• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1993

To elucidate involvement of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, male Sprague-Dawley rats and albino mice of either sex were subjected to a 10-min bilateral carotid artery occlusion and 6-hr recirculation. The McGraw stroke index in mice was markedly inhibited by PAF antagonists, BN 52021 and CV 6209 (1 mg/kg, i.p., each) When they were administered 10 min before bilateral carotid artery occlusion or 1 hr after reperfusion. The increases in brain water content were significantly attenuated by treatment with BN 52021 or CV 6209 in both animals. BN 52021 exhibited a significant improvement in the postischemic blood pressure change in association with a beneficial effect on the delayed dilatation of pial arterioles after 10 min of ischemia. Thus it is suggested that PAF plays an important role as an endogenous mediator in development of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and further, specific antagonists to PAF will be able to prevent or reverse the pathological sequelae of cerebral ischemia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2015

Objectives: Capsaicin (CAP) is the chief pungent principle found in the hot red peppers and the chili peppers that have long been used as spices, food additives and drugs. This study investigated the anticancer potential of CAP through its ability to modify extracellular matrix components and proteases during mice lung carcinogenesis. Methods: Swiss albino mice were treated with benzo(a) pyrene (50 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) orally twice a week for four successive weeks to induce lung cancer at the end of $14^{th}$ week. CAP was administrated (10 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) intraperitoneally. Extracellular matrix components were assayed; Masson's trichome staining of lung tissues was performed. Western blot analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 were also carried out. Results: In comparison with the control animals, animals in which benzo(a)pyrene had induced lung cancer showed significant increases in extracellular matrix components such as collagen (hydroxy proline), elastin, uronic acid and hexosamine and in glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. The above alterations in extracellular matrix components were effectively counteracted in benzo(a)pyrene along with CAP supplemented animals when compared to benzo(a) pyrene alone supplemented animals. The results of Masson's trichome staining for collagen and of, immunoblotting analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 further supported the biochemical findings. Conclusion: The apparent potential of CAP in modulating extracellular matrix components and proteases suggests that CAP plays a chemomodulatory and anti-cancer role working against experimentally induced lung carcinogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.385-391
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• 2002

Panax ginseng (family- Araliaceae) is a native plant of Korea and has been used for past several years among oriental people. To evaluate the radioprotective potential of P. ginseng on the formation of giant cells in the testis of Swiss albino mice, the animals were divided into four groups: -(I)-Only vehicle was administered. (II)P. ginseng treated group: -The animals received 10 mg/kg body weight P. ginseng root extract (in DDW) i.p. continuously for 30 days. (III) Irradiated group: -The animals were exposed to 8 Gy gamma radiation at the dose rate of 1.69 Gy/min at the distance of 80 ems. (IV) Combined treatment group: -Animals were given P. ginseng extract for four days and on fourth day they were irradiated to 8 Gy gamma radiation after 30 minute of extract administration. The animals of these three groups were autopsied on day 1,3, 7, 14 and 30 days. In ginseng treated group, active spermatogenesis was observed without any toxic effect. Histopathological studies of irradiated group (II) revealed reduction in germ cell count, loss of sperms and formation of multinucleated giant cells on day 7th. These giant cells were formed by round nuclei of early or late spermatids. In combination group (III), although germinal epithelium was still disorganized with loss of cells in few tubules, but no giant cell formation was observed. In order to know the mechanism of radioprotection of ginseng, LPO and GSH were estimated. It was observed that pretreated irradiated animals showed inhibition of LPO and increase in GSH. Thus the present study suggests ginseng protects male gonads. This may be attributed to the inhibition of LPO and increase synthesis of GSH byginseng.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2019

Background: Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test. Methods: On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded. Results: Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin. Conclusions: It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2023

Schistosomiasis causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of schistosomula lung antigen preparation (SLAP) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) on a murine schistosomiasis mansoni model. Ninety laboratory-bred male Swiss albino mice were divided into 6 groups. Two doses of the vaccine were given at 2-week intervals. All mice were subcutaneously infected with 80±10 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae 2 weeks after the last vaccination dose. They were sacrificed 7 weeks post-infection. Parasitological and histopathological studies were conducted to assess the effect of inoculated antigens (single or combined). The results showed that the combination of SLAP and SEA (combination group) led to a significant reduction in worm burden (65.56%), and liver and intestine egg count (59% and 60.59%, respectively). The oogram pattern revealed a reduction in immature and mature eggs (15±0.4 and 10±0.8, respectively) and an increased number of dead eggs in the combination group (P<0.001). In terms of histopathological changes, the combination group showed notably small compact fibrocellular egg granuloma and moderate fibrosis in the liver. A high percentage of destroyed ova was observed in the intestine of the combination group. This study demonstrates for the first time the prophylactic effect of combined SLAP and SEA vaccine. The vaccine induced a significant reduction in the parasitological and pathological impacts of schistosomiasis mansoni in hepatic and intestinal tissues, making it a promising vaccine candidate for controlling schistosomiasis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.365-369
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• 2014

Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) has been used traditionally in Ayurveda for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. 3,4-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)furan-2,5-dione (BDFD) was isolated from heart wood of Cedrus deodara and was shown to have antiepileptic and anxiolytic activity. Thus, the present study was aimed to explore its anti-depressant effect and to correlate the effect with serotonin and nor adrenaline levels of brain. Albino mice were used as experimental animal. Animals were divided in to three groups; vehicle control, imipramine (30 mg/kg i.p.), BDFD (100 mg/kg i.p.). Tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) was performed to evaluate antidepressant effect of BDFD. BDFD (100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a significant decrease in immobility time when subjected to FST whereas immobility time was not significantly altered in TST. BDFD treatment increased serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the brain which is indicative of BDFD having possible atypical antidepressant action.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1034-1040
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• 2009

Porin proteins of Gram-negative bacteria are outer membrane proteins that act as receptors for bacteriophages and are involved in a variety of functions like solute transport, pathogenesis, and immunity. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), a Gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of typhoid fever. Porins of S. Typhi have been shown to have a potential role in diagnostics and vaccination. In the present study, the major outer membrane proteins OmpF and OmpC from S. Typhi were cloned in pQE30UA vector and expressed in E. coli. The immunogenic nature of the recombinant porin proteins were evaluated by ELISA by raising hyperimmune sera in Swiss Albino mice with three different adjuvants (i.e., Freund's adjuvant and two human-compatible adjuvants like montanide and aluminium hydroxide gel) and proved to be immunogenic. The recombinant OmpF and OmpC generated in this work may be used for further studies for vaccination and diagnostics.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 1999

'Gunja' is attributable to the plant Abrus precatorius L. (Leguminosae). Three forms with red, brown and another with white seeds are known to occur in this species and are employed for different therapeutic uses viz. as purgative, emetic, aphrodisiac, tonic and also as an abortifacient. According to some Ayurvedic literature the seeds are poisonous and should be given to the patients after proper processing ('Shodhan'). A comparative study of various phytochemical parameters, namely, percentage of successive extractives, total proteins, tannins, total ash and acid insoluble ash of these three forms of the processed (with cow's milk and Kanji) and unprocessed seeds was done. TLC and densitometric scanning of successive extractives was also carried out to serve as markers for processed and unprocessed seeds. The percentage of proteins, tannins, alcohol and water soluble extractives decreased in the processed material. Besides, their acute toxicity, CNS activity were also studied in albino mice and it was found that white seeds are more toxic as compared to the red and brown. The toxic effect was reduced with the processing. Further, the 'Kanji' processed seeds are less toxic than the milk processed one.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.86-95
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• 2006

The ethanol extract of the Crotalaria juncea seeds, which showed promising antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities in albino mice, was taken up further for the isolation of the active fractions present in it. Two fractions that were obtained from thin layer chromatography were subjected for testing to know their antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic activities. After preliminary trials the fraction I showed maximum antifertility activity at the dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight when administered orally to the rats for 50 days. The fraction I was found to affect spermatogenesis as well as the endocrine functions of the testis as indicated by gravimetric, histopathological and biochemical changes. Further this fraction has caused degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of the testis. The accessory reproductive organs like epididymis, seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostrate, Cowper's gland and Levator Ani muscle showed significant malfunction. Cauda epididymal sperm count and sperm motility were reduced significantly. The treatment has also resulted in increase in the cholesterol level and alkaline phosphatase activity, and decrease in protein, glycogen, sialic acid contents and acid phosphatase activity in testis. It is noteworthy that RIA studies have shown significant reduction in serum FSH, LH and testosterone. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed abnormalities in sperm structure.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 1981

The antihypertensive effect of $\alpha-Methyldopa$ administered concurrently with timolol or labetalol were studied with spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Every drugs were administered orally once a day after prechecking the systolic blood pressure and heart rate of SHR. The blood pressure and heart rate of SHR were significantly decreased in groups of combination while those of non-combination groups were fallen slightly. Compared with control group, the significant changes of blood pressure was obseved in group of $\alpha-methyldopa$ with timolol(100mg+2mg/kg)and $\alpha-methyldopa$ with labetalol (100mg+12.5mg/kg). The group of $\alpha-methyldopa$ with timolo 1 (100mg + 1.0mg/kg) reduced blood Pressure in similar degree as manifested in group of $\alpha-methyldopa$ with labetalol (100mg + 50mg/kg). In the group that $\alpha-methyldopa$ was administered concurrently with timolol, the maximum antihypertensive effect and heart rate decreasing effect were appeared after 3hr and 1hr of administration respectively and those effects in group of $\alpha-methyldopa$ with labetalol were appeared after 6hr of administration. The acute oral toxicity test was performed using albino mice with $\alpha-methyldopa$ alone, $\alpha-methyldopa$ with timolol (100:1) and $\alpha-methyldopa$ with labetatol (4:1), and was found that the $LD_{50}$ of $\alpha-methyldopa$ alone was 1104 mg/kg, $\alpha-methyldopa$ with timolol (100:1) was 1115 mg/kg and $\alpha-methyldopa$ with labetalol (4:1) was 354mg/kg.