A Simple Method for Purification of Glycoalkaloids in the quantitative Estimation of Solanum khasianum.

The property of Hydroxylapatite (Ca (5) (PO (4)) (3) OH) to adsorb plant components selectively is used to isolate and purify steroid glycoalkaloids from SOLANUM KHASIANUM. This method is suitable for botanists seeking higher alkaloid yielding plants and can be performed in experimental plantations where limited laboratory facilities are available.     

A simple quantitative method for evaluation of angiogenesis activity

Angiogenesis plays a major role in many physiological and pathological processes. Pathological development of diseased conditions like growth and metastasis of solid tumors and psoriasis is associated with angiogenesis. Assays developed, thus far, for evaluation of angiogenesis activity are qualitative or semiquantitative. In vivo angiogenesis assays are more physiologically relevant than in vitro models and, however, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. The ex vivo rat aorta tube formation model has been demonstrated to correlate well to the physiological conditions. The present study established a reproducible and quantitative assay for evaluating angiogenesis with rat aorta ring cultures. Rat thoracic aortas were harvested, cross-sectioned into rings of 1-mm thickness using a set of aligned blades, and cultured in a three-dimensional extracellular matrix. Endothelial cells outgrow consistently from the aorta rings cultured in endothelial cell growth medium. Angiogenic activity was quantified by a colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2H-tetrazolium/phenazine methosulfate method. The colorimetric assay was reproducible, and its results were compared in parallel with that of the imaging analysis method. IC(50) values of several known antiangiogenics, SU5416, suramin, paclitaxel, and 2-methoxyestradiol, were determined and were comparable to those obtained using the imaging analysis method. We have established a simple, reproducible, and quantitative assay for evaluation of angiogenesis activity with the cultured rat aorta ring, which can be used to screen for angiogenics and angiostatics.     

A simple method for the estimation of interaction bias in crossover studies

The crossover trial is considered the most powerful means of determining the efficacy of new drugs. However this study design is frequently invalidated by treatment-by-period interaction. If, for example, the effect of the first treatment period carries on into the next one, then it influences the response to the latter period (carryover effect). A second problem is that there are no reliable statistical methods to test for this potential bias. This article takes issue with these problems and gives an alternative method for the detection of interaction simply by looking at the data. In a crossover without interaction the second period should be a true reflection of the first. If, however, the data of a treatment are better in the second period than in the first, a carryover effect is probable. If worse, a rebound phenomenon or a negative carryover effect is likely. If both treatments are better or worse, a time effect or some other external influence might be present. The authors illustrate this simple method by a summary of a few selected trials that have been published recently. This method enables not only the detection of interaction but also the differentiation between different types of interactions. Therefore, investigators are advised to use it in order to make sure that there are no unexpected problems.     

A simple method for the quantitative evaluation of neuromuscular blockade in mice.

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and noninvasive method for the quantitative evaluation of neuromuscular blockade in mice. The sciatic nerve in anesthetized animals (etomidate, 50 mg/kg or mephenesin, 250 mg/kg) was stimulated using transcutaneous electrodes; repetitive supramaximal stimulations (3 Hz during 3.3 sec) were applied each minute until recovery or death occurred. Evoked action potentials of the gastrocnemius muscle were recorded. The effect of each pharmacological agent was expressed as the ratio (S5/S1) of the area of the fifth response (S5) to the first one (S1). The performance of the method was tested using neuromuscular blocking agents such as alcuronium, suxamethonium, or alpha-bungarotoxin. It was concluded that the method exhibits the required statistical performances (sensitivity, repeatability, and specificity) to be recommended for in vivo investigation of neuromuscular impairment.     

Association between Berry Characters and Solasodine Content of Solanum khasianum.

Correlation between number, grren weight, dry weight and solasodine percent of berry of the treated and control plant progenies in second generation raised from X-rayed (5 KR, 7.5 KR, 10 KR, 12.5 KR and 15 KR), EMS-treated (0.5%, 0.75% and 1% solution in PO (4)-buffer) and untreated dry seeds of SOLANUM KHASIANUM C LARKE revealed that only the numbers of large and small berries had significant correlation with solasodine percent. Correlation between induced variations (CV%) in these characters indicated that selection on berry characters through M (1) and M (2) generations was effective. Dispersion (due to mutagenesis) in the three berry characters have created the base for progressive selection for high solasodine yielders.     

A method for the quantitative estimation of drugs on the isolated intact trachea

A method is described for the detection and comparison of substances active on tracheal smooth muscle. Several pharmacological agents affecting smooth muscle have been tested using the technique. Sensitivity was high, results reproducible and linear log dose-response relationships obtained over a wide dosage range. The method has been used to estimate the concentrations of adrenaline, acetylcholine and histamine in test solutions of these compounds.     

A method for quantitative estimation of total flavonoids in greater plantain leaves

A method for the quantitative estimation of the total flavonoid fraction in greater plantain leaves was developed; the method had a relative error of no greater than 4%. Metrological analysis showed that the method was accurate and reproducible. Greater plantain leaf flavonoid contents, expressed as baicalin, were 2.12–3.45%. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 40–42, April, 2008.