Effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Plantago major L. on pentilentetra/ol-induced seizures in male mice

Background and Objective: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. Plantago major [P.major] is used in traditional medicine due to flovonoids and vitamic C and antioxidant properties. This study was done to evaluate the hydro alcoholic extract of Plantago major L. on pentilentetrazol-induced seizures in male mice

Methods: In this experimental study, 50 NMRI male mice randomly allocated into control and four experimental groups. Seizures in animals induced by 60 mg/kg/bw of pentilentetrazol [PTZ], interperitoneally. Animals in experimental groups were received 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg/bw of hydro alcoholic extract of Plantago major L. 30 min before each PTZ injection. The animals in control group were received saline, interperitoneally. After treatment, the behavior of animals during 20 minutes and mortality rate were recorded

Results: Seizure threshold of animals significantly increased in experimental groups which were received 50, 25, 10 mg/kg/bw of P.major extract in comparision with controls [P<0.05]. Mortality rate of animals significantly reduced in experimental groups which were received 50, 25, 10 mg/kg/bw of P, major extract in comparision with controls [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Plantago major L. reduces seizure threshold in pentilentetrazol-induced seizures mice

Biochemical markers in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion

To compare the diagnostic efficiency of adenosine deaminase, isoenzyme adenosine deaminase-2 and concentration of interferon- gamma in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion. The prospective study was done on 103 patients who were divided into 3 groups: tuberculous, non-tuberculous infectious pleurisy, and malignant effusion. The adenosine deaminase, adenosine deaminase-2 and interferon- gamma were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves. There was increase of all three markers in tuberculous pleural effusion but not in nontuberculous effusion. The cut-off values for adenosine deaminase, adenosine deaminase-2 and interferon- gamma were 40, 26 U/l. and 299 pg/ml respectively. Adenosine deaminase, adenosine deaminase-2 activities were significantly higher in tuberculous effusion than in malignant pleural effusion [more than 5 times] and in non-tuberculous infectious pleurisy [more than 4 times]. The median of interferon- gamma concentration in pleural fluid of tuberculous patients was 1514.2 pg/ml [931.2-2187.5pg/ml] which was 10 times more than the median values of other groups of patients. There was no significant difference between patients with malignant effusion and those with non-tuberculous effusion. All three markers had higher diagnostic yield for tuberculous effusion

[Effect of Dextromethorphan on Apomorphine induced licking behavior in rat]

Dextromethorphan is a NMDA receptor antagonist in the glutamatergic system. Currently, there are reports showing that the glutamatergic NMDA receptor mechanism stimulates dopamine release from several brain regions. This effect may modulate the stereotyped behaviors of dopaminergic system. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between dextromethorphan and stereotyped licking behavior in rats. In the present study, effects of dextromethorphan and different dopamine receptor antagonists on apomorphine-induced licking behavior were examined. For the induction of licking, the dose of 0.5 mg/kg, s.c. of apomorphine was used. Dextromethorphan [10-30 mg/kg, i.p.] dependently reduced the licking behavior. Intraperitoneal injection-of dextromethorphan [15 mg/kg, ED50] potentiated the inhibitory effects of low doses of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 [0.00625 and 0.0125 mg/kg, i.p.] and the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, pimozide [0.5-1 mg/kg, i.p]. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of dextromethorphan on apomorphine induced licking behavior is mediated via a doparnine Dl receptor mechanism