NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJEB Vol.46(06) [June 2008]

De novo shoot regeneration from root cultures of Garcinia indica Choiss

Title: De novo shoot regeneration from root cultures of Garcinia indica Choiss

Authors: Deodhar, Swapna R; Thengane, R J; Thengane, S R

Abstract: Roots of plantlets of Garcinia indica when cultured for long time on half strength MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.44-2.22 µM) showed production of de novo shoots. Roots attached to mother plant showed more number of shoots, while excised root segments produced lesser shoots. Shoots (0.5-0.8 cm) were transferred to elongation medium consisting of Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with BAP (4.44-22.69 µM), IAA (5.71 µM) and kinetin (4.65 µM). It was observed that shoot length increased to1-2 cm. WPM medium supplemented with NAA (2.69-10.74 µM) and IBA (4.90 µM) induced rooting within 20-25 days. Using the present protocol, 20-25 plantlets could be regenerated from single root explant within 3 to 4 months. The protocol has potential for large scale production of elite plants.

Page(s): 482-486

Antiatherosclerotic activity of ibuprofen, a non-selective COX inhibitor — An animal study

Title: Antiatherosclerotic activity of ibuprofen, a non-selective COX inhibitor — An animal study

Authors: Dabhi, J K; Solanki, J K; Mehta, Anita

Abstract: Atherosclerosis being considered as an inflammatory disorder, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, and celecoxib) in hypercholesterolemia. Ibuprofen is a cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor known to reduce the production of prostaglandins that play prominent role in inflammation. Beside the anti-inflammatory effects that make ibuprofen interesting for the treatment of condition associated with hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Various other properties of ibuprofen were investigated, ibuprofen showed better reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipo-protein, low density lipo-protein and atherogenic index than aspirin and celecoxib in hypercholesterolemic animals. These properties of ibuprofen may be due to inhibition of acetyl–CoA carboxylase initiating the synthesis of fatty acids. Ibuprofen significantly elevated antioxidant (super oxide dismutase; catalase) levels and reduced lipid peroxidation. Ibuprofen inhibits COX enzymes and thereby inhibits generation of free radicals during prostaglandins synthesis, which may be responsible for reduction in lipid peroxidation, super oxide dismutase levels and for high catalase levels. Interestingly, ibuprofen decreased total leukocyte count, monocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels. From the results of present study, it can be concluded that ibuprofen (non-selective COX inhibitor) showed promising antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and non-ulcerogenic activity in atherosclerotic animals as compared to aspirin (preferential COX-1 inhibitor) and celecoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitors, suggesting the inducible role of COX in atherosclerosis.

Page(s): 476-481

Effect of Withania somnifera Dunal in ethanol-induced anxiolysis and withdrawal anxiety in rats

Title: Effect of Withania somnifera Dunal in ethanol-induced anxiolysis and withdrawal anxiety in rats

Authors: Gupta, Girdhari Lal; Rana, Avtar Chand

Abstract: Withania somnifera (WS) or its psychotropic preparation is known to play a critical role in morphine, alcohol and benzodiazepines addiction. This study investigates the role of WS in acute ethanol and withdrawal from chronic ethanol consumption using elevated plus maze paradigm in rats. Acute administration of ethanol (1.5-2 g/kg, ip) triggered anxiolytic effect and withdrawal from prolonged ethanol (9% v/v ethanol, 15 days) consumption elicited enhanced behavioral despair (anxiety). Acute administration of WS (50 mg/kg, oral) potentiated the anxiolytic action of subeffective dose of ethanol (0.5 or 1 g/kg, ip). Moreover, the ethanol withdrawal anxiety was markedly antagonized in dose dependent manner by WS at 200 and 500 mg/kg or higher dose of ethanol (2.5 g/kg). However, co-administration of subeffective doses of WS (50 mg/kg, oral) and ethanol also attenuated withdrawal-induced anxiety due to chronic ethanol (9% v/v ethanol, 15 days) consumption. The results suggest the protective effect of WS in the management of ethanol withdrawal reactions.

Page(s): 470-475

Effect of Withania somnifera Dunal root extract against pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold in mice: Possible involvement of GABAergic system

Title: Effect of Withania somnifera Dunal root extract against pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold in mice: Possible involvement of GABAergic system

Authors: Kulkarni, S K; Akula, Kiran Kumar; Dhir, Ashish

Abstract: Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a widely used herb in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of W. somnifera root extract (Ws) alone or in combination with exogenous g-amino butyric acid (GABA), a GABA receptor agonist or with diazepam, a GABA receptor modulator against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, iv) seizure threshold in mice. Minimal dose of PTZ (iv, mg/kg) needed to induce different phases (myoclonic jerks, generalized clonus and tonic extension) of convulsions were recorded as an index of seizure threshold. Ws (100 or 200 mg/kg, po) increased the PTZ seizure threshold for the onset of tonic extension phase whereas a lower dose (50 mg/kg, po) did not show any effect on the seizure threshold. Co-administration of a sub-effective dose of Ws (50 mg/kg, po) with a sub-protective dose of either GABA (25 mg/kg, ip) or diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, ip) increased the seizure threshold. The results suggested that the anticonvulsant effect of W. somnifera against PTZ seizure threshold paradigm involved the GABA_Aergic modulation.

Page(s): 465-469