Development and Optimization of Novel Emulgel Loaded with Andrographolide-Rich Extract and Sesame Oil Using Quality by Design Approach: In Silico and In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation against A431 Cells

An epidermoid carcinoma is a form of non-melanoma skin cancer that originates from the outer layer of the skin's squamous cells. Previous studies have shown that andrographis extract and andrographolide inhibit the growth and proliferation of epidermoid carcinoma cells while also inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The objective of this study was to improve the anticancer efficacy of the andrographolide-rich extract by delivering it in the form of nanoemulgel. During the formulation of emulgels, sonication, and homogenization were employed, and a 2²-factorial design was used to optimize the formulations through the quality by design (QbD) approach. The optimized formulation (AEE8) was subjected to preliminary evaluations along with particle size, drug release, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The potential of the optimized emulgel against A431 cell lines was also investigated using MTT assay followed by flow cytometric analysis. The SEM results reveal that the optimized emulgel had a well-defined spherical shape, with a droplet size of 226 ± 1.8 nm, a negative surface charge of -30.1 ± 1.6 mV, and a PDI of 0.157. The cellular data indicate that AEE8 reduced the viability of the A431 cells with an IC₅₀ of 16.56 μg/mL, as determined by MTT assay when compared to cells treated with the extract alone. Furthermore, the flow cytometric analysis of the optimized emulgel formulation demonstrated a marked G2/M phase arrest. This finding further supports the effectiveness of the gel in disrupting the cell cycle at the critical G2 and M phases, which are pivotal for cell division and proliferation. This disruption in cell cycle progression can impede the growth and spread of cancer cells, making the gel a promising candidate for anti-skin-cancer therapy. The safety of emulgels (AEE8) was validated through rigorous biocompatibility testing conducted on HDF (human dermal fibroblast) cell lines, ensuring their suitability for use. Considering the potential of the nanoemulgel, particularly AEE8, as demonstrated by its favorable properties and its ability to disrupt the cell cycle, it holds great promise as an innovative approach to treating skin cancer.

Aurintricarboxylic acid mitigates cigarette smoke extract induced oxidative stress and pulmonary inflammation via inhibition of NF-ҡB/p65 signaling

Cigarette smoke (CS) induced emphysema and chronic pulmonary inflammation are major comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CS exposure exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and compromises immunity to various infections. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) is a polyanionic aromatic compound especially recognized for its anti-inflammatory, nucleic acid, and protein interaction inhibition properties. The study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of ATA against cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced pulmonary inflammation. Nicotine concentration was quantified in CSE by UPLC/MS technique. In vitro, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry was performed in CSE stimulated alveolar epithelial cells to determine the effect of ATA on oxidative stress-mediated cellular apoptosis. In vivo, pulmonary inflammation was induced in male Wistar rats via a modified non-invasive intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke extract (100 µl/animal) twice a week for 8 weeks and post-treated with ATA (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 15 days. Lung homogenates were assessed for MDA and GSH. Lung tissues were subjected to western blotting and histopathological analysis. As result, ATA reduced CSE-induced chromatin condensation, fragmentation, cellular apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells, and apoptotic biomarkers expression including BAX and Caspase-3 in the lungs. ATA reduced inflammation by normalizing redox balance reflected by MDA/GSH levels. ATA obviated airspace enlargement, fiber deposition, and immune cell infiltration. Reduced inflammation was accompanied by inhibition of inflammatory biomarkers TNF-α, TNFR1, TWEAK, and NF-ҡB/p65 activation and nuclear translocation. ATA efficaciously diminished the oxidative stress and pulmonary inflammation associated with lung pathogenesis through TNF-α/TNFR1/NF-ҡB/p65 signaling pathway. HIGHLIGHTSATA treatment attenuates CSE-stimulated chromatin condensation, fragmentation, and cellular apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells.ATA treatment inhibits CSE stimulated activation and nuclear translocation of NF-ҡB/p65.ATA treatment diminishes CSE-induced oxidant injury, apoptosis, and emphysema-like phenotypic changes in the lungs.ATA inhibits lung inflammation via suppression of the NF-ҡB/p65 signaling pathway.

Aurintricarboxylic acid protects isoproterenol induced left ventricular hypertrophy by modulating TWEAK signaling

BACKGROUND

Cardiac hypertrophy is regarded as a compensation mechanism to overcome the increased workload. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) is a derivative of quinomethanes and a selective inhibitor of TWEAK/Fn14 pathway. In this study, we investigated the effect of ATA on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS

Cardiac hypertrophy in H9C2 cells was induced using ISO 20 μM dissolved in PBS. H9C2 cells were treated with ATA (5 µM, 10 µM, 20 µM) followed by ISO stimulation for 24 h. Male SD rats were injected ISO (5 mg/kg/day, s.c) for 21 days and followed by treatment with ATA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days. Cardiac functions were assessed. After sacrifice, hearts were subjected to histopathological and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

In in-vitro results, upon ATA treatment, ICC results showed significant decrease in TWEAK and ANP expression. In in-vivo results, echocardiography showed significant restoration of cardiac function in ATA treated rats. Histopathological analysis showed a significant decrease in left ventricular wall thickness, cardiomyocytes width and reduced fibrosis in ATA treated rats. Western blotting showed decreased expression of the cardiac hypertrophy maker ANP, inflammatory markers including TWEAK and apoptotic markers after ATA treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway could be a potential target for therapeutic exploration in ISO induced cardiac hypertrophy. ATA, as an inhibitor of this pathway, exerted significant cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

Ethanolic Extract of Tridax procumbens Mitigates Pulmonary Inflammation via Inhibition of NF-κB/p65/ERK Mediated Signalling in an Allergic Asthma Model

BACKGROUND

Tridax procumbens is a traditionally used medicinal plant with high content of active phytoconstituents having anti-inflammatory activity. Accumulating evidences have shown that Tridax procumbens efficaciously diminished oxidative stress and inflammation. However the anti-inflammatory role of Tridax procumbens is not obscured in allergic asthma.

PURPOSE

Aim of this study was to decipher the anti-inflammatory role of Tridax procumbens in allergic asthma and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (TP) was prepared and major phytoconstituents (flavonoids) were characterized by biochemical and UPLC/MS analysis. Rats were sensitized and challenged with environmental allergen ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an allergic asthma model. Persuasive anti-inflammatory role of TP was demonstrated in vivo (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and in vitro (250, 125, 75 and 25 µg/ml) experiments.

RESULTS

Characterization by UPLC/MS analysis showed the presence of various bioactive flavonoids. In in vitro study, significant reduction in ROS production, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in alveolar type II cells upon pre-treatment with TP (250, 125, 75 and 25 µg/ml) in a concentration-dependant manner. In vivo, TP (200 mg/kg) oral administration showed robust anti-oxidative activity. TP treatment abrogated bronchial wall thickening, immune cell infiltration and bronchial wall fibre deposition. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the diminished expression of IL-1β, IL-6 in bronchial epithelium and vascular endothelium. TP abrogated inflammation by reducing the level of inflammatory cytokines including IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1, as well as inflammatory markers including TWEAK, TNF-α, TNF-R1 and its downstream transcription factor NF-ҡB/p65 activation and its nuclear translocation. Western blot analysis of TP treated lung tissue and alveolar type II cells showed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 significantly.

CONCLUSION

TP exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of ROS production and down-regulation of NF-ҡB/ERK signalling in vitro and in vivo asthma model. Thus, TP can be envisaged as an effective anti-inflammatory agent for OVA-induced allergic asthma.

Cigarette smoke extract triggers neoplastic change in lungs and impairs locomotor activity through wnt3a-β-catenin signaling in aged COPD rodent model

BACKGROUND

Chronic cigarette smoking primes immense decline in lung functions and retardation of motor functions with increase in age. This raise the question of whether age status overwhelm the susceptibility to smoking induced lung inflammatory diseases and neuro-motor dysfunctions.

METHODS

To study the hypothesis 11-12 month old aged wistar rats (n = 6) were administered cigarette smoke extract (CSE) through intraperitoneal route (0.5 ml/rat) twice a week for 2 months. Respiratory lung functions were measured through whole body plethysmography. Lung histopathological evaluation and neuronal degeneration were observed by using H&E, picrosirius red and nissl staining respectively. Motor function tests were done through panel of neuro-behavioral tests and protein expressions were performed in lung and brain tissue homogenates through western blotting.

RESULTS

Sub-chronic CSE exposure worsened the lung functions including decreased tidal volume (p < 0.05), peak inspiratory flow (p < 0.05) and enhanced pause (p < 0.05). Grossly, solid neoplastic lesions were visible on the supra-lateral surface of the lungs of the CSE treated animals. Histopathological examination revealed immune cell infiltration, dominated with macrophages and alveolar type II cells stained positive for PCNA. Increased expression of BAX, PCNA, Wnt-3a, p-β-catenin (p < 0.05) was seen in the lungs of CSE treated aged animals. Elevated expression of inflammatory markers including NF-ϏB, TNF-α, TNF-R1, p-AKT was found in CSE treated lung tissues. Moreover, our result showed increased MCP-1, VEGF and IL-6 levels in BALF and plasma (p < 0.01) which might lead to neo-vascularization and excessive cell proliferation in lungs of CSE induced rats. Sub-chronic cigarette smoke exposure retarded the motor activity with suppression of D1 and D2 receptor expression in brain tissues. Brain tissue revealed the abundance of hyperchromatic and pyknotic nuclei suggesting neuronal degeneration.

CONCLUSION

So in conclusion, chronic cigarette smoking in old age creates susceptibility to fast onset of lung inflammatory diseases and neuro-motor retardation than their nonsmoker counterparts.

Comparative analysis of drought-responsive transcriptomes of sugarcane genotypes with differential tolerance to drought

Water stress causes considerable yield losses in sugarcane. To investigate differentially expressed genes under water stress, two sugarcane genotypes were subjected to three water-deficit levels (mild, moderate, and severe) and subsequent recovery and leaf transcriptome was generated using Illumina NextSeq sequencing. Among the differentially expressed genes, the tolerant genotype Co 06022 generated 2970 unigenes (p ≤ 0.05, functionally known, non-redundant DEGs) at 2-day stress, and there was a progressive decrease in the expressed genes as the stress period increased with 2109 unigenes at 6-day stress and 2307 unigenes at 10-day stress. There was considerable reduction at recovery with 1334 unigenes expressed at 10 days after recovery. However, in the susceptible genotype Co 8021, the number of unigenes expressed at 2 days was lower (2025) than the tolerant genotype and a further reduction was seen at 6-day stress (1552). During recovery, more differentially expressed genes were observed in the susceptible cultivar indicating that the cultivar has to activate more functions/processes to recover from the damage caused by stress. Comparison of DEGs between all stages of stress and recovery in both genotypes revealed that, the commonly up- and down-regulated genes across different stages were approximately double in the tolerant genotype. The most enriched gene ontology classes were heme binding, peroxidase activity and metal ion binding in the biological process and response to oxidative stress, hydrogen peroxide catabolic process and response to stress in the molecular function category. The cellular component was enriched with DEGs involved in extracellular region followed by integral component of membrane. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed important metabolic activities and functionally important genes involved in mitigating water-deficit stress in both the varieties. In addition, several unannotated genes in important pathways were detected and together may provide novel insights into water-deficit tolerance mechanisms in sugarcane. The reliability of the observed expression patterns was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The results of this study will help to identify useful genes for improving drought tolerance in sugarcane.

Picosecond difference-frequency-generation in orientation-patterned gallium phosphide

We report the generation of tunable high-repetition-rate picosecond radiation in the mid-infrared using the new quasi-phase-matched nonlinear material of orientation-patterned gallium phosphide (OP-GaP). The source is realized by single-pass difference-frequency-generation (DFG) between the output signal of a picosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) tunable across 1609-1637 nm with input pump pulses at 1064 nm in OP-GaP, resulting in tunable radiation across 3040-3132 nm. Using a 40-mm-long crystal, we have generated up to 57 mW of DFG average power at ~80 MHz repetition rate for a pump power of 5 W and signal power of 0.9 W, with >30 mW over >50% of the tuning range. The DFG source exhibits a passive power stability better than 3.2% rms over 1 hour in good spatial beam quality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first picosecond frequency conversion source based on OP-GaP.

Ti:sapphire-pumped deep-infrared femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on CdSiP2

We report on a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) for the deep-infrared (deep-IR) based on the Kerr-lens-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser as the pump source. By deploying a novel cascaded intracavity arrangement, comprising a femtosecond OPO based on the nonlinear crystal, CdSiP2, synchronously pumped internal to a MgO:PPLN femtosecond OPO, we have generated broadly tunable radiation across 5958-8117 nm using rapid static cavity delay tuning, with a maximum power of 64 μW at 6791 nm, limited by the absorption in mirror substrates as well as polarization-dependent intracavity losses. The deep-IR idler power exhibits excellent passive stability of better than 1.1% rms over 2 h, with a spectral bandwidth as large as ∼650 nm at ∼6800 nm. The demonstrated concept is generic and can be similarly deployed in other operating time scales and wavelength regions, also using different laser pump sources and nonlinear materials.

Yb-fiber-laser-based, 1.8 W average power, picosecond ultraviolet source at 266 nm

We report a compact, stable, high-power, picosecond ultraviolet (UV) source at 266 nm based on simple single-pass two-step fourth-harmonic generation (FHG) of a mode-locked Yb-fiber laser at 79.5 MHz in LiB3O5 (LBO) and β-BaB2O4. Using a 30-mm-long LBO crystal for single-pass second-harmonic generation, we achieve up to 9.1 W of average green power at 532 nm for 16.8 W of Yb-fiber power at a conversion efficiency of 54% in 16.2 ps pulses with a TEM00 spatial profile and passive power stability better than 0.5% rms over 16 h. The generated green radiation is then used for single-pass FHG into the UV, providing as much as 1.8 W of average power at 266 nm under the optimum focusing condition in the presence of spatial walk-off, at an overall FHG conversion efficiency of ∼11%. The generated UV output exhibits passive power stability better than 4.6% rms over 1.5 h and beam pointing stability better than 84 μrad over 1 h. The UV output beam has a circularity of >80% in high beam quality with the TEM00 mode profile. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of picosecond UV generation at 266 nm at megahertz repetition rates.

Preparation and characterization of pioglitazone cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Pioglitazone, a class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System drug having poor water solubility and slow dissolution rate may have a negative impact on its subtherapeutic plasma drug levels leading to therapeutic failure. In order to improve its water solubility and thus dissolution, cyclodextrin complexation technique was followed. The phase solubility studies were carried using three different types of cyclodextrins viz., β, methyl-β and γ-cyclodextrins. The Gibbs free energy was calculated in order to determine ease of the complexation. Binary systems of pioglitazone with cyclodextrins were prepared by kneading method and spray drying method. The phase solubility profiles with all the three cyclodextrins were classified as A_L-type, indicating the formation of 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complexes. The complexation capability of cyclodextrins with pioglitazone increased in the order of methyl-β > β > γ-cyclodextrin. The Gibbs free energy was found to be in the order γ > methyl-β > β cyclodextrin. Characterization of inclusion complexes was done by solubility studies, in vitro dissolution studies, Fourier transformation-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffractometry studies. Inclusion complexes exhibited higher rates of dissolution than the corresponding physical mixtures and pure drug. Greater solubility was observed with spray-dried methyl-β cyclodextrin complexes (2.29 ± 0.001 mg/ml) in comparison to the kneaded methyl-β cyclodextrin complexes (1.584 ± 0.053 mg/ml) and pure drug (0.0714 ± 0.0018 mg/ml).

In vitro-in vivo evaluation of fast-dissolving tablets containing solid dispersion of pioglitazone hydrochloride

Investigation of in vitro/in vivo behavior of fast-dissolving tablets containing solid dispersions of pioglitazone hydrochloride (PIO) is the focus of the present research work. The effect of various hydrophilic polymers on the aqueous solubility of PIO was studied. Poly vinyl pyrrolidine K 30 (PVPK 30) carrier was selected and solid dispersions were prepared by various methods. Evaluation of solid dispersion for percentage yield, drug content, solubility, and Fourier Transform Infrared-indicated kneading method was most appropriate. Furthermore, the dissolution studies exhibited an enhancement in drug dissolution. One-way ANOVA of in vitro data suggested that there was significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference in dissolution profile of PIO solid dispersion when compared with pure drug and commercial product. Infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffraction performed on solid dispersion indicated lack of physicochemical interaction between the drug and the carrier. The selected formulation is compressed into fast-dissolving tablets which were further evaluated for tablet properties and in vitro drug release. In vivo studies of pure drug, selected formulation, and marketed product were carried out in male Wistar rats and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using Kinetica software 2000. The best formulation has shown T(max) of 1 hour which was highly significant (P < 0.01) when compared with pure drug and marketed formulation. Therefore, the solid dispersions prepared by kneading method using PVPK 30 as hydrophilic carrier can be successfully used for improvement of dissolution of PIO and resulted in faster onset of action as indicated by in vivo studies.

Carbamazepine--the commonest cause of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a study of 7 years

BACKGROUND

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are a group of severe life threatening drug reactions. The drugs commonly implicated as the cause of these drug reactions vary depending on host factors and the prescription pattern of drugs in that particular area.

AIM

The aim of the study was to find the drugs implicated as the cause of SJS/TEN in the patients admitted in the dermatology ward at the Medical College, Thrissur and to find the clinical outcome.

METHODS

It was a retrospective study of 7 years from 1997 to 2004. The case records of all patients with a clinical diagnosis of TEN or SJS were studied in detail regarding the drugs implicated as the cause, the management and the clinical outcome.

RESULTS

During the study period, 41 patients in the age group ranging from 12 to 72 years were treated as inpatients, of which 20 were males and 21 were females. The commonest drug implicated as the cause of SJS/TEN was carbamazepine (44%). The indication for carbamazepine was control of pain in more than 50% of the cases. Presence of a major systemic disease before the onset of SJS/TEN was associated with a bad prognosis.

CONCLUSION

The increased use of carbamazepine, especially for control of pain, may be the reason for the increased incidence of SJS/TEN due to the same drug. Awareness about the drugs implicated in life threatening drug reactions will help physicians in preventing them by judicious use of the drugs.

Bone marrow necrosis in paediatric patients

Necrosis of bone marrow is a very rare condition with a prevalence ranging from 0.15 to 7 percent. It is mostly not compatible with life. We diagnosed four cases of necrotic marrow out of 830 bone marrow aspirations done in last five years of time. All were paediatric patients having peripheral pancytopenia. Three out of four patients expired within one month of diagnosis.

Pharmacokinetic profile of a new matrix-type transdermal delivery system: diclofenac diethyl ammonium patch

A transdermal delivery system containing the anti-inflammatory analgesic diclofenac diethyl ammonium in an ethyl hexyl acrylate and vinyl acetate pressure-sensitive adhesive system was developed for percutaneous absorption. These patches were subjected to in vitro permeation and permeation enhancement studies through rat skin using a specially designed diffusion cell. Further, the work deals with percutaneous absorption studies carried out on both animals and human volunteers. The pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the blood levels of the drug reveal a profile typical of a sustained-release formulation, with the ability to maintain adequate plasma levels for 24 hr (i.e., up to the next application). (Area under the curve [AUC]: 4.356 +/- 1.3 mcg/ml.hr in animals and 0.442 +/- 0.053 mcg/ml.hr in humans; Tmax was 8 hr in both the cases, whereas Cmax was 0.288 +/- 0.088 mcg/ml in animals and 0.034 +/- .008 mcg/ml in human volunteers.) The amount of the drug bioavailable for targeting the sites of action is lower than via the oral route, but the absorbed dose appears to be adequate for therapeutic use, particularly because of the absence of side effects.

Pregnancy and congenital heart disease--maternal and fetal outcome

Two hundred and seventy five pregnancies in patients with congenital heart disease during 1980-1996 were analyzed retrospectively. Maternal and perinatal outcome was compared in 251 pregnancies of women with acyanotic and 24 pregnancies of women with cyanotic heart disease. Congenital heart disease was diagnosed during the index pregnancy in 26.1% of patients and the majority (88.4%) were in NYHA classes 1 and 2. Atrial septal defect (27.7%) was the most common lesion in women with acyanotic heart disease and the majority with cyanotic heart disease had Eisenmenger syndrome, 13 of 21 (61.9%). Sixty pregnancies occurred in patients with surgically corrected lesions (acyanotic, 56; cyanotic, 4). The incidences of abortions (8.3%), stillbirths (13.6%) and small for gestational age (SGA) (36.4%) were higher in cyanotic heart disease compared to acyanotic heart disease (stillbirth, 0.8%; SGA, 6.9%). There was a statistically significant difference in mean maternal age, mean gestational age and mean birth-weight in the surgically corrected and noncorrected lesions in both acyanotic and cyanotic heart disease. There was 1 maternal death in a woman with Eisenmenger syndrome.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis--a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, idiosyncratic, exfoliative disease of the skin and mucous membranes. The treatment of this condition is controversial. High-dose corticosteroid therapy has been the most commonly advocated treatment, but, more recently, this has changed to a no-steroid protocol. These conflicting treatments prompted us to evaluate retrospectively our protocol.

METHODS

The patients admitted to the hospital from 1989 to 1995 with a clinical diagnosis of TEN were included in the study. These patients were given systemic steroids, prophylactic antibiotic, and supportive measures.

RESULTS

The patients belonged to both sexes with an average age of 34 years. The average area of involvement was 85.62%. All the patients made an uneventful recovery without any evidence of sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with systemic steroids is useful in the management of TEN, and there is no need for a burn care center.

Quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation of the carotid arteries in hypertension

Current treatment goals for hypertension include the prevention of end-organ injuries. Hypertension is certainly among the major contributors to atherogenesis, and many antihypertensive drugs seem to have wall-protecting properties. It is critical to identify, test, and implement non-invasive methods for the screening of the population in order to detect early wall abnormalities and to monitor the long-term effects of different antihypertensive treatments. Among these methods, B-mode ultrasound examination of carotid arteries has shown great potential in evaluating treatments that may prevent hypertension-related wall injuries.

Behavioral neurobiology of inverse agonist FG 7142 induced anxiety syndrome in rats

1. Neurobehavioral survey of inverse agonist FG 7142 was performed employing a novel anxiety paradigm namely FR-2 Two-Way crossover in a shuttle box. 2. FG syndrome was found to be similar to learned helplessness following shock treatment. Significant increase in mean latency to escape was observed from 0 to 25th trial. Effect of FG 7142 on the behavioral and neurological profile did not deviate significantly from controls. However, a general increase in arousal, darting and sideway movement (weaving) of the head were noted. 3. Drugs with specificity at benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor site were employed as pretreatments in order to study their influence on FG 7142 induced anxiety syndrome. Diazepam and ZK 91296, significantly blocked the inverse agonist response. Head weaving as well as darting movements were completely abolished although rats demonstrated arousal and vigilance. 4. A dose dependent inhibition of FG response was observed with RO 15-1788, a specific BDZ receptor blocker. ZK 93423 at low doses (1 mg/kg) failed to reverse the escape deficit induced by FG. Higher doses of ZK 93423 could not be tested as significant sedation and ataxia were noted. 5. It is suggested that a careful combination of a BDZ agonist and inverse agonist may be beneficial in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorders.

Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. seed extract on the genital organs of male and female rats

Following the oral administration of acetone extract of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seeds for 15 days is male rats, total protein concentration was found to be significantly decreased in testes and vas deferens and increased in seminal vesicles and prostate gland. There was a decrease in activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase in all these regions, except that alkaline phosphatase was unchanged in vasa. In female rats, oral administration of the extract for 10 days led to vaginal cornification and oestrus cycle. While moderate doses caused increase in weight of mammary glands, higher doses increased the weight of oviduct, endometrium, myometrium, cervix and vagina also. The results confirm the oestrogenic activity of the seed extract.

Effect of foeniculum vulgare seed extract on mammary glands and oviducts of ovariectomised rats

The effect of acetone extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., seeds at different dose levels (50/ug, 150/ug and 250/ug/100gm body wt.) on mammary glands and oviducts of castrated rats was investigated. The extract was found to increase nucleic acids and protein concentration as well as the organ weights in both the tissues. The medium and high doses were very effective. The results confirm the estrogenic nature of the seed extract.