Browsing by Author "S.B. Acharya"

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A preliminary study on the effect of Azadirachta indica on bronchial smooth muscles and mast cells
(Natural Remedies Private Limited, 2003) S.B. Acharya; S.U. Yanpallewar; R.K. Singh
Objective: The present study was designed to assess the protective effect of Azadirachta indica on bronchial smooth muscles and mast cells. Methods: Azadirachta indica (200 mg/kg p.o.) leaf juice was administered to animals and its protective effect was determined on histamine aerosol induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs, comp 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation and active anaphylaxis in rats. Results: A significant protection against histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs was observed. There was 63% delay in onset of dyspnoea in A. indica treated animals against that of 16% in control animals. A. indica neither could prevent mast cell degranulation nor could protect against active anaphylaxis. Conclusion: The results of the present preliminary study reveal that A. indica has bronchoprotective role. Moreover, it also suggests that mechanisms other than that associated with mast cell degranulation or active anaphylaxis are possibly involved in bronchoprotective role of A.indica.
Adrenergic beta-blockers in ophthalmology
(1990) S.K. Bhattacharya; S.B. Acharya
[No abstract available]
Antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory studies with shilajit
(1990) R.K. Goel; R.S. Banerjee; S.B. Acharya
In folk medicine, shilajit has been used to treat diverse clinical conditions ranging from peptic ulcer to bone healing. The present study was conducted to evaluate the possible antiulcerogenic and antiinflammatory activities of shilajit obtained from the rocky mountains of Zarlek, Badekshan, Afghanistan. Shilajit increased the carbohydrate/protein ratio and decreased gastric ulcer index, indicating an increased mucus barrier. Shilajit was found to have significant antiinflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced acute pedal oedema, granuloma pouch and adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The results of the present study thus substantiate the use of shilajit in peptic ulcer and inflammation. © 1990.
Anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin in rats
(2007) S. Sen; A.K. Jaiswal; S. Yanpallewar; S.B. Acharya
Introduction: The possible anxiogenic effects of fluoroquinolones, namely ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, were investigated in adult Charles Foster albino rats of either sex, weighing 150-200 g. Methods: The drugs were given orally, in doses of 50 mg/kg for five consecutive days and the experiments were performed on the fifth day. The tests included open-field exploratory behaviour, elevated plus maze and elevated zero maze, social interaction and novelty-suppressed feeding latency behaviour. Results: The results indicate that ciprofloxacin- and norfloxacin-treated rats showed anxious behaviour in comparison to control rats in all the parameters studied. However, ciprofloxacin- and norfloxacin-treated rats did not differ significantly from each other in various behavioural parameters. Conclusion: The present experimental findings substantiate the clinically observed anxiogenic potential of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.
Anxiolytic activity of Indian Abies pindrow Royle leaves in rodents: An experimental study
(2000) V. Kumar; R.K. Singh; A.K. Jaiswal; S.K. Bhattacharya; S.B. Acharya
Putative anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of Indian A. pindrow Royle leaf was investigated in rats using various experimental paradigms of anxiety viz. open field exploratory behaviour, elevated plus maze (EPM) and elevated zero maze (EZM) tests. Pilot studies indicated that single dose administration of extract had little to no acute behavioural effects, hence the extract was administered orally at different dose levels once daily for three consecutive days, while lorazepam (LR) (0.5 mg/kg, ip) was administered acutely. Ethanolic extract of A. pindrow (AP) leaves (50 and 100 mg/kg, po) showed significant anxiolytic effects on all the paradigms of anxiety. The results indicate that AP and LR induced a significant increase in open field ambulation and slight increase in rearings and activity in center, whereas grooming and faecal droppings remain unchanged. In EPM, significant augmentation of open arm entries, and time spent on open arms was noted in AP treated rats. In EZM test, significant increase in time spent on open arms and entries in open arms was observed, whereas slight increase in head dips and stretched attend postures was also observed. The AP extract showed consistent and significant anxiolytic activity in all the tests. The effects induced by ethanolic extract of AP were less marked than those of lorazepam were.
Cardiac effects of paracetamol
(1979) S.B. Acharya
[No abstract available]
Effect of Azadirachta indica on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in albino rats
(Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena, 2003) S.U. Yanpallewar; S. Sen; S. Tapas; Mohan Kumar; S.S. Raju; S.B. Acharya
Azadirachta indica, a plant used widely in Ayurveda, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and adaptogenic properties. The present study evaluates its hepatoprotective role. Fresh juice of tender leaves of Azadirachta indica (200 mg/kg body wt. p.o.) inhibited paracetamol (2 g/kg body wt. p.o.)-induced lipid peroxidation and prevented depletion of sulfhydryl groups in liver cells. There was an increase in serum marker enzymes of hepatic damage (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) after paracetamol administration. Azadirachta indica pretreatment stabilized the serum levels of these enzymes. Histopathological observations of liver tissues corroborated these findings.
Effect of pentobarbitone on body temperature and sleeping time in albino rats
(1980) Y.V. Rao; S.B. Acharya; A.K. Sanyal
Pentobarbitone sodium (PB), chloralose and urethane produced significant hypothermia and hypnosis in albino rats. PB-induced hypothermia and sleeping time were dose dependent. The hypothermic response of PB at low ambient temperatures was converted to biphasic and hyperthermic responses at 30 ± 1°C and 36± 1°C respectively. PB-induced sleeping time was not modified by different ambient temperatures. Tolerance to both hypothermia and sleeping time developed with PB by 2nd day. While PB-induced hypothermia did not register any difference between the two sexes, sleeping time was longer in females. The results thus suggest that temperature changes and consciousness are not interrelated and are probably the two different functions of the brain.
Effect of prostaglandins on gastrointestinal smooth muscle
(1977) S.B. Acharya; P.K. Debnath; C. Dey; A.K. Sanyal
[No abstract available]
Evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of Ocimum sanctum on transient cerebral ischemia and long-term cerebral hypoperfusion
(2004) S.U. Yanpallewar; Sunita Rai; Mohan Kumar; S.B. Acharya
Free radicals are implicated in causation of cerebral reperfusion injury and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats is associated with functional and histopathological disturbances. Ocimum sanctum (OS), a plant widely used in Ayurveda, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cognition-enhancing properties. In the present study, we investigated the effect of methanolic extract of OS leaves in cerebral reperfusion injury as well as long-term hypoperfusion. Occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min followed by 45 min reperfusion caused increase in lipid peroxidation and up-regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity accompanied by fall in tissue total sulfhydryl groups (TSH) in rat forebrains. Ascorbic acid levels were unchanged, however. OS pretreatment (200 mg/kg/day for 7 days) prevented this reperfusion-induced rise in lipid peroxidation and SOD activity. OS pretreatment also stabilized the levels of TSH during reperfusion. Long-term cerebral hypoperfusion (a model of cerebrovascular insufficiency and dementia) induced by permanent occlusion of BCCA for 15 days demonstrated altered exploratory behavior in open-field testing and memory deficits as tested by Morris' water maze. Histopathological examination of hypoperfused animals revealed reactive changes, like cellular edema, gliosis and perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. OS treatment (200 mg/kg/day for 15 days) significantly prevented these hypoperfusion-induced functional and structural disturbances. The results suggest that OS may be useful in treatment of cerebral reperfusion injury and cerebrovascular insufficiency states. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Further investigations on the anxiogenic action of isatin
(1993) S.K. Bhattacharya; S.B. Acharya
The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism of the anxiogenic action of isatin (2,3-dioxoindole), which has been held responsible for at least pari of the activity of tribulin, a postulated endocoid marker of stress and anxiety. The anxiogenic dose of isatin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was found to increase rat brain levels of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA), and to enhance 5-HT concentrations in several rat brain areas, the maximal increase being noted in midbrain and least in cerebellum. There was significant increase in 5-HT levels of frontal cortex, hypothalamus, pons-medulla and spinal cord. The anxiogenic action of isatin, as assessed by the Montgomery's conflict test in mice using the elevated plus-maze, was significantly attenuated by metergoline, a non-specific 5-HT receptor antagonist, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT), a serotonin neurotoxin, zacopride, a 5-HT3 antagonist, and by pimozide, a DA D2 receptor antagonist, but remained unaffected following pretreatment with propranolol, a 5HT1 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, buspirone, a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist/antagonist, and flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. The anxiogenic action of a sub-effective dose (10 mg/kg, i.p.) of isatin was potentiated by fluoxetine, a 5-HT neuronal uptake inhibitor, but remained unaffected by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, though quipazine, a 5-HT2 receptor agonist, induced some degree of potentiation. Isatin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) induced increase in rat brain DA was attenuated following pretreatment with 5,6-DHT and zacopride. The results indicate that the anxiogenic action of isatin is 5-HT mediated and a function of the 5-HT3 receptor subtype, involving modulation of DA activity.
Ganglion and cholinergic blocking activities of some synthetic quaternised quinoline derivatives
(1978) S.B. Acharya; A.K. Sanyal
[No abstract available]
Intestinal ulcerogemic activity of some non steroidal antiinflammatory agents
(1981) S.B. Acharya; Y.V. Rao; P.K. Debnath; A.K. Sanyal
Several antiinflammatory agents were studied for their intestinal ulcerogenic effects in rats employing the method of Ezer and Szporny (1975). Each drug was administered orally for 3 days. The intestinal tensile strength was significantly decreased by indomethacin (IND, 10 mg/kg), diclofenac sodium (DS, 15 mg/kg) and sodium salicylate (SS, 10 mg/kg). IND induced decreased intestinal tensile strength was reversed by SS (100 mg/kg), aspirin (ASP, 300 mg/kg), hydrocortisone (HC, 20 mg/kg) and 15(S), 15 methyl PGF2α (MPGF, 400 μg/kg). SS could only partly protect IND induced decreased intestinal strength in adrenalectomised and metyrapone treated rats. DS response was potentiated by SS, ASP, and paracetamol (PCM, 100 mg/kg). HC did not significantly affect DS induced decreased intestinal tensile strength while MPGF protected it. The data of the present study cannot explain the mechanism of the ulcerogenic effect of IND and DS. © 1981 The Italian Pharmacological Society.
Isatin, a putative anxiogenic endocoid, induces memory dysfunction in rats
(1995) K.S. Satayan; A. Rai; A.K. Jaiswal; S.B. Acharya; S.K. Bhattacharya
Isatin (2,3-dioxoindole), one of the components of tribulin, which has been postulated to function as an endogenous marker of stress and anxiety, was shown to induce a dose-related attenuation of learning acquisition in an active avoidance test and inhibition of learning retention, or memory, in a step-down passive avoidance paradigm and transfer latency in an elevated plus-maze, in rats. Earlier studies have indicated that isatin functions as a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)3 receptor agonist in its anxiogenic activity in rats and is an antagonist at mammalian atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors. Since 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and centrally administered ANP have been shown to facilitate learning and memory, the observed memory dysfunction induced by isatin can be attributed to its receptor activity at 5-HT3 and ANP receptors. The investigation also indicates that anxiogenic agents are likely to disrupt memory functions.
Isolation and pharmacological action of heliotrine, the major alkaloid of Heliotropium indicum seeds
(1982) V.B. Pandey; J.P. Singh; Y.V. Rao; S.B. Acharya
[No abstract available]
Neuropharmacological studies on Fusarium toxins - I: Total toxin extract from Fusarium moniliforme
(1996) Snigdha Ganguli; D. Hota; R.K. Goel; S.B. Acharya; S.K. Bhattacharya
The neuropharmacological profile of the total fungal extract of F. moniliforme (FM) has been investigated. FM produced dose related decrease in spontaneous motor activity (SMA) and exploratory activity, potentiated pentobarbitone hypnosis and the anticonvulsant actions of phenobarbitone and phenytoin against MES seizures, potentiated PTZ and tryptamine seizures, antagonised reserpine induced syndrome, attenuated tetrabenazine and morphine induced catalepsy and potentiated haloperidol catalepsy. FM showed per se antinociceptive activity and potentiated morphine analgesia. It increased rectal temperature, antagonised reserpine and apomorphine hypothermia and potentiated the hyperthermic response of haloperidol and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and hypothermic response of betaphenylethylamine (PEA) and L-dopa. FM had no per se effect on amphetamine lethality, but enhanced the lethality induced by morphine in aggregated animals. Stereotypy by amphetamine was potentiated while that of apomorphine was not affected. The behavioural response of 5-HTP and L-dopa was potentiated. FM had no effect on swim induced behavioural despair. The effect on aggressive behaviour was complex, and while the cumulative aggressive score was reduced, the onset of fighting behaviour and contact period was increased. It also inhibited clonidine induced auto mutilation. Since earlier investigation had shown that FM, like nialamide, induced non-selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the results were compared with those induced by nialamide. A comparative profile of action reveals that the neuropharmacological action of FM are qualitatively similar to those induced by nialamide, and likely to be due to inhibition of MAO. The investigation has practical implications because F. moniliforme is a common contaminant of cereals and fruits.
Neuropharmacological studies on Fusarium toxins - III: Neurochemical investigations on total toxin extracts from F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum
(1996) Snigdha Ganguli; D. Hota; R.K. Goel; S.B. Acharya; S.K. Bhattacharya
Neurochemical effects of different fusarial toxins elaborated from F. moniliforme (FM) and F. oxysporum (FO) were investigated. FM showed significant nonspecific and irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition which was qualitatively comparable to that induced by nialamide, a nonselective MAO inhibitor. FO did not exhibit any significant MAO inhibitory effect. FM produced a dose related increase in monoamine concentrations (dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine) in different rat brain areas namely, diencephalon-midbrain, caudate nucleus and pons-medulla. FO, on the contrary, produced marked increase in dopamine concentration in the caudate nucleus with concomitant reduction in noradrenaline levels in diencephalon-midbrain and pons-medulla with little effect on 5-HT concentration. The neurochemical effects of FM and FO are consonant with the earlier reports on the neuropharmacological profile of these toxins. Thus, FM was reported to have nialamide like activity, whereas FO actions were dopaminergic in nature.
Neuropharmacological studies on Fusarium toxins-II: Total toxin extract from F. oxysporum
(1996) Snigdha Ganguli; D. Hota; R.K. Goel; S.B. Acharya; S.K. Bhattacharya
The neuropharmacological activity profile of total fungal extract of F. oxysporum (FO) was investigated. FO enhanced spontaneous locomotor activity, exploratory behaviour and reduced pentobarbitone hypnosis. It has per se anticonvulsant action against maximal electroshock seixure (MES) and potentiated phenobarbitone and phenytoin in MES and also potentiated pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) convulsion. It antagonised morphine, tetrabenazine and haloperidol catalepsy. FO did not show per se analgesia or potentiation of morphine antinociception in mice, while both effects were present in rats. The effect of FO on body temperature was complex. It produced per se reduction in rectal temperature and potentiated the hypothermic responses of reserpine, apomorphine, PEA and l-dopa, and also the hyperthermic response of 5-HTP. The hyperthermic response of haloperidol was reversed by FO. It potentiated amphetamine and morphine lethality, amphetamine, PEA and apomorphine stereotypy, 5-HTP headtwitch response and post-swim grooming response. On swim-stress immobility, while the time of onset of immobility was reduced, FO dit not modify the duration of immobility. On foot-shock induced aggression in paired rats, FO produced a decrease in the latency to onset of fighting behaviour and increased the total contact period and the cumulative aggressive score. FO potentiated clonidine automutilation. It has, thus, facilitated aggressive behaviour. The effects are likely to be due to the presence of fusaric acid in FO, which inhibits dopamine β-hydroxylase and is known to have dopaminergic effects. This investigation has practical implications, since F.oxysporum is a common food contaminant.
Neuroprotective effect of Azadirachta indica on cerebral post-ischemic reperfusion and hypoperfusion in rats
(2005) Sudhirkumar Yanpallewar; Sunita Rai; Mohan Kumar; Satish Chauhan; S.B. Acharya
We assessed the effect of Azadirachta indica (A. indica), a plant that has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties, on cerebral reperfusion injury and long term cerebral hypoperfusion. When blood flow to brain region that has undergone critical period of ischemia is re-established, additional injury is to be expected from the reperfusion. In the present study, bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 30 min followed by 45 min reperfusion resulted in increase in lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and fall in total tissue sulfhydryl (T-SH) groups. A. indica pretreatment (500 mg/kg/day x 7 days) attenuated the reperfusion induced enhanced lipid peroxidation, SOD activity and prevented fall in T-SH groups. Moreover, A.indica per se increased brain ascorbic acid level, which was unchanged during reperfusion insult. Long-term cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent BCCA occlusion has been reported to cause behavioral and histopathological abnormalities. In the present study, as tested by open field paradigm and Morris' water maze, a propensity towards anxiety and disturbances of learning/memory were observed in animals subjected to hypoperfusion for 2 weeks. A. indica (500 mg/kg/day x 15 days) significantly reduced these hypoperfusion induced functional disturbances. Reactive changes in brain histology like gliosis, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, recruitment of macrophages and cellular edema following long term hypoperfusion were also attenuated effectively by A. indica. We conclude that our study provides an experimental evidence for possible neuroprotective potentiality of A. indica. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera (WS) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and long-term hypoperfusion induced alterations in rats
(Natural Remedies Private Limited, 2007) Anshuman Trigunayat; M. Raghavendra; R.K. Singh; A.K. Bhattacharya; S.B. Acharya
Objective: The present study investigates the effect of Withania somnifera (WS), a well known adaptogenic agent in Indian system of Medicine, on acute cerebral reperfusion and long-term cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Materials and methods: Acute ischemia-reperfusion (30 min occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries followed by 45 min reperfusion) and Long-term cerebral hypoperfusion (for 15 days) in C.F. strain rats were produced following standard technique. WS, Indian chemotype-1, rich in withanolide glycosides (= sitoindosides) was used for the present study. Effect of WS on lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, cyclic AMP level and histopathological changes in forebrain regions in acute ischemia - reperfusion and on long-term cerebral hypoperfusion induced behavioral and histopathological alterations were evaluated. Results: WS pre-treatment (50 mg/kg p.o. for 5 days) attenuated the reperfusion induced biochemical and histopathological alterations. Long term hypoperfusion induced anxiety and listlessness (open field paradigm) accompanied by deficits in learning and memory (Morris' water maze testing) along with histopathological changes in rat forebrains were attenuated with WS treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that WS may be useful in cerebrovascular insufficiency conditions.