1. In the present study we found that monocrotophos was highly toxic to chicks and least toxic to fish when compared with rats. 2. Methyl benzimidazole carbamate was moderately toxic to fish with practically no toxicity to rats. 3. These pesticides were more toxic to rats when administered orally than percutaneously.

The proconvulsant and anticonvulsant effects of acute and chronic exposure to antidepressants were investigated in adult rats. None of the antidepressants (trazodone, doxepin, imipramine and maprotiline) under study, could abolish pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) or picrotoxin induced convulsions. The effects on convulsive threshold in both chemoshock and maximal electroshock seizures (MES) were partial. The antidepressants exhibited a trend towards anticonvulsant activity against PTZ and MES induced seizures and an opposite pattern (proconvulsant action) against picrotoxin induced convulsions. No appreciable differences were observed in response to acute and chronic treatment schedules. Within limitations of the present study, doxepin and maprotiline appear to have least chances of seizure episodes during antidepressant therapy.

Effect of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) in the presence or absence of phenformin or glibenclamide on blood glucose level, plasma and urinary mineral ion contents, in normal and alloxan diabetic rats was investigated. It induced slight hyper glycemia and increased the plasma sodium content of normal and alloxan diabetic rats. However both plasma potassium and calcium contents were decreased. The plasma calcium content was significantly decreased after administration of EDTA in association with each antidiabetic drug in normal animals. All investigated drugs variably reduced plasma iron content, Hypoglycemia induced by phenformin or glibenclamide was associated with elevation of plasma chromium ions. However, plasma copper ions changes induced by EDTA seem to be unrelated to hypoglycemia induced by glibenclamide or phenformin. Reduction of plasma iron content was related to hypoglycemia induced by tested drugs. Reduction of zinc ion in the plasma was associated with hypoglycemia induced by phenformin.

N-pyridino benzamide-2-carboxylic acid (PBCA) and its Cu(ll), Ni(ll), Co(ll), Zn(II) and Mn(ll) complexes have been synlhesized and characterised by their elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, molar conductance, infrared and electronic spectra and magnetic measurements. In acute antiinflammatory tests, all the compounds except manganese chelate were found active with a maximum activity of cobalt complex (32.8%), whereas copper chelate was most active in cotton pellet granuloma test and zinc chelate in adjuvant test. The ulcerogenic potential markedly reduced after chelation with copper followed by zinc, cobalt, manganese and nickel complexes.

Toxic effects of scorpion (Buthus Tamulus) venom have been studied in albino rabbits and guinea pigs Histopathologicaf study revealed general changes like, oedema, haemorrhages, focal myocarditis, necrosis in liver and kidney. Venom elevated serum enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and increased blood clotting time in rabbits. The animals died mainly due to pulmonary oedema, respiratory paralysis and myocardial injuries.

Commonly used antibiotics such s doxycyclin anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and others such as potassium salts, even in therapeutic doses, can cause oesophagitis. We have examined 20 patients with a recent history of taking drugs and in whom symptoms such as retrosternal burning, odynephagia, dysphagia and haemotemesis suggested oesophagitis. Eighteen patients had endoscopic features of oesophagitis involving the mid and lower oesophagus. Seven patients had associated oesophageal ulcers. Thus, 90% of symptomatic patients showed mucosal injury. Patients should therefore be advised to take their medications with sufficient Quantities of water and avoid taking the medications immediately before bedtime.

Cognitive functions were studied in 20 previously untreated epileptics on sodium valproate monotherapy. Before start of therapy and at every 3 months interval till 9 months, cognitive functions were evaluated (modified WAIS) and serum valproic acid was estimated (FPIA) in all patients. There was progressive improvement in attention, immediate recall, intelligence and visuo spatial functions, after drug therapy but the orientation, recent and remote memory remained unaltered. None of our patients showed impairment in cognition. The improvement in congnition was apparently due to adeauate seizure control. These alterations had nocorrelation with serum levels of valproic acid

The effects of oral nifedipine (NFD, 10 mg), verapamil (VPL, 80 mg) and diltiazem (DLZ, 60 mg) on supine heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and systolic time interval (STI) were compared in a double blind cross-over study in 6 normal volunteers. STI was calculated by serial recording of ECG, carotid pulse and phonocardiogram before and 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. following drug intake. There was a fall in systolic and diastolic BP and the ratios of pre-ejection period-and left ventricular ejection time were significantly reduced with the three CCBs when compared to pretreatment values. HR was significantly increased by NFD but reduced by both VPL and DLZ. Maximum effect in all parameters recorded was obtained at 30 min. Side effects were assessed by questionnaire with all the drugs.

Several topical formulations of piroxicam (1% w/w) andibuprofen (5% w/w) were prepared Various penetration enhancers were incorporated in these tormulations and evaluated for antiinflammatory activity using carrageenin induced rat paw edema model. The maximum effect was seen when piroxicam and ibuprofen were combined with 3% azone and 5% N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as enhancers, respectively.

The LD50 of aluminium phosphide (ALP) was determined in the rat and the beneficial effect of xanthinol nicotinate on survival rate was studied. The LD50 of ALP by oral route was 5.66 mg/kg. The survival rate of rats at the end of 24 hours observation period following oral administration of ALP 5.9 mg/kg in two groups of control rats was 33.3 and 38.3% Administration of xanthinol nicotinate 100 and 150 mg/kg, i.p. administered every 30 minutes for 8 hours increased the survival rate to 63% and 67% respectively.

Effects of nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem on airway smooth muscle contractility was compared in guinea pigs using the histamine aerosol test. A dose dependent bronchoprotec-tive effect was observed in nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem pretreated animals. The equipotent doses of nifedipine (ED50 = 62 'g/kg), and diltiazem (ED50 = 68 'g/kg) were similar, while that of verapamil was noticeably smaller (ED50=34(g/kg).

Effects of calcium channel blockers on acetylcholine induced contraction on isolated frog-rectus abdominis muscle were studied. Nifedipine produced neither stimulation nor inhibition of the contraction. Verapamil and diltiazem exerted significant inhibitory effect and the inhibitory effect was surmountable in lower doses only. It is concluded that calcium channel blockers induced inhibition is at least partly due to the blockade of action of acetylcholine at the postsynaptic region.

Six different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were administered orally at various doses to pregnant Wistar rats from day l-6 of gestation. Observations were made on number of implantations, preimplantation deaths, resorptions, live pups and corpora lutea. Aspirin (100 and 200 mg/kg), indomethacin (1 and 2mg/kg), oxyphenbutazone (100 and 200 mg/kg), ibuprofen (100 and 200 mg/kg) and mefenamic acid (50 and 100 mg/kg) did not show any significant effect on implantation. Significant increase in the number of pre-implantation deaths was observed in ketoprofen (10 mg/kg) treated animals.

Gastric motility was quantified in terms of the gastric emptying half-time (GE T1/2) of radiolabelled meal in human subjects. Twenty healthy male volunteers were fed the radiolabelled meal and extracorporeal monitoring of the passage of food was done by Gamma camera imaging of the abdominal region of the volunteers. The mean (S.D) GE T1/2 was found to be 81.99 (15.5) minutes.