Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2015 in |
The pharmacological activity of Withenia somnifera commonly called Ashwagandha, a herb having multi-medicinal properties, was investigated against carbofuran exposed hepatic anomalies in the air breathing fish Clarias batrachus. Fishes were exposed to 1 mg/L carbofuran for three weeks to induce the toxic effects. These fishes were then fed with Withenia somnifera root extract mixed pelleted feed @ 10% of the total feed ingredients for the next 6th and 8th week respectively. The histopathological examination of hepatic tissues was done on light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Major changes attributed to the hepatic cells after carbofuran treatment showed irregular shape of hepatic cells, increased sinusoidal spaces, rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretary granules, dilated mitochondrial cristae and presence of kupffer cells. Amoeboid nucleus with increased heterochromatin material, granular nucleoplasm and enlargement of nucleolus, were some of the prominent histopathological alteration in the liver tissue after carbofuran toxicity at transmission electron microscope (TEM) level. The histopathological examination of liver cell of carbofuran exposed fish followed by administration of W.somnifera root extract mixed pelleted...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2015 in |
Introduction: A bidirectional relationship exists between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression. There is dearth of research on comparative suitability of different antidepressants in people with T2DM and depression. Aim: To compare the effects of Escitalopram and Agomelatine on glycemic control and symptoms of depression in patients with T2DM and depression. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, open label, parallel groups study. Patients diagnosed as T2DM with moderate to severe depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Score ≥ 14) were randomized to receive either Escitalopram (10 mg daily) or Agomelatine (25 mg daily) along with antidiabetic agents as per American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2013 guidelines. Depression was assessed using HDRS and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results: Escitalopram group showed a significant reduction in FBG and HbA1Cvalues as compared to Agomelatine group at 1 and 2 months. HDRS scores of Escitalopram group were significantly lower than Agomelatine group at 1 and 2 months (8.85 ± 5.86 and15.6 ± 2.5 respectively). Similarly, Escitalopram group showed significantly lower MADRS...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2015 in |
Turmeric is a spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Turmeric constituents include the three curcuminoids: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane; the primary constituent and responsible for its vibrant yellow color), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, as well as volatile oils (tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone), sugars, proteins, and resins. In the Ayurvedic tradition, turmeric, or “haldi” as it is known in Hindi. Turmeric is considered to be one of the most important herbs in the ayurvedictradition and used historically as a component of Indian Ayurvedic medicine since 1900 BCE to treat a wide variety of ailments including those of the skin, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems, aches, pains, wounds, sprains, and liver disorders. Extensive research in the latter half of the 20th century has identified curcumin as responsible for most of the biological activity of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer hyperlipidemic, woundhealing and hepato- protective activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies,...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2015 in |
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated chronic intestinal condition. Conventional treatment regimens utilizing corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory and other immunosuppressive therapies have major limitations owing to their associated side effects and compliance issues. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Ficus hispida Linn. in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in suitable experimental animal models (albino rats) in comparison with standard drug. Methods: Healthy albino rats were divided into 6 groups (control, standard & Test I, II & III) of 6 animals each. Colitis was induced by intra-colonic administration of acetic acid under anaesthesia. Then the animals were fed with gum acacia (control), standard drug (sulfasalazine) and test drug (FH) according to their groups. At the end of 14 days, blood sample was collected for serum LDH estimation. The animals were then sacrificed, colon excised and assessed for disease activity index (DAI), colon mucosal damage index (CMDI). Plant extract was also subjected to NO scavenging activity analysis. Results: The results were analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2015 in |
Uvaria afzelii Scott Elliot (Annonaceae) is an African traditional medicinal plant. In Ivory Coast, roots of the plant are commonly used as antiparasitic and against others ailments. During our previous investigation on the roots one 1-indanone derivative was obtained together with other compounds that showing interesting antiprotozoal activities. The aim of this study was to isolate other antiprotozoal compounds. The chloromethylenic extract of the roots was fractionated on silica and Sephadex® LH-20 gels columns chromatography. The new syncarpic acid derivative, bingervone (1), was isolated together with the known compounds, demethoxymatteucinol (2) and emorydone (3). The structures of these compounds were established by NMR, IR, UV and HRESIMS spectroscopic data. Bingervone (1) displayed weak antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes, with a LC100 value of 114.8 µM, and moderated antileishmanial activities against Leishmania donovani and L. major promastigotes, with IC50 values of 38.9 and 44.4 µM, respectively. These antileishmanial activities were in the range of reference drug...
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