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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology × Author: Archana Sathyan × Author: KAU × End date: 2004 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study of the hypoglycemic effect of Azadirachta indica (Neem),Ocimum sanctum Tulsi) and Tinospora cordifolia (Chittamruthu) and their combination in diabetic rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Archana Sathyan; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, A M
    The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the hypoglycemic effects of alcoholic extracts of Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaves and Tinospora cordifolia vines and their combination at 200 mg/kg dose rate in alloxan diabetic rats and to compare their efficacy with standard oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide. The experiment was conducted in forty eight alloxan induced diabetic rats of either sexes for a period of 37 days. Rats were divided into six groups of eight each. Group I was administered alcoholic extract of Azadirachta indica at 200mg/kg for 30 days from 7th day onwards, Group II received Ocimum sanctum alcoholic extract at the same dose rate and Group III was given Tinospora extract at 200 mg/kg. A combination of alcoholic extracts of Azadirachta, Ocimum and Tinospora was fed to Group IV at 200 mg/kg body weight. Group V received glibenclamide at 0.5 mg/animal/day for 30 days and Group VI served as diabetic control. Blood glucose level was estimated on zero day, 7th, 15th, 21st, 30th and 37th day. Body weight was taken at weekly intervals. Serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and liver glycogen were estimated at 37th day of the experiment. All the treatment groups (I, II, III and IV) showed a gradual increase in body weight during the experimental period, but it was seen that the body weights never returned to their original weights before the commencement of the experiment. Among the treatment Groups I, II and III, Group I given Azadirachta extract had the maximum decrease in blood glucose level. Group IV which received a combination of the three drugs had a higher reduction compared to Group I, II and III. Results suggested a synergistic effect of the combination. However, the effect was comparatively lower than that of glibenclamide. Significant reduction in serum cholesterol level was seen in Group I, II and III. Highest cholesterol level was seen in Group II and the lowest serum cholesterol level was seen in Group IV. Serum triglyceride level was highest in Group II and III. Group I had a comparatively lower serum triglyceride level. Lowest triglyceride level was shown by Group IV treated with combination. Treatment with all the three drugs resulted in no significant change in the liver glycogen levels. Combination treatment also failed to produce any significant alteration in the reduced liver glycogen levels. Group I, II and III had a liver glycogen levels comparable to that of the control Group VI. From the study, it can be concluded that among the three drugs, Azadirachta has the highest hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect. The combination treatment produced a comparatively higher effect than that of the three drugs, suggesting a synergistic action. However, the effects of the three drugs and their combination are less when compared to that of glibenclamide and the mechanism of action of the three plants are different from that of glibenclamide.