Neuroprotective effect ofBacopa monnieri against morphine-induced histopathological changes in the cerebellum of rats

Opioid addiction is associated with oxidative cell injury in neuronal cells. In this study, Bacopa monnieri [L.], a reputed nootropic plant, was evaluated against morphine-induced histopathological changes in the cerebellum of rats. B. monnieri methanolic extract [mBME] [40 mg/kg, p.o] and ascorbic acid [50 mg/kg, i.p] were administered two hours before morphine [20 mg/kg, i.p] for 14 and 21 days. The in vitro antioxidant activity of mBME was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] free-radical scavenging assay. Morphine produced vacuolization of basket and stellate cells and reduced the size of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum after 14 days. However, treatment for 21 days was associated with severe shrinkage of Purkinje cells with loss of their characteristic flask-shaped appearance as well as degeneration of basket, stellate and granule cells. Pretreatment with mBME and ascorbic acid for 14 and 21 days attenuated the morphine-induced histopathological changes in the cerebellum. The EC50 for the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay of mBME [39.06 [microg/mL] as compared to ascorbic acid [30.25 microg/mL] and BHT [34.34 microg/mL] revealed that mBME strongly scavenged the free-radicals and thus possessed an efficient antioxidant propensity. These results concluded that B. monnieri having strong antioxidant activity exerted a protective effect against morphine-induced cerebellar toxicity

Effect of fasting on serum lithium levels: an experimental study in animal models

Muslims throughout the world observe dawn to dusk fast in the month of Holy Ramadan. This study aims to investigate the effect of fasting on serum lithium levels in an animal model under typical conditions of Ramadan. Animals were categorized into oral and intraperitoneal groups. Each group was divided into fasting and non fasting groups along with their controls having six animals each. Mean serum lithium levels of non-fasting and fasting rats were assessed. Mean serum lithium levels of oral non-fasting rats was 0.23 +/- 0.004 mequiv/L, [n=6] compared to oral fasting rats 0.20 +/- 0.002 mequiv/L, [n=6] mean difference=0.003. The mean difference between mean serum lithium level of intraperitoneal non fasting [0.246 +/- 0.015 mequiv/L, n = 6] and intraperitoneal fasting rats [0.206 +/- 0.020 mequiv/L, n = 6] was 0.02. These differences were statistically non significant [P>0.05]. The mean serum lithium is not grossly affected by fasting in rats under 25degreeC and fasting for almost 12 hours which is consistent with a previous clinical study. Lithium can be used by fasting bipolar patients but, will require careful supervision.

Effect of ajuga bracteosa on some of the biochemical parameters in rabbits

Crude powder as well as the ethanolic extract of Ajuga bracteosa were given dialy orally to rabbits for a period of 4 days. Highly significant increase in the serum cholesterol, total lipid and glucose level was observed in case of both powder and the extract. The effect of powder on these parameters was more pronounced as compared to the ethanolic extract. Serum total protein, uric acid, urea and enzymes ALT and AST showed a remarkable decrease after the treatment of rabbits