Informatics Publishing Limited

T. K. Sur , D. Bhattacharyya

Abstract

The involvement of central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the anti-stress effects of Panax ginseng was studied in immobilized rats after blockade of 5-HT synthesis with parachlorophenylanine (PCPA). Materials and methods : Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with PCPA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 3 days. Panax ginseng (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min before the rats were subjected to immobilization stress (IS) for 1 h. The levels of 5-HT in brain and hypothalamus, and plasma corticosterone, were measured spectrofluorometrically. Results : IS for 1 h resulted in enhanced 5-HT levels in brain and hypothalamus and increase in plasma corticosterone. Administration of PCPA reduced all the above parameters. Panax ginseng significantly attenuated IS-induced elevations in the above parameters when either given alone or when co-administered with PCPA. Conclusions : These data suggest that anti-stress effect of Panax ginseng may be modulated by central 5-HT-ergic system.

Keywords

Immobilization, Stress, Brain, 5-HT, Panax ginseng, Corticosterone

Full Text

   

D. Bhattacharyya , R. Mukherjee , B. Mazumder , S. Pandit , N. Das , T. K. Sur

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of Himoliv (HV), a polyherbal preparation on the prevention of liver damage caused by galactosamine. Materials and methods : The rats were pretreated with HV (1ml/kg), and silymarin (25 mg/kg) orally for 9 days. Liver damage was induced in all rats except control with galactosamine at the dose of 200 mg/kg, i.p. on the day 7. Two days later, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were estimated. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and protein in liver were also noted. Histopathological studies were also done to confirm the biochemical changes. Results : There was a significant elevation of hepatic enzyme (GOT, GPT and ALP) levels in serum after 48 h of galactosamine treatment, in comparison to normal control. These findings were reversed with HV pretreatment. Galactosamine treatment caused significant elevation in MDA concentration and reduction in SOD concentration when compared to control group. But, HV pretreatment showed significant reduction of MDA production and elevation of SOD concentration. These effects were very much similar to those of silymarin treated group. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical findings. Conclusions: The results confirm the hepatoprotective activity of HV. It also provides a basis for the clinical use of HV in several clinical conditions involving liver diseases.

Keywords

Hepatoprotective Effect, Galactosamine, Free Radicals, Lipid Peroxidation, Liver

Full Text

   

S. S. Pramanik , T. K. Sur , P. K. Debnath , T. Pramanik , D. Bhattacharyya

Abstract

The study was carried out to establish the anti-stress effect of Pueraria tuberosa in relation to the levels of plasma corticosterone and norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in whole brain and hypothalamus and compared with Withania somnifera (adaptogen). Adult male Wistar rats pretreated with 70% hydroethanolic extract of P. tuberosa tuber ischolar_main (PTE) at the doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, for 5 consecutive days. W. somnifera rhizome extract (WSE) at 100 mg/kg was used as reference drug. The rats were subjected to cold immobilization stress (IS) for 2 h. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and ulcer formation in gastric mucosa was noted. Weights of adrenals and spleens were also taken. Further, plasma corticosterone levels were estimated by spectrophotoflurometrically. Simultaneously, brain monoamines like, NE, DA and 5-HT were determined in whole brain and hypothalamus region HPLC electrochemical detector. IS for 2 h damaged the gastric mucosal layers, enhanced plasma corticosterone levels and increase adrenal glands and spleen weight. Further, IS elevated NE, DA and 5-HT levels both in whole brain and hypothalamus. PTE significantly protected the gastric mucosa, lowered corticosterone level in blood and negated the hypertrophy of adrenals and spleen. PTE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and WSE (100 mg/kg) significantly decreased IS elevated NE, DA and 5-HT both in whole brain and hypothalamus. These data suggest that anti-stress effect of Pueraria tuberosa may be modulated by monoaminergic system.

Keywords

Stress, Corticosterone, Monoamines, HPLC, Pueraria tuberosa, Withania somnifera

Full Text

   

P. R. Golani ¹, D. Bhattacharyya ², S. Sanyal ², I. R. Kirmani ², G. Malhotra ², S. Bhattacharyya ², A. K. Grover ², J. L. Narang ²

Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India, A.M.S.E. Wing, Central Zone, Seminary Hills, Nagpur - 440 006, IN
2 Geological Survey of India, Western Region, 15-16, Jhalana Dungri, Jaipur - 302 004, IN

Abstract

The Deldar-Kui-Chitrasani (DKC) fault is a brittle structure manifested by anastomosing system of fractures in the southwestern part of the South Delhi Fold Belt (SDFB). Based on the identification of cross-fibre and 'jigsaw puzzle' type structures, presence of vugs lined with cryptocrystalline quartz, replacement of calcite by chalcedonic quartz and evidences of argillic alteration, the breccia along the fault is recognised by present workers as epithermal breccia. Lithogeochemical sampling of the breccia reveals that, besides moderate base metal signatures, gold values are consistently present in significant concentrations comparable to regional anomalies associated with epithermal gold deposits in the United States. In view of the high proportion of magmatic rocks in the southwestern part of the SDFB, the DKC fault zone is considered a favourable target for searching epithermal type of gold mineralisation.

Keywords

Economic Geology, Epithermal Breccia, Lithogeochemistry, Gold Anomaly, Faults, Shear Zone, South Delhi Fold Belt, Rajasthan, Gujarat.

Full Text

     

D. Bhattacharyya ¹, G. B. Joshi ², Rakesh Sharma ³

Affiliations
1 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Bangalore, 560 072, IN
2 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Shillong – 793 011, IN
3 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad – 560 016, IN

Abstract

Several small lensoidal bodies of felsic volcanics are exposed in a curvilinear pattern within the brecciated granitoids of Bundelkhand Gneissic Complex (BGC) at Mohar. Sub-surface data reveals extensive presence of these felsic volcanics below the sediment of Vindhyan Supergroup. It occurs like a sheet with thickness varying from 12 m to 134 m. Its lateral extent has been traced upto 4.8 km. Multiple flows of felsic magma are identified based on colour, granularity, cross cutting relations and cyclic distribution of multiple vesicular bands along the entire thickness of felsic magma. The felsic rock contains upto 13.21% K₂O. Chemical composition of these felsic volcanics varies across the column. Petrographically and chemically all these felsic volcanics are identified as rhyolite or rhyolite tuff.

Significant uranium mineralisation of 0.0165% eU₃O₈ average grade has been intercepted for 11.10 m thick with <0.005% ThO₂ within the felsic rock. Radiometric assay of a mineralised intercept (15 cm length) has revealed up to 0.15% U₃O₈ with disequilibrium in favour of parent. Uranium occurs as disseminated grains of coffinite - (Y) associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, molybdenite, hematite, fluorite, anglesite and cerrusite. Mineral assemblage and mode of occurrence of the uranium and other minerals in the host rock indicates its hydrothermal nature. This is the first reported uranium occurrence from the volcanogenic environment of Bundelkhand.

Keywords

Uranium Mineralisation, Felsic Volcanism, Mohar, Madhya Pradesh.

Full Text