An evaluation of the protective role of Ficus racemosa Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy with neurodegeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Ficus racemosa (FR) is one of the herbs mentioned in the scriptures of the Ayurveda as Udumbara with high medicinal value. The objective of this study was to estimate the protective effect of FR against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic neuropathy with neurodegeneration (DNN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats with STZ and were divided into six groups namely diabetic vehicle control, FR (four) and glibenclamide (one) treated rats; while one group was of normal control rats. After the 4(th) week of diabetes, induction treatment was started for further 28 days (5(th) to 8(th) week) with FR aqueous extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). Investigation of DNN was carried out through biochemical and behavioral parameter assessment in rats. RESULTS: Study showed a significant fall in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose level by the treatment of FR in diabetic rats. Antioxidant potential of FR showed a great rise in superoxide dismutase, catalase content and reduction observed in serum nitrite level; while significant fall in lipid peroxidation level and of C-reactive protein was observed in FR treated diabetic rats. Further FR treated diabetic rats also showed marked improvement in tail flick latency, pain threshold, the rise in locomotion and fall latency period. CONCLUSION: Treatment with FR shows protection in the multiple pathways of DNN by improving blood glucose, HbA1c, biochemical, and behavioral parameters, which suggest the protective role of FR in the reversal of DNN.

Effect of moxifloxacin administration on pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid in rats

Pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid as a single drug (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly) and its co-administration with moxifloxacin (5 mg/kg, intramuscularly) in wistar rats were studied. The plasma drug concentration of tolfenamic acid was assayed by LC-MS/MS. Following intramuscular administration of tolfenamic acid as single drug and in combination with moxifloxacin in male rats, the mean values of observed peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), area under plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC(0-¥) ), volume of distribution (Vz), half-life (t½) and clearance (Cl) were 4111.44 ± 493.15 and 3837.69 ± 351.83 ng/ml, 20280.77 ± 3501.67 and 15229.18 ± 678.80 ng.h/ml, 822.17 ± 115.38 and 1249.64 ± 139.52 ml, 2.59 ± 0.16 and 3.27 ± 0.32 hr, and 218.39 ± 25.47 and 265.18 ± 11.36 ml/hr, respectively. The peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in female rats compared to male rats. The volume of distribution (Vz) of the drug was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in moxifloxacin-treated male rats compared to female rats. Concomitant administration of moxifloxacin may alter the disposition of tolfenamic acid in male rats.

Comparative evaluation of phenobarbital-induced CYP3A and CYP2H1 gene expression by quantitative RT-PCR in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks.

The present work was to study induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and CYP2H1 gene by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative RTPCR in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks. Out of 18 chicks total 3 from each group (Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn) were treated intraperitoneal with phenobarbital at the dose rate of 12 mg/100 g (body weight) while the control group was treated with the saline. Total RNA was extracted from the liver samples using Tri Reagent based method. First strand cDNA was synthesized using one step RT-PCR kit. The PCR was performed and the product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. Quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to quantify gene expression level of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes. Relative expression ratio of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes was calculated using relative expression software tool (REST). It was found that CYP3A is up regulated by factor of 1.34, 14.51 and 1.00 in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks, respectively. In Bantam and Bantamized White Leghorn chicks CYP2H1 gene was up regulated by factor 1.50 and 80.87, respectively but down regulated by a factor of 1.97 in White Leghorn chicks. The PCR efficiency ranged from 1.30 to 1.70, 0.86 to 1.70 and 0.91 to 1.58 for CYP3A, CYP2H1 and beta-actin, respectively in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks.