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Protective Effect of Acacia nilotica (L.) against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatocellular Damage in Wistar Rats.
Authors: Kannan N, Sakthivel KM, Guruvayoorappan C Abstract The potential biological functions of A. nilotica have long been described in traditional system of medicine. However, the protective effect of A. nilotica on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity is still unknown. The present study attempted to investigate the protective effect of A. nilotica against acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in Wistar rats. The biochemical liver functional tests Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, oxidative stress test (Lipid peroxidation...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Labisia pumila Upregulates Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Expression in Rat Adipose Tissues and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.
Authors: Mansor F, Gu HF, Ostenson CG, Mannerås-Holm L, Stener-Victorin E, Wan Mohamud WN Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism. We investigated the effects of Labisia pumila (LP) standardized water extract on PPARgamma transcriptional activity in adipocytes in vitro and in vivo. We used a rat model of dihydrotestosterone- (DHT-) induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by insulin resistance. At 9 weeks of age, the PCOS rats were randomly subdivided into two gro...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

HPLC Evaluation of Phenolic Profile, Nutritive Content, and Antioxidant Capacity of Extracts Obtained from Punica granatum Fruit Peel.
This study revealed polyphenolic content, nutritive content, antioxidant activity, and phenolic profile of methanol and aqueous extracts of Punica granatum peel extract. For this, extracts were screened for possible antioxidant activities by free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The total phenolics and flavonoid recovered by methanolic (MPE) and the water extract (AQPE) were ranged from 185 ± 12.45 to 298.00 ± 24.86 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/gm and 23.05 ± 1.54 to 49.8 ± 2.14 quercetin (QE) mg/g, respe...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Silicone-acyclovir controlled release devices suppress primary herpes simplex virus-2 and varicella zoster virus infections in vitro.
Authors: Berkower CL, Johnson NM, Longdo SB, McGusty-Robinson SO, Semenkow SL, Margulies BJ Abstract Following initial infection, herpesviruses retreat into a permanent latent state with periodic reactivation resulting in an enhanced likelihood of transmission and clinical disease. The nucleoside analogue acyclovir reduces clinical symptoms of the three human alpha herpesviruses, HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. Long-term administration of acyclovir (ACV) can reduce the frequency and severity of reactivation, but its low bioavailability and short half-life require a daily drug regimen. Our lab is working to develop ...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Evaluation of extended interval dosing aminoglycosides in the morbidly obese population.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the commonly recommended adjusted weight for weight-based dosing. There were 31 morbidly obese patients who received gentamicin or tobramycin 5-7 mg/kg every 24 hours using a 40% dosing weight correction factor. Our institution utilizes 16-hour postdose concentrations to monitor extended interval aminoglycosides. Twenty-two of the 31 patients (71%) achieved an appropriate serum drug concentration. Four patients (13%) were found to be supratherapeutic and 5 patients (16%) subtherapeutic. The only variable that correlated with supratherapeutic levels was older age...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cestrum nocturnum Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.
Authors: Kamboj A, Kumar S, Kumar V Abstract Objective. To investigate antidiabetic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cestrum nocturnum leaves in Wistar rats. Method. Cestrum nocturnum leaves extract in hydroalcoholic solution were prepared by Soxhletation method and stored in refrigerator at 4°C for two days before use. Wistar rats were made diabetic by a single dose of streptozotocin (150 mg/kg i.p.). Hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Cestrum nocturnum was screened for antidiabetic activity and given to the STZ-induced diabetic rats at a concentration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of body weight i...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Antibiotic prescribing habits of dental surgeons in hyderabad city, India, for pulpal and periapical pathologies: a survey.
Conclusion. The present study reveals that the overall antibiotic prescribing practices among this group of dentists were quite high, and there is a need for more educational initiatives to rationalize the use of antibiotics in dentistry. PMID: 24187549 [PubMed] (Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences)
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Antioxidative properties and inhibition of key enzymes relevant to type-2 diabetes and hypertension by essential oils from black pepper.
Authors: Oboh G, Ademosun AO, Odubanjo OV, Akinbola IA Abstract The antioxidant properties and effect of essential oil of black pepper (Piper guineense) seeds on α -amylase, α -glucosidase (key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) (key enzyme linked to hypertension) were assessed. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and dried with anhydrous Na2SO4, and the phenolic content, radical [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO)] scavenging abilities as well as the ferric re...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Spilanthes acmella: A Review.
Authors: Dubey S, Maity S, Singh M, Saraf SA, Saha S Abstract Spilanthes acmella is an important medicinal plant, found in tropical and subtropical countries mainly India and South America. Popularly, it is known as toothache plant which reduces the pain associated with toothaches and can induce saliva secretion. Various extracts and active metabolites from various parts of this plant possess useful pharmacological activities. Literature survey proposed that it has multiple pharmacological actions, which include antifungal, antipyretic, local anaesthetic, bioinsecticide, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, aphrod...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

In Vivo Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Melissa officinalis L. Essential Oil.
Authors: Bounihi A, Hajjaj G, Alnamer R, Cherrah Y, Zellou A Abstract Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) had been reported in traditional Moroccan medicine to exhibit calming, antispasmodic, and strengthening heart effects. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory activities of M. officinalis L. leaves. The effect of the essential oil of the leaves of this plant was investigated for anti-inflammatory properties by using carrageenan and experimental trauma-induced hind paw edema in rats. The essential oil extracted from leaves by hydrodistillation was characterized by means of gas...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Extracts of Artemisia ciniformis Protect Cytotoxicity Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide in H9c2 Cardiac Muscle Cells through the Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species.
In this study we investigated whether different extracts of A. ciniformis and A. biennis have protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in rat cardiomyoblast cells (H9c2). Method. The dried and ground aerial parts of these two species were extracted successively using petroleum ether (40-60), dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol (EtOH) and ethanol : water (1 : 1) by maceration method. To evaluate whether different extracts of A. ciniformis and A. biennis protect cardiomyoblast H9c2 cells from H2O2 cytotoxicity, we examined the direct cytotoxic effect of H2O2 on H9c2 cells in the prese...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Curcumin ameliorates methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
In conclusion, curcumin protected rats from methotrexate nephrotoxicity, at least in part, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. PMID: 24381587 [PubMed] (Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences)
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor in cortical neurons.
In this study, we investigated the possible role of DHEA to modulate NGF and BDNF production. The in vivo level of neurotrophins expression was demonstrated by ELISA in rat harvested brain cortex. Also neurotrophins expression after DHEA treatment was revealed by the increased neurite extension, immunostaining, and BrdU labeling in rats. Anti-NGF and anti-BDNF antibodies were used as suppressive agents on neurogenesis. The results showed that NGF and BDNF are overproduced after DHEA treatment but there is not any overexpression for NT-3 and NT-4. Also DHEA increased neurite extension and neural cell proliferation significa...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Propolis: a wonder bees product and its pharmacological potentials.
Authors: Wagh VD Abstract Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by honey bees from substances collected from parts of plants, buds, and exudates. Due to its waxy nature and mechanical properties, bees use propolis in the construction and repair of their hives for sealing openings and cracks and smoothing out the internal walls and as a protective barrier against external invaders like snakes, lizards, and so forth, or against weathering threats like wind and rain. Bees gather propolis from different plants, in the temperate climate zone mainly from poplar. Current antimicrobial applications of pr...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Properties of Triticum aestivum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.
Authors: Mohan Y, Jesuthankaraj GN, Ramasamy Thangavelu N Abstract The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Triticum aestivum were evaluated by using in vivo methods in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in the Wistar strain albino rats by injecting streptozotocin at a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight. Ethanolic extracts of Triticum aestivum at doses of 100 mg/kg body weight were administered orally for 30 days. Various parameters were studied and the treatment group with the extract showed a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in fa...
Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Adv Pharmacol Sci Source Type: research