The protective effect of L. siceraria against depression using behavioural despair animal models

Background: In recent years, the search for novel pharmacotherapy from medicinal plants for psychiatric illness was significantly progressed. The present study was performed to evaluate the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria in animal models.Methods: The antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of the fruit of L. siceraria in rats was assessed using forced swim test and tail suspension test. Imipramine at 15 mg/kg was used as standard antidepressant drug.Results: The ethanolic extract of L. siceraria fruit (EELS) was significantly and dose-dependently reduced the duration of immobility after repeated treatment for 7 days in Forced swim test and Tail suspension Test. But combination of L. siceraria (200mg/kg) with Imipramine gave a highly significant result (p<0.001) in reduction of immobility duration and the effect of high dose (400mg/kg) with imipramine (15mg/kg) did not decrease the duration of immobility period in both animal models at end of the study. In this work the dose of 400mg/kg afforded more protection than the imipramine.Conclusions: The results obtained from this study was indicate that the antidepressant activity of L. siseraria

The morphological and phenological performance of different cotton genotypes under different plant density

The field experiment conducted with different plant density and different Genotypes showed significant differences in their morphological characters and phenological characters. Among the genotypes, AKA-7 possessed higher plant height (116.4 cm), No. of sympodia (19.27 plant-1) and leaf area index (3.628) compared to other geno-types but leaf area (33.02 dm-2) and dry matter weight (103.21g/plant) were recorded higher with genotype Balwan. However, Normal plant density (100%) was registered higher plant height (102.6 cm), no of sympodia (17.33 plant-1), leaf area (27.02 dm2) and dry matter weight (58.13 g/plant) but higher leaf area index (3.430) was recorded with higher plant density (200%). Among the genotypes, AKH-081 was comparatively earlier in phenological characters i.e. first square (47.9 days), first flower (67.9 days), first boll burst (116.1 days), first picking (128.7 days) and final picking (178 days). However, Higher planting density (200%) was recorded earlier in first square (49.3 day), first flower (67.8 days), first boll burst (116.9 days), first picking (130.6 day) and final picking (179.7 days). On the basis of this experiment, genotype Balwan and normal planting density level (100%) recorded higher morphological development wherever phenological development recorded earlier with the each respective phenophase in the Gen-otype AKH-081 and highest planting density level (200%)

Molecular docking studies of curcumin derivatives with multiple protein targets for procarcinogen activating enzyme inhibition

Curcumin derivatives which are very potent antioxidant, free radical scavenger and known inhibitor of dioxygenases have been extensively studied to explore their potential utilization in chemoprevention. The main objective of the present work is to perform a docking analysis of curcumin derivatives: Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), Bisdemethoxy curcumin (BDC). Docking studies of these were performed using GOLD and AutoDock into a few well validated targets of anticancer therapy (COX-2, PhenolsulphoTransferases, Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), P450 and TNF-alpha). A good correlation was observed in binding affinity of THC and BDC against the targets indicating these derivatives are potent procarcinogen activating enzyme inhibitors. © 2010 Girija CR, et al

Effect of sowing dates and varieties on soybean performance in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India

oybean production is widely fluctuating in response to agro-environmental conditions year to year in Vidarbha region. Weather variations are the major determinants of soybean growth and yield. It is also important to study the response of suitable soybean varieties to varying weather parameters. So a field investigation was carried out to study the crop weather relationship of soybean and to optimize the sowing date with different soybean varie-ties. The results revealed that soybean crop sown up to 27th MW accumulated higher growing degree days (1640.5 0C day), photothermal units (20498.1 0C day hour) and recorded significantly higher seed yield (839 kg ha-1) and biological yield (2773 kg ha-1) with maximum heat use efficiency (0.51 kg ha-1°C day-1) and water productivity (2.49 kg ha-mm-1). Later sowings i.e. 30th MW sowing caused decreased amount of rainfall and increased maximum temperature regime across the total growing period with consequently lower seed yield (530 kg ha-1), GDD (1539.2 0C day), PTU (18689.9 0C day hour), heat use efficiency (0.34kg ha-1 °Cday-1) and water productivity (2.05kg ha-mm-1). Soybean variety TAMS 98-21 recorded significantly higher seed yield (734 kg ha-1) and highest biological yield (2649 kg ha-1) with maximum heat use efficiency (0.44 kg ha-1 °C day-1), GDD (1650.5 0C day ) and water productivity (2.41 kg ha-mm-1). Thus, the results of this study illustrated the importance of early sowing with suitable variety of soybean and indicates that sowing upto 27th MW with variety TAMS 98-21 is optimum for maximizing the yield in the Akola region of Vidarbha

PACLITAXEL DISPOSITION STUDIES USING P-GP INHIBTOR & INDUCER BY SINGLE PASS INTESTINAL PERFUSION IN RATS

Objective: The present research work aims to study the intestinal transport of Paclitaxel and to predict its human intestinal permeability and fraction absorbed using SPIP Permeability Coefficient and the effect of P-gp modulators on Paclitaxel were observed in anaesthetized rats. Methods: Jejunal segment was used for performing Single Pass Intestinal Perfusion. The rationale for the selection of jejenum is due to the overexpression of P-glycoprotein when compared with other segments. Drug solution (150µg/ml) in phosphate buffer saline was perfused at a flow rate of 0.2ml/min.Besides,P-gp inhibitor verapamil(200 µg/ml) and inducer Rifampicin (60mg/ml) were coperfused with Paclitaxel to detect its disposition characteristics affected by P-gp .Drug concentrations in samples were analyzed using HPLC. Stability studies were conducted to ensure the loss of Paclitaxel due to absorption. Results: The effective permeability value of Paclitaxel (150µg/ml) in the jejunal segment was found to be lower due to the efflux mediated by P-gp.When coperfused with verapamil its permeability significantly enhanced as it is a P-gp inhibitor and vice versa with Rifampicin which is a P-gp inducer. Subsequently the human intestinal permeability was estimated considering Peff(human) =1.04 Peff(rat)-0.0003. Conclusion: P-Glycoprotein mediated drug resistance is one of the serious limitations of Paclitaxel efficacy and jejunal segment is found to have major MDR expression. The Peff value of Paclitaxel was found to be increased upon the Coperfusion with verapamil and similarly reduced with Rifampicin which are inhibitors &amp; inducers respectively indicating Paclitaxel is efficiently transported by P-gp. Hence, Paclitaxel satisfies all the prerequisites to be a P-gp substrate. Â&nbsp; Keywords: Paclitaxel, Intestinal permeability, Single pass intestinal perfusion, P-glycoprotein, RP-HPLC

Validation of third molar maturity index (I 3M ) for discrimination of juvenile/adult status in South Indian population

Deliberate falsification of age was considered to be one of the main reasons for forensic age estimation of the living individuals. This posed to be a challenging task during criminal and legal proceedings, and ultimate care must be taken not to classify juveniles as adults. Third molars are the only developing teeth during late adolescence and early adulthood. Our study was designed to analyze the usefulness of the third molar maturity index (I3M) specific cut-off value (I3M < 0.08) to discriminate adults (≥18 years) and juveniles (<18 years) in South Indian children. 216 panoramic radiographs (114 females and 102 males) of living subjects aged between 14 and 21 years were analyzed. Our results demonstrated high sensitivity (83.3% and 90.2%) and specificity (98.3% and 95.1%) for females and males respectively. The positive likelihood ratios of being adult were 50.00 and 18.35 while the negative likelihood ratios were 0.17 and 0.10 in females and males respectively. The estimated posttest probability was 98.0% in females and 94.8% in males. The obtained results showed that the specific cut-off value of I3M < 0.08 may be a useful additional tool in discrimination of individuals who are around 18 years of age

A prediction model for the lost wax process through fuzzy-based artificial neural network

Abstract The application of investment casting process is rapidly increasing, specifically for near net shape manufacturing of complex and small engineering components. The process begins with making of wax patterns, thereafter employing a precision mould, dewaxing, pouring molten alloy and knocking the shell, followed by minor finishing operations. This study is about predicting the quality of responses of the wax patterns namely linear shrinkage and surface roughness using fuzzy-based artificial neural network. The process parameters considered are injection temperature, injection pressure and holding time, and experiments have been performed as per Taguchi&apos;s L 18 orthogonal array. As optimum parameter levels were different for both the responses, fuzzy logic reasoning has been used to combine all the objectives and transform the experimental results into single performance index known as multi-response performance index. Later, modelling of the process has been done using artificial neural network with experimental process parameters as inputs and multi-response performance index as output obtained from fuzzy modelling. Further, experiments have been conducted at random combination of parameter levels to validate the developed model, and it has been found that the actual results agreed well with that of the predicted value on the basis of mean absolute percentage error and correlation plots

A prediction model for the lost wax process through fuzzy-based artificial neural network

Abstract The application of investment casting process is rapidly increasing, specifically for near net shape manufacturing of complex and small engineering components. The process begins with making of wax patterns, thereafter employing a precision mould, dewaxing, pouring molten alloy and knocking the shell, followed by minor finishing operations. This study is about predicting the quality of responses of the wax patterns namely linear shrinkage and surface roughness using fuzzy-based artificial neural network. The process parameters considered are injection temperature, injection pressure and holding time, and experiments have been performed as per Taguchi&apos;s L 18 orthogonal array. As optimum parameter levels were different for both the responses, fuzzy logic reasoning has been used to combine all the objectives and transform the experimental results into single performance index known as multi-response performance index. Later, modelling of the process has been done using artificial neural network with experimental process parameters as inputs and multi-response performance index as output obtained from fuzzy modelling. Further, experiments have been conducted at random combination of parameter levels to validate the developed model, and it has been found that the actual results agreed well with that of the predicted value on the basis of mean absolute percentage error and correlation plots

Variation in Phenol Content of Sorghum Lines after Inoculation with Colletotrichum graminicola

Phenolic compounds accumulate in numerous plant species following infection by plant pathogens (Kuk 1972). Many of such compounds, or their oxidation products are toxic to pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi, and have been considered an important factor in induced resistance to plant pathogens. The variation in phenol content following infection with Colletotrichum graminicola, the causal fungus of anthracnose of sorghum was studied using six sorghum lines, resistant (A 2267-2, IRAT204); moderately resistant (IS 3758, IS 8354); and susceptible (IS 3089, IS 18442) to anthracnose. The lines were selected based on their disease reactions in the International Sorghum Anthracnose Virulence Nursery conducted at 10-12 locations in India and Africa during 1992 and 1993. Plants of each genotype were grown in 13-cm square plastic pots in a Vertisol mix (Vertisol, farmyard manure, and sand, 2:1:1 by volume, steam sterilized at 105°C) in a greenhouse at ICRISAT-Patancheru

A greenhouse screening technique to assess rust resistance in sorghum

Studies were conducted to determine the influence of plant growth stage, inoculum density, temperature, and relative humidity (RH) on development of rust (Puccinia pupurea) in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Rust development was maximum (>80% severity), when plants of a susceptible sorghum genotype (IS 18420) were inoculated at the four‐ to five‐leaf stage with an inoculum concentration of 4 × 106 urediniospores per ml and incubated at 20–25°C under high RH (>90%) for 24 h. Disease severity (percentage leaf area covered with rust pustules) scores were taken 2 weeks after inoculation. Using this technique, 29 sorghum genotypes were screened for rust resistance in a greenhouse. This technique proved effective In discerning resistant and susceptible genotypes, and IS 3979, ICSH 110, ICSH 86647 and ICSH 871035 were identified resistant (<20% rust severity) compared with a susceptible control IS 18420 (90% rust severity). This technique is simple and rapid, and can be used effectively and economically to screen, on a large scale, germplasm lines and breeding populations in the greenhouse