Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicological Studies

1-18

Authors: Rambir Singh

The history of sexual medicine and management of male sexual dysfunction (MSD) is as old as human civilization. The modern life styles and environmental conditions have increased prevalence of MSD with age. To address this problem a number of therapeutic strategies including the use of medicinal plants have been advocated for management of MSD.Large numbers of research papers regarding aphrodisiac activity of medicinal plants have been published in past few years. This review compiles data on the potential aphrodisiac activity of medicinal plants possessing effective dose of less than equal to 200 mg/kgbw or equivalent. The toxicity studies and phytochemical data available for the active extract or active plant part have also been incorporated in this review.Data regarding plant part, dose, animal model, compounds isolated and mechanism of aphrodiasic activity was tabulated.Medicinal plants possess an untapped source of aphrodisiac molecules. The review identified that Bryonia laciniosa, Caesalpinia benthamiana, Ferula harmonis, Montanoa tementosa, Syzygium aromaticum, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Spilanthes acmella, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Turnera diffusa, and Tribulus terrestris plants possess potential aphrodisiac activity. The safety in long term usage and low cost may be added advantage associated with use of herbal aphrodisiacs

1-6

Authors: Mirza Atif Beg

Pharmaco-epidemiological studies in allergic skin conditions are very few. To analyzeand assess, common allergic skin conditions and drug prescribing patterns to increase the rational prescribing.Prescriptions of 450 patients attending dermatology OPD of SGRRIM&HS, Dehradun were evaluated, for common skin conditions and drug utilization pattern for 6 monthsfrom January 2013 to June 2013using WHO drug use indicators.A total of 450 prescriptions were analyzed, male: female ratio was 1:1.09, mean age of the patients 30.29±1.24yrs, 380 (84.45%) belongs to middle socio-economic group and 103 (22.89%) patients had h/o allergic diseases. Disease pattern observed in this study were contact dermatitis 203 (45.11%), urticaria 147 (32.67%), atopic dermatitis 100 (22.22%) respectively. Total 1255 drugs were used, oral formulations 680 (54.18%), topical 575 (45.82%), FDCs (fixed dose combination) 466 (37.13%), 2.79 drugs/prescription were prescribed. Antihistaminic 234 (34.41%) were most commonly used oral drug, 466 (81.04%), topical drugs were prescribed mostly as combination of steroids, antifungal and antibiotics. Antifungals 45 (41.28%) were the most frequent single topical preparations used. All the drugs were prescribed by brand names. Though, dose/strength for topical drugs was inadequately mentioned but chances of error were negligible as the brand had availability in single dose/strength in pharmacy. It is the need of the time, prescribers should be made aware of the demerits of irrational prescribing and they should be cautious and vigilant whenever prescribing FDCs

1-8

Authors: Mishra Pankaj

In the substituted Cinnoline Imidazole series, the compounds which are halogen mainly Chloro Substituted were showed potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal activity than other compounds. However Methyl substituted compound also showedmore potent antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory activity

1-6

Authors: Anisha Prasad

Hyperglycemia, ahallmark of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus(T2DM),is responsible for hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress andvarious diabetic related complications. Management aims at minimizingdiabetic complications by maintaining near euglycemia.Neonatal Wistar Rats (n = 70, 4-5 days old) were divided into seven groups. All groups except Group I controlswere fed aHigh Fat Diet (HFD)–40% of calories as fat. Group III, IV and Vwere injected single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)(40mg/kg) to induceT2DM.Group IVand VIwere supplemented with 4μg/kgof Chromium Histidinate (CrHis) whereas Group V and VII received 8μg/kg ofCrHisBW/d for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks the effectof CrHis on glucose, serum lipid and MDAwereinvestigated.Serumglucose showed mildhyperglycemia in Group II and III compared to Group I controlratsand also elevation of insulinlevelsin Group IIrats. Group VIIratsonadministration of 8 μg CrHis,showed significant decrease in serum glucosevalues ascompared to Group VIratson 4 μg CrHis. Triglyceride (TG)rich lipoproteins were significantly lowered in Group IIratson HFD compared to Group I Controls(p<0.05). Group V and VII rats on 8 μg CrHis showed lower levelsof TG and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL)compared to Group IV and VIrats on 4μg CrHis (p<0.05).The plasma MDA level was elevated in the stress induced rats in Group II and III but normalized to baseline when CrHis was administered.CrHiscontrols hyperglycemia, improveslipid profile and reduces oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetes model in rats.

1-6

Authors: Muhammad Sarwar

Dengue fever also known as break-bone fever has emerged as a worldwide problem afflicting millions of people each year in tropical and subtropical regions.Dengue viral infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito and the symptoms appear on anaverage of 4-7 days after an infective bite of vector.The dengue virus of the genus Flavivirus,is a tiny spherical structure that can only replicate inside a host organism and comprising four types of viruses called serotypes due to different interactions with the antibodies in human blood serum.The present paper highlights the approaches having the potential to greatly reduce the global burden of this disease that solely depends on adoption of effective control measures, and its prevention and control.Urbanization, rapid movement of peoples and goods, favorable climatic conditions and lack of trained staff all have contributed to the global increase of dengue.Typical dengue is fatal in less than 1% of case,and for helping in its recovery, healthcare experts recommend to take medicine to reduce fever.Dengue controlstrategy supports an integrated approach to sustain control measures, vector management and coordinated action among multi-sectoral partners at all levels. Its leading rule is to synchronize prevention, entomological and epidemiological surveillances, and case management within existing health systems, making sure that efforts to control disease are coherent, ecologically sound, cost-effective and sustainable

1-6

Authors: Hanumantharayappa B

Hyperuricemia, with or without arthralgia, is the main adverse effects of pyrazinamide, a first line anti-TB drug. Hyperuricemia may lead to non-compliance to therapy, monitoring of uric acid and symptoms of arthralgia are necessary for patient compliance. A prospective open study was conducted on patients diagnosed with TB and were initiated with intensive phase of anti-tubercular treatment. Blood was withdrawn at 0, 2, and at 8thweek to estimate serum uric acid level. Arthralgia was assessed and recorded during the same period. Uric acid levels were increased by the end of 2nd week. The observed mean serum uric acid at 0th week was 5.1 mg/dl which increased to 6.8 mg/dl and 6.6 mg/dl at 2Nd and 8thweek, respectively. 48.72% patients showed 25-50% increase in the uric acid level. 41.02% patients showed an increase in serum uric acid level beyond normal range (>7 mg/dl) and increased uric acid levels in 41.02% patients from 2ndand 8thweek was non-significant. Despite an increase in serum uric acid levels beyond the normal range, arthralgia was not seen in TB patients who were on DOTS. thus, it is concluded that thrice weekly regimen of pyrazinamide is safe and effective therapy for treatment of TB.

1-4

Authors: Sridevi G

Brassica oleracea,cabbage Name from French,caboche meaning head,grows well in cool climates. It has been used in salads, vegetable. In the titled research pet.ether and aqueous extract of B. oleracea was initially tested for the type of phytoconstitutents and then the extract was standardized for the marker compound. Animal studies were carried out by application of standardized extract to the shaved dorsal skin of albino rats. Histomorphometric analysis was employed to study induction of the hair follicle cycle. To determine the effect of extract on the telogen to anagen transition, the protein expression levels of β-catenin and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in hair follicles were determined by immunohistochemistry. We observed that pet.ether B. oleracea extract promoted hair growth by inducing the anagen phase Specificallythe histomorphometric analysis data indicates that topical application of the extract in gel form induced an earlier anagen phase and prolonged the mature anagen phase, in contrast to control and 1% minoxidil treated group. Results also exposed the increase in both the numbers and size of hair follicles of the extracttreated group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis reveals earlier induction of β-catenin and Shh proteins in hair follicles of the extract-treated group, compared to the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group.

1-6

Authors: Anant V Bhandarkar

Valeriana jatamansi Jones.,(Family-valerianaceae) is a perennial herb or under shrub with a short, often strong smelling root stock. It is widely distributed in the temperate and cold regions of North West himalaya to Bhutan at altitude of 1200-3000m. The objective of the study was to test the anxiolytic effect of Valeriana jatamansi Jones.,grown in India and Pakistan. Petroleum ether extract of both accessions were evaluated using ambulatory activity, elevated plus maze, spontaneous locomotor activity, motor coordination activity and sodium thiopental induced sleep in mice at dose of 75, 150 and 300 mg/ kg. Both the extract produced significant and dose dependent activity in the ambulatory and elevated plus maze test.The spontaneous locomotor activity count, measured using an actophotometer, was significantly decreased in animals at 120 min after administration of extract in both accessions. None of the extracts produced skeletal muscle relaxant effect assessed by rotarod test. Both extract produced a significant and dose dependent lengthening in the time of sodium thiopental sleep with the Pakistan valerian extract being more potent than Indian valerian.Thus we may conclude that, Pakistan valerian possess high anxiolytic potentials than Indian valerian

1-6

Authors: Muhammad Sarwar

Over the past some years, there has been an impressive globalize increase in the frequency and epidemic of dengue fever. Biologically dengue virus belonging to the genus Flavivirus has four closely related but antigenically distinct serotypes, which are highly adapted and maintained to their Aedesmosquito species responsible for their transmission. Presently, due to the nonexistence of an effectual tetravalent vaccine or drug, the only strategic options available to reduce dengue viral transmission are case management to prevent human death and vector control. Because dengue is a global concern, based on extensive research, the new worldwide strategy for its prevention and control is to reduce the burden of dengue that solely depends on effective vector control measures. The purpose of this article is to provide specific guidelines and standardized procedures for the control of dengue fever virus carrying mosquitoes Aedes aegyptiand Aedes albopictus(Diptera:Culicidae). This strategy supports an integrated approach to vector management, sustained control measures and coordinated action among multi-sectoral partners at all levels. Present document providesdirections at household,small-scale and large-scale field levels to determine the application and operational feasibility for the control of dengue fever vectors .

1-6

Authors: Kesha S Vaidya

To evaluate analgesic activity of herbal formulation „triphala‟ and compare it with paracetamol by using Eddy‟s hot plate and writhing test in mice.Albino mice were divided into three groups of 6 each for both tests. Triphala(1 gm/kg/body wieght) and Paracetamol(1.45 mg/20 gm of mice) made as suspensions prepared in 2% carboxy methyl cellulose (control) and were fed to mice orally. In Eddy‟s hot plate method, pain tolerance was recorded at baseline and then at every 30 minutes for 4 hours after drug administration. In writhing test, after 30 minutes of drug administration, the animals were treated with 0.6% acetic acid intraperitoneally and number of writhings was counted for 5 min and results were compared.In Eddy‟s hot plate method, triphala showed analgesic activity 30 minutes after drug administration with mean pain tolerance time of 10.88±1.57 seconds(P<0.05), while paracetamol showed analgesic activity at 120 minutes with pain tolerance time 11.18±2.55 (P<0.05) compared to baseline. Effectswere lasting for 210 minutes in triphala group and for >240 min in paracetamol group. In writhing test, triphala showed significant analgesic activity(26.33±3.38, p<0.05)while paracetamol did not show significant analgesic activity(29.17±3.43, p>0.05)compared with control in 5 minute writhing count. Comparison between the two drugs, did not show any statistical difference(P>0.05) in both models.Triphala has immediate onset and short duration analgesic effect while Paracetamol has late onset with longer duration of action as analgesic. Triphala could be effective analgesic in visceral pain as shown in writhing test.

1-10

Authors: Vandana M Thorat

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibits the synthesis and release of dopamine (DA) from rat nigrostriatal neurons. Fluoxetine, a bicyclic antidepressant, enhances serotonergic neurotransmission through potent and selective inhibition of neuronal reuptake of 5-HT. The present study was undertaken to determine whether fluoxetine, through its 5-HT neuronal reuptake inhibiting action, modulates the intensity of the behaviours dependent on the functional status of the nigrostriatal DAergic system.The effect of pretreatment with fluoxetine on dexamphetamine and apomorphine stereotypies of the oral movement variety and on catalepsy induced by haloperidol and small dose of apomorphine was studied in rats. We have also investigated whether fluoxetine induces catalepsy in rats. Our results, that fluoxetine at 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg ip neither induced catalepsy nor antagonised apomrphine stereotypy, indicate that fluoxetine at these doses does not block the postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 DA receptors. It also indicates fluoxetine at 5, 10, 20 mg/kg increase 5-HT neurotransmission by SSRI mechanism and doesnot exert an inhibitory effect at or beyond the postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1, DA receptor sites. Fluoxetine at 5, 10, 20 mg/kg doses increase 5-HT neurotransmission through serotonin SSRI mechanism, inhibit synthesis and release of DA from the nigrostriatal DAergic neurons and thus potentiate catalepsy induced by haloperidol and small dose apomorphine. But, however 10 and 20 mg/kg ip fluoxentine potentiate dexamphetamine stereotypy.

1-5

Authors: Amit Singh

Ginkgo biloba extract was evaluated for prophylactic value against renal ischemia-reperfusion induced oxidant stress in rat subjected to transient unilateral renal artery ligation. Oral Ginkgo biloba treatment (2mg/kg) was administered by different schedule before experimental induction of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Malondialdehyde has been taken as indicator for free radical damage produced by ischemia-reperfusion injury.Three hour pretreatment by the drug has most prominent inhibitory effect on consequent tissue and plasma malondialdehyde level of lipid peroxidation. Further, the relative inhibition of malondialdehyde level in tissue and plasma allow to infer drug effect on generation, but not the clearance of malondialdehyde. No significant difference of outcome from 1, 2 and 3 days treatment indicate no cumulation and thus safety in that respect.Ginkgo biloba treatment appears both effective and safe for prophylaxis of reperfusion injury following ischemia catastrophies

1-6

Authors: Muhammad Sarwar

Malaria is a major public health issue in many regions of the world and is transmitted to the human by the bite of the infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It isa major health problem that particularly causes considerable morbidity and mortality in humans. Symptoms of malaria are nighttime fevers, chills, body aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting and general uneasiness that can range from mild to severe condition. This article provides information on the risks, symptoms and treatment of disease, and general preventative measures against mosquitoes. The risk of disease increases during wet seasons when accumulated water causes mosquitoes to breed. Blocking the transmission of the parasite from patient to patient is a key to the malaria eradication. The mosquitoes which drive parasite transmission are key targets for interventions of adopting vector control measures. One important control strategy against this mosquito borne malaria disease is the mosquito control, which aims to reduce human-mosquito contact. Different control measures can be used routinely against mosquitoes and their larvae including chemical (insecticide), biological (larvivorous fish or pathogenic fungi), environmental (land filling or drainage) and personal protection (mosquito repellents formulated as pills, coils, ointments, lotions, and sprays; and insecticide-treated or untreated bed nets). For adults’vector control, certain tools such as indoor spraying and space spraying, both alone and in combination, are the key factors. Thisinformation generated will ensure the sustainability of the vector control strategy to avoid increased malaria threatens.

1-11

Authors: J K Lalla

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are acute febrile diseases, found in the tropics, with a geographical spread similar to malaria.Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. It is transmitted to humans by the mosquito.The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people –over 40% of the world's population –are now at risk from dengue. WHO currently estimates there may be 50–100 million dengue infections worldwide every year.The rapidly expanding global footprint of Dengue is a public health challenge with an economic burden that is currently unmet by licensed vaccines,specific therapeutic agents or vector control strategies.This review highlights current understanding of dengue, including its clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnostic tests, its management & prevention

1-6

Authors: N Lakshmi Bhavani

The present paper deals with study of In-vitro cytotoxicity effect of isolated gossypol from Bt and Non-Bt cotton seeds on HeLa cell lines. Gossypol is a polyphenolic binaphthyl diadehyde natural yellow colored pigment. It is not only resistance substance for cotton plant’s self –defense system against insect pests and possibly some diseases but also an important phytochemical compound of immense interest due to its several biological properties including anti-cancer,anti-HIV,anti-oxidation, antimicrobial and as male contraceptive. During this study gossypol exhibited broad spectrum of anti-cancer activity against the HeLa cell lines. The cytotoxicity effect of gossypol was detemined by MTT (3-(4-,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-dipheniltetrazolium bromide) assay. Gossypol from Bt and Non-Bt cotton seeds has shown dose dependent cytotoxicity effect against HeLa cell lines. In-vitro screening of the gossypol showed potential cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines. Mortality rate of 11.5884% and 22.6058% with 3μg/1μl concentration of isolated gossypol from Bt and Non-Bt cotton seed extracts was observed on HeLa cell lines respectively. Hence the inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) was fixed at 3μg/1μl of gossypol for HeLa cells.The standard anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin (1mg/ml) was also used in this study to confirm anti-cancer activity of gossypol isolated from Bt and Non-Bt cotton seed with 1.7828% cell viability. The present study confirms the mild toxic effect of gossypol onHeLa cell lines and can preferably be used as anti-cancerous drug in combination with other natural similar compounds to replace the synthetic chemical drugs for fewer side effects

1-8

Authors: Brindha Durairaj

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Penicillium notatumand further characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopyto support the nanoparticles biosynthesis by fungi. The synthesized AgNPs were further investigated for its antibacterial and larvicidal activity in mosquitoes. AgNPs treatment caused considerable mortality rate against 2ndand 3rdinstar larvae of Culixquinquefasciatus after 24 hours exposure. However, higher concentration of AgNPs was required to induce mortality against 3rdinstar than 2ndinstar. In general, lipid and protein contents were found to be reduced in larval tissues after AgNPs treatment; whereas level of carbohydrate was found to be increased. AgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium andSalmonella shigella. Characterization studies reveal that Penicillium notatum biologicallysynthesizedsilver nanoparticles by reducing silver nitrate into nanosized silver ions. It can be concluded that rapid synthesis of fungi based silver nanoparticles will be helpful in developing a biological process for mosquito control using nanotechnology.