Previous observations on rats have shown that reserpine free extract of R. Serpentina prevents the stress induced activation of adrenal cortex. The therapeutic success of R. Serpentina in clinical hypertension has stimulated extensive research recently. It has been observed that the drug has, in addition to the well marked hypotensive action, a tranquillising influence on the patient. Results o...

The administration of reserpine increases enkephalin content in rat striatum and adrenal medulla. In order to investigate the mechanisms operative in this increase, we have studied in vivo the dynamic state of enkephalin stores by determining the content of proenkephalin mRNA, enkephalin precursors, and enkephalins in rats receiving reserpine. We measured proenkephalin mRNA by using a cDNA prob...

Hitherto behavioural investigations with reserpine have been confined to the use of very small doses, doses which weight for weight are considerably lower than those used in clinical work. Sidman (1956) used a Skinner lever pressing apparatus for investigating the effect of up to 0 1 mg./kg. reserpine on work under different reinforcement programmes. Smith, Wagman, Wagman and Riopelle (1956), i...

Murraya koenigii L. (Rutaceae), commonly known as curry leaf tree, closely associated with south India where the word "curry" originates from the Tamil "kari" for spiced sauces. Curry leaves are a rich source of carbazole alkaloids which possess various biological activities such as antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curry leaf has a potential role in the treatment of diabetes. Reser...

After cessation of repeated, intermittent amphetamine, we detected an emergent Ca2+-dependent component of amphetamine-induced dopamine release and an increase in calmodulin and Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity in rat striatum. This study examined the involvement of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) and synaptic vesicles in the enhanced Ca2+-dependent ...

Guanosine (GUO) is a guanine-based purine nucleoside with important trophic functions and promising neuroprotective properties. Although the neuroprotective effects of GUO have been corroborated in cellular models of Parkinson's disease (PD), its efficacy as an antiparkinsonian agent has not been fully explored in PD animal models. Accordingly, we evaluated the effectiveness of GUO in reversing...

The objective of this study was to determine whether the plasma norepinephrine (NE) increase in rats exposed to CO2 asphyxia was due to adrenal gland release or sympathetic nerve ending (SNS) release. Plasma NE was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in hypertensive and normotensive rats using the following protocol: control session, CO2 exposure, N2 exposure, reserpine + CO2, an...

Background & Aim: Homalium letestui Pellegr (Flacourtiaceae) used traditionally by the Ibibios of Southern Nigeria to treat stomach ulcer, malaria and other inflammatory diseases was evaluated for antiulcer properties.  Experimental: The effects of ethanol stem extract of H. letestui (200 – 600 mg/kg) and fractions (Aqueous and Dichloromethane, 400 mg/kg) on experimentally in...