Indian J Exp Biol
AUGUST 2000
CODEN: IJEB (A6) 38(8)
733-848 (2000)
ISSN: 0019-5189
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Internet (Web address : http :// www.bdt.org.br / bioline / ie )
VOLUME 38
NUMBER 8
AUGUST 2000
CONTENTS
Review Articles
Gene targeting in immunology
Satish M Totey & Ashok B Kulkarni
733
Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) based delivery systems for vaccines and drugs
Neelam Dhiman, Manisha Dutta & G K Khuller
746
Signal transduction by xenobiotics in fish
Shelley Bhattacharya
753
Papers
Intestinal cholesterol synthesis and mobilisation to blood in sucrose-feeding and
alcohol-intake
K V Pugalendi & S Ramakrishnan
762
On speed and aerodynamic forces of mosquito
Adeel Ahmad, V Rama Rao & P Radha Krishna
766
Electrophysiological studies with repeated episodes of ischaemia on isolated rat heart
Jayashree K, Mohammed Nayeem & K M Cherian
772
Effect of excessive intake of thermally oxidized sesame oil on lipids, lipid peroxidation and
antioxidants' status in rats
K N Srinivasan & K V Pugalendi
777
Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume (chhota
chirayata) on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats
Ravi Vijayavargia, Monika Kumar & Sarita Gupta
781
Comparative effectiveness of Tiron (4,5-dihydroxy benzene 1,3-disulphonic acid
disodium salt) and CaNa2EDTA with time after beyllium poisoning
Pragya Sharma & Sangeeta Shukla
785
Seroreactivity of purified Brugia malayi microfilarial soluble and excretory-secretory antigens in
different clinical presentations of bancroftian filariasis
R Alli, Y P Bhandari, M V R Reddy & B C Harinath
791
Variability of morphological traits in Drosophila bipectinata complex
S N Hegde, M K Naseerulla & M S Krishna
797
Blue light-sensitive plasma membrane bound exogenous NADH oxidase in
Cuscuta reflexa
Neerja Masih & Prakash C Misra
807
Accumulation of lead and cadmium in upper parts of mustard (Brassica juncea)
seedlings in response to putrescine
S N Mishra & D B Singh
814
Influence of cadmium on growth and development of Vicia faba Linn.
Neelu, Manoj Kumar, Manju Tomar & A K Bhatnagar
819
Notes
Suitability of limited sampling strategy to cyclosporine A oral formulation
Sanjay Singh, Deepika R Sharma & Amarjit Singh
Effect of Abana an ayurvedic formulation, on lipid peroxidation in experimental
myocardial infarction in rats
C Sheela Sasikumar & C S Shyamala Devi
824
827
Effect of cold pressor test on visual reaction time and auditory reaction time
Lily Walia & G K Ahuja
831
Effect of tonic pain on schedule specific feeding behaviour
Suman Jain, Rashmi Mathur, Ratna Sharma & Usha Nayar
834
Influence of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. on mast cells and
erythrocytes membrane integrity
A B Gokhale, V J Dikshit, A S Damre, K R Kulkarni & M N Saraf
837
Photosynthesis and kinetic characteristics of rubisco in Hibiscus cannabinus L.
A Ramachandra Reddy & V S Rama Das
841
Biotransformation of banana waste into protein by Pleurotus sajor-caju
G V Reddy, I L Kothari, Akhilesh Mishra & C R Patel
845
AUTHOR INDEX
Ahmad Adeel
Ahuja G K
Alli R
766
831
791
Bhandari Y P
Bhatnagar A K
Bhattacharya Shelly
791
819
753
Cherian K M
772
Damre A S
Dhiman Neelam
Dikshit V J
Dutta Manisha
837
746
837
746
Gokhale A B
Gupta Sarita
837
781
Harinath B C
Hegde S N
791
797
Jain Suman
Jayashree K
Khuller G K
Kothari I L
Krishna M S
Kulkarni Ashok B
Kulkarni K R
834
772
746
845
797
733
837
Manoj Kumar
Masih Neerja
Mathur Rashmi
Mishra Akhilesh
Mishra S N
Misra Prakash C
Monika Kumar
819
807
834
845
814
807
781
Naseerulla M K
Nayar Usha
Nayeem Mohammed
Neelu
797
834
772
819
Patel C R
Pugalendi K V
845
762, 777
Radha Krishna P
Rama Das V S
Rama Rao V
Ramakrishnan S
Reddy A Ramachandra
Reddy G V
Reddy M V R
766
841
766
762
841
845
791
Saraf M N
Sasikumar C Sheela
Sharma Deepika R
Sharma Pragya
Sharma Ratna
Shukla Sangeeta
Shyamala Devi C S
Singh Amarjit
Singh D B
Singh Sanjay
Srinivasan K N
837
827
824
785
834
785
827
824
814
824
777
Tomar Manju
Totey Satish M
819
733
Vijayavargia Ravi
781
Walia Lily
831
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 733-745
Review Article
Gene targeting in immunology
Satish M Totey & Ashok B Kulkarni*
Functional Genomics Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
Transgenics and gene targeting by homologous recombination provide an ideal opportunity to delineate
immune functions of specific genes. These gene knockout mice are powerful tools to understand complex
mechanism of immune system and molecular processes underlying
autoimmune diseases and
immunodeficiencies. Availability of an increased pool of genetically manipulated mice will provide a basic
foundation for developing of novel strategies to treat immunological diseases.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 746-752
Review Article
Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) based delivery systems for vaccines and
drugs
Neelam Dhiman, Manisha Dutt & G K Khuller*
Department of Biochemistry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160 012,
India
Current vaccination and drug delivery strategies emphasize on the development of controlled release
techniques for persistent and sustained effects. In the recent years, polymer based systems for the delivery of
bioactive agents have gained considerable attention due to their marked adjuvanticity, established
biodegradability and biocompatibility, excellent mechanical strength and controlled release profiles. This
review deals with the potential applications of synthetic polymers mainly PLG polymers in delivery of vaccines
and drugs.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 753-761
Review Article
Signal transduction by xenobiotics in fish
Shelley Bhattacharya
Environmental Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan 731235,
India
Signal transduction by xenobiotics in fish has recently gained much attention. The better known
transduction mechanisms are those elicited by organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and heavy
metals. Organochlorines specifically bind to the membrane bound ouabain sensitive Na +-K+-ATPase affecting
neural transmission while the organophosphates and carbamates bind specifically to the membrane bound
enzyme acetylcholinesterase again affecting neural transmission. Since the nervous system is one of the
important integrative and interactive physiological systems in animals, hypofunction of the nervous system
leads to secondary effects in the endocrine system including thyroidal, gonadal, interrenal, pituitary and
hypothalamic functions. Even low levels of xenobiotics are efficient enough to bring about remarkable changes
in the functional physiology of the non target animals. Heavy metals such as cadmium or mercury belonging to
the same group II B in the periodic table probably have a similar mechanism of action. Avidity of these metals
to SH-radicals allow them to bind indiscriminately to SH groups in proteins. One pathway of interaction by
inorganic mercury with the membrane bound ouabain sensitive Na+-K+-ATPase has been clearly established in
fish liver and ovary. Binding of inorganic mercury to the membrane bound enzyme is through sulfhydryl group
which inactivates the sodium pump leading to accumulation of the cation in the cytosol. The inorganic mercury
is next conjugated by the cytosolar nucleophile, glutathione, and is transported to the nucleus where dissociation
occurs and the free metal binds to the metal regulatory element to initiate gene expression. The inducible
proteins are 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the oocyte and metallothionein and C-reactive protein in the
liver. The present review deals with the role of xenobiotic as a stress factor.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 762-765
Intestinal cholesterol synthesis and mobilisation to blood in sucrosefeeding and alcohol-intake
K V Pugalendi† & S Ramakrishnan*
†Department
of Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002
*Biochemistry Research Department, Vision Research Foundation, Sanakara Nethralaya, Chennai 600 006
Received 25 August 1999; revised 4 January 2000
Small intestines synthesize cholesterol to a greater extent than liver. Between starch-fed and sucrose-fed
rats, using (14C) glucose, it was found that the synthesis of cholesterol by the jejunum of small intestines was
greater in the sucrose-fed group than starch-fed group. By a novel experimental technique and using (14C)
glucose, it was found that the contribution towards buffer representing lymph was greater in the sucrose-fed
group (13.3 %) than the controls(11%). Hypercholesterolemia on sucrose feeding may be at least partly due to
contribution by the small intestines. Regarding alcohol, using (14C) glucose it was found that total synthesis of
cholesterol by the small intestines was decreased in alcohol-fed rats. There was no difference in the cholesterol
retained by the intestinal tissue between the controls and alcohol-fed animals while, the secretion towards buffer
(lymph) was 9 % as against 11. This indicates that there is contribution of cholesterol to blood from small
intestines in alcohol-intake also but due to overall decrease in the intestinal synthesis of cholesterol, contribution
of intestines to hypercholesterolemia may not be substantial as in the case of sucrose feeding. This is because in
sucrose-feeding there is increased cholesterol synthesis.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 766-771
On speed and aerodynamic forces of mosquito
Adeel Ahmad, V Rama Rao & P Radha Krishna
Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Nizam College, Hyderabad 500 001, India
Received 29 April 1999; revised 23March 2000
In the present investigation, speed of mosquitoes A. aegyptii (Linnè) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) is
measured by designing and constructing a low speed wind tunnel in the laboratory. The velocity of mosquitoes
is less than the other myogenic and neurogenic insects. Lift, one of the important aerodynamic forces that a flier
has to develop for its efficient flight, is studied in mosquitoes by developing a simple technique using digital
single pan balance. Lift, drag and their coefficients of hovering mosquito are calculated from the knowledge of
body parameters by considering the wings of mosquito as harmonic oscillator. The calculated value of lift is
verified with the experimental. The study throws light on morpho-physiological adaptation of mosquitoes for
the generation of aerodynamic forces in hovering, tethered and forward flights.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 772-776
Electrophysiological studies with repeated episodes of ischaemia on
isolated rat heart
Jayashree. K.1* , Mohammed Nayeem2 & K.M. Cherian1
1MMM-BITS
Training Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, 7th Floor,
4-A, J. Jayalalitha Nagar, Mogappair, Chennai 600 050, India
2Department
of Physiology and Biochemistry, Madras Veterinary College,
Chennai 600 007, India.
Received 25 November 1999; revised 23 March 2000
In order to know the beneficial effect of preconditioning electrocardiography recording were used as tool
to assess myocardial malfunction and for this perfusion apparatus was setup.Electrophysiological changes for
each heart were recorded during perfusion at 1,2,3,5,10,20,30 and 60 min of global ischaemia and also during
the equal period of reperfusion. Recordings demonstrate that the normal rate was about 240 beats/min with an
"R" amplitude of 4mV. During the first ischaemic episode of 1 min the rate was 180 ± 15 beats/min (counted as
per `R' wave deflection), at 2 mins it was 60 ± 6 beats/min, at 3 min the rate was 40 ± 2 beats/min, at 5 mins of
ischaemia it was 90 ± 6 beats/min, at 10 min 20 ± 2 beats/min, at 20 min the rate was 60 ± 4 beats/min, and at
30 mins there were nil beats/min. The recovery during all the periods of reperfusion was restored to between
120 and 180 beats/min in all episodes . Further after a 60 min of ischaemia the heart stopped to elicit any
mechanical response. It is concluded that short term ischaemia can induce a resilient effect on the beating of the
heart after a few episodes as seen subsequent to 1 and 2 min of ischaemia. Further, preconditioning was
beneficial up to 30 min, beyond which the heart showed signs of fatigue and irreversible injury.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 777-780
Effect of excessive intake of thermally oxidized sesame oil on lipids,
lipid peroxidation and antioxidants’ status in rats
K N Srinivasan & K V Pugalendi*
Department of Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu 608 002, India.
Received 18 December 1998,revised 6 April 2000
Fresh and thermally oxidized sesame, groundnut and coconut oils were fed to different groups of rats, as
high fat diet (20%). Feeding fresh and thermally oxidized oils increased the levels of total cholesterol, low
density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and phospholipids but high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
decreased in all the experimental animals. The levels of very low density lipoproteincholesterol (VLDL-C) and
triacylglycerol increased only in groundnut and coconut oils-fed groups and decreased in sesame oil-fed group
when compared with the control. When fresh and the corresponding thermally oxidized oils-fed groups were
compared with the control, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol alone increased while triacylglycerol, VLDLcholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL/LDL ratio and phospholipids decreased. Thiobarbituric acid reacting
substances increased in all the experimental animals and more so in corresponding thermally oxidized oils. It
was less pronounced in sesame oil-fed groups when compared with the corresponding other oils-fed groups.
Feeding of thermally oxidized oils decreased the levels of vitamin E, vitamin C and reduced glutathione when
compared with fresh oils. Among the three thermally oxidized edible oils, sesame oil exhibited lesser risk for
hyperlipidemic disorders.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 781-784
Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume
(chhota chirayata) on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats
Ravi Vijayvargia**, Monika Kumar & Sarita Gupta*
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda 390 002, India
Received 21 April 1999; revised 9 March 2000
The whole plant aqueous extract of E. littorale was tested for its hypoglycemic activity on normoglycemic,
hyperglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Blood sugar lowering activity was not observed in
normoglycemic and glucose loaded hyperglycemic rats in the short time experiment. But in case of diabetic rats,
the fall of blood sugar after 30 days treatment with the aqueous extract was found to be significant (P0.001).
The decrease in the plasma glucose level was accompanied with decrease in the level of glycosylated
haemoglobin and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver. The potent anti-diabetic properties of E. littorale has
been reported for the first time.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.785-790
Comparative effectiveness of Tiron (4,5-Dihydroxy benzene 1,3disulphonic acid disodium salt) and CaNa2EDTA with time after beryllium
poisoning
Pragya Sharma & Sangeeta Shukla
School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior 474002, India
Received 28 May 1999; revised 6 April 2000
The efficacy of two chelating agents (Tiron and calcium disodium EDTA) in the treatment of beryllium
induced blood biochemistry and hepatic histopathological alteration was investigated at different duration in
female albino rats. Single administration of beryllium nitrate at a dose of 50 mg/kg (im) showed significant
decrease in haemoglobin percentage, blood sugar level, protein contents and activity of alkaline phosphatase.
On the contrary significant elevation was found in the activity of transaminases (AST and ALT). Tiron was
found to be more effective than CaNa2EDTA in reducing the beryllium induced haematological alterations and
histopathological lesions in liver. These findings were further confirmed by AAS thus, in which reduced
beryllium body burden was seen in liver and blood with Tiron.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.791-796
Seroreactivity of purified Brugia malayi microfilarial soluble and
excretory-secretory antigens in different clinical presentations of
bancroftian filariasis
R Alli, Y P Bhandari, M V R Reddy* & B C Harinath
Department of Biochemistry & JB Tropical Disease Research Centre, MGIMS, Sevagram (Wardha) 442
102, India
Received 30 November 1999; revised 27 April 2000
Brugia malayi microfilarial excretory-secretory (mf ES) and phosphate buffer saline soluble (mf S)
antigens were fractionated by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) on superdex 200 HR 10/30 gel
filtration column. The active antigen
fractions were identified and explored in comparison with whole
mf ES and mf S antigens to detect filarial IgG antibodies in different groups viz microfilaraemics, acute,
chronic and occult filarial cases of Wuchereria bancrofti infection and endemic and non-endemic normals. One
of the fractions of mf ES antigen (ESF-6) and two fractions of mf S antigen (SF-2 & 3) were identified to be
useful to detect filarial antibodies. A pooled preparation of these antigen fractions gave a sensitivity of 86.6%
(for microfilaraemic cases) and a specificity of 95% to detect filarial IgG antibodies by indirect ELISA. The
pooled FPLC purified mf antigens also showed 55-88% of cases of different grades of clinical filariasis and
65% of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia cases as positive for filarial antibodies. The pooled FPLC purified B.
malayi mf antigens with higher specificity are preferable to whole mf ES and mf S antigens to detect active
filarial infection in microfilaraemia and as well in different clinical entities of bancroftian filariasis.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.797-806
Variability of morphological traits in Drosophila bipectinata complex
S N Hegde, M K Naseerulla & M S Krishna
Drosophila Stock Centre, Department of Studies in Zoology, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri,
Mysore 570 006, India
Received 13 October 1999; revised 10 February 2000
Phenotypic or morphological differences among different populations and sexual dimorphism in certain
metric traits were analysed in D. bipectinata complex. It was noticed that different populations of D.bipectinata
species group harbour large amount of variation for these characters. In all the populations, morphometric
characters such as lengths of femur, tibia and wing length, wing width, number of sternopleural bristles and
bristles on epandrium varied significantly among populations. The study indicates that the morphological
variations are due to the interplay of genetic and environmental endowments. Further, females had significantly
larger values, for lengths of femur, tibia and wing length, wing width and sternopleural bristles.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.807-813
Blue light-sensitive plasma membrane bound exogenous NADH oxidase in
Cuscuta reflexa
Neerja Masih & Prakash C Misra*
Department of Biochemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow 226 007, India
Received 24 September1999; revised 27 April 2000
Protoplasts isolated from Cuscuta reflexa exhibited a higher rate of exogenous NADH oxidation as
compared to NADPH in the dark. NAD(P)H oxidation was monitored by measuring the rate of oxygen
consumption and this oxidase system was sensitive to blue light. Both NADH oxidase and its blue light
sensitivity were inhibited by -SH group reacting agents. The corresponding changes occurring in H+-extrusion
activity and intracellular ATP levels were also monitored. Stimulation of NADH oxidation under blue light
corresponded to increased rate of H+- extrusion and intracellular ATP level, the converse was also true under
NADH oxidase inhibitory conditions. These observations suggested a close functional association between blue
light-sensitive plasma membrane bound redox activity and H+-ATPase in this tissue. Further, concanavalin A
binding of protoplasts resulted in a loss in NADH oxidase activity and its blue light sensitivity suggesting
apoplastic location and glycoprotein nature of the blue light sensitive NADH oxidase system in Cuscuta.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.814-818
Accumulation of lead and cadmium in upper parts of mustard (Brassica
juncea) seedlings in response to putrescine
S N Mishra & D B Singh
Department of Biosciences, M. D. University, Rohtak 124001, India
Received 8 March 1999; revised 1 March 2000
Lead and cadmium accumulation examined in shoot and leaf tissues of seedlings of mustard (Brassica
juncea cv RH-30), at 7th day, treated with either putrescine (1 mM), or ammonium nitrate (10 mM) or IAA (10
µM). These were included in the nutrient medium, containing Pb or Cd (0.1 mM and 2 mM). Metal
accumulation was more in shoot than in leaf tissues, which was increased manifold under saline conditions.
However, Cd accumulation in tissues was higher than Pb. Chemical (putrescine, ammonium nitrate or IAA)
treatment of the seedlings, decreased metal accumulation in leaf (10-20%) and in shoot (40 to 60%) tissues,
depending upon external metal levels. Putrescine significantly decreased the metal accumulation and
translocation under saline conditions.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 819-823
Influence of cadmium on growth and development of Vicia faba Linn.
Neelu, Manoj Kumar, Manju Tomar & A K Bhatnagar*
Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
Received 5 August 1999; revised 24 January 2000
Influence of cadmium (Cd) on growth and development of broad bean (V. faba) was assessed in pot
cultures with cadmium iodide (CdI2) in different concentrations ranging from 15 to 500 mg per kg of soil. There
was a decline in plant height and total dry weight. Root size decreased most significantly with a corresponding
reduction in the frequency of root nodules. Total soluble protein in leaf, stem and root suffered a pronounced
loss with increasing concentration of cadmium. Chlorophyll a was the most sensitive pigment followed by
chlorophyll b and carotenoids. Nitrate reductase activity too was adversely affected. Cadmium contamination
induced abnormalities in stomata and trichomes.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.824-826
Suitability of limited sampling strategy to cyclosporine A oral formulation
Sanjay Singh, Deepika R. Sharma* & Amarjit Singh
Department of Medical Research, Panacea Biotec Ltd., B-1 Ext./A-27, Mohan Co-op Industrial Estate,
Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044, India
Received 28 July 1999; revised 19 April 2000
Therapeutic drug monitoring of cyclosporine A in renal transplant patients is normally performed by
measuring predose trough levels or doing area under the curve profiles from all possible sampling points. On the
basis of good correlation between predicted area under the curve from limited sampling points and actual area
under the curve (literature survey), a limited sampling strategy at 1,3 and 5 hr was used and extended this
strategy as a criteria for pilot evaluation of modified cyclosporine A formulations. Hemodialysis patients served
as subjects for the study. Panimun Bioral was used as a test formulation while Sandimmun Neoral as standard
reference. The study revealed that both formulations had similar restricted AUC 0-5h profiles.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.827-830
Effect of Abana an ayurvedic formulation, on lipid peroxidation in
experimental myocardial infarction in rats
C Sheela Sasikumar & C S Shyamala Devi
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600 025,
India
Received 26 October 1999; revised 23 March 2000
The present study was conducted to elucidate the antioxidant role of an ayurvedic formulation Abana in
isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats. In myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol, a
significant increase in serum iron content with a significant decrease in plasma iron binding capacity,
ceruloplasmin activity and glutathione level were observed. There was also a significant increase in lipid
peroxides levels on isoproterenol administration. Activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase,
catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione reductase were decreased significantly in
heart with isoproterenol - induced myocardial necrosis. Abana, produced a marked reversal of these metabolic
changes related to myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol. In conclusion ayurvedic formulation Abana
exerts its effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant and detoxifying enzyme systems.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.831-833
Effect of cold pressor test on visual reaction time and auditory
reaction time
Lily Walia & G.K. Ahuja
Department of Physiology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana 141 001, India.
Received 3 March 2000; revised 4 May 2000
Influence of stress (cold) on visual reaction time (VRT) for red, green and yellow colours and auditory
reaction time (ART) for high and low pitched sounds was studied in 60 healthy subjects (17-19 years) by digital
display response time apparatus.Pain threshold and pain tolerance time were 23.02 + 8.11 and 249.35 + 64.88
sec. respectively.During the standard cold pressor test (CPT), there was significant increase (P<0.01) in VRT
for all the three colours, the increase being the least for the red colour.There was significant increase (P<0.01)
in ART for both high and low pitched sounds.There was increase in heart rate and respiratory rate as compared
to controls.This increase in VRT and ART with CPT was probably due to decreased conduction velocity of
nerves, which could be due to vasoconstriction attributed to increased sympathetic activity caused by cold and
pain.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.834-836
Effect of tonic pain on schedule specific feeding behaviour
Suman Jain, Rashmi Mathur, Ratna Sharma* & Usha Nayar**
Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
Received 18 September 1999; revised 2 May 2000
Food deprivation produces analgesia. This response is reversed i.e. pain sensitivity is lowered, when the
food deprived rats are fed. In the present study the effect of chronic pain on the motivation to get food, in food
deprived rats, was observed. In ten rats the effect of formalin and morphine plus formalin on the motivation to
get food was studied. Injection of formalin significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the number of lever presses from
450 + 30 to 225 + 25. However, after injecting morphine the effect was reversed. The present study shows
reduced internal drive to procure food by the food deprived animals, when they were under chronic pain. The
effect was blocked by morphine, suggesting the role of opioids in modulating the motivation for getting food.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.837-840
Influence of ethanolic extract of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. on mast
cells and erythrocytes membrane integrity
A B Gokhale, V J Dikshit, A S Damre, K R Kulkarni & M N Saraf*
Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Mumbai 400 098, India
Received 21 September 1999; revised 29 March 2000
The ethanolic extract of T. purpurea Linn. was studied for its in vitro effect on rat mast cell degranulation
and erythrocyte membrane integrity in vitro. The extract in concentration of 25-200 g/ml showed a dosedependant inhibition of rat mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 and egg albumin. T. purpurea
extract was found to inhibit haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by hypotonic solution but accelerated
haemolysis induced by heat at a concentration of 100 g/ml. The studies reveal that the ethanolic extract of T.
purpurea may inhibit degranulation of mast cells by a mechanism other than membrane stabilization.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp. 841-844
Photosynthesis and kinetic characteristics of rubisco in Hibiscus
cannabinus L.
A Ramachandra Reddy1 & V S Rama Das2
1 School
2 School
of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India
of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 046, India
Received 18 January 1999; revised 2 May 2000
Photosynthetic characteristics in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a C3 plant, were compared with
Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, another member of Malvaceae. Kenaf leaves exhibited significantly
higher rate of photosynthesis (40 mg CO2 dm-2 hr-1) which was 24.6 mg dm-2 hr-1 in A. esculentus. Rate of photo
and dark respiration was similar in both the species. Kenaf leaf photosynthesis had a higher optimum
temperature (320C) than that of A.esculentus (260C). Photosynthesis in kenaf leaves required higher saturation
irradiance (1600 µmole m-2 sec-1). There was a significant correlation between photosynthetic rate and biomass
yield in these species. The primary product of photosynthesis after 5 seconds of 14C- assimilation was 3-PGA in
both the species. The kinetic properties of RuBP carboxylase/ oxygenase were determined in the leaf extracts.
Higher carboxylase activities were recorded with kenaf leaf extracts (245 µmole mg chl -1
hr-1). Km (CO2) for kenaf leaf carboxylase was significantly lower (7.8µM) than A. esculentus (13.5 µM) and
corresponding difference in Vmax values of carboxylase was recorded between the two species. The kinetic
characteristics of oxygenase were similar in both the extracts. These results indicated the variation in
carboxylase activity and its kinetic characteristics reflected a significant difference in CO2 assimilation in C3
plants.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
Vol. 38, August 2000, pp.845-848
Biotransformation of banana waste into protein by Pleurotus sajor-caju
G V Reddy, I L Kothari*, Akhilesh Mishra & C R Patel
Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388 120, India
Received 11 November 1999; revised 25 April 2000
Pseudostems and leaves from banana waste were used for biotransformation into protein by using P.sajorcaju, an oyster mushroom. Treatment of formalin (500 ppm) + carbendazim (12.5 ppm) of these substrates was
found to favour relatively high percentage biological efficiency (BE) of P. sajor-caju.. Steam sterilization also
exhibited comparable yield performance by P. sajor-caju. Fruiting bodies harvested from all the treatments had
relatively higher protein contents. The spent substrate (steam sterilized) was found to be suitable as an ideal
animal feed because of its rich nutritive composition.