Anticonvulsant profile of nardostachys jatamansi roots in albino rats

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. Despite the massive scale of the problem and much research, epilepsy remains poorly understood. Most of the currently used antiepileptic drugs have some neurotoxic effects, cognitive deficits and teratogenic effects, which decrease their clinical utility and up to 30% of patients are still refractory to treatment. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi root in albino rats.Methods: Albino rats (150-200 gms) of male sex were randomly selected, from central animal facility. They were divided into 5groups(per model) of 6 rats each, control group-propylene glycol 0.5 ml, standard group-sodium valproate (300 mg/kg), dose 1-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (100 mg/kg), dose 2-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (200 mg/kg) and dose 3-ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots (400 mg/kg). The anti-convulsant activity was screened using maximal electroshock seizure model and pentylenetetrazole model. Results were analysed by ANOVA followed by post hoc Fisher’s LSD test.Results: The ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots at the dose of 400 mg/kg has shown significant anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model. Whereas, in pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model, the ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots has shown significant anticonvulsant activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight.Conclusions: The anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots was less when compared to Sodium Valproate in Maximal Electro Shock model. Whereas, in Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure model, anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of nardostachys jatamansi roots was comparable to sodium valproate

Skylab experiment performance evaluation manual. Appendix B: Experiment M-415, thermal control coatings (MSFC)

Performance tests to determine the thermodynamic properties of thermal control coatings for application to the Skylab corollary experiments under preflight, inflight, and postflight conditions are described. Malfunction analyses and procedures for working around contingency situations are discussed. The specifications for various sensors and instruments are presented in tables of data

Skylab experimental performance evaluation manual. Appendix O: Experiment T002 manual navigation sightings (MSFC)

A series of analyses for Experiment T002, Navigation Sightings (MSFC), to be used for evaluating the performance of the Skylab corollary experiments under preflight, inflight, and post-flight conditions are presented. Experiment contingency plan workaround procedure and malfunction analyses are presented in order to assist in making the experiment operationally successful

DESIGN OF DERMA STICKS OF ANDROGAPHIS PANICULATA FOR THE TREATMENT OF GYNAECOLOGICAL SKIN DISORDERS

Objective: Vaginal candidiasis are often painful and uncomfortable and can include intense itching, irritation, vaginal discharge and dysuria. Gynaecological skin disorders referring to inflammatory and infectious conditions affecting the vaginal mucosa and vulvitis often accompanies vagina pain, itching and burning sensation. Herbal therapy is gaining popularity of women on account of it's reduced side effect and restoration of the normal vaginal flora. Plants reported to possess activity or used in traditional systems of medicine for prevention and treatment of vaginitis. Therefore, it was found essential to find an alternative to counter all the above disadvantages effectively and hence in the present work, formulation and development of medicated sticks has been planned with the herbal drug Androgaphis Paniculata which is very well known for the anti bacterial and anti fungal activity.Methods: The preparation and characterization of medicated sticks was carried out in four phases. Phase I studies includes preparation of medicated derma sticks using the ointment bases with varied concentrations of waxes. Phase II studies involves characterization of prepared medicated derma sticks like weight, thickness and length. Phase III studies involves stability studies of prepared formulations. Phase IV Studies involves anti microbial studies by zone inhibition method. .Phase V: Primary skin irritation studies carried out on rabbits and guinea pigs and in healthy human volunteers showed no sensitization and edema on skin after 72 h of application.Results: The results of present study revealed that the prepared medicated sticks of Androgaphis Paniculata are convenient, equally effective, without any contamination chances on application and free from skin irritation.Conclusion:The present work is a unique piece of contribution to the drug industry. The results will be useful to industry RandD for further investigations. The continuation of these work clinical studies is in progress.Objective: Vaginal candidiasis are often painful and uncomfortable and can include intense itching, irritation, vaginal discharge and dysuria. Gynaecological skin disorders referring to inflammatory and infectious conditions affecting the vaginal mucosa and vulvitis often accompanies vagina pain, itching and burning sensation. Herbal therapy is gaining popularity of women on account of its reduced side effect and restoration of the normal vaginal flora. Plants reported to possess activity or used in traditional systems of medicine for prevention and treatment of vaginitis. Therefore, it was found essential to find an alternative to counter all the above disadvantages effectively and hence in the present work, formulation and development of medicated sticks have been planned with the herbal drug Androgaphis Paniculata which is very well known for the antibacterial and antifungal activity.Methods: The preparation and characterization of medicated sticks were carried out in four phases. Phase I studies include preparation of medicated derma sticks using the ointment bases with varied concentrations of waxes. Phase II studies involve characterization of prepared medicated derma sticks like weight, thickness and length. Phase III studies involves stability studies of prepared formulations. Phase IV Studies involves antimicrobial studies by zone inhibition method. .Phase V: Primary skin irritation studies carried out on rabbits and guinea pigs and in healthy human volunteers showed no sensitization and edema on the skin after 72 h of application. Results: The results of present study revealed that the prepared medicated sticks of Androgaphis Paniculata are convenient, equally effective, without any contamination chances on the application and free from skin irritation. Conclusion: The present work is a unique piece of contribution to the drug industry. The results will be useful to industry R&D for further investigations. The continuation of these work clinical studies is in progress

Evaluation of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Varieties for Rainfed Cultivation

Field experiments were carried out for two years at Agricultural Research Station, Seethampeta, Srikakulam Dist., Andhra Pradesh, to identify suitable turmeric cultivars for tribal areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh for rainfed cultivation. Ten cultivars were screened for their performance for comparison with the most popular local cultivar, 'Seethampeta local'. All the cultivars tested outperformed the local cultivar. Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 were better in terms of plant height (93.43cm and 92.70cm, respectively) and mean number of tillers / plant (2.16 and 2.21 respectively). Per cent curing was highest in PTS-38 (28.5), followed by PTS-24 (25.7) and CLL-326 (25.2). Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 recorded highest mean yield of both fresh and cured rhizomes. Yield of fresh rhizomes was positively correlated to number of tillers and number of leaves, while, yield of cured rhizomes was significantly influenced by per cent curing and number of leaves. Cultivars PTS-24 and CLL-326 recorded highest mean yield (23.08 t ha-1 and 22.93 t ha-1, respectively) and were identified as suitable varieties for rainfed cultivation in tribal areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Effect of Alternanthera brasiliana in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract with limited therapeutic options. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana in acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in albino rats.Methods: A total of 36 animals were included in the study. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6 ): group I - control (normal saline), group II-AA+ normal saline, group III-Sulfasalazine (360mg/kg)+AA, group IV A-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (300 mg/kg), group IV B-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (600 mg/kg)+AA, group IV C-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (900 mg/kg)+AA. Group IV was divided into three subgroups, namely IVA, IV B and IV C, on the basis of different doses of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana. After completion of 7 days of treatment, rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia for assessment of intestinal inflammation using parameters namely colon weight change, macroscopic and histopathological evaluation.Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in colonic weight, macroscopic scores and microscopic scores in groups treated with methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana at a dose of 600 mg/kg.Conclusions: The present study indicates the efficacy of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana in acetic acid-induced IBD. The effects are more pronounced at a dose of 600 mg/kg than at 300 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana

Economic analysis of prawn culture in Andhra Pradesh - Some preliminary findings

Inadaquate supply of quality seed is one of the chief constraints that impedes the quick development of ptawn culture. Estuaries still remain the largest source of prawn seed supply. They are likely to remain so atleast for sometime in offing before the hatchery production of seeds is undertaken commercially and massively. The Marine Products Export development Authority assists the prawn farmers in setting up prawn seed banks by providing technical assistance on prawn culture, undertaking site selection and farm surveys, preparing project reports for submitting to the banks to get financial assistance, releasing subsidy to the tune of 16% on the capital cost of the project and providing continued technical assistance throughout the culture period. Already some prawn farmers have started establishing such prawn seed banks and supplying prawn seed commercially. This paper presents and discusses results of case studies on the economic feasibility of setting up prawn seed banks by fish farmers/prawn farmers

Extension service for prawn farming

The technology of prawn culture in India is still traditional and extensive called trapping-cum-holding in brackish water ponds, but adoption of Improved extensive prawn culture technology Is claimed to be picking up fast In several places notably In West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The production from such culture practices is estimated at 15000-17000 tons/year, accounting for about 5% of the total prawn production In India the technology of scientific prawn culture is now available. Though steps are being taken to motivate, and encourage the fish farmers to take up prawn culture on scientific lines to increase their Income, lack of an appropriate extension network Is felt to be a major handicap In the field. This paper attempts to review the various extension services available for taking up prawn culture by the fish farmers. Identifies the pitfalls and proposes a working fisheries extension programme for prawn culture In Indi

Arachnoid web: a mystery unravelled

A 47-year-old lady came with complaints of dull aching low backache and numbness over both the lower limbs since six months, aggravated since one week. She had tenderness over dorsal (D8-D10) and lumbar (L4-L5) spinal and paraspinal regions. Radiographs were inconclusive. Plain and contrast Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dorso-lumbar (D-L) spine with whole spine screening were also inconclusive initially. But close observation and serial viewing of all the sections revealed features of an arachnoid web at D7-D8 vertebral level. Patient underwent D7, D8 laminectomy with durotomy and arachnoid web excision. She had considerable improvement in her symptoms after the surgery. Hence, prompt recognition and early surgery ensure good outcomes in this uncommon yet relevant clinical entity