ABSTRACT
Present study reports cytological and biochemical changes associated with stress induced neurodegeneration in hippocampal subregion of the brain in animals subjected to physical stressors such as immobilization or swimming stress for specific period of time. Studies also demonstrate neuroprotective activity of herbal extract in brain.
Subject(s)
Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Semecarpus , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Free Radical Scavengers/therapeutic use , Male , Neurodegenerative Diseases/chemically induced , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Stress, Physiological/chemically induced , SwimmingABSTRACT
Comparative study of the antiulcer and antisecretory activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatawari) and Withania somnifera Dunal (Ashwagandha) root extract with a standard drug, ranitidine, in various models of gastric ulcer in rats is presented. Ulcer was induced by the indomethacin (NSAID) and swim (restraint) stress treatment. Results demonstrated that A. racemosus as well as W. somnifera methanolic extract (100 mg/kg BW/day p.o.) given orally for 15 days significantly reduced the ulcer index, volume of gastric secretion, free acidity, and total acidity. A significant increase in the total carbohydrate and total carbohydrate/protein ratio was also observed. Study also indicated an increase in antioxidant defense, that is, enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbic acid, increased significantly, whereas a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation was observed. A. racemosus was more effective in reducing gastric ulcer in indomethacin-treated gastric ulcerative rats, whereas W. somnifera was effective in stress-induced gastric ulcer. Results obtained for both herbal drugs were comparable to those of the standard drug ranitidine.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/pharmacology , Asparagus Plant , Oxidants/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Withania , Animals , Catalase/metabolism , Female , Gastrointestinal Contents/drug effects , Indomethacin/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/enzymology , Male , Peptic Ulcer/prevention & control , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Superoxide Dismutase/drug effects , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
Brain, liver, kidney and muscles demonstrate significant changes in essential trace element (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) level in adult female mice given 30, 60 and 120 ppm sodium fluoride (NaF) in drinking water. These changes involve excess removal or accumulation of these trace elements in respective tissues. Changes observed were dose dependent and significant at 120 ppm NaF concentration in drinking water.
Subject(s)
Sodium Fluoride/administration & dosage , Trace Elements/analysis , Animals , Female , Mice , Tissue Distribution , Trace Elements/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Light microscopic study of hippocampal sub-regions demonstrated significant number of degenerated nerve cell bodies in the CA3, CA4 and dentate gyrus(Dg) areas of sodium fluoride administered adult female mice. Ultrastructural studies revealed neurodegenrative characteristics like involution of cell membranes, swelling of mitochondria, clumping of chromatin material etc, can be observed in cell bodies of CA3, CA4 and dentate gyrus (Dg). Fluoride intoxicated animals also performed poorly in motor co-ordination tests and maze tests. Inability to perform well increased with higher fluoride concentration in drinking water.
