@article {2549, title = {Comparative Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine versus Fentanyl Added to Hyperbaric Levobupivacaine for Subarachnoid Block: Effects on Sensory-Motor Blockade and Analgesic Duration}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {September 2025}, pages = {638-641}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {638}, abstract = {

Introduction : Adjuvants to local anesthetics enhance the quality and duration of spinal anesthesia while reducing postoperative analgesic requirements. Opioids like fentanyl are effective but associated with significant side effects, whereas dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist, has shown promise as a non-opioid alternative. Objective : To compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl, when added to levobupivacaine, on sensory and motor block characteristics, duration of analgesia, and complications in patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 60 ASA I{\textendash}II female patients aged 18{\textendash}65 years were allocated into two groups (n = 30 each). Group D received 15 mg 0.5\% hyperbaric levobupivacaine with 5 μg dexmedetomidine, and Group F received 15 mg 0.5\% hyperbaric levobupivacaine with 25 μg fentanyl intrathecally. Block onset, duration of sensory and motor blockade, time to first rescue analgesia, hemodynamic changes, and side effects were recorded. Results: Demographic variables were comparable between groups. The onset of sensory and motor block was significantly faster with fentanyl, while dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of sensory block (458.83 vs 358.07 min, p \< 0.001), motor block (287.33 vs 217.33 min, p \< 0.001), and time to rescue analgesia (95.5 vs 55.5 min, p \< 0.001). Hypotension was the most common complication in both groups, without significant difference between two groups. Pruritus was observed only in the fentanyl group, while bradycardia was rare and not significant in the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine, as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine, provides prolonged sensory and motor block and superior postoperative analgesia compared to fentanyl, with fewer side effects. It may be considered a preferable adjuvant for spinal anesthesia in total abdominal hysterectomy

}, keywords = {abdominal hysterectomy, Dexmedetomidine, Fentanyl, levobupivacaine, spinal anesthesia, subarachnoid block}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.79}, author = {Neethi T P and Prashanth Kumar C and Chaitra Uppangala and Barbara Coelho and Nayanatara Arun Kumar} } @article {2548, title = {Intermittent Fasting as a Non-Invasive Strategy to Mitigate Diabetes-Induced Complications in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {September 2025}, pages = {632-637}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {632}, abstract = {

Introduction: The global burden of diabetes mellitus is steadily increasing. Abnormal eating patterns and excess energy intake contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although dietary modifications such as intermittent fasting have gained attention, evidence supporting their beneficial role in T2DM is limited. Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting on physiological, biochemical, and histological changes in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Healthy adult Wistar albino rats (150{\textendash}200 g) were used. Diabetes was induced by administering alloxan (150 mg/kg). Animals were divided into four groups: Normal Control (Group I), Experimental Control (Group II), and Intermittent Fasting groups (Group III \& Group IV). Physiological, biochemical, and histological parameters were assessed to determine the impact of intermittent fasting. Results: Intermittent fasting demonstrated a protective effect by reducing diabetes-induced physiological, biochemical, and histological alterations. Rats in the intermittent fasting groups showed improved outcomes compared to the experimental control group. Conclusion: Intermittent fasting may serve as a potential non-invasive strategy to reduce diabetesrelated complications. Further studies focusing on molecular mechanisms are warranted to provide deeper insights into its protective role.

}, keywords = {Intermittent fasting; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Alloxan; Wistar rats; Physiological changes; Biochemical parameters; Histological changes}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.78}, author = {Vishu Manchanda and Bhagyalakshmi K and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Anupama N and Rekha D Kini and Sneha Shetty} } @article {2541, title = {Potential Role of Ashwagandha [Withania Somnifera] As An Antioxidant On Aluminium Chloride-Induced Testicular Damage In Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {September 2025}, pages = {583-587}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {583}, abstract = {

Introduction: Aluminium is most prevalent and third most abundant element in earth crust after oxygen. Its exposure in high concentration can accumulate in many organs that damage various organs in living organisms like humans and animals. Although aluminum (Al) is known to induce oxidative damage through various mechanisms including binding to negatively charged phospholipids on the membrane of various tissue cell which are rich in PUFA.Hence,this study was aimed to find the potential role of ashwagandha on aluminum induced testicular toxicity. Methods: Animals were segregated into 4 groups of 6 rats in each. The control group, the Ashwagandha treated group, the Aluminum intoxicated group, pretreated with Ashwagandha with Aluminum intoxicity group. Testicular tissue was removed and were stored in 10\% formalin saline and histopathological slides were done . A part of the tissues were processed for estimation of MDA and GSH level. Results: In the present study administration of aluminum in rats showed a significant decrease in the testicular tissue level of GSH and sperm count, as well as increase in the level of MDA and sperm morphology in aluminum treated group compared to normal control. Treatment with Ashwagandha showed a significant increase in testicular GSH level, sperm count and decrease in MDA level sperm morphology. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that oral Aluminum Chloride administration induced adverse oxidative effects on the exposed animals and treatment with W. somnifera reduced the extent of aluminium chloride-induced tissue injury

}, keywords = {Malondialdehyde, Reactive Oxygen Species, Reduced glutathione, Sperm morphology}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.72}, author = {Anchana Babu and Rekha D Kini and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Megha Gokul and Bhagyalakshmi K and Sneha Shetty B and Vinodini NA} } @article {504, title = {Ameliorative Role of Vitamin D on Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure of Monosodium Glutamate Induced Steatohepatitis in Rat Pups}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {January 2018}, pages = {371-375}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {371}, abstract = {

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer has been linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome, including progressive liver disease. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic disorder with an etiology related to changes in diet and lifestyle. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to MSG been shown to affect developing tissues in growing animals. Increased Risk of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis has been associated with Vitamin D deficiency. The present study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of vitamin D on MSG induced animal models of steatohepatitis in neonatal rats. Materials and Methods: Eighteen nulliparous female wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=6/group). Group-I received a daily oral dose of 5g/kg body weight of MSG. Group-II received the same dose of MSG along with calcitriol (0.2\μg/kg BW). Group-III was treated with saline served as the control. The rats could mate, and treatment was given for the entire period of gestation and thirty days thereafter, during lactation. The histological changes in the liver was observed. Results: Pan-lobular microvesicular steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning of hepatocytes was observed in the MSG-treated group. These histotoxic changes were ameliorated in the vitamin D treated group. Conclusion: Vitamin D might be beneficial in the protection of the pre-and postnatal exposed MSG induced steatohepatitis. Further, induction of steatohepatitis in a shorter period could also make it an ideal study model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

}, keywords = {Gestation, Glutamate, MSG, Steatohepatisis, Vitamin D}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.2.62}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/493}, author = {Nandan Padmanabha and Nirupama Muralimunglimane and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Bhagyalakshmi Kodavanji and Jyoti Ramnath Kini and Roopesh Poojary} } @article {757, title = {Antioxidant Role of Beta Carotene: Protection against Cadmium Induced Testicular Toxicity}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {November 2018}, pages = {s66-s70}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {s66}, abstract = {

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is an industrial pollutant that affects the male reproductive system. The purpose of present study was to investigate the protective role of Beta carotene on cadmium induced testicular damage. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted following approval from Institutional Bioethical Committee and strict internationally accepted guidelines, for the usage of animals in experimental study were. Rats were divided into four groups with 8 rats in each.The Gr. I rats were administered with the single dose of normal saline intraperitoneally. Group II received Beta carotene (10 mg/kg bw) orally for 30 days. Group III received a single dose of 1 mg/kg bw cadmium chloride and Group IV received Beta carotene for 30 days prior to cadmium administration. After the desired protocol, rats were sacrificed and both the testes were removed for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. One testis was fixed in Bouvins fluid and processed or histopathological studies. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected in the tissue homogenates of other testis. Results: In the present study, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was significantly high and GSH and SOD (P\<0.001) were low in cadmium treated rats compared to normal control. Pre-treatment with beta carotene showed a protective effect by decreasing LPO and increasing GS Hand SOD level (P\<0.001). The morphological changes like atrophy of tubules, edema and decreased spermatogenesis in the testis of rats exposed to cadmium chloride. But, antioxidant showed the normal architecture of the testis. Conclusion: Results of the present study showed the antioxidative role of beta carotene in protecting the testis from cadmium induced toxicity.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Superoxide demutase, Testis}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.6s.13}, author = {Rekha Durgadas Kini and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Anupama Noojibail and Bhagyalakhshmi K and Sneha Shetty Bhoja and Pratik Kumar Chatterjee} } @article {417, title = {Pre and Post-Treatment Effects: Estimation of Serum Testosterone and Lipid Peroxidation Levels on Moringa olifera Extract Induced Cadmium Exposed Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {September 2017}, pages = {846-849}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {846}, abstract = {

Background: Cadmium (Cd), is a toxic metal which affects various organs including testis. It produces oxidative stress leading to male infertility. Moringa tree, is a natural plant with a great therapeutic value and hence it is found to be effective both in prevention and treatment of various conditions including reducing toxicity of hazardous materials. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Pre-and Post-treatment with Moringa oliefera leaf extract (MoE) on testis in cadmium exposed rats. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore, Manipal University (MU), Karnataka, India, between (2011-2013). This prospective study consisted a total of 30 rats. These were divided into 5 groups with group I being the control. Data were presented as mean \±SD. student\’s t test was used as statistical tool, p\<0.05 considered statistically significant. Group IV and V were pre-and post-MoE treated groups respectively. Serum testosterone and tissue lipid peroxidation levels were estimated. Results: Treatment with MoE prior and after administration of cadmium, respectively showed an increase significantly in the testosterone levels and a decrease in the tissue lipid peroxidation as compared to the group treated with cadmium. However, the pre-treatment showed better results in combatting the toxic effects of cadmium. Conclusion: This study shows that Moringa olifera leaf extract altered the testosterone and tissue lipid peroxidation levels. Also, pre-treatment showed better outcome.

}, keywords = {Cadmium, MDA, Morniga olifera extract., Oxidative stress, Testosterone}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.6.132}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/185}, author = {Pratik Kumar Chatterjee and Vinodini Nithyananda Madom Anantharaya and Rashmi Kaup Shiva and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Sneha Bhoja Shetty and Suman Veerappa Budihal and Mangalore Ramesh Bhat and Kunal} }