. Taramanduram a compound ayurvedic preparation used for peptic ulcer was investigated for anti ulcerogenic activity against gastric and duodenal ulcer models in rats and guinea pigs. The drug in a large single dose of 480 mg/kg (p.o.) showed significant protection against Shay ulcers. It markedly reduced the incidence of drug induced duodenal lessions. It is neither antisecretory nor antipeptic and hence the anti-ulcerogenic effect may be due to some no specific activity.

. Intravenous administration of dopamine (0.5 to 8.0 'g/kg) to pentobarbital anesthetized dogs resulted in decreases in arterial blood pressure with no significant alterations in heart rate. This depressor action of dopamine was reversed into a pressor action after pretreatment with hexamethonium plus atropine. Dopamine again produced a depressor response in these animals after administration of phentolamine. Haloperidol pretreatment significantly attenuated this depressor effect of dopamine observed in ganglion blocked, phentolamine treated animals. These results demonstrate that the initial vasodepressor action of dopamine involves a neurogenic mechanism which may include activation of either the ganglionic and/or presynaptic dopamine receptors.

. In concentration of 0.1-I(g/ml, compound 4-fluoro-3-(l-piperidyl) propiophenone produce+ dose dependent reversible inhibition of the spasmogenic effect of histamine on isolated guinea-pig ileum without altering its response to acetylcholine, 5 -hydroxytryptamine, incotine and KCI. On the isolated guineapig atria 2 (g/ml of the compound inhibited the positive chronotropic and inotropic effect of both histamine and adrenaline In doses of 2.5-10 mg/kg it reduced by about 80%, the hypotension induced by histamine but not that by acetylcholine or isopranalino in anaesthetised cat. The inhibitory effect lasted for 40.70 min. In the Konzett-Rossler preparation of guinea-pig, it (1mg/kg) blocked the broncho constriction induced by histamine without altering that by acetylcholine, It also protected the guineapigs from histamine induced bronchospasm as well as death due to intravenously administered histamine.

. Dopamine-f-hydroxylase (DBH activity of rat brain was found to be stimulated by cyclic tand L- DOPA. The stimulation of enzyme activity increased with increasing concentration of the activators. 6 -hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) caused an inhibition of brain DBH activity which may be due to the degeneration of adrenergic neurons. .The inhibitory effect was partially prevented in presence of cAMP or GDOPA.

. The effect of L-dopa on copulatory behaviour was studied in sexually receptive female rats and sexually trained male rats. L-dopa 100 mg/Kg inhibited the copulatory behaviour in female rats. They showed rejections and exhibited no lordosis when males attempted to mount. The same animals on treatment with normal saline a week earlier or later accepted the males without any rejection and showed different grades of lordosis as an index of acceptance. Haloperidol 75 'g/rat given prior to L-dopa reversed the inhibition of female copulatory behaviour produced by L-dopa. L-dopa 100 mg/kg did not alter the male copulatory behaviour either in normal copulators or sexually sluggish males.

. Changes i n the biochemical parameters like glycogen, proteins, nonprotein nitrogen and total solid matter in the uterine tissue of virgin rats have been studied following treatment with 50% ethanol and benzene extracts of Embella ribes Burm. Both the extracts increase significantly the glycogen. protein and nonprotein nitrogen contents in the uterus of normal and ovariectomized rats. The effect depends upon the dose and the period of treatment. Activity is statistically significant at low dose level but decreases as the dose is increased. Higher dose of benzene extract is toxic. Of the extracts, 50% ethanol show encouraging results. Effect is more pronounced in ovariectomized rats than in normal rats.

(+)-Cyanidanol-3 was tested for its in vitro antihistaminic activity on isolated guineapig ileum. It inhibited histamine induced contractions without affecting those of acetylcholine, 5-hydro-xytryptamine and potassium chloride. It is concluded that (+)-Cyanidanol-3 produces a relatively specific antihistaminic activity which may be mediated through H1-and H2-receptors.

Thirty-nine compounds belonging to a series of 2-substituted pyrazinopyridoindoles were screened for their antihistaminic activity on the isolated guineapig ileum preparation. All the compounds showed a specific antihistaminic activity of varying degree. Their SAR is discussed.

. Thiabendazole when incubated (in vitro) for 5 min produced a dose dependent inhibition of Ach responses in guineapig isolated ileum preparation. In lower concentrations (500 ng) the inhibition produced by thiabendazole is relatively specific to histamine and acetylcholine, whereas in higher concentration (5 (g) a nonspecific inhibition of the responses of histamine, ACh. 5-hydroxytryptamine and potassium chloride was observed.

. Pharmacological investigations of the essential oils of rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium and Hedychium specatum reveal that these oils possess mild tranquillizing action of short duration. They depressed the conditioned avoidance response, rotarod performace and potentiated the pentobarbitone hypnosis and morphine analgesia in rats.

. Radioactive-iodine (I131) was administered to twelve normal healthy volunteers in a doss of ten microcuries before and after thyroxine/iodine therapy. Salivary excretion at 30 minutes and thyroid uptake. at 2 hours and at 24 hours after administration of 1131 were measured and com-pared. The results show that the salivary excretion of iodine does not seem to depend on TSH.

. A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate teaching of pharmacology by self learning (instruction) in comparison) with teaching by lectures. Though the performance in the examination indicates that it is equally effective, students expressed preference to didactic lectures.