Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2012 in |
Atherosclerosis involves disturbances in endothelium and the resultant cascade of inflammatory reactions involving generation of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g (PPAR-g) receptors are more expressed during atherosclerosis process and its stimulation results in inhibition of formation of atherosclerotic plaque. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) stimulates GSH (glutathione) formation and thus helps in scavenging ROS. Thus, the purpose of present study is to explore the role of PPAR-g agonist (pioglitazone) and N-acetylcysteine in atherosclerosis. Endothelial injury in hyper-lipidemic rat was produced in the femoral artery. The effect of chronic treatment of pioglitazone, N-acetylcysteine and their combination was evaluated by measuring serum HDL, LDL, triglyceride, total cholesterol and lesion index. Pioglitazone and N-acetylcysteine treated rats showed higher levels of HDL and lower levels of LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol as compared to model control animals (diet + endothelial injury model). Combination of both pioglitazone and N-acetylcysteine produced synergistic action with respect to lipid level. N-acetylcysteine treated animals showed high GSH levels in the liver. Femoral artery lesion index was significantly less in...
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Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2012 in |
Screening is important in investigating antimicrobial activities of bacteria in a quest to discover new antimicrobials. Various protocols are readily available and employed by researchers worldwide studying microbiostatic and microbicidal activities of bacterial. This research therefore aims at evaluating available protocols and suggesting a standardized model. For the purpose of these research, antimicrobial ability of Aeromonas spp isolated from estuary was investigated using agar well diffusion method, deferred method and agar disc diffusion method respectively. Result obtained reveals that five isolates were positive to antimicrobial production among fifteen bacteria screened. Result was depended on the protocol utilized. Agar well diffusion produced a visible result when compared to others. Next to this was agar disc method. Deferred method involving both cross streaking and spot on lawn could not produce result as of swarming nature of the positive isolates tested. Based on our results, protocols utilized were grouped into preliminary screening test (PST) and confirmatory tests (CT) respectively. Preliminary screening protocol (PST) consists of deferred method – perpendicular cross streaking and...
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Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2012 in |
Phytochemical investigations of tuber extracts and evaluation of the hydro-distilled essential oil, obtained from Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae Family) growing wild in Isfahan Province (Iran) were studied. Phytochemical surveys revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and essential oils. Chemical composition of dried tubers essential oil was also analyzed by GC/MS. Sixty natural compounds consisting 95.8% of the total components were identified from the essential oil obtained with a yield of 0.2% (w/w). Sesquiterpene compounds have been found to occur in largest amount in the oil. Among the oil constituents, cyperene (16.9%), caryophyllene oxide (8.9%), α-longipinane (8.4%) and β-selinene (6.6%) were the major...
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Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2012 in |
The present study was designed to evaluate antihyperglycemic and analgesic effects of ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula (CF) stem barks in rats and mice, respectively. The analgesic effect of extract was evaluated by acetic acid induced writhing test method while antihyperglycemic effect was investigated by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg, i. p.) and metformin (150 mg/kg, p. o.) were used as reference drugs for comparison. The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood sugar level in alloxan induced diabetic (hyperglycaemic) and glucose induced hyperglycemic (normo-hyperglycaemic) rats orally at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively. The glucose tolerance results showed significant (p<0.05) improved at the dose 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight (b. wt.) of ethanolic extract respectively. On the Other hand, the analgesic activity of extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg dose level were produced 45% and 62% writhing inhibitory response but diclofenac was observed 82% of that when compared to control group. The plant’s extract produced...
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Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2012 in |
Emblica officinalis (EO) a native plant of India is used in a variety of conditions and to treat a host of ailments besides being a rich source of Vitamin C. The efficacy of this fruit powder administered orally in lead induced toxicity was investigated in rats. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes of lead induced and treated rats were studied in liver and kidney. The changes observed in toxic conditions were reverted to near normal values in the tissues under study thereby confirming the potential antioxidant effect of EO fruits against lead induced...
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