@article {518, title = {Impact of Regularly Supervised Training of Pranayama and Omkar Meditation on the Cardio-Respiratory Parameters and Short-Term Memory of Persons with Special Needs}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {January 2018}, pages = {366-370}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {366}, abstract = {

Background: Yogic practices are known to affect the cardiac, respiratory and mental status of people. Objective: To investigate if the regularly supervised training of pranayama and meditation affects the basic cardio-respiratory parameters and short-term-memory (STM) of mentally challenged young adults. Material and methods: 80 mentally challenged young adults attending a special school were randomly divided into the control group and Yoga group. Yoga group performed Naadishodhan, Kapalbhati pranayama and Aum Chanting under total supervision for 30 min daily for 3 weeks, except on Sundays. Control group was involved with the regular school curriculum. The parameters were measured twice, before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the study period. STM was evaluated under two subcategories, first by the ability to repeat the numbers in reverse order and second, repeating the words in the same order. Respiratory rate, pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured as cardio-respiratory parameters. Results: Both groups had similar baseline scores. At follow-up, highly significant improvements were observed in Yoga-group as compared to control. In the Yoga-group scores of both the sub-categories of STM were higher, respiratory-rate and heart-rate were lower but was within normal range. However, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures of Yoga group showed no changes as compared to control. Conclusion: The pranayama and meditation has beneficial influences on heart rate, breathing rate and STM of mentally-challenged people.

}, keywords = {Meditation, Mental retardation, Pranayama, Short term memory, Yoga}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.2.61}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/491}, author = {Kunal and Subbalakshmi Narasajjana Krishnadasa and Pai Sheila R and Rashmi Kaup Shiva and Nayanatara Arunkumar and Vinodini Nithyananda Anantharaya and Pratik Kumar Chatterjee} } @article {610, title = {Role of Catecholamine Pathways in Action of Orexin B Induced Open Field Activity by Nucleus Accumbens in Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {June 2018}, pages = {628-632}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {628}, abstract = {

Aims: To elucidate whether exploratory behaviour changes following Orexin B infusion in NAc is mediated through catecholamines in male Wistar rats. Methods: Inbred male Wistar rats (n= 24) were divided into three groups. Control, Treated 1 (Orexin B) and Treated 2 (Orexin B antagonist) groups. Using stereotaxic method, guide cannula was set in place bilaterally to reach Nucleus Accumbens. Orexin B and its antagonist, TCS-OX2-29 were infused in separate groups of overnight fasted rats. Following open field activity, catecholamines (Dopamine, Adrenaline, and Noradrenaline) were estimated in brain tissue homogenate by ELISA. Data were expressed as mean\±SEM (ANOVA; Student-Newman Keuls test,).p\<0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Orexin B infusion significantly increased noradrenaline levels in Nucleus accumbens when compared to controls. TCS-OX2-29 significantly decreased noradrenaline in Nucleus accumbens during open field exploration activity. Adrenaline was not altered significantly during open field activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that Orexin B, which plays a role in the regulation of motor and exploratory behaviour when infused in NAc mediates these actions through noradrenergic neurotransmission in Nucleus Accumbens.

}, keywords = {Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Nucleus Accumbens, Orexin B, TCSOX2- 29}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2018.4.103}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/641}, author = {Rashmi Kaup Shiva and Ganaraja Bolumbu and Santosh Mayannavar} } @article {417, title = {Pre and Post-Treatment Effects: Estimation of Serum Testosterone and Lipid Peroxidation Levels on Moringa olifera Extract Induced Cadmium Exposed Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {September 2017}, pages = {846-849}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {846}, abstract = {

Background: Cadmium (Cd), is a toxic metal which affects various organs including testis. It produces oxidative stress leading to male infertility. Moringa tree, is a natural plant with a great therapeutic value and hence it is found to be effective both in prevention and treatment of various conditions including reducing toxicity of hazardous materials. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Pre-and Post-treatment with Moringa oliefera leaf extract (MoE) on testis in cadmium exposed rats. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore, Manipal University (MU), Karnataka, India, between (2011-2013). This prospective study consisted a total of 30 rats. These were divided into 5 groups with group I being the control. Data were presented as mean \±SD. student\’s t test was used as statistical tool, p\<0.05 considered statistically significant. Group IV and V were pre-and post-MoE treated groups respectively. Serum testosterone and tissue lipid peroxidation levels were estimated. Results: Treatment with MoE prior and after administration of cadmium, respectively showed an increase significantly in the testosterone levels and a decrease in the tissue lipid peroxidation as compared to the group treated with cadmium. However, the pre-treatment showed better results in combatting the toxic effects of cadmium. Conclusion: This study shows that Moringa olifera leaf extract altered the testosterone and tissue lipid peroxidation levels. Also, pre-treatment showed better outcome.

}, keywords = {Cadmium, MDA, Morniga olifera extract., Oxidative stress, Testosterone}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.6.132}, url = {http://fulltxt.org/article/185}, author = {Pratik Kumar Chatterjee and Vinodini Nithyananda Madom Anantharaya and Rashmi Kaup Shiva and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Sneha Bhoja Shetty and Suman Veerappa Budihal and Mangalore Ramesh Bhat and Kunal} }