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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: KAU × End date: 2022 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hepatoprotective effect of Aegle marmelos (Indian bael) and Azadirachta indica(Neem) aqueous leaf extract on paracetamol induced toxicity in rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Anu Mathew; KAU; Aravindakshan, C M
    The present study was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Azadirachta indica at the rate of 500 mg / kg and Aegle marmelos at the rate of 1 g/kg on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The study was conducted using thirty two adult albino rats weighting 150-200g. The rats were divided into four groups of eight each. Animals of Group1 served as absolute control, which received 0.2 per cent gum acacia oral suspension in distilled water for 12 days. Group II animals received paracetamol (3g/kg) suspension prepared with gum acacia in distilled water for three days orally. Group III animals received A. indica aqueous leaf extract (500mg/kg) orally for 12 days and paracetamol (3g/kg) suspension on day eight, nine and ten. Group IV animals received A. marmelos aqueous leaf extract (1g/kg) orally for 12 days and paracetamol (3g/kg) suspension on day eight, nine and ten. Blood was collected from all groups before and after treatment for haematological and biochemical examination and liver was taken for biochemical and histopathological examination. The feed intake of paracetamol treated rats was reduced compared to animals group I. In A. indica and A. marmelos treated rats the feed intake was normal upto seven days and feed intake reduced after paracetamol treatment. The animals of group I showed a gradual increase in body weight. The paracetamol treated group showed reduction weight. The body weight of Group III and group IV were decreased during the experiment, being less pronounced than the paracetamol treated rats. The lipid peroxide levels were higher in paracetamol treated animals compared to the control and plant extract treated groups. A. indica at the rate of 500 mg/kg and A. marmelos at the rate of 1g/kg reduced the elevated lipid peroxide levels. The level of superoxide dismutase and catalase were lowest in the paracetamol (3g/kg) treated rats. There was increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the treatment groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher in the paracetamol treated group compared to the control group. There was significant reduction in levels of these enzymes in group III and group IV compared to group II. Total protein and albumin levels were lowest in the case of animals treated with paracetamol compared to the other groups. The lowered total protein and albumin levels in group II animals were significantly elevated in group III and IV animals treated with aqueous extract of A. indica and A. marmelos. The study of haematological parameters of all the groups revealed no significant changes. Gross examination of liver from control group showed normal appearance and liver of paracetamol treated animals showed greyish white areas of necrosis. Livers of A. indica and A. marmelos pretreated rats were almost normal in appearance. Histopathological examination of control group revealed normal hepatic architecture. Liver of paracetamol treated group revealed centrilobular coagulative necrosis. The liver of A. indica and A. marmelos treated rats showed normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis, mild congestion and less degree of infiltration. The results of the present study confirmed the strong hepatoprotective activity of A. indica and A. marmelos aqueous leaf extract in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.