Evaluation of antiallergic activity (type I hypersensitivity) of Inula racemosa in rats.

Alcoholic extract of root of Inula racemosa, was studied for its antiallergic effect in experimental models of type I hypersensitivity, viz. egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and mast cell degranulation in albino rats. The alcoholic extract was prepared by the process of continuous heat extraction. LD50 of this extract was found to be 2100 +/- 60 mg/kg, i.p. Assessment of protection against egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxix by different doses of Inula racemosa was done by giving drug intraperitoneally or orally for seven days or once only. Mast cell degranulation studies were done by using compound 48/80 as degranulation agent with same dosage schedule. Inula racemosa (i.p. as well as p.o.) showed significant protection against egg albumin induced PCA. Protection against compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation by alcoholic extract of Inula racemosa (single dose) was similar to that of disodium cromoglycate. The seven days drug treatment schedule showed greater protection than disodium cromoglycate intraperitoneally. The results suggest that Inula racemosa possesses potent antiallergic properties in rats.

Quantification of behaviour in social colonies of rhesus monkey.

It is necessary to use experimental animals with behavioural, physiological and disease susceptibility pattern similar to man so that the results have a clinical predictive value. For such studies the non-human primate is the animal of choice. Rhesus monkey is a good choice for this purpose but information about its behaviour is fragmentary. In order to obtain a quantitative baseline data for psychopharmacological studies, a protocol has been developed to score various social and solitary behaviours in adult male and female rhesus monkeys. The study was conducted on rhesus monkeys in a social colony of one male and seven female living in a semi-restricted environment. The behavioural patterns were quantitated so as to compare effect on various components of behaviour. Aggressiveness and vigilance were prominent in the male while social affiliative behaviour was dominant in the female. Other behavioural responses were of similar magnitude in both sexes. It is however necessary to have data with some standard CNS active agents on these behavioural protocol. Therefore, initially the behavioural effects of amphetamine and haloperidol were studied. Significant effects observed following d-amphetamine (1-4 mg/kg, im); it induced dose dependent suppression of social behaviour (approach, contact, grooming), feeding, hypervigilance, stereotypy and oral hyperkinesia. On the other hand haloperidol (0.01-0.04 mg/kg, im) produced decrease in social and solitary behaviour and marked cataleptic posture. It is possible to quantitate drug effects on various aspects of behaviour of the rhesus monkey and to develop neuropsychitric models with the help of this protocol for use in study of drug effects on behaviour.

Quantitative assessment of amphetamine induced behavioural changes in rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta.

Graded dose of amphetamine (AMP; 1-4 mg/kg, im) induced suppression of approach, contact, body jerk, grooming and food forage, hypervigilance (checking), stereotyped behaviour and oral hyperkinesia in rhesus monkeys. Pretreatment with haloperidol--a dopamine receptor blocking agent (0.04 mg/kg, im)--significantly suppressed the AMP induced hypervigilance, stereotypy and oral hyperkinesia but was unable to reverse other AMP induced behavioural effects in the monkeys. Haloperidol (0.01-0.04 mg/kg, im) per se produced decrease in social and solitary behaviour and marked cataleptic posture. The results suggest that dopamine may be playing an important role in the mediation of many AMP induced behavioural changes in primates.

Central histaminoceptor-adrenoceptor interrelations in the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

Intracerebroventricular administration of adrenaline, noradrenaline phenylephrine, clonidine and histamine produced a significant rise in plasma cortisol concentration whereas isoprenaline had no effect. alpha-Adrenoceptor blockers (yohimbine or piperoxon) per se did not alter the plasma cortisol level. Central pretreatment with yohimbine or piperoxin, blocked the rise in plasma cortisol level induced by icv noradrenaline, phenylephrine and clonidine. In another set of experiments, both H1 and H2 receptor antagonists (mepyramine, and metiamide) per se had not significant effect on plasma cortisol concentration. Central histamine induced rise in plasma cortisol concentration was significantly blocked by icv pretreatment with both H1 and H2 receptor blockers. Furthermore, yohimbine also significantly prevented the rise of plasma cortisol level induced by icv histamine.