Lopamudra Ghosh

Antidiabetic potential of Barleria lupulina extract in rats.

The methanol extract of aerial parts of Barleria lupulina orally tested at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg exerted significant antihyperglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats [correction].

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnospotatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.

Studies on the psychopharmacological activities of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. root extract in rats and mice.

The methanol extract of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Family - Polygonaceae) was assessed for different psychopharmacological activities in rats and mice by evaluation of general behaviour, exploratory behaviour, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time. The extract at doses 200 mg/kg and above exhibited a reduction in spontaneous activity (general behavioural profile), a decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern in the Y-maze and Head-dip tests, a reduction in muscle relaxant activity in rotarod, 30 degrees inclined screen and traction tests, and also potentiated phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time.

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal profile of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. extract in rats.

The antidiarrhoeal potential of a methanol extract of the aerial parts of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. (MEJS) was studied with several experimental models of diarrhoea in rats. MEJS treated rats showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and PGE2 induced enteropooling. It also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility following a charcoal meal in rats. The extract exhibited significant antidiarrhoeal potential at doses of 100,200 and 300u2005mg/kg in all the animal models and thus established the efficacy of MEJS as a potent antidiarrhoeal agent. Copyright

CNS Activity of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. Extract in Rats and Mice

The dried extract of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. (Onagraceae) was evaluated for CNS activity in rats and mice. General behaviour, exploratory behaviour, muscle relaxant activity and phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time were evaluated. n n n nThe whole plant of J. suffruticosa Linn. was extracted with methanol and the solvent was removed by vacuum distillation. The extract caused a reduction in spontaneous activity (general behavioural profile), a decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern in the Y-maze and Head dip tests and a reduction in muscle relaxant activity in rotarod, 30° inclined screen and traction tests. The extract also significantly potentiated phenobarbitone sodiuminduced sleeping time. n n n nPreliminary tests indicate that the methanolic extract of J. suffruticosa Linn. in doses of 200–400 mgkg−1, has significant psychopharmacological activity.

Evaluation of purgative activity of roots of Rumex nepalensis.

The methanol extract of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. roots at the oral dose of 100-400 mg/kg exhibited significant and dose-dependent purgative activity.

Evaluation of antitussive potential of Jussiaea suffruticosa linn. extract in albino mice.

The antitussive activity of a methanol extract of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. (MEJS) (family Onagraceae) leaves has been evaluated for its potential on a cough induced by sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas model in mice. The extract (MEJS) showed significant antitussive activity in a dose dependent manner. The antitussive potential of MEJS was comparable to that of codeine phosphate (10u2005mg/kg), a standard drug. The extract (MEJS) at a dose level of 200 and 400u2005mg/kg, p.o. showed appreciable inhibition on the cough reflex by 48.52% and 59.8% respectively during 120u2005min of the experiment. Copyright