Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of fruits of Tribulus terrestris on learning and memory in rodents. Materials and Methods: Thirty wistar rats were divided in 5 groups of 6 rats each. Baseline values for the time taken to reach reward chamber (TRC) in the Hebb William Maze and transfer latency (TL) in the T-maze were recorded on Day 1. Mean of 5 sessions was calculated for each rat. Group I was normal control, group II piracetam standard, group III, IV and V received Tribulus terrestris orally at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively for 14 days. At the end of 14 days, each rat was tested for TRC and TL and compared with the control group. Results: Group IV showed a significant decrease in TRC when compared to group I in Hebb William Maze (p<0.0001). Group IV also showed a significant decrease in TL when compared to group I in T-maze (p<0.0001). Group III showed a significant decrease in TL when compared to group I in the T-maze (p=0.035), however there was no decrease in TRC in this group. Conclusions: The aqueous extract of fruits of Tribulus terrestris showed a dose dependent beneficial effect in learning and memory models in rats, with 200mg/kg being most beneficial.

Objectives:1. To evaluate and compare the pattern and rationality of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in elective surgeries. 2.To evaluate and compare the adherence of hospitals to the standard guidelines on prophylactic antimicrobial therapy.

Introduction: Despite theavailability of numerous antidepressant drugs the therapy of depression is far from satisfactory. Two of the many reasons for this are the delay in onset of effect and the adverse effects associated with most of the antidepressants. Costus speciosus rhizome has shown adaptogenic activity. Objective: To evaluate the antidepressant activity of50% aqueous-ethanol extract of Costus speciosus (CS) leaves in experimental models of depression. Materials and Methods: Male albino mice were randomly assigned to five groups of six each. We studied three doses of the leaf extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on two models of depression -forced swim test and tail suspension test. Imipramine was used as the standard control. Both acute and chronic effects were studied. Drugs (test drug, standard control and vehicle) were administeredorally, one hour before the experiment in the acute study and daily for 14 days for the chronic study. Results: Imipramine showed significant antidepressant activity as demonstrated by a reduction in duration of immobility in both acute and chronic studies of forced swim test and tail suspension test. CS showed a dose dependent antidepressant activity. CS_100 demonstrated an antide-