The clinical efficacy of an Ayurvedic indigenous formulation containing Withania somnifera, Boswellia serrata, Curcuma longa and zinc, was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study in 20 patients of rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with the indigenous formulation for the period of 3 months produced significantly greater relief of pain, decreased morning stiffness, decrease in Ritche articular index and joint score. A significant drop in erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed in the drug treated patients (P < 0.01). Nine out of 20 patients showed seroconversion at the end of three months treatment with indigenous drug. Radiological assessment, however, did not show any significant changes in both the groups. Side effects observed with this formulation did not necesitate withdrawal of treatment.

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To investigate the histamine receptor sub-types in the chicken oesophagus, the isotonic responsiveness of isolated oesophagus to histamine receptor agonists and antagonists was examined in vitro. Histamine and 2-pyridylethylamine (2-PEA) produced a concentration related contraction which was antagonized by mepyramine. Histamine did not produce relaxation of carbamylcholine contracted tissues although histamine-induced contraction was potentiated in the presence of cimetidine, phentolamine or propranolol. Dimaprit produced a concentration-dependant relaxation which was partly antagonized by cimetidine. Phentolamine and propranolol did not modify the dimaprit-induced relaxation. Longitudinal smooth muscles of chicken oesophagus seem to contain both H1 and H2 histamine receptors. The inhibitory H2 receptors appear to be usually masked by the overwhelming predominance of the excitatory H1receptors.

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A compound herbal product, mixture of 6 herbs, advocated as a hepatoprotective and hepatocorrective agent was investigated to determine its efficacy on various hepatic enzyme functions. Since chronic hepatocellular disease is known to be associated with impaired hepatic drug metabolism, the extent of restoration by the product, if any, in hepatic drug metabolising capacity of patients of cirrhosis was studied by estimation of serum antipyrine half-life. In patients of cirrhosis 3 weeks oral treatment with this compound reduced antipyrine half-life significantly (P 0.001) from 29.3ñ 1 1 h, to 17.9ñ 0.9 h after treatment. In experimental carbon tetrachloride induced acute and chronic liver damage in rats, pretreatment with this product was effective in inhibiting triglyceride accumulation in hepatic cells and in protecting the liver against increase in hydroxyproline content.

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Wound healing property of curcain, the protease isolated from the latex of Jalropha curcas Linn was determined in mice. Two ointments of curcain were prepared by incorporating 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) of curcain powder into the washable ointment base. Healing of the wound by the curcain ointments was found to be better than nitrofurazone ointment and propamidine isethionate cream in mice.

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: The efficacy of atenolol (single dose 50 mg and multiple doses 50 mg bid x 5 days) and acebutolol (single dose 200 mg and multiple doses 200 mg bid x 5 days), on Isometric excercise (IME) -induced changes in systolic blood pressure (SDP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HH), HR-SBP product and maximum oxygen consumption (MV02) was studied in 6 healthy volunteers, in a controlled, randomized, double blind and cross over study. Atenolol in multiple doses caused significant lowering of IME- induced rise in SBP and DBP (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01 respectivelv). The single dose of acebutolol caused significant decrease in IME-induced increase in SBP and DBP (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 respectively) and in multiple doses caused significant fall in IME-Induced DBP (P < 0.02). Atenolol caused significant decrease in IME-induced rise in HR, both by its' single and multiple doses (P < 0.0l), whereas acebutolol lowered it significantly only in single dose (P < 0.05). Comparison of reduction by atenolol and acebutolol on IME-induced hemodynamic changes reveals that atenolol is superior to acebutolol

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Monocrotophos, an organophosphate insecticide, was given orally in sublethal doses to male albino rats for different durations ranging from 1 h to 16 days. The effects of monocrotophos on aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), alanine aminotransferase (AIAT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities in different brain areas (cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and medulla) were studied. The results showed that monocrotophos causes elevation in AAT and AlAT activities and inhibition in GDH activity. The effect was progressive as the dosing was continued. Maximum effect on these enzyme activities was seen in the cerebral cortex. The results suggest that monocrotophos is a potent neurotoxicant which affects the activities of other enzyme also, besides its cholinergic effect.

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Pharmacokinetics of amikacin sulphate in goats was investigated following single i.v. injection of 10 mg/kg. Distribution and elimination half-lives and apparent volume of distribution values were 15.7 min, 130.1 min and 0.40 I/kg, respectively. At 6 h after the administration of drug, 10.2 percent was in the central and peripheral compartments and about 90 percent had been eliminated. To produce an average steady-state plasma amikacin concentration within the therapeutic range, a dosage of 10 mg of amikacin per kg, at 12 h interval, is recommended.

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Effects of two antidepressants i.e., lithium and nomifensine (Nom) on hypothalamic and limbic loci were compared through bipolar EEG recordings in dog brain. Response of these two antidepressants on pre-optic area (POA) and parietal cortex (CO) was opposite. Limbic response of dorsal hippocampus (HPC) was similar in both the antidepressants.

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Glycosidal fraction of the leaves of the plant Maesa chisia was examined in rats (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and mice (50 mg/kg, p.o.) after 21 days of administration for their safe use. It did not produce any significant changes in the body weight, food and water intake, haematological profile and histopathological studies of the major organs (liver, kidney, lung, heart, spleen, intestine) of both species. No significant changes in biochemical parameters (glucose, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT) were found as compared with control in rat. The above findings are likely to strengthen the safe use of the glycosidal fraction in rodents.

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Carbamylcholine and acetylcholine produced concentration dependent contractions of isolated chicken oesophagus and crop. Oesophagus was found to be more sensitive than crop. PA2 values of atropine against acetylcholine were found to be 9.40 and 11.20 on oesophagus and crop, respectively. The contractile response to acetylcholine was also effectively antagonized by promethazine and cyproheptadine, suggesting interactions amongst cholinergic, histaminergic and tryptaminergic mechanisms.

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The mucociliary transport system is an important defense mechanism of the body. Many diseases that can affect the bronchial tract may impair this system and many pharmacological agents may alter mucociliary activity. Because of the importance of this system, it was thought to be interesting to study mucociliary transport time in healthy volunteers and the effects of ibuprofen, erythromycin and theophylline on the same. Seven volunteers were selected for studying the effect of theophylline, and 20 volunteers were selected for studying the effects of ibuprofen and erythromycin, 10 volunteers for each drug. It was found that theophylline significantly improved ciliary function, whereas ibuprofen and erythromycin did not Influence ciliary function to a great extent.

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The effect of imipramine and 5-HT linked agents on body temperature was studied in rabbits. The drugs were administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) and rectal temperature was recorded. Graded doses of imipramine produced dose related hypothermia. Methysergide (200 'g icv) alone produced hyperthermia and completely blocked the hypothermia produced by 500 'g of imipramine. The pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (25 mg/day, i.p; 3 days) completely abolished the hypothermia produced by 500'g of imipramine. It appeared that 5-HT is involved in the production of hypothermia induced by imipramine.

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