Current Issue : October-December Volume : 2012 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 3 Articles
Immunopotentiation on oral feeding of NDL fraction from the latex of Ocimum sanctum seed oil was evaluated in laboratory animals immunized with DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine. The immunostimulation was evaluated using serological and hematological parameters. Treatment of immunized animals with test material (3 ml/kg/day OSSO, i.p.) for 15 days resulted in significant increase of antibody titers to B. pertussis (P < 0.001). Immunized animals (treated and untreated) were challenged with B. pertussis 18,323 strain and the animals were observed for 14 days. Results indicate that the treated animals did show significant increase in antibody titers as compared to untreated animals after challenge (P < 0.001).Immunoprotection against intracerebral challenge of live B. pertussis cells was evaluated based on degree of sickness, paralysis and subsequent death. Reduced mortality accompanied with overall improved health status was observed in treated animals after intracerebral challenge of B. pertussis indicating development of protective immune response. Present study indicates application of the test material (OSSO) act as mild immunopotentiating agent possible applications in immunochemical industry. The test material also offers direct therapeutic benefits resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality of experimental animals....
Sprague dawley male rats (56) of uniform body weight and age were randomly divided into seven groups consisting of eight rats in each group. The rats were maintained for a period of 3 weeks for acclimatization and further to evaluate the interaction of atorvastatin with garlic in induced dyslipidaemia. Group 1 was served as plain control, while groups 2 and 3 were fed with high fat and high cholesterol diet throughout the experimental period. Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 received 1% (100% dose), 0.5% (50% dose), 0.25% (25% dose) and 0.75% (75% dose) fresh garlic w/w in feed, respectively in addition to the high fat and high cholesterol diet and administered with 10 (100% dose), 5 (100% dose), 7.5 (100% dose) and 2.5 (25% dose) mg/kg atorvastatin, respectively, while group 3 served as atorvastatin control, which received 10 mg/kg atorvastatin per day orally for 12 weeks. The activity of AST and SOD, and concentration of TBARS and reduced glutathione (GSH) were estimated in liver, which revealed significant (p<0.05) alterations in treated groups when compared to normal control. Liver was also subjected for histopathology and electron microscopy. There was moderate to severe damage on histopathology and mitochondrial damage on transmission electron microscopy in groups 4 and 5. From this study, it can be concluded that the combination of garlic in high dose proportion and atorvastatin in low dose proportion exhibited better safety, while high dose of atorvastatin proved toxic....
Obesity is a common metabolic disorder characterized by an excess of body fat to the extent that it leads to complications. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated using the formula weight in kilograms/ height in meters. Visceral or central fat is termed ‘bad fat’ as it is more metabolically active and, through lipolysis. Etiology of obesity includes genetic susceptibility, environment and social influences, defective appetite regulation, reduced energy expenditure. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is located on chromosome 2 and it is synthesized in the pituitary, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, solitary tract of the medulla, and several peripheral tissues such as the testes, ovary, placenta, duodenum, liver, kidneys, lungs, thymus, adrenal medulla and lymphocytes. Leptin is secreted by fat cells and feeds back to the hypothalamus and activates POMC, the gene expression of which could also be affected by NPY, opiods, sex steroids, glucocorticoids, dopamine and CRH. Leptin circulates bound to plasma protein and affects appetite regulation centrally. In mammals, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a site of energy expenditure. Exposure to cold leads to sympathetic stimulation of brown adipocytes via norepinephrine (NE) binding to β-adrenergic receptors....
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