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Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	85%

Selected Abstracts

Hepatoprotective activity of picroliv, curcumin and ellagic acid compared to silymarin on paracetamol induced liver toxicity in mice

FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
C. Girish
Abstract Oxidative stress is implicated as a common pathologic mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of hepatic damage in a variety of liver disorders. Present study attempts to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of picroliv, curcumin and ellagic acid in comparison to silymarin using paracetamol (PCM) induced acute liver damage. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering a single oral dose of PCM (500 mg/kg) and was assessed by quantifying the serum enzyme activities, phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and histopathological analysis of liver tissues. The antioxidant parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase of the liver tissue were also assessed. The herbal drugs were administered for 7 days by oral route at 50 and 100 mg/kg. PCM induced hepatic damage was manifested by a significant increase in the activities of marker enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) in serum and MDA level in liver. There was also a significant decrease in activity of GSH and catalase levels. The histopathological examination on toxic models revealed centrizonal necrosis and fatty changes. Pretreatment of mice with picroliv, curcumin and ellagic acid reversed these altered parameters towards normal values, which were compared with silymarin. The normalization of phenobarbitone induced sleeping time suggests the restoration of liver cytochrome P450 enzymes. This study supports the use of these active phytochemicals against toxic liver injury, which may act by preventing the lipid peroxidation and augmenting the antioxidant defense system or regeneration of hepatocytes. These active phytochemicals may be developed as drugs for the treatment of liver diseases. [source]

Neuropharmacological evaluation of Ginkgo biloba phytosomes in rodents

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 10 2006
Suresh R. Naik
Abstract On oral administration, Ginkgo biloba phytosomes significantly reduced pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time, produced an alteration in the general behaviour pattern, increased spontaneous motility and inhibited the chlorpromazine-induced blockade of conditioned and unconditioned responses in rodents. They exhibited both antiamnestic and antidepressant activities in the scopolamine-induced amnesia test and behavioural despair test, respectively. However, the phytosomes failed to show anticonvulsant activity. The observations suggest that the G. biloba phytosomes possess moderate antiamnestic/nootropic activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract from Spiranthera odoratissima A. St. Hillaire (Manacá) roots

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2004
L. G. Matos
Abstract Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, the tail flick test and carrageenan-induced peritonitis were used to study the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the crude ethanolic extract from Spiranthera odoratissima roots. Pentobarbital-induced sleeping time was used to study the central depressant effect of the extract. The ethanolic extract caused a dose dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and leukocyte migration, and produced a significant, dose-related increase in the duration of sleep. The results suggest that Spiranthera odoratissima roots contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and central depressant actions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Studies on psychopharmacological effects of Cleome viscosa Linn. extract in rats and mice

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004
B. Parimala Devi
Abstract Methanol extract of the entire plant Cleome viscosa Linn. (CVME) was evaluated for different psychopharmacological actions such as general behaviour, exploratory behaviour, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and effects on normal body temperature in rats and mice. The extract was found to cause reduction in spontaneous activity, decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern by the head dip and Y-maze test, reduction in the muscle relaxant by rotarod, 30° inclined screen and traction tests and caused signi,cant lowering of body temperature. In addition, CVME signi,cantly potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. Preliminary tests indicate that the methanol extract of Cleome viscosa Linn. in doses of 200,400 mg/kg has signi,cant psychopharmacological activity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Neuropeptide S is a stimulatory anxiolytic agent: a behavioural study in mice

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
A Rizzi
Background and purpose: Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of an orphan receptor, now referred to as the NPS receptor. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioural profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study, we further evaluated the effects of in vivo supraspinal NPS in mice. Experimental approach: Effects of NPS, injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), on locomotor activity (LA), righting reflex (RR) recovery and on anxiety states (measured with the elevated plus maze (EPM) and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) tests) were assessed in Swiss mice. Key results: NPS (0.01,1 nmol per mouse) caused a significant increase in LA in naive mice, in mice habituated to the test cages and in animals sedated with diazepam (5 mg kg,1). In the RR assay, NPS dose dependently reduced the proportion of animals losing the RR in response to diazepam (15 mg kg,1) and their sleeping time. In the EPM and SIH test, NPS dose dependently evoked anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the SIH response, respectively. Conclusions and implications: We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviours by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore, NPS receptor ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 471,479; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.96; published online 31 March 2008 [source]

RESEARCH: Zopiclone (Cyclopyrrolone): A Novel Hypnosedative; Hypnosedation Caused by Zopiclone Does Not Impair Memory-Learning in Albino Mice

CNS: NEUROSCIENCE AND THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010
Uma Kadam
SUMMARY Objectives: To evaluate hypnosedative action of Zopiclone by using animal models for hypnosis and sedation (anxiolysis); and to further evaluate whether this hypnosedation impairs memory-learning in albino mice like conventional hypnosedatives. Methods: For evaluation of hypnosedation, following experiments were performed in albino mice: (1) righting reflex test, (2) pentobarbitone sleeping time potentiation, (3) open field apparatus behavior, and (4) elevated plus maze performance. For evaluation of effects on impairment of memory-learning, elevated plus maze retention test was performed in albino mice. Results: Zopiclone (7.5 mg/kg p.o.) did not inhibit the righting reflex. Significant (P < 0.001) potentiation of pentobarbitone sleeping time and increase in exploration in open field apparatus was observed. Elevated plus maze performance also showed significant (P < 0.01) increase in number of entries to open arm at the same time significant (P < 0.02) increase in time spent in open arm was observed. Elevated plus maze retention test showed significant (P < 0.01) increase in transfer latency on second day of experiment. Conclusions: Zopiclone (7.5 mg/kg p.o.) has selective hypnosedative activity but not CNS-depressant activity similar to BZDs. Hypnosedative action of Zopiclone does not impair memory-learning in albino mice like conventional hypnosedatives. [source]