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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY AND ROLE OF CYTOKINES ON WOUND HEALING IN RATS BY SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MIZORAM(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-07) LALMUANTHANGA, C.; ROY, D.C.The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential effect of methanol, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in three different models of wound in rats, incision, burn, diabetic excision wound models and also the polyherbal formulation of the plants at three different combination in diabetic wound model in rats. The cytokine, IL- 6, TNF-α and IL-10, blood biochemical profile, histopathological examination of tissue, antimicrobial effect of different extracts of plant under study and the analysis of the antioxidant property of the plants were undertaken to find the correlation with the wound healing property of plant extracts. The yields of methanol extract of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria were 166.93gm (16.693%), 78.00 (7.80%), 60.00 (6.00%), 117.00 (11.70%) and 50.68 (5.068%) per 1000 gram of dry powder respectively. The preliminary analysis of phytochemical constituent of plant shows that Parkia timoriana extract was found to contain tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Securinega virosa extract was found to contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Abelmoschus moschatus extract was found to contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids; alkaloids and phlobotannins. Scoparia dulcis extract was found to contain tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids and Blumea lanceolaria extract was found to contain flavonoids, phlobotannins, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. All the plant extracts were found to be safe @ 2000 mg/kg after testing the acute oral toxicity in rats and mice. Topical administration of methanol, chloroform and ether extract of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in incision wound model in rats @ 10 and 20 % w/w ointment increased the breaking strength of wound when compared with control and standard treated groups at P<0.001 significant level. An increasing trend in the total protein, albumin and globulin level of wound tissue was observed with some variation between control and the treated groups. The level of AST, ALT and glucose in the treatment groups were significantly lower than the control group at P<0.05 and P<0.00. The percent of wound contraction after topical application of 10 and 20% w/w ointments of methanol, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in burn wound model in rats were significantly higher (P<0.001) on day 4, 8, 12 and 16 as compared to ii control group and standard group; but individual variation for significant different with standard drug treated group occurs amongst the plant extracts. There were remarkable fibroblast collective tissue proliferation, collagenation, mononuclear infiltration, angiogenesis, vascular engorgement and epithelialisation on histopathological examination. In excision diabetic wound model in rats, the methanolic, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria administered @ 250 and 500mg/kg P.O. showed significantly increased (P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001) percent of wound contraction on day 4, 8, 12 and day 16 as compare to the control group and the epithelisation time were significantly reduced. Regenerating skin appendages tissue proliferation, mononuclear infiltration which confirm the healing action which are quite comparable to the standard (Vitamin E) treated group. Biochemical analysis revealed that the blood glucose, protein, globulin and albumin levels in control groups are significantly higher in most of the cases and AST, ALT and creatine kinase are significant reduced at P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001. The cytokine analysis of blood plasma on day 1 and day 9 of post wound creation and after treatment with plant extracts shows that the level of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreasing on day 9 as compared to the previous sampling. The different extracts of plants at two different dosing @ 10 and 20 % w/w ointment showed the significance difference (P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001) between the groups. Contrary to the level of IL-6 and TNF- α, the level of IL-10 was increased doubled fold or more on day 9 in all the treated groups. The topical application of Poly I MZ, Poly II MZ and Poly III MZ @ 20% w/w ointment each on diabetic incision wound showed significantly increased the breaking strength when compared to control group.ThesisItem Open Access THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY AND ROLE OF CYTOKINES ON WOUND HEALING IN RATS BY SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MIZORAM(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-07) LALMUANTHANGA, C.; ROY, D. C.The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential effect of methanol, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in three different models of wound in rats, incision, burn, diabetic excision wound models and also the polyherbal formulation of the plants at three different combination in diabetic wound model in rats. The cytokine, IL- 6, TNF-α and IL-10, blood biochemical profile, histopathological examination of tissue, antimicrobial effect of different extracts of plant under study and the analysis of the antioxidant property of the plants were undertaken to find the correlation with the wound healing property of plant extracts. The yields of methanol extract of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria were 166.93gm (16.693%), 78.00 (7.80%), 60.00 (6.00%), 117.00 (11.70%) and 50.68 (5.068%) per 1000 gram of dry powder respectively. The preliminary analysis of phytochemical constituent of plant shows that Parkia timoriana extract was found to contain tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Securinega virosa extract was found to contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. Abelmoschus moschatus extract was found to contain tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids; alkaloids and phlobotannins. Scoparia dulcis extract was found to contain tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids and Blumea lanceolaria extract was found to contain flavonoids, phlobotannins, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins. All the plant extracts were found to be safe @ 2000 mg/kg after testing the acute oral toxicity in rats and mice. Topical administration of methanol, chloroform and ether extract of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in incision wound model in rats @ 10 and 20 % w/w ointment increased the breaking strength of wound when compared with control and standard treated groups at P<0.001 significant level. An increasing trend in the total protein, albumin and globulin level of wound tissue was observed with some variation between control and the treated groups. The level of AST, ALT and glucose in the treatment groups were significantly lower than the control group at P<0.05 and P<0.00. The percent of wound contraction after topical application of 10 and 20% w/w ointments of methanol, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria in burn wound model in rats were significantly higher (P<0.001) on day 4, 8, 12 and 16 as compared to ii control group and standard group; but individual variation for significant different with standard drug treated group occurs amongst the plant extracts. There were remarkable fibroblast collective tissue proliferation, collagenation, mononuclear infiltration, angiogenesis, vascular engorgement and epithelialisation on histopathological examination. In excision diabetic wound model in rats, the methanolic, chloroform and ether extracts of Parkia timoriana, Securinega virosa, Abelmoschus moschatus, Scoparia dulcis and Blumea lanceolaria administered @ 250 and 500mg/kg P.O. showed significantly increased (P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001) percent of wound contraction on day 4, 8, 12 and day 16 as compare to the control group and the epithelisation time were significantly reduced. Regenerating skin appendages tissue proliferation, mononuclear infiltration which confirm the healing action which are quite comparable to the standard (Vitamin E) treated group. Biochemical analysis revealed that the blood glucose, protein, globulin and albumin levels in control groups are significantly higher in most of the cases and AST, ALT and creatine kinase are significant reduced at P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001. The cytokine analysis of blood plasma on day 1 and day 9 of post wound creation and after treatment with plant extracts shows that the level of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreasing on day 9 as compared to the previous sampling. The different extracts of plants at two different dosing @ 10 and 20 % w/w ointment showed the significance difference (P<0.05; P<0.01 and P<0.001) between the groups. Contrary to the level of IL-6 and TNF- α, the level of IL-10 was increased doubled fold or more on day 9 in all the treated groups. The topical application of Poly I MZ, Poly II MZ and Poly III MZ @ 20% w/w ointment each on diabetic incision wound showed significantly increased the breaking strength when compared to control group.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC EFFICACY OF CERTAIN INDIGENOUS PLANTS AGAINST EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED Ascaridia galli INFECTION IN LOCAL BIRDS (Gallus domesticus)(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-07) HAZARIKA, ARCHANA; Roy, R. K.The present study was an attempt to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of certain indigenous plants against experimentally induced Ascaridia galli infection in local birds (Gallus domesticus). A total of five (5) indigeneous plants viz., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Sewali), Butea monosperma (Palash), Melia azedarach (Ghora neem), Erythrina stricta (Madar), and Ficus hispida (Dimoru) based on indigeneous technical knowledge (ITK) and ethnomedical uses Three types of extracts, viz. ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of each of the five plants were prepared for in vitro and in vivo studies. A. galli was used as the test parasite for in vitro studies. Three different concentrations, 10, 25 and 50 mg/ml was used for in vitro studies. Rats were used for acute toxicity studies while local indigeneous birds of either sex were used for induced infection with A. galli and in vivo studies. A total of twelve groups (each plant having three types of extracts and three different doses, 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, two control groups and one standard group ) of each of the two plants consisting of six (6) birds in each group were used for in vivo studies. A total number of 1000 ± 50 infective ova were inoculated to each of the experimental bird except birds of negative control group. Piperazine hydrate liquid was used as standard drug @ 200mg/kg body weight. The percentage yield of ethanolic extracts of N. arbor-tristis, B. monosperma, M. azedarach, E. stricta, and F. hispida were found to be 14.56, 12.50, 16.84, 13.16 and 5.84 percent (w/w) respectively, for hydroethanolic extract, the percentage yield were found to be 17.0, 8.3, 38.90,10.56 and 9.62 percent (w/w) respectively and the percentage yield of aqueous extracts were found to be 27.56, 14.48, 27.26, 47.62 and 19.24 percent (w/w) respectively. Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis, B. monosperma, M. azedarach, E. stricta, and F. hispida revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and triterpenes. Acute toxicity studies with ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis, B. monosperma, M. azedarach, E. stricta, and F. hispida did not show any behavioural change or gross abnormality nor any sign of toxicity upto 14 days of observation and mortality was absent within 48 hours @ 2.0 g / kg body weight in rats. The extracts were considered to be safe up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg. Among the five plants studied for in vitro efficacy N. arbor-tristis was observed as the best plant having in vitro anthelmintic efficacy followed by B. monosperma, M. azedarach, E. stricta and F. hispida. Based on the findings of the in vitro studies, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Butea monosperma were selected to undergo in vivo studies in birds artificially infected with A. galli worms. Oral treatment with ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis and B. monosperma did not show any signs of hyperactivity or behaviour alterations throughout the study period. The biological evaluation was carried out at doses of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. No signs of toxicity were observed. Birds dosed with the extract continued to feed normally. In birds treated with ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis and B. monosperma at 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, there were no significant differences on the 7th and 14th day post treatment. However, the difference in mean body weight gain of this group was significant (P<0.05) on 21st and 28th day post treatment.The changes in body weight were not dose dependent. The increase in body weight after treatment with Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Butea monosperma were comparable to standard Piperazine treated group. Almost all biochemical and haematological parameters showed a significant (P<0.05) increase from 14th day post treatment in all the groups, at all the doses and types of extracts of N. arbor-tristis used. However, B. monosperma leaf extract showed a significant (P<0.05) increase from 21st day post treatment in all the groups, at all the doses and types of extracts used. Piperazine treated group showed significant increase 14th day post treatment as compared to control.Treatment with ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis and B. monosperma caused a significant reduction in egg output in the droppings of treated birds from 7th day onwards upto 28th day in comparison with infected controls (P < 0.05). Piperazine hydrate brought down the mean EPG from 733.33±268.22 at pre-treatment to 106.67±23.33 at 28th day post treatment.The ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis and B. monosperma at all the doses used showed an efficacy above 80% indicating that the plants are effective against A. galli. Piperazine treated group showed an efficacy of 88.99% and 93.15%. The ethanolic, hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. arbor-tristis and B. monosperma at all the doses used showed FECR above 80 indicating that A. galli is not resistant to these two plants. Piperazine treated group showed FECR of 89 and 93 indicating that A. galli is prone to resistance to Piperazine as the 95% confidence level is 90 for standard drugs. The plant extracts not only depressed the faecal egg output but also significantly reduced the adult worms population in parasitized birds. The total worm count at necropsy was significantly lower. Piperazine treated group showed no worm recovery. In conclusion, extracts found to possess significant in vitro anthelmintic activity did not increase the biochemical or haematological values significantly. It is concluded that further study is needed, of longer duration, to study the anthelmintic activity against A. galli infection in poultry.The plant extracts not only depressed the faecal egg output but also significantly reduced the adult worms population in parasitised birds. This is desirable as it has the advantage of reducing the deleterious effects on individual birds and contamination of the environment with parasite eggs. in vivo studies indicated that both the plant extracts and Piperazine hydrate response did not differ significantly. The plant leaves crude extract can be used as alternative de-wormer. Butea monosperma and Nyctanthes arbortristis reduced FEC by 80%. FEC reductions greater than or equal to 70% was considered biologically significant.ThesisItem Open Access ROLE OF NANOCURCUMIN ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) RAHMAN, FARIDA; Sarma, JadavThe present study evaluated the protective effect of nanocurcumin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. A total of 96 albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into two groups each for CCl4 and paracetamol having eight subgroups consist of six rats per group. In CCl4 induced hepatic model, Group I served as normal control group [olive oil i/p, at the dose rate of 2 ml/kg body weight on the day of administration of CCl4 to the treatment groups and CMC (1% w/v) p.o., 1 ml/100g body weight for 4 weeks], Group II served as positive control (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p), Group III (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + silymarin 100 mg/kg p.o.), Group IV (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + nanocurcumin 40 mg/kg p.o), Group V (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + nanocurcumin 80 mg/kg p.o.), Group VI (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + nanocurcumin 160 mg/kg p.o.), Group VII (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + curcumin 160 mg/kg p.o.), Group VIII (CCl4 2 ml/kg in olive oil by i/p + turmeric 160 mg/kg p.o.) for four consecutive weeks. In the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model, Group I served as the normal control group (CMC 1 ml/100g body weight), Group II served as positive control (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o.), Group III (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + silymarin 100 mg/kg p.o.), Group IV (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + nanocurcumin 40 mg/kg p.o.), Group V (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + nanocurcumin 80 mg/kg p.o.), Group VI (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + nanocurcumin 160 mg/kg p.o.), Group VII (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + curcumin 160 mg/kg p.o.), Group VIII (parcetamol 500 mg/kg in CMC p.o. + turmeric 160 mg/kg p.o.) for four consecutive weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis respectively. The present study revealed that CCl4 and paracetamol elevated the activities of LDH and liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and increased bilirubin, uric acid and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. On the other hand, CCl4 and paracetamol decreased the biochemical parameters, such as total protein, albumin, and globulin. After treatment with nanocurcumin (40, 80,160 mg/kg body weight) it was found that the activity of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), LDH, bilirubin, uric acid and MDA level decreased significantly, here as the level of total protein, albumin, and globulin was found to be increased significantly in a dose dependent manner with the nanocurcumin treatment. In the histopathological study it was observed that administration of nanocurcumin decreased the fatty and necro-inflammatory changes of liver.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF NANOCURCUMIN AND TEA WASTE EXTRACT ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED CAECAL COCCIDIOSIS IN BROILER CHICKS(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) GOGOI, CHAMPAK; SARMA, J.The anticoccidial efficacy of three different doses of nanocurcumin (100 mg/kg bodyweight, 200 mg/kg bodyweight and 300 mg/kg bodyweight), three different doses of tea waste extract (100mg/kg bodyweight, 200mg/kg bodyweight and 300 mg/kg bodyweight) and curcumin (300 mg/kg bodyweight) were tested against Eimeria tenella infection in broilers. A total of 100 numbers of day old Broiler birds (weighing 40-50 g) were procured. All the birds were kept in deep litter system in a small group of 10 birds each. Birds were fed with standard balanced ration and clean drinking water ad libitum and were vaccinated for Ranikhet Disease at 4th day with F-strain vaccine and maintained in a standard laboratory conditions (at ambient temperature ranging between 22-25 0C). Groups 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 were challenged with 10,000 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella at day 10 of age, while group 2 served as the uninfected unmedicated control. Form the day of challenge infection, the birds belonging to group 3 treated with standard drug amprolium and group 4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 were treated with different doses of nanocurcumin, curcumin and tea waste extract. From 5th day post infection, the birds showed some symptoms of diarrhoea, anorexia and weakness. From 6th day post infection, the birds started to show bloody diarrhoea, anorexia, weakness and death. A total of 22 birds died during the experiment. The negative control group (infected+untreated group) showed highest mortality (100%). The second highest mortality was found in group 7 (infected+treated with tea waste extract 100mg/kg b.w.) i.e. 40%. Other groups showed less moratlity specially the curcumin and nanocucumin treated groups. The positive control group (treated with amprolium) and group 6 (treated with nanocurcumin 300 mg/kg b.w.) showed no mortality. It was seen that Group 2 (Normal control) showed highest body weight (2260±52.64). Subsequently, Group 3 (treated with amprolium) showed a bodyweight (2175.00 ± 49.75) which has no significant difference with Group 2. Group 6 (treated with nanocurcumin300 mg) showed the highest bodyweight among the experimental groups (2015.00 ± 43.02). However, Groups treated with tea waste extract showed a significant drop in weight gain (1197.00 ± 95.37, 1106.00 ± 30.46, 1347.00 ± 30.84). Group 2 (normal control) showed highest FCR (1.64). Blood parameters were recorded and analysed and found significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). It was concluded that the effect of nanocurcumin was significantly better than tea waste extract and can be compared with the standard drug i.e. Amprolium.ThesisItem Open Access TOXIC POTENTIAL OF PROFENOFOS IN BROILER CHICKEN(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) KAFLE, ARJUN; Roy, D. C.The present investigation was undertaken to study the acute and subchronic toxicity of Profenofos in broiler chicken. A total of 30 numbers of broiler chickens were included in the experiment which were divided into 3 groups (Group A, B and C), each comprising 10 chickens. Group A birds served as acute toxicity group and were administered a single LD50 dose of Profenofos i.e., 16 mg/kg body weight orally while group B served as subchronic toxicity group and were administered dose of 1.6 mg/kg body eight orally daily for a period of 60 days. Group C served as control. For acute toxicity study, blood was collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours whereas blood was collected at weekly interval for subchronic toxicity study. In case of acute toxicity group, within 3 hours of Profenofos administration birds exhibited clinical signs which included depression, anorexia, diarrhea, gasping, excessive salivation, drooling, curved position and rigid stance with drooping of wings. Progressively the birds were unable to stand and sat on their hocks with curled toes followed by tremor, incordination, convulsions and death. However the signs observed in Group B were less pronounced except the birds exhibited sitting on hock posture, staggering gait, leg weakness, limb paresis and diarrhea were noticed in the latter part of the experiment. Curled toes were seen in some of the birds. The haematological parameters (Haemoglobin, Total Erythrocyte Count, Total Leucocyte Count and Heterophil) were significantly increased in both the treated groups compared to the control. However the level of lymphocyte was found to be decreased in both acute and subchronic toxicity group compared to the control group. Significant increase in serum enzyme activities (Alanine Amino Transferase, Aspartate Amino Transferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Total Cholesterol and Uric acid) were observed in both the treated groups. However the level of Serum Cholinesterase was found to be significantly reduced in treated groups as compared to the control. On postmortem, gross changes on liver, kidney, lung, and brain were recorded and mostly included congestion, haemorrhage in lung, kidney and brain while distention of gall bladder was observed in the liver in both the groups. Histopathological study of liver showed congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cells, kidney revealed coagulative necrosis, hydropic degeneration and distention of the tubules. Mild congestion and haemorrhage were observed in the lung while the brain revealed congestion, neuronophagia and satellosis. The level of residue was assessed by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique in which the level of Profenofos was found to be maximum in brain in acute toxicity study while in subchronic toxicity, the liver was detected with the maximum residue. The level of residue was found to be least in muscle in both acute and subchronic toxicity studies. In acute toxicity study the concentration of Profenofos in brain showed MRL level (0.05μg/g) while in subchronic toxicity study the concentration detected were below the MRL in all the samples tested.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE AND HYPERLIPIDEMIC PROPERTIES OF ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) Borthakur, Anurag; Mohan, P.The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Alternanthera sessilis were evaluated for hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic activities in rats. The effects of the extracts were also observed in guinea pig ileum and rat ileum. The Botanical Survey of India, Shillong had identified and authenticated the plant as Alternanthera sessilis (A. sessilis). The dried and pulverized fine powder of A. sessilis leaves which was subjected to cold aqueous and cold methanolic extract treatment yielded 11.45 and 5.98 grams per 100 grams of dry powder, respectively. The extracts of A. sessilis were found to be positive for phlobatannin, saponin, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids when subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis. The calculated LD50 was found to be greater than 2500 mg.kg -1 body weight as per OECD guidelines. For evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of A. sessilis in rats, hepatotoxicty was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 + Liquid Paraffin 50% v/v) 2ml/kg body weight subcutaneously twice a week for 3 weeks in all the groups except group I (control). Group I served as normal control, whereas group II as treated control with only CCl4, Group III as standard and group IV, V and VI were treated with varying doses of aqueous extract at 100, 300 and, 900 mg.kg -1 body weight respectively. Similarly in another experiment, group IV, V and VI were treated with varying doses of methanolic extract at 100, 300 and 900 mg.kg-1 respectively. The treatment for group I (control), Group II (treated control) and group III (silymarin treated) was done exactly the same way as in the previous setting. The parameters studied were aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatise, total bilirubin. The effects of both aqueous and methanolic extracts of A. sessilis in CCl4 induced hepatic damage , in a dose dependent manner was found to lower, the cellular enzymes, viz. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum alkaline phosphatise(ALP). The efficacy in lowering the various cellular enzymes leaking into the serum after hepatic damage was not significantly different between the methanolic and the aqueous extract. The hepatoprotective activity of extracts of A. sessilis, as depicted by reduction in the plasma level of some cellular enzymes viz. AST, ALT, and ALP, including drop in total bilirubin level, may be due to its free radical scavenging activity of certain plant constituents like flavonoids, terpenoids etc. For evaluation of hypolipidemic activity of A. sessilis in rats, the animals were placed in six different groups with each group consisting of 6 rats. The group I was kept as control with normal feeding and ad libitum water. The group II was kept as treated control with high fed diet (20% coconut oil in feed) being fed to induce hypercholesterolemia. The group III was treated with atorvastatin @ 10 mg.kg-1 body weight. The group IV, V and VI were treated with varying doses of aqueous extact @ 100 mg.kg-1. 300 mg.kg-1, 900mg.kg-1 body weight respectively. The hypolipidemic effect in the groups treated with the aqueous extract was discernable from the 2nd weeks onwards with the highest dose of A. sessilis showing comparable effect with the group subjected to atorvastatin treatment. The possible mechanism via which it produces its hypolipidemic effect may be due to increased functioning of the hepatocytes thereby facilitating the excretion of cholesterol through bile. The extracts of A. sessilis did not produce any effect when subjected to guinea pig ileum neither could it block the histaminic effect when treated in the presence of extract. The extracts also did not show any effect when it was subjected to rat ileum. Neither could it block the effect of acetylcholine when treated in presence of the extracts.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF A FEW MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS AS MEMORY ENHANCERS ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN LABORATORY ANIMAL MODELS(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2017-07) SAIKIA, BEENITA; Barua, Chandana ChoudhuryThe present study was undertaken to explore the cognition-enhancing activity of different extracts of few medicinal plants. Ethanol, hydroethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, n- hexane, ethyle acetate and chloroform extracts of seeds of Zanthoxylum alatum and leaves of Conyza bonariensis were experimentally used to treat scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats and mice. Four (4) different models, universally used for learning and memory studies, were utilized in the present study, i.e., Elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) in mice, Radial arm maze (RAM) and Barnes maze (BM) in rats. The study was targeted to develop plant-based anti-amnesic agents. Preliminary behavioural studies were performed for all the extracts using Morris water Maze. Hydroethanolic extract of Z. alatum (HEZA) and petroleum ether extract of C. bonariensis (PECB) were found to be more active than other extracts. The extracts were further subjected to detailed biochemical and molecular analyses in order to assess their mechanism of action. The animals were divided into nine (9) groups, each consisting of 6-10 numbers of animals. Tacrine (3 mg/kg; intra-peritonial) was used as standard nootropic drug. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, intra-peritonial) was used to produce amnesia. Phytochemical studies revealed that HEZA contains terpenoids, tannins and saponins; whereas PECB contains alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides. HEZA and PECB exhibited cognition-enhancing activity as indicated by a significant reduction in the transfer latency (TL) and increased in inflexion ratio (IR), in the EPM. Likewise, reduction in escape latency (EL) and path length and increased time spent in target quadrant (TSTQ) in MWM; decreased WME (working memory error) and RME (reference memory error) in RAM; decreased escape latency (EL) in BM, indicated protection from loss of memory after treatment with HEZA and PECB. Standard drug tacrine showed similar result. Pretreatment with standard drug tacrine and test drug HEZA and PECB significantly decreased the AChE activity and also prevented scopolamine-evoked oxidative stress by improving reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreasing lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrite (NO) level. HEZA and PECB also inhibited the scopolamine-induced β amyloid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and also significantly increased the anti-inflammatoty cytokine (IL-10). HEZA and PECB also significantly increased the mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, PP2A and decreased the mRNA expression of AChE, Tau, NFκB in the hippocampus of mice and rats. The same results were also observed after treatment with tacrine, when compared with scopolamine-treated animals. The immunoblotting assay showed significant up regulation of BDNF and TrkB protein expression with simultaneous down regulation of caspase-3 and Bax protein expression in the hippocampal tissues of mice and rats similar to tacrine, as compared with scopolamine treated group. In conclusion, HEZA & PECB exhibit multiple pathways for cognition enhancement in scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and rats. The mechanism by which HEZA & PECB performs anti-amnesic activity could be through inhibition of the key enzymes AChE, preventing Tau aggregation, impending neuro-inflammation, increase BDNF level and its antioxidants property. HEZA showed more potency than PECB in cognition enhancement where as tacrine, showed the best activity in all the models comparable to Z. alatum. Therefore, it might be suggested that these two test plants might go a long way in the management of cognitive dysfunctions in human and animal subject. However, further studies are required to isolate the active compounds responsible for cognition-enhancing property.
