Ginkgo biloba normalises stress-elevated alterations in brain catecholamines, serotonin and plasma corticosterone levels.

Stress and depression and associated mental health problems have increased tremendously in modern times. The search for effective and safe alternatives from natural sources especially plant products should, therefore, continue. Forced immobilization is one of the best explored models of stress in rats and the role of corticosterone, serotonin and catecholamines, i.e. norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) is well documented. Numerous studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and utility in cerebrovascular insufficiency and impaired cerebral performance. We investigated the effect of G. biloba on whole brain catecholamine, serotonin and plasma corticosterone levels following 1, 2 and 4 h restraint stress using HPLC and also plasma corticosterone using luminescence spectrophotometry. G. biloba extract (14 mg/kg p.o.) restored restraint stress-induced elevation in whole brain levels of catecholamines (NE, DA), 5-HT and plasma corticosterone to near normal levels. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical potential of this encouraging lead in the management of stress and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Augmentation of non-specific immunity in mice by gold preparations used in traditional systems of medicine.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Gold preparations are highly valued in Indian systems of medicine and extensively used for tonic and rejuvenating properties. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Ayurvedic gold preparation Swarna Bhasma (SB) and Unani preparation Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK) on non-specific immunity in mice. A gold-containing drug auranofin (AN) used in modern medicine was studied for comparison. METHODS: Male mice were administered with the incremental doses of these drugs orally for 10 days. Parameters of study included body weight, organ weight, peritoneal exudate cell (PEC) counts and phagocytic activity of PEC. RESULTS: Both test drugs (KTK and SB) significantly (P < 0.001) increased counts of peritoneal macrophages and stimulated phagocytic index of macrophages. AN elicited a suppressive action on these parameters. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Traditional preparations of gold exhibited immunostimulant activity on macrophage functions in contrast to immunosuppressive effects of AN. This is an interesting observation and gives a rational basis to the claims of efficacy and safety of gold when used in calcined forms.

Immunomodulatory activity of a Unani gold preparation used in Indian system of medicine.

Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK), a gold preparation used in Unani-Tibb is claimed to possess general tonic, anti-infective and rejuvenating properties. We evaluated immunomodulatory activity of KTK in male mice. KTK was orally administered to animals at dosage of 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. for 10 days. Beside general immunopathological parameters, cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by measuring delayed type of hypersensitivity response (DTH) while humoral immunity was assessed using plaque forming cell (PFC) assay. KTK augmented both the immune responses at dose levels of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg. The optimum activities were recorded at 25 mg/kg. High dose of 50 mg/kg showed suppressive effects on immune functions. The modulatory effects may be attributed to the interactions of gold with herbomineral adjuncts incorporated during the specialized ashing techniques used in the preparation. The results are interesting in view of reported suppressive effects of other gold preparations.

Immunology--tenth international congress. 1-6 November 1998, New Delhi, India.

This report provides selective coverage of this meeting. Over 2000 participants (including some Nobel laureates) from 67 countries attended. Among these was a significant number from Eastern European countries. This report focuses primarily on DNA vaccines and conventional vaccine development, as well as drug development. It also covers some of the plenary lectures that were delivered by immunology luminaries. The overall focus of the meeting centered on developments in the areas of vaccines, HIV and immune mechanisms. A significant number of presentations concentrated on tumor immunology and immunotherapy. Immunomodulation was another area of major discussion. With such a large, well-attended meeting, it is difficult to provide coverage for each of the speakers in a particular section, and the omissions are unintentional.

Analgesic activity of gold preparations used in Ayurveda & Unani-Tibb.

Calcined gold preparations, Ayurvedic Swarna Bhasma (SB) and Unani Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK) were investigated for analgesic effects in rats and mice using four types of noxious stimuli. Auranofin (AN) used in modern medicine was also studied for comparisons. The test drugs SB and KTK (25-50 mg/kg, p.o.) and AN (2.5-5.0 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited analgesic activity against chemical (acetic acid induced writhing), electrical (pododolorimeter), thermal (Eddy's hot plate and analgesiometer) and mechanical (tail clip) test. While the analgesic effects of SB and KTK could be partly blocked by pretreatment with naloxone (1-5 mg/kg, i.p.,--15 min), such antagonism was not discernible with AN at the doses used. Involvement of opioidergic mechanism is suggested for the observed analgesic activity.

Central nervous system studies on an ethanol extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes.

An ethanol extract of Acorus calamus rhizomes was screened for CNS effects using a battery of 20 tests in rats and mice. The extract exhibited a large number of actions similar to alpha-asarone (an active principle of A. calamus) but differed from the latter in several other respects including the responses to electroshock, apomorphine- and isolation-induced aggressive behaviour, amphetamine toxicity in aggregated mice, behavioural despair syndrome in forced swimming, etc. These differences could be due to chemical substances yet to be isolated from the plant extract.

Elementology of infectious diseases.

This article reviews the available literature on medical elementology in relation to epidemiology and also discusses its research potentialities for development.

Unani Joshandah drugs for common cold, catarrh, cough and associated fevers.

Joshandah, polypharmaceutical herbal preparations, are used in the form of a sweetened decoction for the treatment of common cold, catarrh, cough and associated fevers in Unani (Greco-Arab) medicine. The rationale of their therapeutic efficacy is discussed in the light of reported chemico-pharmacological properties of the ingredients.

Effect of alkaloids of Solanum melongena on the central nervous system.

Crude alkaloidal fraction isolated from the leaves of Solanum melongena was screened for its effects on the central nervous system. It exhibited significant analgesic effect and some CNS depression but no anticonvulsant action. The analgesic effects were of non-narcotic type. LD50 was estimated to be higher than 1 g/kg i.p. in mice.

Sartan (cancer) and its treatment in Unani Medicine.

The knowledge of Sartan (cancer) in the Unani (Greco-Arabian) systems of medicine can be traced to ancient times (131-200 A.D.). Like all other diseases its etiology has also been attributed to the combustion and imbalance of certain humors in the body. Unani simples-plants, animals and minerals-and formulations used for the treatment of the disease have been tabulated with recipes, methods of preparation, doses (wherever available) and modes of administration. The claims have been reviewed in the light of research work conducted in India during the last three decades.