Amlan Ganguly

In-vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of Manilkara zapota leaves in albino Wistar rats

Objective To screen ethanolic extracts of Manilkara zapota leaves (Family: Sapotaceae) and its different solvent soluble fractions for possible anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic activities in experimental albino Wistar rats.

Evaluation of antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal properties of Manilkara zapota leaves in Swiss albino mice

Abstract Context Manilkara zapota (L.). P. Royen. (Sapotaceae) has been used in folk medicine to treat pain, diarrhoea, inflammation, arthralgia, and other disorders. Objective Screening of Manilkara zapota leaves ethanol extract and its different solvent soluble fractions for possible antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities in Swiss albino mice. Materials and methods The extract and various fractions (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight; p.o.) were tested for peripheral and central antinociceptive activity by acetic acid-induced writhing and radiant heat tail-flick method, respectively; castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model was used to evaluate antidiarrhoeal activity at both doses. All the samples were administered once in a day and the duration of study was approximately 5 h. Results Ethanol extract (400 mg/kg), petroleum ether fraction (400 mg/kg), and ethyl acetate fraction (400 mg/kg) showed significant peripheral antinociceptive activity having 59.89, 58.24, and 46.7% (p < 0.001) of writhing inhibition, respectively, which is comparable with that of standard diclofenac (59.34% inhibition). The ethanol extract (400 mg/kg) and petroleum ether fraction (400 mg/kg) also showed promising central analgesic activity having 74.15 and 82.15% (p < 0.001) elongation of reaction time, respectively, at 90 min after administration of sample which is also similar to that obtained by morphine (85.84% elongation). In antidiarrhoeal activity screening, ethanol extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed significant inhibition of defecation by 53.57 and 60.71%, respectively (p < 0.001) compared with that of loperamide (71.42%). Discussion and conclusion The findings of the studies demonstrated antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities of M. zapota leaves which could be the therapeutic option against pain and diarrhoeal disease.

A review on Zika infection: From strain identification to Guillain-Barré syndrome complication

Abstract Zika infection, caused by Zika virus, is one of the life-threatening viral diseases of the 21st century. Though this virus came into our focus about 50 years ago, our understanding regarding this has not been improved till then. The probable reason lies within its characteristics of not showing any physical or physiological symptoms until the virus is spread to our next generation, new-born babies, who become mostly victims of microcephaly. The prime focus of this review was to demonstrate two focusing etiological features and complications related to Zika infection along with their findings. In the first study, the purpose was to isolate the virus strain and to find out the reason for not showing any physiological symptoms. The next study was about how Guillain-Barre syndrome can complicate the Zika infection in vector body. In short, a partial depiction of infection by Zika virus was tried to be focused.

Anti-inflammatory and Neuropharmacological activities of the seed extract of Setaria italica.

Setaria italica (Poaceae) has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, pain, arthralgia and many neurological disorders. The objective of the study is screening of ethanolic extract of Setaria italica seeds for possible anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological activities in rats and mice respectively. Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan induced paw edema inhibition method while the neuropharmacological potential was evaluated by three separate methods: Hole-cross test, Open-field method and Phenobarbitone induced sleeping time test. The crude ethanolic extract of seeds of Setaria italica at 400 mg/kg body weight showed a strong anti-inflammatory activity with 20.16, 65.44, 65.5 and 71.15% inhibition of paw edema respectively after 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th hrs of carrageenan injection which is comparable to that of standard drug diclofenac sodium at 100 mg/kg body weight (% inhibition 92.3% at 4 th hour **P<0.001). In Hole-cross test, ethanolic extracts of Setaria italica at 400 mg/kg body weight dose have prominent CNS depressant activity which is comparable to standard Diazepam. In open field test, S. italica at 400 mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed the movements which is comparable to standard Diazepam. In Phenobarbitone induced test, Setaria italica did not show any significant CNS-depressant activity. The findings of the studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological properties of Setaria italica which could be therapeutic option against inflammation and neurological disorders.