Open Field, Hole Cross and EPM are three widely acceptable experimental methods used to evaluate sedative-anxiolytic potential. The theories behind introducing these fields were to challenge the rodents to a novel environment. However, the behavioral changes caused by these environments often get influenced by rodent's identical neurologic conditions. The major challenges faced by the researchers are variations due to first administration against repeated administration, utilizing same rodent for another experiment but in different time or using different rodent for different experiments. Keeping the drawbacks in consideration, the present study undertook a newly modified (OF-HC-EPM) approach to integrate the experimental fields so as to utilize the same rodents with single oral administration for exposure to different fields which had allowed nullifying the risk of individual and time dependent variance. Anxiolytics, atypical antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants as well as the combined anxiolytics and antidepressants were administered to Swiss Albino Mice and their respective behavioral changes were observed. The new approach proved to be an essential tool for evaluating neuropharmacological potentials.

Background: Crotalaria verrucosa is a traditional plant frequently prescribed by the tribes for its medicinal value against inflammation. The present study was designed to investigate the scientific basis for medicinal value in inflammation by in vivo and in vitro analysis.Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of the plant’s leaf was evaluated by two in vivo methods - carrageenan induced rat paw edema and xylene induced mice ear edema. Moreover, in vitro analysis was performed through heat induced hemolysis and heat induced protein denaturation methods.Results: The inflammation produced by carrageenan and xylene were effectively suppressed by the aqueous leaf extract of C. verrucosa (CVAQ) at 600 mg/kg body weight which was comparable to the standards. In heat induced hemolysis test the extract was able to inhibit the lysis up to 70% at 500 µg/ml whereas in heat induced protein denaturation test it reduces the percentage till 69% at the same concentration.Conclusions: The findings suggested that CVAQ possess moderate to high anti-inflammatory activity when applied in low to high concentrated doses. However, the study can only conclude from this basic evaluation that the extract needs to be further investigated for identifying the potential compound which contributed to such medicinal value of the plant.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The emergence of antimicrobial resistance possesses a great threat for the existence of mankind. Antibiotics like penicillin and amoxiclav are at the brink of losing their efficacy entirely in exposure to resistant bacteria. Thus, the present study was aimed to find out the antibacterial efficacy of black seed honey as an alternative natural source which can act independently and boost the efficacy of standard drugs alongside.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Penicillin, amoxiclav and black seed honey were first individually trailed against four gram-positive bacteria - <em>Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis </em>and<em> Micrococcus luteus</em>.<strong> </strong>Afterwards, penicillin and amoxiclav were used in combination with honey and compared the synergistic effects with their individual efficacy. Zones of inhibition from well diffusion method, percentage inhibition, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations by microdilution method were determined in the present study.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Black seed honey alone demonstrated great inhibitory potential against <em>S. aureus </em>(9.7 mm), <em>S. epidermidis </em>(9.9 mm) and <em>M. luteus</em> (9.3 mm) in well diffusion method. Moreover, its combination with amoxiclav showed synergistic effect against all bacteria except <em>S. epidermidis</em>. However, its conjugation with penicillin was not able to produce any synergism as exhibited by zones of inhibition. The lowest concentration (1.56%) of honey applied individually or in combination in microdilution method found<strong> </strong>highly effective which established an inverse dose dependent relationship with efficacy.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> From the data it can be concluded that the black seed honey is a highly potent natural agent which can be utilized in antimicrobial therapy. However, further investigation is recommended to identify the responsible compound for such activity.</p>

Background: Mustard honey, a monofloral honey derived from mustard flower is considered a great source of nutritional and medicinal values. The honey is traditionally used as ethnomedicine in different parts of the world to cure many health problems. The present study aimed to evaluate its sedative-anxiolytic potential by integrating three conventional methods in a sequential order. Methods: Open field, hole cross and elevated plus maze experiments were performed in a row with a single oral administration of honey to the Swiss Albino mice. Behavioral parameters like square crossing, rearing, grooming, hole crossing and entry/duration in open arm were observed for each animal in different time intervals. Results: The findings were compared to that of a standard drug, diazepam (1 mg/kg). Mustard honey at higher doses showed sedative activity (4 g/kg and 6 g/kg) whereas with low doses (2 g/kg) exhibited anxiolytic potential. The physicochemical properties of honey were also screened in this study. Conclusions: The integrated method proved to be an effective approach for assessment of neuropharmacological potential for crude or standard medicine. However, further analysis was recommended to investigate active compound which may lead to a new drug development.