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Research highlights
The research highlights of the department are as below:
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Pharmacokinetic doses for various sulpha
drugs in yaks have been establishe
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“Bana” (Vitex negundo) leaves were
found to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic action.
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Immature leaves of Quercus incana
were found to possess high concentration of tannins which are harmful to
domestic animals.
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Leaves of Salvia coccinea were
found to have high concentration of nitrates which may cause abortion in
migratory sheep and goats.
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Studies on the neuropharmacological
effects of ivermectin revealed that spontaneous locomotor activity was reduced
at all the dose levels but forced locomotor activity was slightly reduced at
higher dose level. The drug did not exhibit any anticonvulsant potential at any
of the dose levels studied.
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Some preliminary investigations were done
on pharmacodynamic interactions of ivermectin with the CNS acting drugs in this
Department. It was found that the actions of the neuroleptics, analgesics and
anticonvulsants were significantly potentiated. These alterations in the
therapeutic responses are of considerable clinical significance.
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Investigations on the interactive effect
of free radicals on purinergic receptors of goat coronary artery revealed that
the cardioprotective effect of adenosine through A1 receptors was enhanced in
the presence of superoxide or hydroxyl radicals. On the contrary, A2 receptors
were susceptible to the deleterious effect of both free radicals.
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The methanolic extracts of Cinnammomum
camphora and Thuja orientalis were found to be effective against Fasciola gigantica and
Gigantocotyl explanatum while the methanolic
extract of Bauhinia variegata was found to be effective against G.
explanatum only.
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The methanolic extract of Tagetes
patula effectively inhibited both hatching and embryonation of eggs of Haemonchus contortus. The methanolic extract of
Bauhinia variegata
was found to be effective in inhibiting the hatching process while the effect
produced on egg embryonation was very low. Both the extracts were found to be
ineffective against infective (L3) larvae of H. contortus. Both the
extracts were found to possess excellent anthelmintic activity against adult H. contortus (female) worms. Two bioactive constituents with putative
anthelmintic activity having Rf value 0.231 and 0.538, respectively, in solvent
system chloroform: methanol (80:20) were isolated from the methanolic extract of
B. variegata. A bioactive constituent with Rf value 0.782 in solvent
system chloroform: methanol: ethyl acetate (75:25:1) was detected in methanolic
extract of T. patula.
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Pharmacological and phytochemical
characterization of Terminalia arjuna bark was done. T. arjuna
bark possess antioxidative properties. The observed effect is due to the
presence of various polyphenol compounds including ellagic acid. The result is
of immense importance to combat oxidative stress in animals.
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Pharmacokinetic studies of Cefuroxime
(2nd generation cephalosporin antibiotic) with Trikatu (an
Ayurvedic formulation consisting of equal parts of Piper longum, Piper
nigrum & Gingiber officinalis) in goats revealed that Cefuroxime is
rapidly absorbed, distributed & eliminated by both i/m & i/v routes. Trikatu did
not showed any significant effect on bioavailability, absorption & elimination
kinetics of cefuroxime in goats.
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Pharmacokinetic studies of Paracetamol
& Aspirin (NSAID) with Trikatu (an Ayurvedic formulation consisting
of equal parts of Piper longum, Piper nigrum & Gingiber
officinalis) in dogs showed additive effect with Paracetamol (decrease in
loading & maintenance dose of Paracetamol ) but along with aspirin it showed
opposite effect. Additive effect was observed in analgesic activity of
Paracetamol & Aspirin (NSAID’S) with Trikatu.
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In vitro & In vivo studies of seabuckthorn & Tinospora
cordifolia in rats revealed that both of these plants have significant
antioxidant potential but seabuckthorn is a better herbal antioxidant. On the
basis of non specific immunity & cellular immunity seabuckthorn is a better
immunostimulant but on basis of humoral response Tinospora cordifolia is
a better immunostimulant.
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Pharmacokinetic studies of Enrofloxacin
with Piperine in calves revealed that enrofloxacin is orally absorbed in
case of pre-ruminant calves but not in adult calves. Piperine alters the
kinetics of enrofloxacin in terms of bioavailability in pre-ruminant calves.
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T-2 toxin @1ppm produced toxic effects in
poultry by significantly reducing growth performance & immune response. It
adversely affected oxidative status in liver & RBC’S and
histological & hematobiochemical parameters. Glucomannan @1g/kg & Seabuckthorn
(400 & 800 ppm) alone in feed significantly protects poultry from toxic effects
of T-2 toxin and in combination provided additive protection against T-2
toxicity.
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The studies conducted for evaluation of
antioxidant and immunomodulatory action of Amla (Emblica officinalis) and
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) @100mg/kg b.wt. revealed that the
methanolic extracts of both amla and ashwagandha were capable of reversing the
potassium dichromate induced oxidative stress and cyclophosphamide induced
immunosuppression in male wistar rats .The studies indicated that methanolic
extract of amla is a better antioxidant where as methanolic extract of
ashwagandha is a better immunomodulator.
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Neonicatinoid insecticide administration
in male wistar rats @ 60 and 120mg/kg for 60 days significantly reduced growth
performance & immune response & adversely affected oxidative status in liver &
RBC’S, histological & hematobiochemical parameters.
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The studies conducted on various
seabuckthorn by-products revealed that the leaves extract had antioxidant
activity and inhibitory action of free radicals was found in a dose dependent
manner. The chemoprofiling of the various seabuckthorn by-products for the
different flavonoids revealed that leaves were rich in rutin followed by
Quercetin-3-galactoside. Whereas, in the methanolic extract of
pomace,
isorhamnetin was present. The antioxidant studies and chemoprofiling of various
seabuckthorn by-products revealed that seabuckthorn leaves have potential for
the development of nutraceuticals.
- The in vitro trials were
conducted in RUSITEC apparatus to evaluate the effect of extracts of Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia, Cinnamomum tamala, Hippophae
rhamnoides, Urgenia indica and Thymus serphyllum on rumen
fermentation parameters and rumen methanogenesis.
The extract of Terminalia chebula
produced significant (P<0.05) reduction in methane production as compared to
other plant extracts.
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in vitro
studies carried out in RUSITEC, Terminalia chebula was selected for in
vivo studies. In vivo studies suggested that there was no significant
(P>0.05) change in the rumen fermentation parameters and haematological
parameters initially, but at 18 and 27 day significant (P<0.05) reduction in the
microbial population, ammonia-N concentration and molar proportion of acetic
acid and significant (P<0.05) increase in the concentration of microbial
protein, serum protein and molar proportion of propionic acid was observed.
There was no significant (P>0.05) change in the haematological parameters.
- The studies conducted on various seabuckthorn by-products revealed
that the leaves extract had antioxidant activity and inhibitory action of free
radicals was found in a dose dependent manner. The chemoprofiling of the various
seabuckthorn by-products for the different flavonoids revealed that leaves were
rich in rutin followed by Quercetin-3-galactoside. Whereas, in the methanolic
extract of pomace, isorhamnetin was present. The antioxidant studies and
chemoprofiling of various seabuckthorn by-products revealed that seabuckthorn
leaves have potential for the development of nutraceuticals
- The antioxidant, haemato-biochemical and immuno-modulatory
properties of Seabuckthorn pomace in poultry suggested that Seabuckthorn pomace
possesses antioxidant and immuno-modulatory properties and can be used for the
development of poultry nutraceuticals.
- In vivo studies on toxicity induced by cadmium and effect
of seabuckthorn pomace on cadmium induced toxicity by evaluation of biochemical
parameters i.e. serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen
(BUN), creatinine levels and to assess the effect of cadmium on the antioxidant
defense system and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in erythrocytes, liver and kidney of
adult poultry birds in poultry were carried out. It could be concluded that
cadmium exposure produced oxidative stress by altering the levels of antioxidant
enzymes of erythrocytes, liver and kidney in adult poultry birds and thus can be
used for induction of oxidative stress in poultry birds.
- In vitro antioxidant activities and chemoprofiling of 50%
methanolic extract of seabuckthorn leaves and seabuckthorn byproducts were done
and it suggested that 50% methanolic extract possesses strong antioxidant
potential.
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Ochratoxin at dietary level of 2 ppm significantly reduces growth performance,
immune response and produces oxidative damage to renal & hepatic tissue in
quails.
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Glucomannan supplementation at dietary level of 1g/Kg of feed protects against
ochratoxin induced suppression in growth performance and immune response.
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Seabuckthorn leaves extract @ 10000 ppm (1% of feed) significantly improves the
growth performance, immune response, oxidative status of renal & hepatic tissue
and histopathological changes of lymphoid organs against ochratoxicosis in
quails.
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The combined effect of glucomannan and seabuckthorn leaves extract is a better
approach for the protection of quails from ochratoxin induced toxicity.
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Aflatoxin fed @ 400 ppm significantly reduced growth rate, increased PCR,
adversely affected haemato biochemical parameters and produced lesions in the
liver of broilers.
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Aqua methanolic leaf extracts of seabuckthorn at the dietary level of 10000 ppm
improved growth rate, FCR, antioxidant and haematobiochemical parameters.31.
Aqua methanolic seabuckthorn leaf extract at the dietary level of 10000 ppm in
combination with glucomannan @ 1g/kg provided additive effect in amelioration of
aflatoxicosis.
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In comparison to seabuckthorn and glucomannan given as singular treatment. the
combination of seabuckthorn extract and glucomannan provided better protection
against aflatoxicosios.
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An investigation was undertaken to study the ameliorative potential of seabuckthorn (leaves and pulp) in aflatoxin induced hepatotoxicity in poultry.
On the basis of growth performance, biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity
and histopathology of liver tissues, it was concluded that dietary
supplementation of seabuckthorn is capable of ameliorating the aflatoxin induced
hepatotoxicity in poultry.
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The oral administration of extracts of Berberis aristata
and Curcuma
longa along with amoxicillin in calves, significantly increased
(P<0.05) the oral bioavailability of amoxicillin and Berberis aristata extract was found to have more bioenhancing action than
Curcuma longa extract.
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The research was conducted to study in vitro cytotoxicity, apoptosis and
changes in cell cycle kinetics induced by paclitaxel on C6 (Rattus norvegicus
glioma) and CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovarian
carcinoma) cell lines.
The data suggested that paclitaxel will
be most effective clinically when there is prolonged exposure of tumour to the
drug
rather than increasing concentration of drug in the biophase.
Based on results of in vivo study, the highest non toxic dose of
formulation was found to be 1.20 mg/kg.
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