Evaluation of antiepileptic activity of trachyspermum ammi (ajwain oil) alone and as an adjuvant to diazepam in swiss albino mice

Background: Epilepsy is defined as a group of chronic neurological disorders characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures. Taking into account high prevalence of epilepsy and the adverse effects of the current antiepileptic agents which leads to noncompliance, more attempts should be made to re-explore the natural sources for new drug discoveries.Methods: The antiepileptic activity of Ajwain oil alone and as adjuvant to diazepam in swiss albino mice was evaluated using Maximum Electro Shock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure model. A total of forty eight (N=48) swiss albino mice weighing 20-30g of either sex were used in the study. Animals were divided into 2 sets of 24 animals each, which were further divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. In either set, control received - 2% Tween 80 (10mg/kg); standard- Diazepam (2mg/kg); Test drug- Ajwain oil (75mg/kg) and Adjuvant group- Ajwain oil (75mg/kg) + Diazepam (2mg/kg). All the drugs were given intraperitoneally 30min before inducing seizures.Results: One way ANOVA was used to compare the means of all the groups followed by post Hoc Tukey’s test for statistical evaluation. In MES model, test drug showed statistically significant antiepileptic activity compared to control, however the results were comparable to standard. In PTZ, adjuvant therapy showed significant activity compared to standard, with a p value <0.001.Conclusions: Therefore, authors conclude that Ajwain oil has significant anti-epileptic activity

EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF TAPENTADOL IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidepressant activity of tapentadol using forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) experimental models.Methods: A total of 36 Swiss albino mice (18 for each experimental model) were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. In both the experimental models, Group I received normal saline – 10 ml/kg (Control group), Groups II and III given tapentadol 20 mg/kg and tapentadol 40 mg/kg, respectively, for 7 days, intraperitoneally. On day 7, the drugs were given 40 minutes before conducting the experiment. The duration of immobility was noted and compared among all the 3 groups. The observations were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test.Results: The duration of immobility was significantly decreased in both the experimental models. Tapentadol groups when compared to control group showed statistically significant values, and better results were obtained with tapentadol 20 mg/kg groups in both the models. The mean duration of Immobility was 34.67 seconds in FST model and 101.00 seconds in TST model when treated with tapentadol 20 mg/kg compared to 102.33 seconds in FST control and 141 seconds in TST control groups. FST model demonstrates greater antidepressant efficacy of tapentadol (p&lt;0.00) than with TST model (p&lt;0.04).Conclusion: Tapentadol showed significant antidepressant activity at the dose of 20 mg/kg. The results should be further confirmed by animal studies with different experimental models for the evaluation of depression and by human clinical studies, and if found effective, tapentadol can be preferred for patients with chronic pain, such as cancer pain

Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of encapsulated flax seed oil alone and as an adjuvant in Swiss Albino mice

Background: Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural components with displeasing feeling of fear and concern. Among all the antianxiety drugs benzodiazepines are commonly employed drugs for the treatment but they do have limitations. Considering the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and lack of an ideal anxiolytic drug, search for better anxiolytic drugs continue. Medicinal plants are an inexhaustible source and continue to get explored in the search for new drugs.Methods: Antianxiety activity of Flax seed oil was evaluated in mice using Light-Dark Arena model and Elevated Plus Maze model. Encapsulated Flax seed oil (10ml/kg and 20ml/kg), Diazepam (1mg/kg), Normal saline (10ml/kg) and combination of Encapsulated Flax seed oil and Diazepam (10ml/kg + 1mg/kg) were given orally to the randomly divided 5 groups of 6 animals each. Number of entries and time spent in light arena of Light-Dark Arena model and in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model were noted and compared among the 5 groups. Observations were analysed using ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey’s test.Results: Encapsulated Flax seed oil alone as well as an adjuvant to Diazepam showed significantly increased number of entries and time spent in light arena of Light-Dark Arena model (<0.05). It also showed significantly (<0.05) increased time spent but not number of entries in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model.Conclusions: Encapsulated Flax seed oil showed anxiolytic property in Light-Dark arena model and Elevated plus maze model