CNS Depressant and Analgesic Activities of Thysanolaena maxima Roxb. Available in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, numerous tribal people of Chittagong Hill Tracts have been using different parts of Thysanolaena maxima Roxb. for many years. The present study was designed to investigate CNS depressant and analgesic activities of methanol extract of the aerial parts of the plant in mice models. CNS depressant activity of the crude extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated using open field, hole cross and thiopental-induced sleeping time tests using diazepam as the standard. Analgesic activity was determined using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests using diclofenac sodium as the standard. The extract showed dose dependent suppression of locomotion in open field and hole cross tests and exerted sedative action in thiopental induced sleeping time. In the open field and the hole-cross tests, maximum CNS depressant activity was observed at 90 min after administration of extract and the standard drug. The extract significantly induced the onset of sleep and prolonged the sleeping time in thiopental induced sleeping test compared to the control group. The extract produced significant (p < 0.05) analgesic activity by inhibiting writhing by 41.89% and 60.81%, at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, which was comparable to the inhibition of diclofenac sodium (73.64%). Additionally, in hot plate test, the extract exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in pain threshold in a dose dependent manner. The findings of the study are encouraging and demands further investigation of other bioactivities with isolation of pure compounds. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(2): 227-233, 2021 (December)

TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF MORUS ALBA LEAVES EXTRACT ON SLEEP AND ANXIETY IN RAT MODELS

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to study the effect of Morus alba leaves extract (MAE) on sleep by phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time and the antianxiety effect by elevated plus maze apparatus model in rats. Methods: In this study, the effect of MAE on sleep was evaluated by the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time of rats. The onset and the duration of sleep were recorded in minutes. The antianxiety effect was evaluated by the elevated plus maze apparatus model in rats. During 5 min test period, the number of entries into the open arm and closed arm and time spent in the open arm and closed arm were recorded in seconds. Results: MAE at the dose 200 and 400 mg/kg, highly significantly (p<0.001) decreased the onset of phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. The duration of sleeping time was increased significantly (p<0.01) for 200 mg/kg and highly significantly (p<0.001) for 400 mg/kg as compared to the control group. M. alba has significant antianxiety activity in comparison with control in a dose-dependent manner. M. alba in a dose of 200 mg showed significant (p<0.01) and 400 mg/kg treated groups showed highly significant (p<0.001) anxiolytic activity by increasing the mean time spent in open arms as compared to control but less significant with standard (diazepam). Conclusion: Results indicate that the MAE has a significant dose-dependent effect on phenobarbitone- induced sleeping time and antianxiety effect in the elevated plus maze test.

Preliminary evaluation of the efficacy and safety of brimonidine for general anesthesia

Background To determine the hypnotic and analgesic effects of brimonidine, and evaluate its efficacy and safety for general anesthesia. Potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time following brimonidine administration was observed in mice, as was the analgesic activity of brimonidine. Methods The median effective dose (ED50) and lethal dose (LD50) of intraperitoneally injected brimonidine were determined in hypnotized mice. In addition, the LD50 of intravenously injected brimonidine, and ED50 of intravenously, intramuscularly, and intrarectally injected brimonidine in hypnotized rabbits were determined. Finally, the synergistic anesthetic effect of brimonidine and chloral hydrate was evaluated in rabbits. Results Intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg brimonidine enhanced the hypnotic effect of a threshold dose of pentobarbital. Intraperitoneally injected brimonidine produced dose-related analgesic effects in mice. The ED50 of intraperitoneally administered brimonidine in hypnotized mice was 75.7 mg/kg and the LD50 was 379 mg/kg. ED50 values of intravenous, intramuscular, and intrarectal brimonidine for hypnosis in rabbits were 5.2 mg/kg, 8.8 mg/kg, and 8.7 mg/kg, respectively; the LD50 of intravenous brimonidine was 146 mg/kg. Combined intravenous administration of 0.6 mg/kg brimonidine and 0.03 g/kg chloral hydrate had a synergistic anesthetic effect. Conclusions Brimonidine elicited hypnotic and analgesic effects after systemic administration and exhibited safety. Moreover, brimonidine enhanced the effects of other types of narcotics when combined.

Changes in Daily Life Conditions among Korean Older Adults after COVID-19 Outbreak

The pandemic of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on peoples’ daily life conditions. Therefore, it is worth understanding changes in daily life conditions among older adults after COVID-19 outbreak. This study was aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on daily life conditions among Korean older adults. To achieve this aim, an online survey was conducted during April, 2021 to include 184 Korean adults aged 60 years or older nationwide. The results are as follows. First, about 54.9% older Koreans reported that their daily life has stopped since COVID-19. Second, the top 3 increased daily life conditions were spending time at home (77.2%), using internet (60.3%), and shopping online (51.6%). Third, the top 3 decreased daily life conditions were traveling (90.2%), meeting with friends (90.2%), and meeting with family members (80.4%). Fourth, the top 3 daily life conditions with no change were sleeping time (72.3%), eating instant food (58.2%), and household income (53.8%). These findings suggest that several daily life conditions changed after COVID-19 outbreak. Further study is needed to examine the impact of these changes on physical and mental health among older adults.

Health Behavior, Emotional Intelligence, and Stress of Elemen-tary School Students in Korea

Background: We aimed to provide the baseline data of nursing intervention for promoting the health promotion and promotion of growth and development for elementary students. Methods: By subjecting the 887 elementary students from 20 elementary schools located in the northern area of Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea, data were gathered from April 10-May 30, 2017. The SPSS was used for analysis of data. Results: Some elements of emotional intelligence were found to differ depending on the gender and family type of lower-grade children, and depending on gender, sleep time, family type, and physical activity experience of higher-grade children. Some factors of stress were found to have differences according to sleeping time of the lower grades, and according to gender, sleeping time, family type, and whether they have experience in physical activity of higher-graders. Conclusion: It is possible to improve emotional intelligence and solve the stress of elementary students. This study will be the baseline data on developing the Health Promotion Education Arbitration Program for elementary students.

Analysis of physical and leisure practices carried out by scholars during lockdown (Actividad física y entretenimiento realizado por escolares durante el confinamiento)

The decrease in physical activity among adolescents has become a global health problem. From the educational point of view, preventing sedentarism is of uttermost importance to avoid repercussions on economic and social levels. This study aims to analyze the characteristics and time dedicated to physical and leisure activities by adolescent during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 (2019, April 1 to May 1). The Minnesota Lesuire Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used telematically on 4070 Canarian high school students (M=15.01; SD=3.53 years) during lockdown. 83.13% of the sample did not follow the WHO recommendations regarding physical activity, 63.64% did not keep ACSM recommendations to passive leisure, and 37% did not respect those regarding sleeping time. Likewise, as age increased there was a decrease in the amount of time dedicated to physical activity and thus failure to follow the recommendations of the relevant institutions. Also the time allotted to passive leisure was M=3.55 (SD=2.75) hours per day. It is concluded that the time dedicated to physical activity is insufficient according to the official bodies like as the use of screens acquires great predominance in the employment of adolescents’ free time, causing the need to consider future interventions to mitigate the sedentarism level and its consequences. Resumen. La disminución de los hábitos de práctica física entre adolescentes se ha convertido en un problema de salud mundial. Desde el punto de vista educativo, la prevención del sedentarismo es de vital importancia por sus repercusiones tanto a nivel económico, social, como para la salud en general. Este estudio describe y analiza las características y el tiempo dedicado por escolares a actividad física y entretenimiento, durante el período de confinamiento por Covid-19 (1 de abril a 1 de mayo de 2019). Mediante el Minnesota Lesuire Time Physical Activity Questionnaire administrado de manera telemática a 4070 escolares (M=15,01; DT=3,53 años), se encontró que el 83,13% de la muestra no cumplieron las recomendaciones respecto a actividades físicas, el 63,64% las del tiempo de pantallas, y el 37% las horas de sueño. Asimismo, a medida que aumentaba la edad disminuían las horas de práctica física y por ende el incumplimiento de las recomendaciones de los organismos pertinentes. El tiempo destinado a ocio pasivo durante el confinamiento fue de 3,55 (DT=2,75) horas al día. Se concluye que el tiempo de actividad física es insuficiente según los parámetros establecidos, predominando el uso de pantallas en la ocupación del tiempo libre de los adolescentes, por tanto urge plantear intervenciones para mitigar los elevados niveles de sedentarismo.

Preliminary Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Brimonidine for General Anesthesia

Background:To determine the hypnotic and analgesic effects of brimonidine, and evaluate its efficacy and safety for general anesthesia. Potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time with brimonidine was observed in mice, as was analgesic activity of brimonidine.Methods:The median effective dose (ED50)and lethal dose (LD50) of intraperitoneally injected brimonidine were determined in hypnotized mice. In addition, LD50 of intravenously injected brimonidine, ED50 of intravenously , intramuscularly and intrarectally injected brimonidine in hypnotized rabbits were determined. The synergistic anesthetic effect of brimonidine and chloral hydrate on rabbits was evaluated. Results:Intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg brimonidine enhanced the hypnotic effect of a threshold dose of pentobarbital. Intraperitoneal injection brimonidine produced dose-related analgesic effects in mice. ED50 of intraperitoneally administered brimonidine in hypnotized mice was 75.7 mg/kg, and LD50 was 379 mg/kg. The ED50 of intravenous, intramuscular and intrarectal brimonidine for hypnosis in rabbits were 5.2 mg/kg, 8.8 mg/kg and 8.7mg/kg, respectively, and LD50 of intravenous brimonidine was 146 mg/kg. Combined intravenous administration of 0.6 mg/kg brimonidine and 0.03 g/kg chloral hydrate had a synergistic anesthetic effects.Conclusions:Brimonidine elicited hypnotic and analgesic effects after systemic administration, and exhibited safety. Brimonidine enhanced the effects of other types of narcotics when combined.

Coffee consumption and psychological wellbeing among Japanese auto factory workers

BACKGROUND: Health habits are sometimes closely related to physical and mental health status. OBJECTIVE: The relationship between coffee consumption and psychological wellbeing was evaluated by considering confounding factors. METHODS: A total of 5,256 men, aged 35 to 60 years, from a workplace in Japan participated in this study conducted in 2018. Psychological wellbeing was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12-item version and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Positive GHQ12 score was significantly associated with average daily sleeping time < 4 h, lack of regular exercise and younger age. In contrast, there was no significant association between positive GHQ12 score and coffee consumption. Coffee consumption and smoking status was not significantly related to psychological wellbeing as measured using the GHQ questionnaire. In contrast, aging, regular exercise and sleeping time were related to psychological wellbeing. CONCLUSION: Coffee consumption was not significantly related to psychological wellbeing, and casual association might be confirmed by a prospective study.

Investigation of Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, Hypoglycaemic, Neuropharmacological and Cytotoxic Properties of Clerodendrum viscosum (Leaves)

Clerodendrum viscosum (CV) has been used traditionally to treat medical problems like asthma, ulcer, inflammation, pyrexia, diabetes, malaria, skin diseases, snakebite and tumor by folk practitioners. The present study evaluated the analgesic, antiinflammatory, neuropharmacological and cytotoxic properties C. viscosum (leaves) in rodents. Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 25-30 gm and SD rats (150-180 mg) were divided into control (DW), standard (model specific) as well as test groups (n=6). Analgesic potential was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin induced pawlicking test. Anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by xylene and croton oil induced ear edema test. Glucose tolerance was evaluated by OGTT in normal rats. Pentobarbital induced sleeping time test was applied to assess neuropharmacological activity. Also, Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was employed for cytotoxicity evaluation. The alcoholic extracts showed significant antinociceptive activity in acetic acid test (p<0.01) and formalin test (p<0.05) at the dose of 1000mg/kg bw. The crude extract reduced inflammation significantly (p<0.01) in both xylene and croton oil induced ear edema test. At the dose of 1000mg/kg it increased glucose tolerance significantly (p<0.05) in normal rats. CV extract significantly (p<0.01) increased sleeping time indicating CNS depressant effect. The extract exhibited a potent cytotoxicity against brine shrimp (LC50=316.23μg/ml). C. viscosum leaves showed analgesic, antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic and CNS depressant effect against experimentally induced model mice. It also possessed cytotoxic properties and further studies are required to evaluate these effects and the potential of the plant.