No abstract

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) provides the most powerful regulation of blood pressure and angiotensin II is the primary mediator in this system. The binding of angiotensin II to AT1 receptors produces a number of potentially harmful effects that include increase in blood pressure, progression of atherosclerosis, myocardial and vascular hypertrophy. Losartan was the first ARB and found to reduce the risk of stroke, new onset of diabetes and to have a proven benefit in stroke. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of losartan on different biochemical parameters viz; blood sugar, lipid profile, uric acid and serum electrolytes. 29 newly diagnosed patients of either gender with essential hypertension were included in the study. Baseline readings of lipid profile, serum electrolytes, fasting blood sugar and uric acid were recorded before starting losartan monotherapy and were repeated after six months. After comparing the means, it was revealed that there was a significant increase in HDL cholesterol and a significant decrease in serum uric acid levels after six months of losartan therapy. No significant difference was found in blood sugar and electrolyte levels. These findings suggest that losartan can be an attractive option for the treatment of hypertension and for metabolic syndrome.

No abstract

In the present study, Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and in-vitro antioxidant activity of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtecae) leaves extracts (aqueous and methanolic) were estimated quantitatively by using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity of extracts were expressed as percentage of DPPH radicals inhibition.AEPG shows 40% whereas, MEPG shows 56.66% inhibition.The total phenolic contents (TPC) were calculated by using standard curve of gallic acid and TPCof AEPG and MEPG were 37.72 mg GAE/g and 84.91 mgGAE/g of dry weight of extract respectively .Whereas, total flavonoid contents (TFC) were calculated by using standard calibration curve of Quercetin and TFC of AEPG and MEPG were 67.37 mg QE/g and 86.75 mg QE/g of dry weight of extract correspondingly. MEPG showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The high content of phenolic compounds indicated that Psidium guajava having potent antioxidant activity and can become one of the promising agent from natural plant source of antioxidant and widely used as folk medicine.

Activation of central brain serotonergic receptors viz 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A by serotonin (5-HT) induces the 5-HT behavioural syndrome in rats. 5-HTP and dexfenfluramine produce 5-HT mediated behaviours. We have carried out the experiment with the aim to study the effect of duloxetine pretreatment on 5-hydroxytryptophan and dexfenfluramine induced behaviours in albino rats. Pre-treatment with 20 mg/kg duloxetine, a SNRI was found to potentiate 75 mg/kg 5-HTP mediated behavioural syndrome. However, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg duloxetine had decreased the intensity of the behavioral syndrome produced by 10 mg/kg dexfenfluramine significantly. Duloxetine at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg had produced inhibition of serotonin transporter (SERT) and inhibited dexfenfluramine uptake which had significantly antagonised its behavioural syndrome. Duloxetine at 5 and 10 mg/kg did not affect 5-HTP induced behavioral syndrome significantly where as 20 mg/kg duloxetine did significantly potentiate 5-HTP induced behavioral syndrome. This indicates 20 mg/kg dose of duloxetine blocks neuronal reuptake of 5-HT by blocking SERT and effectively increase its concentration to greater level in the synaptic gap which causes synergistic stimulation of the central postsynaptic 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and potentiation of 5-HTP behavioral syndrome.