BACKGROUND:There are many anti-inflammatory drugs available but all of them do have a significant adverse effect profile. Trianthema portulacastrum is known in Ayurveda since centuries for its medicinal values. So the current study was undertaken to evaluate the antiinflammatory effects of this plant in acute inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Albino rats were treated with whole plant ethonolic extract of Trianthema portulacastrum 100mg\kg, indomethacin 20mg\kg, orally with 2% gum acacia as suspending agent and the effects were observed in acute models of inflammation viz, carrrageenin induced paw edema and formalin induced peritonitis. RESULTS: our study demonstrated that Trianthema portulacastrum exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in both the models. CONCLUSION: Trianthema potrulacastum has got significant anti-inflammatory activity so further studies are needed in this direction.

BACKGROUND: It is a known fact that calcium ions are involved in pathogenesis of seizures. Hence current study was undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of calcium channel blockers flunarizine, diltiazem and compare their efficacy with that of sodium valproate, the broad spectrum anticonvulsant in MES and PTZ induced seizures in albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Albino rats were treated with diltiazem 7.5mg/kg, 15mg/kg, flunarizine 7.5mg/kg,15mg/kg and sodium valproate 250mg/kg bodyweight intraperitoneally and the effects were observed in MES and PTZ models of epilepsy. The parameters observed in MES model were, duration of HLTE phase. Convulsive phase, and post ictal depressive phase. In PTZ model duration of seizure latency, duration of convulsion, and duration post ictal depression were observed. RESULTS: our study demonstrated that flunarizine affords protection against convulsions induced in both models, with its efficacy almost approaching that of sodium valproate whereas protection by diltiazem was not significant in both models. CONCLUSION: Flunarizine has significant, while diltiazem has no statistically significant anticonvulsant activity as compared to sodium valproate.

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BACKGROUND: CA +2 ions are involved in initiation as well as spread of seizures. Hence current study was undertaken to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of calcium channel blockers flunarizine, nifedipine and compare their efficacy with that of sodium valproate, the broad spectrum anticonvulsant in MES and PTZ induced seizures in albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Albino rats were treated with nifedipine 2.5mg/kg, 5mg/kg, flunarizine 7.5mg/kg,15mg/kg and sodium valproate 250mg/kg bodyweight intraperitoneally and the effects were observed in MES and PTZ models of epilepsy. The parameters observed in MES model was, duration of HLTE phase. Convulsive phase, and post ictal depressive phase. In PTZ model duration of seizure latency, duration of convulsion, and duration post ictal depression were observed. RESULTS: our study demonstrated that both calcium channel blockers afford protection against convulsions induced in both models, and flunarizine affords higher degree of protection than nifedipine, with its efficacy almost approaching that of sodium valproate. CONCLUSION: Flunarizine has significant, while nifedipine has moderate degree of anticonvulsant activity as compared to sodium valproate. KEYWORDS: Epilepsy, flunarizine, nifedipine, sodium valproate, MES model, PTZ model. ABBREVIATIONS: MES -maximal electro shock seizures, PTZ -pentylene tetrazole, HLTEhind limb tonic exetension, PID -post ictal depression. INTRODUCTION:Incidence of epilepsy is approximately 0.3% to 0.5% in different populations, 1 and although most epileptic seizures can be controlled by available antiepileptic drugs about 20% of them are still refractory to treatment. 2 Ca +2 ions are involved in both seizure initiation and propagation. It is the influx of extracellular ca +2 ions into the neuron through the calcium channels in the beginning that leads to the opening of the voltage gated sodium channels. Influx of Na + ions then causes generation of repetitive action potential causing seizures. 3 So if we can prevent the influx of ca +2 ions into the neuron by blocking calcium channels with the help of calcium channel blockers, the seizure activity can be prevented.Thus we took up this study wherein we evaluate and compare as well, the anticonvulsant activity of calcium channel blockers nifedipine and flunarizine 4 with sodium valproate, the broad spectrum anticonvulsant having multiple mechanisms of action, 5,6 in MES and PTZ induced seizures in albino rats.

BACKGROUND: Trianthema portulacastrum is being used in Ayurveda since centuries for its medicinal values, hence this study was done to know if it has got anti-inflammatory activity in chronic models of inflammation, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were treated with whole plant ethanolic extract of trianthema portulacastrum 100mg \kg orally with 2% gum acacia, as suspending agent and indomethacin 20mg\kg as standard. And the effects were observed in chronic model of inflammation namely, rexin pellet induced granuloma model, RESULT: This study demonstrated that trianthema portulacastrum reduced significantly the dry weight of granuloma that was formed after rexin pellet implantation, CONCLUSION: Trianthema portulacastrum has got significant anti-inflammatory activity in chronic models of inflammation.