Both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Cichorium Intibus (2OO-800 mg/kg, i. p.) exhibited anti-MES and anti-metrazole but limited antistrychnine activity. These extracts (2OO-800 mg/kg. i.p.) potentiated pentobarbitone and ethanol induced hypnosis in mice. exhibited analgesia [ED50 for alcoholic and aqueous extracts were 520 (505-541) and 480 (439-510) mg/kg, i. p. respectively], and potentiated morphine analgesia in rats. There was dose related antipyretic effect against LSD induced hyperpyrexia in rats. Cardio-vascular, smooth muscle and skeletal muscle actions appear to be cholinergic in nature. Both the extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity against formalin induced oedema. There is a considerable gap in between the pharmacodynamic and the toxic doses.

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Neuro-psychopharmacological studies have been conducted on the resin extracted from Cannabis indica on albino rats and mice. The resin was found to have hypothermic. Barbiturate hypnotic potentiating, analgesic, suppression of conditioned avoidance response and a mixed excitation-depression effects, similar to those reported for Cannabis sativa or THC. The resin was found to have anticonvulsant activity against metrazol and electroshock seizures and it also potentiated d-amphetamine toxicity in aggregated mice. The resin potentiated the analgesic activity of morphine and anticonvulsant activity of troxidone. In addition, the resin showed antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions.

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Flupenthixol, a new antidepressant was investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity. It inhibited inflammatory oedema induced by carrageenin and 5-HT and reduced exudate formation and granulation tissue in croton oil-induced granuloma pouch technique. The ability of the drug to suppress inflammatory response to carrageenin is attenuated in animals pretreated with either reserpine or dihydroergotamine (but not with propranolol). This suggests the involvement of adrenergic system. at the level of alpha-receptors. In mediating the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug. However. there is also a direct component of anti-inflammatory action of flupenthixol since its effectiveness at higher dose-level remained unchanged in reserpinized animals. The combined use of flupenthixol and phenyl-butazone produced anti-inflammatory effect which was greater than that observed with the use of either drug alone but no such enhanced response with betamethasone was elicited. The anti-inflammatory activity of the drug was not the result of local irritation as evidenced by its efficacy following oral administration and its ineffectiveness on local injection into the rat's paw.

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In the absence and the presence of carbamylcholine (3x10-8M) and diphenhydramine (5x10-4M). dose response curves were constructed both for the inotropic and chronotropic effects of histamine. Carbamylcholine antagonised the effect of histamine in a noncompetitive manner and depressed the maximum response to histamine. Diphenhydramine did not change the response to histamine. The relation of the findings to change in C-AMP is discussed.

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The anticholinergic property of some quarternary oximes of well known phenothiazine tranquillisers was compared with their parent compounds. It was observed that by virtue of quarfernization. the oximes offered pronounced and long lasting anticholinergic effects over their parent drugs.

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Prostaglanding E1 and F2( induce a biphasic response characterized by an initial relaxation followed by contraction of the intestine in the cat. Pretreatment with oxytocin enhances the relaxant phase and inhibits the contractile phase significantly. It has been postulated that combined administration of prostaglandin and oxytoin may lessen the gastro-intestinal side effects of prostaglandin in the human.

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Cortical electroencephalographic activity (EEG) was studied in awake unanaesthetized rats after daily oral administration of cannabis plant power (Cannabis sativa) 50 mg/kg/day for 35 days. During the first 7-8 days this dose caused increase of both frequency and amplitude. and some spiking activity in the EEG. From 8-9th day onwards cannabis caused decrease in the frequency es well as in the amplitude of the EEG.

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The initial increase in locomotor activity followed by stereotypy due to amphetamine has been ascribed due to the activation of the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. respectively. In the Open Field situation, the present study revealed that pimozide significantly reduced both ambulatory and rearing (stereotypy) activity due to amphetamine while phenoxybenzamine significantly reduced only the ambulatory activity but not the rearing activity due to the same drug. It is, therefore. concluded that locomotor activity is due to the influence on noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems whereas rearing (stereotypy) is mediated through the dopaminergic system only.

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Experiments performed on 398 albino mice indicate that norepinephrine, acetylcholine and 5- hydroxytryptamine are not involved in CNS toxicity of procaine. While caffeine increased the toxicity of procaine. pentobarbitone protected the mice against convulsions.

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The effects of drugs known to influence brain monoamine turnover or block brain monoaminergic receptors, was observed on the antinociceptive action of morphine in albino rats. The antinociceptive action of morphine was inhibited by drugs depleting brain monoamines, decreasing 5-HT synthesis, displacing 5-HT from tryptaminergic neurones, 5-HT receptor antagonists and by agents enhancing brain dopamine concentrations. The antinociceptive action of a subanalgesic dose of morphine was potentiated by drugs enhancing 5-HT turnover. Reserpine induced inhibition of antinociceptive action of morphine was reversed by 5-HTP. The results suggest that, in albino rats, morphine analgesia is 5-HT dependent. with dopamine having an antagonistic effect.

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Flupenthixol, a new antidepressant was investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity. It inhibited inflammatory oedema induced by carrageenin and 5-HT and reduced exudate formation and granulation tissue in croton oil-induced granuloma pouch technique. The ability of the drug to suppress inflammatory response to carrageenin is attenuated in animals pretreated with either reserpine or dihydroergotamine (but not with propranolol). This suggests the involvement of adrenergic system. at the level of alpha-receptors. In mediating the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug. However. there is also a direct component of anti-inflammatory action of flupenthixol since its effectiveness at higher dose-level remained unchanged in reserpinized animals. The combined use of flupenthixol and phenyl-butazone produced anti-inflammatory effect which was greater than that observed with the use of either drug alone but no such enhanced response with betamethasone was elicited. The anti-inflammatory activity of the drug was not the result of local irritation as evidenced by its efficacy following oral administration and its ineffectiveness on local injection into the rat's paw.

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Experimental convulsions were produced in rats by two methods : (i) injections of metrazol and (ii) audiogenic stimuli. The effects of various pharmacological agents which increase or decrease the levels of catecholamines or serotonin were studied by treating the animals with these agents prior to the experiment. It was found that those agents which raise the levels of catecholamines in preference to serotonin antagonize both the types of convulsions and vice versa.

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Anticonvulsant activity of nine newly synthesised fluoroquinazolones have been investigated and their structure activity relationship is discussed.

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