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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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ThesisItem Open Access Anti-ulcer effect of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Eupatorium triplinerve (Ayyappana) in rats(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Sangeetha Satheesan; KAU; Joy, A DThe present study was conducted in adult albino rats to assess the anti-ulcer effect of alcoholic extract and powder of leaves of Azadirachta indica and Eupatorium triplinerve in comparison with famotidine, a standard anti-ulcer drug. Ninety six rats weighing 150-200gm body weight of either sex divided into twelve groups were used for the study with eight rats in each group. Group 1 was administered the vehicle, five per cent gum acacia for seven days where as group 2 was administered aspirin at the dose of 200mg/kg for seven days. Group 3 was administered aspirin for seven days and from 8th day onwards, they were maintained by normal feeding and watering for 20 days to assess the natural healing. Famotidine, a standard anti-ulcer drug was given at the dose of 40mg/kg for 20 days following aspirin administration to the group 4 animals. The alcoholic extract and powder of A.indica and E.triplinerve were administered to the treatment groups (Groups 5-12) at the two dose levels of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg respectively for 20 days following aspirin administration. The control group as well as the aspirin group were sacrificed on the 8th day, whereas all the other groups were sacrificed on 28th day. The number of ulcers and severity (ulcer score) were determined with the help of magnifying lens and the ulcer index and healing index were calculated. Various biochemical parameters were studied to confirm the anti-ulcer activity of the plant preparations under study. The degree of lipid peroxidation, as well as the anti-oxidant enzyme status, namely, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were assessed in gastric mucosa. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity was estimated on 28th day of the experiment. Body weight was taken at weekly intervals. Heamatological parameters such as total leucocyte count, differential count and haemoglobin count were determined to assess any changes in the haemogram. Histopathological study was also conducted to evaluate the severity of ulceration and healing process. The results indicated that all the treatment groups under study produced a significant decrease in ulcer index when compared to aspirin treated control group. The alcoholic extract at the two dose levels 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg as well as powder at the two dose levels 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg of both A.indica and E.triplinerve were found to produce a dose-dependent healing effect which is comparable to that of famotidine. Administration of the herbal formulation at the various dose levels brought about a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and an increase in the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes namely, superoxide dismutase and catalase, which suggest its efficacy in preventing free radical induced damage. The treatment reversed the increased activity of serum alkaline phosphatase observed in the aspirin treated group. There was no significant difference in the mean body weight gain between any of the groups. Haematological study revealed no significant change and all values fall within the normal range of blood value for the species under study. The results are substantiated by the histopathological studies, which confirmed that treatment with A.indica and E.triplinerve inhibited aspirin-induced necrosis, haemorrhage and congestion in gastric mucosa. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, phenolic compounds which are known to affect the integrity of mucous membranes. In the present study, the fact that A.indica and E.triplinerve significantly reduced ulcer index in a dose-dependent manner supports their cytoprotective effect, which may be mediated by prostaglandins and the ulcer healing effect could be attributed to its predominant effect on the mucosal defensive factors rather than offensive factors.ThesisItem Open Access Immunomodulatory effect of fractions of ethanolic extract from Emblica officinalis (Amla) fruit pulp in mice(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Senthil Kumar, P K; KAU; Chandrasekharan Nair, A MThe immunomodulatory activity of acetone soluble and acetone insoluble fractions of ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis was investigated in the present study. The extracts were also qualitatively tested for the presence of various active principles. One hundred and forty four male swiss albino mice were used to assess humoral and cellular immunity by feeding the extracts at dose level of 200 mg per kg body weight for 19 days. Few animals were also administered with dexamethasone at the dose rate of 0.75 mg per kg body weight intra peritoneally for seven days before the start of the experiment to suppress the immune system and thereby to study the effect of extracts on immunosuppressed animals also. The control group received vehicle alone (five percent gum acacia). Various physiological, haematological, biochemical, enzymatic and immunological parameters like body weight, relative organ weight, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, total serum, protein, serum globulin, albumin-globulin ratio, quantification of superoxide dismutase and catalase, haemagglutination test, Jerene’s plaque forming assay to assess the humoral immune response and tests like delayed type of hypersensitivity, macrophage migration index, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test to assess the cellular immune response were performed. Both the fractions increased the body weight, spleen weight and liver weight in normal as well as in immunosuppressed animals. A significantly increased total WBC counts on days 5, 12 and 19 and the distribution of lymphocytes on days 12 and 19 were seen in normal animals. In immunosuppressed animals, non-significant increase in both total leukocyte counts and distribution of lymphocytes from day zero to nineteen was seen. Total serum protein as well as serum globulin concentration was significantly increased and albumin globulin ratio was significantly decreased in immunocompetent animals treated with both the fractions on 12th and 19th day. However, both the fractions showed only a non-significant increase in total serum protein and serum globulin in normal as well as in immunosuppressed animals, from zero day to 19th day. Significant increase was noticed in superoxide dismutase and catalase level in immunocompetent animals treated with both the fractions on 19th day. A significant stimulation of humoral immune response as indicated by an increase in antibody titre and number of antibody producing cells on both 12th and 19th day of acetone soluble and acetone insoluble fraction treated immunocompetent animals was noted. Immunosuppressed animals also showed a non-significant increase in both antibody titre and number of antibody producing cells through out the experiment. The bone marrow cellularity and foot pad swelling reaction showed a significant stimulation in immunocompetent animals on 12th and 19th day. In immunosuppressed animals also, foot pad swelling response showed a significant increase on 19th day but bone marrow cellularity was not significant. In immunocompetent animals the acetone soluble and acetone insoluble fractions showed a significant increase in macrophage migration index (MMI) and Nitro blue Tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction test value on 12th and 19th day. However, in immunosuppressed animals both the fractions showed only a non-significant increase. The phytochemical study on both the fractions of ethanolic extract of dried Emblica officinalis fruit pulp revealed that diterpenes and triterpenes were present in acetone soluble fraction and tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, glycosides, and saponins were present in acetone insoluble fraction. Thus the present study showed the higher immunostimulant activity for acetone soluble fractions in immunocompetent as well as immunosuppressed animals.ThesisItem Open 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 MThe 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.ThesisItem Open 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 MThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Chittamruthu)and Vitex negundo Linn.(Karinochi)in rats(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Jerald Irwin, A; KAU; Gopakumar, NAnti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effect of T. cordifolia, V. negundo and the combination of two herbal agents were assessed and compared in rats. Carrageenin induced rat paw oedema and tail flick method of nociception were adopted for anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive screening respectively. Diclofenac potassium at the rate of 3 mg/kg was used as a standard drug for both the studies. Anti-inflammatory effect of T. cordifolia at the rate of 100 mg/kg, V. negundo at the rate of 100 mg/kg and the combination of these agents at 50 mg/kg of each were studied in rats. Test drugs at the rate of 1000 mg/kg for both T. cordifolia and V. negundo and 500 mg of each agent in combination were given for anti-nociceptive study in rats. Anti-inflammatory effect of T. cordifolia was found effective in first phase and V. negundo in the second phase of carrageenin induced inflammation. The combination of the herbal agents produced a uniform significant inhibition in both the phases. Anti-nociceptive effect was found significant for both the herbal agents and their combination, in tail flick method of nociception. This suggested a central mediated mechanism of anti-nociception by both the agents. Adrenal parameters like gland weight, ascorbic acid and cholesterol for anti-inflammatory study suggested that T. cordifolia and V. negundo had a preventive effect on the inflammation induced changes in adrenal gland. However combination of the herbal agents was found to decrease the preventive action of the individual agents against inflammation induced changes in adrenal gland. The involvement of endogenous modulatory system for the anti-nociceptive effect of T. cordifolia and V. negundo was in contrary because of the anonymous increase of adrenal ascorbic acid and decrease of adrenal cholesterol. T. cordifolia was found effective in lowering the serum cholesterol whereas combination was not that much effective. None of the treatments were found to inhibit the lipid peroxidation induced by inflammation in plasma. Combination of T. cordifolia and V. negundo showed a significant peak increase of plasma lipid peroxide level. The rise in serum level of AST and ALT in both inflammation and nociception were not inhibited by the treatments. Haematological parameters for all groups were within the normal range. However an increase in neutrophil count than lymphocyte was noticed in carrageenin induced inflammation. Both the studies showed an increase in neutrophil count without an increase in total leukocyte count for T. cordifolia. V. negundo showed an increase in total leukocyte count in anti-inflammatory study. A decrease in total leukocyte count and neutrophil count was made by the combination of T. cordifolia and V. negundo in anti-inflammatory study. However there was an increase of total leukocyte count for combination of agents in anti-nociceptive study. Total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin concentration were increased by T. cordifolia in both the studies, whereas they were normal for combination of treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of Piper longum (Linn) on the anti-inflamatory and anti-nociceptive effect of diclofenac in rats(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Seema, S; KAU; Joy, A DThe present study was undertaken to assess the influence of P. longum on the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of diclofenac in rats. The experiment was conducted in two stages. In the first stage the anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by carrageenin induced paw oedema method. Four groups of eight albino rats each were used for the study. First group was kept as control which received tween 80 only. Group II served as the positive control which received diclofenac at the dose of 3 mg/kg on the seventh day. Groups III and IV were given 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg P. longum extract respectively for seven days, and 3 mg/kg diclofenac on the seventh day. The percentage inhibition of paw oedema was 64.26 and 62.32 for groups III and IV, while it was 67.38 for the diclofenac treated group II. No significant change was noticed in the weight of adrenal gland in groups II, III and IV as compared with that of control. The adrenal ascorbic acid and adrenal cholesterol levels were reduced in all the treatment groups (Group II, III and IV), compared with the control group (Group I). The maximum reduction was observed in the diclofenac alone treated group. In the groups treated with P. longum extract and diclofenac, the reduction in the level of adrenal ascorbic acid and adrenal cholesterol was more for the 100 mg/kg P. longum treated group. The serum AST levels were significantly higher in Group II compared with the control group. The serum ALT and cholesterol levels showed no significant variation between groups. Variation in the haematological parameters between groups was not significant. For evaluating the influence of P. longum extract on the anti-nociceptive effect of diclofenac, four groups of eight rats each were used.The results of the anti-nociceptive study also revealed a reduction in the anti-nociceptive activity of diclofenac in the groups treated with P. longum extract and diclofenac combinations compared with the diclofenac alone treated group. The change in weight of the adrenals was not significant in the groups II, III and IV compared with that of the control. The adrenal ascorbic acid and adrenal cholesterol levels were found to be depleted in all the three treatment groups (Group II, III and IV) compared with the control group (group I). The depletion was maximum in the diclofenac treated group. In the groups treated with P. longum extract and diclofenac, the reduction in the level of adrenal ascorbic acid and adrenal cholesterol was more for the 100 mg/kg P. longum treated group. Variations in serum parameters like AST and cholesterol were not significant between groups. The serum ALT levels for groups given diclofenac alone and those given the P. longum extract and diclofenac combinations were significantly increased compared with that of the control group. The ALT level was maximum in the diclofenac treated group. The haematological parameters showed no significant variation between the groups. Phytochemical study on the alcoholic extract of P. longum revealed the presence of alkaloids. The results of the study indicate that the rats given diclofenac alone showed a greater anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effect than those administered P. longum extract in combination with diclofenac. This may be due to the microsomal enzyme induction which enhances the metabolism of diclofenac. Thus the experimental findings indicate that co-administration of P. longum extract decreases the anti-inflammatory and anti-noceptive effect of diclofenac