Objective: Anxiety is classified as a form of sub-acute or chronic fear. Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anxiolytic. The aim of the study is to assess the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by elevated plus-maze test on Albino mice. Methods: Albino mice of either sex were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of 5 mice. One group was used as control, one as standard (diazepam), and three as test groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of EEAC. The drugs, that is, 10 ml/kg of normal saline for control, diazepam 2 mg/kg (standard), and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg EEAC (test groups) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), 30 min before placing them in the center of the maze. The preferences of the animal to open/enclosed arm, average time spent in open arm, and numbers of entries in open arm were compared in each group. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett’s test. Results: The number of entries in open arm and the average time spent in the open arm by the mice is increased by EEAC in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: EEAC has anxiolytic activity.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of Punica granatum L. (EEPG) on experimental animal models. Methods: Tail-flick method was used to test the central analgesic activity, using Pethidine as standard drug. The tail flick latencies or the basal reaction time of the animals were assessed using an analgesiometer. Glacial acetic acid induced writhing response was used to test the peripheral analgesic activity, using Aspirin as standard drug. Number of writhing responses was counted for 20 min in each group and the percentage protection was calculated. And Carrageenan induced rat paw edema method was used to test anti-inflammatory activity of EEPG against acute inflammation, using Aspirin as standard drug. The inhibition of rat paw edema was calculated in percentage. Results: In central analgesic activity, the extract and pethidine showed significant increase in the reaction time. In peripheral analgesic activity, the extract and aspirin significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid. And in anti-inflammatory activity, the extract produced significant reduction of the carrageenan induced paw edema. Conclusion: The EEPG has demonstrated significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Objective: Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anticonvulsant. The aim of the study is to assess the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models on albino (Wistar strain) rats.Methods: Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats both for MES and PTZ model. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin in MES model/diazepam in PTZ model), and three groups for the test drug (EEAC in the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). In MES model, maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 s through earlobe electrodes after 30 min of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. In PTZ model, PTZ was injected 30 min after giving the drugs and normal saline, and onset of action and severity of convulsions were noted. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett’s test.Results: EEAC dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES model, and there was increase in latency and occurrence of convulsions in PTZ model.Conclusion: EEAC has anticonvulsant activity.

: Use of nanotechnology in the textile industry has increased rapidly due to its unique and valuable properties. If the criterion is to produce very minute particle size fibres and materials, the nano technology is the only way to achieve the same. The present paper highlights the applications of nanotechnology in textile industries, with an emphasis on improving various properties of textiles.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pathophysiology of IBD is not known with certainty. Immunological processes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to contribute considerably to development of tissue injury. Some of the intestinal and/or colonic injury and dysfunction observed in IBD is due to elaboration of these reactive species. Commonly used drugs, in particular sulfasalazine and its active moiety 5-aminosalicylic acid, are potent ROS scavengers. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Vitex negundo (EEVN) leaves on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group A and group B received gum acacia per orally, group C received EEVN in dose of 500 mg/kg/day per orally, and group D received 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) in the dose of 100 mg/kg/day per orally. All the animals were pre-treated with respective drugs (volume of drugs was kept constant at 10 ml/kg) for five days, along with the normal diet. On fifth day animals were kept fasting for 12 hours (overnight) and IBD was induced next morning in Groups B, C and D by administration of one ml of 4% acetic acid solution transrectally (TR). Group A (normal control) received 0.9% normal saline transrectally (TR) instead. Results: The results have been shown that EEVN has significant activity against experimentally induced IBD when compared to the experimental control, with near normalization of colon architecture both macroscopically as well as microscopically. Tissue oxidative stress was reduced with significant improvement in tissue levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Also, significant improvement in levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was observed. Conclusions: It is concluded that ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo has got potent activity against experimentally induced IBD due to its antiinflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.