Effect of the extracts fromAristolochia indica Linn. on interception in female mice

Summary The crude petroleum ether, chloroform and alcoholic extracts of the roots ofAristolochia indica (Linn.) showed 100% interceptive activity in mature female mice at the single dose of 100 mg/kg body wt. The follow-up studies with the chloroform extract showed the most significant effect in the basic part and two acidic fractions at the single dose levels of 50 mg/kg body wt. No toxic effect was observed at the dose levels used.The authors are thankful to Mr.P. P. Ghosh Dastidar, Medicinal Chemistry Division for the plant extracts. Thanks are also due to Indian Council of Medical Research and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for granting scholarships to two of them (B.C. and A.D.) and to Prof.R. N. Chakravarti, Director of the Institute for encouragement.     

Effect of a sesquiterpene fromAristolochia indica Linn. on fertility in female mice

Summary A sesquiterpene isolated from the roots ofAristolochia indica (Linn.) was found to exert 100% interceptive activity and 91.7% anti-implantation activity in mice at a single oral dose of 100mg/kg b. wt. No toxic effect was found at the dose levels used.The authors wish to thank Dr S. C. Pakrashi and his associate Mr P. P. Ghosh Dastidar of Medicinal Chemistry Department for isolating the compound for this study. Thanks are also due to Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research for granting a Junior Research Fellowship to C.S.     

Effect of methyl ester of aristolic acid fromAristolochia indica Linn. on fertility of female mice

Summary Methyl ester of aristolic acid, a pure compound isolated from the roots ofAristolochia indica (Linn.), was found to exert 100% abortifacient activity at a single oral dose of 60 mg/kg b. wt when administered on 6th or 7th day of pregnancy; 20 and 25% abortifacient effect were observed at the same dose on day 10 and 12, respectively.The authors wish to thank Dr S.C. Pakrashi and his associate Mr P.P. Ghosh Dastidar for the compound. Thanks are also due to the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research for granting a fellowship to one of them (C.S.).     

Antifertility effect of aristolic acid fromAristolochia indica (Linn) in female albino rabbits

Summary Aristolic acid experted significant antifertility effects in mature female rabbits without hampering the clinical chemical values in blood.Acknowledgments. We wish to thank Dr S. C. Pakrashi and his associate Mr P.P. Ghosh Dastidar for the plant extracts. Thanks are also due to the D.G. of ICMR for granting fellowship to B. Chakrabarty.     

Glycogen contents in the rat uterus: Response toHibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. extracts

Summary Ethanolic extracts (50%), as well the benzene extracts, ofH. rosa-sinensis Linn. have reduced significantly the glycogen contents in the uterus of adult rat. Both the extracts exhibit a clear-cut dose-response relation. The inhibition in glycogen contents increases as the dose is increased. Of the 2, benzene extract seems to be more potent. The results are due to antiestrogenic nature of the extracts.This investigation was supported by a grant from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi.     

Glycogen contents in the rat uterus: response to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. extracts.

Ethanolic extracts (50%), as well the benzene extracts, of H. rosa-sinensis Linn. have reduced significantly the glycogen contents in the uterus of adult rat. Both the extracts exhibit a clear-cut dose-response relation. The inhibition in glycogen contents increases as the dose is increased. Of the 2, benzene extract seems to be more potent. The results are due to antiestrogenic nature of the extracts.     

Protective action on mice of acellular extracts from Salmonella typhimurium]

Acellular fractions obtained by saline extraction at 60 or at 100 degree C of Salmonella typhimurium protect mice against an experimental infection with the homologous strain. After purification, these fractions which are complex, might be used for the development of a vaccine.     

Anthraquinone glycoside from the seeds ofCassia occidentalis Linn.

Zusammenfassung InCassia occidentalis Linn. wurde das 1-Glukosid des 3-Methyl-6-methoxy-1,8-dihydroxy-anthrachinons nachgewiesen.

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The author thanks the C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.     

Effect of p-coumaric acid on immature estrogen treated and cyclic female mice

Oral administration of p-coumaric acid to estrogen-primed immature female mice exerts neither estrogenic nor anti-estrogenic activity, but when it is administered to cyclic female mice in single dose at proestrus or in repeated doses, induces alteration in estrus cycle, ovarian and uterine weight and structure.     

Effect of p-coumaric acid on immature estrogen treated and cyclic female mice

Summary Oral administration of p-coumaric acid to estrogen-primed immature female mice exerts neither estrogenic nor anti-estrogenic activity, but when it is administered to cyclic female mice in single dose at proestrus or in repeated doses, induces alteration in estrus cycle, ovarian and uterine weight and structure.The authors wish to thank Dr S. C. Pakrashi and his associates of Medicinal Chemistry Department for isolating the compound. Thanks are also due for granting Senior Research Fellowship to P.P. and Junior Research Fellowship to S.N.K. respectively.     

Effect of temperature on the neurosecretory activity inNezara viridula Linn. (Heteroptera; pentatomidae)

Zusammenfassung Die neurosekretorischen Zellen und die davon ausgehenden Nerven vonNezara viridula Linn enthalten bei Zucht in niedriger Temperatur bedeutend weniger Neurosekret als in Normaltemperatur.     

Effect of serum from tumor-bearing mice on the in vitro migration of thymocytes

Résumé La migration in vitro, hors de tubes capillaires, des thymocytes de souris est plus importante en présence du sérum de souris porteuses d'une tumeur syngénique transplantée chimio-induite qu'en présence de sérum normal. Ce phénomène, qui est fonction du poids de la tumeur, pourrait être en rapport avec l'involution thymique accompagnant la croissance tumorale.     

Inducement of blood vessel formation by ovarian extracts from mice injected with gonadotropins

Summary Ovarian extracts prepared from immature mice injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were assayed for angiogenic activity. The assay method consisted of implanting a film coated with ovarian extracts to the lateral wall of the m.rectus abdominus of a mouse for 20 days and examining the site for vascularization. The higher angiogenic activity obtained with PMSG-treated extract may be related to its follicle stimulating activity.Acknowledgment. Part of this work was supported by a grant from The Ministry of Education, Japan (No. 576165).