Roopa P Nayak

Background: Mental health has always been given a prime importance along with physical health by the World Health Organization (WHO). Depression contributes to significant disease burden at global level and is ranked by WHO as the single largest contributor to global disability. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurological conditions such as depression. is known to possess antioxidant properties; hence, this study has been conducted to evaluate the antidepressant activity of Rubia cordifolia root extract in rodent models. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of root powder (EERC) was used for evaluating the antidepressant activity in Swiss albino mice. EERC was used in two doses – 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Antidepressant activity was evaluated by performing Forced swim test and Tail suspension test with Imipramine (10mg/kg) as the standard drug. The data was analyzed using one way ANOVA (analysis of variance) followed by Tukey Krammer test. P value Results: Forced swim test and tail suspension test showed significant decrease in the period of immobility by EERC treated groups indicating its antidepressant property. There is no significant difference observed between the two doses of the extract i.e.; 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg (inter-group comparison). The period of immobility and period of mobility were not significantly different from the standard group. Conclusion: This study shows that ethanolic extract of root powder possess significant antidepressant properties. However, this is just a preliminary study. Further studies have to be carried out to find out the exact mechanism responsible for antidepressant activity by isolating the active constituents and performing neurotransmitter studies. Keywords: Depression, Rubia cordifolia, Swiss albino mice, Antidepressants

Background: Many indigenous medicinal plants with natural neuroprotective and antioxidant properties have shown to be beneficial in a variety of behavioral disorders such as anxiety disorders. Objective: To screen the Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Piper betle L.leaf for its antianxiety activity in Swiss Albino mice. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Piper betle L. leaf [PBEE and PBAE] at doses 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were compared with standard (Diazepam 1mg/kg) and control (distilled water). Six Swiss albino mice (3 each of both sexes) weighing 25-30g were used for each group. Level of anxiety was studied using the behavioural models Elevated Plus Maze [EPM] and Light Dark Arena [LDA]. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was done and compared. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer’s multiple comparison test at P = 0.05. The results were represented as Mean ± SEM. Results: PBEE 100mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in open arm and number of entries to open arm when compared with control in EPM model. The same dose was found to be significant for time spent in bright area and number of bright area entries in LDA model. On the other hand the PBAE doses were not significantly different from the control. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of bioactive component flavonoids in both the extracts, but saponins were absent in aqueous extract. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Piper betle L. at a dose of 100mg/kg has showed significant antianxiety activity. Keywords: Diazepam, Elevated plus maze, Light drak arena, Phytochemical analysis, Piper betle L.

Background: Myristica fragrans houtt or nutmeg, a commonly used spice is found to have several medicinal properties. Aim: The main aim of our study is to evaluate sedative and hypnotic activity of aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans houtt seeds in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: This is a preclinical study involving male and femaleWistar albino rats and Swiss albino mice. Sedative and hypnotic properties were assessed using hole board test, open field apparatus, rota rod apparatus and thiopental induced sleeping time. Myristica fragrans aqueous extract( MFAE) was the test drug which was given at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight. Diazepam was used as the standard drug. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of MFAE was carried out. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) followed by Tukey Krammer Test. P value < 0> Results: Hole board test and open field test showed decrease in exploratory and locomotor activity and rota rod test showed decrease in time period of fall compared to normal and thiopental induced sleeping time showed that the test drug decreased the onset time of loss of righting reflex and prolonged the regaining time of righting reflex indicating hypnotic activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and fixed oils. Conclusion: Based on results we concluded that aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans seeds possess significant sedative hypnotic property. Keywords: Myristica fragrans, Sedative, Sleep Swiss albino mice, Wistar albino rats.

Anxiety disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality, personal distress and reduced quality of life. Currently used anxiolytic drugs only have modest efficacy and are associated with significant untoward effects which leads to low compliance. Traditional ayurvedic medicine describes Garcinia indica as a home remedy for many conditions. Hydroxycitric acid, a phytochemical constituent of Garcinia indica, has shown to elevate brain serotonin levels in the rat. The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Garcinia indica fruit rind in preclinical models. Materials and Methods: Male and female wistar albino rats were divided into four groups with six animals in each group: Control(0.1% carboxymethylcellulose 10ml/kg), Garcinia indica ethanolic extract (GIEE1- 200mg/kg), Garcinia indica ethanolic extract (GIEE2- 400mg/kg) and Diazepam (1mg/kg). All the drugs were administered orally for a period of 14 days. On the 14th day after one hour of drug administration, animals were evaluated using two models- Elevated plus maze and Light dark arena. Statistical analysis: Statistical significance was interpreted using one way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) followed by Tukey Krammer Test. Results: GIEE1 and GIEE2 treated groups showed significant increase in time spent in open arms and time spent in light arena in elevated plus maze and light dark arena model respectively, compared to control. Conclusion: Garcinia indica ethanolic extract demonstrated significant anxiolytic activity compared to the control. Keywords: Anxiolytic, Garcinia indica, Fruit rind, Preclinical models.

Objectives: To evaluate which group of drug is causing maximum number of adverse reactions and to evaluate which gender/age group of patient is most vulnerable to adverse reactions. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional study. This study included ADRs reported to Pharmacovigilance cell of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital from 1st January 2017 to 30th August 2019. A total of 100 ADRs were included. The details of ADRs were collected and data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 23 software. The results are expressed in percentages. Results: A total of 100 ADRs were evaluated. Nearly 81% of ADRs were due to antimicrobials, which is highest among all other groups of drugs. Parenteral drugs contributed highest ADRs (72%) followed by oral formulations (28%). A maximum number of ADRs were observed in 31–60 years of age group (48%). Both the genders contributed almost equal proportions of ADRs, with female being affected in 52% of cases. Most of the reactions were non-serious (80%) i.e maculopapular rash and itching followed by angioedema while serious reactions were only 20%. Based on causality assessment, the probable cases had a higher incidence (93%), followed by possible (4%) and remaining were certain (3%). Conclusion: The present study calls for the judicious use of the antimicrobial agents and it should be used only when necessary. Moreover, there should be increase in the awareness among the health care professionals about ADR reporting. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Cross sectional study, Antimicrobial agents, Health care professionals