Antidiabetic potential of Lantana aculeata root extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The present study investigates the antidiabetic potential of dried mature roots of Lantana aculeata, a weed belonging to verbenaceae family on biochemical profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effects of an ethanolic extract of the dried mature roots of Lantana aculeata on serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma insulin and liver glycogen were examined in control and experimental groups. Lantana aculeata root extract reduced the serum glucose concentration at 24, 48 and 72 hours. To verify the activity sub-chronically, the extract administered orally in the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg to diabetic rats for 30 days, that significantly reduced the level of glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides with an increase in insulin and glycogen concentration to near normal levels in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that roots of Lantana aculeata possess antidiabetic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The activity might be due to high concentration of oleanolic acid present in the roots.Keywords: Antidiabetic activity, Lantana aculeata roots, Oleanolic aci

Effect of Emblica officinalis fruits against metallic-lead induced biochemical and hematological alterations in Wistar rats

Lead toxicity and related health issues have become global concern due to increased use of lead-based products in the modern world. Though attempts are being made to tackle this malady through many ways, the use of naturally occurring materials that are available locally is a subtle approach. In this investigation, the fruits of E. officinalis (EO) were studied for their potential in overcoming biochemical and hematological alterations caused by metallic lead in rat model. Four groups of rats, each containing six animals, were considered for the study. Group I served as normal control while to other groups (II– IV), metallic lead powder (100 ppm/rat) was orally administrated for 30 consecutive days. From day 31, the animals in groups III and IV were treated with EO in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight (p. o.), respectively, for the following seven days. Group II served as lead-treated control. On day 38, the animals in all groups were sacrificed and the blood was collected and serum separated. The changes in biochemical (aspartate aminotrasferase, alanine aminotrasferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltrasferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine and calcium) and hematological (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume and platelet count) parameters were estimated. Lead treated animals in Group - II showed appreciable changes in hematological and biochemical parameters. Treatment with EO (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly restored the changes in the above parameters to near normal values implying that the fruit of E. officinalis is an effective natural material to overcome widespread lead toxicity. This observation is further supported by histopathological studies of liver and kidney tissues wherein the distorted architecture, degeneration and other changes found in lead-treated animals were brought back to near normal stages by the treatment of EO

Free radical scavenging activity of Lantana aculeata root extract in hyperlipidemic rats.

Abstract: Lantana aculeata is a common weed that grows abundantly in many parts of India. The aerial part of the plant is reported to be toxic while the roots were found to be non-toxic when tested in albino rats. The alcoholic extract of the roots showed a significant hypolipidemic activity in normal rats. Hence the roots were studied for their free radical scavenging potential in hyperlipidemic animals by administering the alcoholic extract (LAR) in doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for 30 days. The levels of LPO, non-enzymatic antioxidant (TRG) and enzymatic antioxidants viz. SOD, CAT and GPx that showed changes in diseased condition were reverted back to near normal values by LAR extract treatment of plasma, liver and heart tissues. The presence of flavonoids besides oleanolic acid in large amounts might have caused the observed effect

Coevolution of Male and Female Genital Morphology in Waterfowl

Most birds have simple genitalia; males lack external genitalia and females have simple vaginas. However, male waterfowl have a phallus whose length (1.5–>40 cm) and morphological elaborations vary among species and are positively correlated with the frequency of forced extra-pair copulations among waterfowl species. Here we report morphological complexity in female genital morphology in waterfowl and describe variation vaginal morphology that is unprecedented in birds. This variation comprises two anatomical novelties: (i) dead end sacs, and (ii) clockwise coils. These vaginal structures appear to function to exclude the intromission of the counter-clockwise spiralling male phallus without female cooperation. A phylogenetically controlled comparative analysis of 16 waterfowl species shows that the degree of vaginal elaboration is positively correlated with phallus length, demonstrating that female morphological complexity has co-evolved with male phallus length. Intersexual selection is most likely responsible for the observed coevolution, although identifying the specific mechanism is difficult. Our results suggest that females have evolved a cryptic anatomical mechanism of choice in response to forced extra-pair copulations

A new framework for cortico-striatal plasticity: behavioural theory meets In vitro data at the reinforcement-action interface

Operant learning requires that reinforcement signals interact with action representations at a suitable neural interface. Much evidence suggests that this occurs when phasic dopamine, acting as a reinforcement prediction error, gates plasticity at cortico-striatal synapses, and thereby changes the future likelihood of selecting the action(s) coded by striatal neurons. But this hypothesis faces serious challenges. First, cortico-striatal plasticity is inexplicably complex, depending on spike timing, dopamine level, and dopamine receptor type. Second, there is a credit assignment problem—action selection signals occur long before the consequent dopamine reinforcement signal. Third, the two types of striatal output neuron have apparently opposite effects on action selection. Whether these factors rule out the interface hypothesis and how they interact to produce reinforcement learning is unknown. We present a computational framework that addresses these challenges. We first predict the expected activity changes over an operant task for both types of action-coding striatal neuron, and show they co-operate to promote action selection in learning and compete to promote action suppression in extinction. Separately, we derive a complete model of dopamine and spike-timing dependent cortico-striatal plasticity from in vitro data. We then show this model produces the predicted activity changes necessary for learning and extinction in an operant task, a remarkable convergence of a bottom-up data-driven plasticity model with the top-down behavioural requirements of learning theory. Moreover, we show the complex dependencies of cortico-striatal plasticity are not only sufficient but necessary for learning and extinction. Validating the model, we show it can account for behavioural data describing extinction, renewal, and reacquisition, and replicate in vitro experimental data on cortico-striatal plasticity. By bridging the levels between the single synapse and behaviour, our model shows how striatum acts as the action-reinforcement interface

Effect of a mercurial drug of <em>Siddha</em> medicine on hematological, biochemical and antioxidant status in rats

480-484Metallic drugs are used in traditional medicines to treat several chronic diseases. But apprehensions are raised on their toxicity and adverse effects on vital organs of the body. Traditional practitioners claim that if these drugs are prepared as per ancient texts and used rationally, they do not cause deleterious effects but can be effective in treating diseases. A mercurial drug of Siddha medicine, Gowri Chinthamani Chendooram (GCC) has been screened for its effect on blood and tissues of rats. Three doses of GCC (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) were administered for 28 consecutive days and observed for various changes. On day 29, the animals were sacrificed and the blood was studied for hematology, biochemistry, lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione while the tissues were observed for histopathological alterations, if any. No changes in anatomical and behavioral profiles as well as body and organ weights were seen. Dose-dependent increase in hematology and insignificant change in total protein besides dose-dependent decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, LDL and increase in HDL level were observed. Mercury content in the serum and tissues of liver and kidney revealed a mild increase (in microgram level) while LPO in plasma and erythrocytes exhibited a significant decrease. GSH in plasma and erythrocytes were found to increase when compared to control animals. No histopathological changes were noticed. The drug showed significant hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities supporting the claim of traditional medical practitioners

Advancing Social Work in Mental Health through Strengths-Based Practice

This book is about 'strengths-based practice' in social work. Strengths based practice refers to the identification of 'strengths' within an individual, family, or community, which are then employed to aid in promoting self-fulfilment and healing in a client. Strengths-based practice is a deliberate shift away from language and practices based on a client's deficits or pathology--- a widespread approach that has dominated many fields within social science for some time--- to one that focuses on the client's strengths. This premise is not a new idea as it has existed in the writings and practice of many of the great philosophical leaders and social work practitioners