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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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2007 - 20103
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Subject: Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology × Author: KAU × Start date: 2007 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Antibacterial and antifungal activity of selected medicinl plants available in Kerala
    (Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Sabitha, Jose; KAU; Usha, P T A
    In the present study cold ethanolic extract and fresh juice of five medicinal plants were screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. The plants were Annona squamosa (Aatha), Cassia alata (Anathakara), Coleus amboinicus (Panicoorka), Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) and Tectona grandis (Teak). Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus (MTCC 96), Salmonella enteritidis (MTCC 3219), Escherichia coli (MTCC 723), Pasteurella multocida subsp.multocida (MTCC 1161), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 741), Aspergillus fumigatus (MTCC 870), Candida albicans (MTCC 227) and Cryptococcus neoformans var neoformans (MTCC 4404). Phytochemical analysis was conducted for the presence of routine secondary plant metabolites. The diameter of inhibitory zone at various concentrations of the extract, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were used to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the above mentioned plants. Disc diffusion method, microtitre plate dilution technique and broth dilution technique were used. The reference drugs used in this study were penicillin G, furazolidone, ketoconazole and clotrimazole. The maximum yield was obtained from ethanolic extract of A. squamosa leaves (18.07 per cent). Leaves of C. amboinicus produced the maximum amount of fresh juice among the five plants (8 ml from 10 g of the fresh tender leaves). Phytochemical analysis reported the presence of steroids, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, diterpenes, triterpenes and saponins in the leaves of A. squamosa and C. alata. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and saponins were present in the leaves of C. amboinicus. M. fragrans leaves contain glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds. Qualitative chemical tests revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds and saponins in the leaves of T. grandis. All the extracts showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity on the microorganisms tested. The antimicrobial screening revealed the susceptibility of E. coli to A. squamosa, C. amboinicus and T. grandis. The growth of S. aureus, P. multocida and P. aeruginosa was inhibited by all the five plants. S. enteritidis was found to be susceptible to T. grandis, M. fragrans and C. amboinicus. MIC values ranged from 200-1000 µg/ml and MBC values ranged from 500-1000 µg/ml. In case of A. squamosa, MBC value against E. coli was more than 1000 µg/ml. The antifungal screening revealed that the growth of C. albicans was inhibited by C. alata, C. amboinicus, M. fragrans and T. grandis. A. squamosa and C. alata inhibited the growth of C. neoformans. A. fumigatus appeared to be susceptible to A. squamosa, C. alata and C. amboinicus. MIC values ranged from 250-1000 µg/ml for the fungal strains. MFC values ranged between 500-1000 µg/ml except for A. squamosa and C. alata. MFC of C. alata against A. fumigatus and C. albicans was more than 1000 µg/ml. MFC of A. squamosa against C. neoformans was found to be more than 1000 µg/ml. The growth of S. aureus was inhibited by fresh juice of A. squamosa, C. amboinicus, M. fragrans and T. grandis leaves. E. coli was susceptible to fresh juice of C. amboinicus leaves. Fresh juice of C. alata was found to be effective against C. albicans. P. aeruginosa was inhibited by fresh juice of M. fragrans leaves. All the plants under the study were found to possess antimicrobial properties, thereby justifying their popular use in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant microorganisms. Further study is required to assess the in vivo efficacy of these plants for the said action.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hypoglycamic effect of pleurotus ostreatus in sprague - dawley rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Saritha, Krishna I K; KAU; Usha, P T A
    The present study was undertaken to assess the antidiabetic activity of Pleurotus ostreatus and its combination with Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos in a model of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The experiment was conducted in seventy two adult Sprague-Dawley male rats which were randomly divided into nine groups of eight animals each. Group I served as normal control. All the groups except normal control were made diabetic by the subcutaneous injection of alloxan at the dose rate of 130 mg/kg body weight. Group II was kept as the diabetic control. In the initial phase, rats of group III, IV and V were administered orally with ethanolic extract of Pleurotus ostreatus at the dose rate of 250,500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively from day 16 to day 45. Parameters like blood glucose, serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride were estimated on zeroth day, 16th, 30th and 45th day. Body weight was also recorded on these days. Liver glycogen was estimated on 45th day after sacrificing the animals. All the three treatment groups except diabetic control showed gradual increase in body weight after 30 days of treatment. Among the treatment groups, the maximum regain in body weight was observed in rats treated with Pleurotus ostreatus at the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg (group V). The highest decrease in blood glucose level was also observed with the same group. Administration of the extract also produced significant reduction in serum cholesterol level. Group V showed the lowest serum cholesterol level and serum triglyceride level. The liver glycogen level was found to be highest in group V. The results of the present study clearly demonstrated the hypoglycaemic effect of Pleurotus ostreatus. It was also quite evident that among the three doses of Pleurotus ostreatus chosen, the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg was found to possess the highest hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effect. Hence this was selected as the suitable dose for combination with Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos. In the second phase of study, group VI received ethanolic extract of Murraya koenigii at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg and group VII was given ethanolic extract of Aegle marmelos at the same dose rate from day 16 to day 45. A combination of the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus ostreatus at the dose rate of 1000 mg/kg with Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos each at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg was given to group VIII for the same period. Group IX received glibenclamide at the dose rate of 0.25 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Group I and II served as normal and diabetic control respectively. Parameters like body weight, blood glucose, serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride were recorded on zeroth day, 16th, 30th and 45th day. Liver glycogen was estimated on 45th day after sacrificing the animals. After 30 days of treatment, a significant gain in body weight was observed in animals which underwent combination therapy compared to group VI and VII and the effect was comparable to that produced by glibenclamide. The animals which received Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos (groups VI and VII) showed similar reduction in blood glucose level. Group VIII which received combination showed a significant reduction in blood glucose level than groups VI and VII suggesting a synergistic effect of the three drugs in producing hypoglycaemia. However, the most effective reduction in blood glucose level was produced by glibenclamide. A significant decrease in serum cholesterol level was seen in all treated groups compared to diabetic control. Among the groups treated with ethanolic extract, group VIII showed the lowest serum cholesterol level. Group IX which received glibenclamide showed the highest reduction in serum cholesterol level. The highest reduction in serum triglyceride level was also shown by group IX followed by group VIII. Animals treated with Aegle marmelos extract (group VII) had a higher liver glycogen value than those treated with Murraya koenigii (group VI). Treatment with the combination produced significant regain in liver glycogen level but was lower than that obtained with group IX. From the study, it can be concluded that the combination of Pleurotus ostreatus with Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos has the highest hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effect than the individual effect of Murraya koenigii and Aegle marmelos suggesting a synergistic action of the three.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hypoglycaemic effect of Coccinia indica (ivy gourd) leaves and its interaction with glibenclamide in diabetic rats
    (Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, COVAS, Mannuthy, 2009) Eliza Jose; KAU; Usha, P T A
    The present study was undertaken to assess the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant effect, interactive effects with glibenclamide and toxicity of ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica leaves. The experiment was conducted in seven groups of eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats each. Group I served as the normal control. All the groups except normal control were made diabetic by subcutaneous injection of alloxan at the dose rate of 130 mg/kg body weight and group II was kept as diabetic control. The groups III and IV were administered with the extract of C. indica at the dose rate of 200 mg/kg and glibenclamide at the dose rate of 0.25 mg/kg respectively for 45 days. The groups V, VI and VII were administered with a combination of C. indica at the dose rate of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg respectively with glibenclamide at the dose rate of 0.125 mg/kg body weight for 45 days. Blood glucose, serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride and body weight were noted on day zero, 16th, 30th, 45th and 60th day and liver glycogen on 60th day. The antioxidant effect was assessed by estimation of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxides in pancreas and liver. Representative samples of pancreas were also subjected to histopathological examination. The diabetic control showed significant increase in the level of blood glucose, serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride level and also a significant reduction in body weight. All the other groups showed a gradual increase in body weight after 30 days of treatment. The groups III and IV restored the blood glucose levels after 45 days. The serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxide levels in pancreas and liver were also restored indicating the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect of the treatments. The groups V, VI and VII, in which the combinations of C. indica with glibenclamide were used, regained the blood glucose levels in 45 days of treatment. Group VII showed most marked effect and is found to be better than group III. The combination treatments produced a marked reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and there was restoration of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione in pancreas and liver. The ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves were screened for acute oral toxicity and sub acute toxicity. The administration of the extract upto 2000 mg/kg body weight (OECD guidelines 423) did not show any acute oral toxicity in mice. The sub acute toxicity studies conducted in wistar rats, did not show any toxic symptoms like mortality, change in biochemical, hematological parameters. The results revealed that C. indica did not possess any sub acute toxicity. These toxicity studies indicated the safety of ethanolic extract of C. indica as a drug in the treatment of diabetes. From the study it can be concluded that C. indica at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight produced better hypoglycemic effect when compared with glibenclamide at the dose rate of 0.25 mg/kg body weight. Further the combination of C. indica ( 200 mg/kg ) with glibenclamide (0.125 mg/kg) showed a more effective hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect than C. indica or glibenclamide alone and the combination can be safely used in the treatment of diabetes.