibit better activity than the Korean ginseng saponins in several tests employed. The results indicate a need for in-depth study of Indian pseudoginseng as an adaptogenic agent, after cultivation of the plant under controlled conditions.