Species of criconematids (Nematoda: Criconematina) from Haryana,India

Ten known, viz. Criconema (Nothocriconemella) mutabile (Taylor, 1936) Raski & Luc, 1985, Neolobocriconema aberrans (Jairajpuri & Siddiqi, 1963) Andrássy, 1979, Macroposthonia sphaerocephala (Taylor, 1936) De Grisse & Loof, 1965, Nothocriconemoides basili (Jairajpuri, 1963) Loof & De Grisse, 1974, Hemicriconemoides cocophillus Loos, 1949, H. litchi Edward & Misra, 1963, H. mangiferae Siddiqi, 1961, Aulosphora indica (Siddiqi, 1961) Siddiqi, 1980, Paratylenchus obtusicaudatus Raski, 1975, and Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, 1913, plus three new species of criconematids are recorded from Haryana state, India. Larvae of N. aberrans and N. basili are described for the first time. The main distinguishing features of the new species are as follows. M. paronostris n. sp.: R=117–128, R V=7–9, spear=55–62 μm, submedian lobes present, larvae with smooth annules; Criconemoides punicus n. sp.: R=75–85, R V=5–7, spear=73–81 μm, larvae with crenate annules: Hemicycliophora siddiqii n. sp.: R=185–198, R V=33–42, spear=57–59 μm, one incisure plus longitudinal lines on the cuticle. ac]19860702     

The triterpenoids

The literature on the identification and distribution of penta- and tetracyclic triterpenoids in vascular plants and fungi is reviewed for the period 1971–1977.     

Ribonucleolytic activity of bovine spermatozoal plasma and acrosomal membranes

We show here the presence of an integral, strong RNAase-A-like ribonucleolytic activity in the plasma and outer acrosomal membranes of bovine spermatozoa. A part of this activity is extractable by salt or detergent.     

A dopamine agonist stimulates progesterone secretion from adrenal gland

Administration of either progesterone (P) or a dopamine agonist, Legrotrile mesylate (LM), have been shown to induce the ovulatory release of LH in rats. In order to elucidate the mode of action of dopamine agonists we studied the effects of LM on P secretion by the adrenals. A subcutaneous injection of LM, in doses which induce ovulation, stimulated adrenal P secretion in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats and in castrate male rats. Peak plasma P concentrations were found at 2 h with a gradual return to pre-injection levels at 6 hrs following LM injection. These results raise the possibility that P increments following LM administration may be responsible for inducing ovulation in young and old rats.There is considerable evidence to show that modification of hypothalamic monoamine metabolism by pharmacologic agents results in markedly altered pituitary gonadotropin secretion [1]. Lergotrile mesylate (LM), a dopamine agonist, has been shown to advance the ovulatory release of LH on proestrus and induce ovulation and cyclicity in anovulatory aged rats [2,3]. Everett [4] observed that progesterone (P) administration induced ovulation in rats rendered anovulatory under constant light and also advanced ovulation by one day if administered to 5-day cycling rats. A similar effect of LM on ovulation advancement has been noted (Clemens, personal communication). These similarities in action of P and LM on ovulation in young and aged rats, led us to speculate that LM may stimulate P secretion which in turn may elicit the discharge of ovulatory hormones. To test this hypothesis we examined the effects of LM on progesterone secretion in gonadectomized rats.     

Aquillochin,a coumarinolignan from Aquilaria agallocha

Aquillochin, isolated from the whole plant of Aquilaria agallocha, has been shown to be a coumarinolignan, and a structure has been proposed on the basis of chemical and physical studies.     

Effect of ionizing radiation on roses: Induction of somatic mutations

Bud-wood from seven rose cultivars exhibiting five different colors were exposed to 0, 3, 4, and 5 krad of gamma rays. A similar response was observed for all exposed cultivars; it included dose response reductions in bud-take, number and height of shoots, survival, flowers, petal weight and pollen fertility.The LD₅₀ for white and mauve-flowered cultivars was found to be lower than the yellow, red andpink-flowered ones; the latter were more prone to mutations. Many phenotypically detectable variations in leaf, flower and growth habit were recorded in irradiated populations. Only three mutations, one in growth habit and two in flower colors, were successfully isolated and propagated. The results suggest that the Floribunda rose, i.e., Pink Parfait was more suitable for induction of mutations as compared with the six Hybrid Teas.     

Intranasal Cabergoline: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies

Aims of this investigation were to prepare and characterize cabergoline intranasal microemulsion formulations, determine brain drug delivery through biodistribution using technetium-99m (^99mTc) as a tracer, and assess its performance pharmacodynamically in weight control. Cabergoline microemulsions of different compositions were prepared by water titration method and characterized for globule size and zeta potential. Microemulsion with maximum drug solubilization and stability was considered optimal and taken for further studies with or without addition of mucoadhesive agent. Pharmacokinetics of optimized ^99mTc-labeled cabergoline formulations and ^99mTc-labeled drug solution were studied by estimating radioactivity in brain and blood of albino rats post intranasal, intravenous, and oral administrations. To confirm localization of drug in brain following intranasal, intravenous, and oral administrations, gamma scintigraphy imaging was also performed. To assess weight control performance of formulations, body weight, white adipose tissue mass, serum lipids, leptin, and prolactin were determined before and after 40 days of intranasal administrations of these formulations to Wistar rats. Microemulsions were found to be stable both physically and chemically when stored at various stress conditions. Brain/blood uptake ratios, drug targeting efficiency, and direct drug transport were found to be highest for drug mucoadhesive microemulsion followed by drug microemulsion and drug solution post-intranasal administration compared to intravenous drug microemulsion. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in assessed pharmacodynamic parameters was observed after intranasal administration of mucoadhesive microemulsion against control group. The results of the studies conclusively demonstrate that intranasal microemulsion formulations developed in this investigation are stable and can deliver cabergoline selectively and in higher amounts to the brain compared to both drug administrations as a solution intranasally or microemulsion intravenously. The results also demonstrate reduction in weight, adipose tissue mass, serum lipids, and serum prolactin after intranasal administration of drug microemulsion. Hence, long-term studies in at least two more animal models followed by extensive clinical evaluation can safely result into a product for clinical use.     

Two new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bambusa</Emphasis> (Poaceae) from India

Bambusa majumdarii P. Kumari & P. Singh and Bambusa mohanramii P. Kumari & P. Singh from north-eastern India are described and illustrated.     

Terpenes from the essential oil of Cymbopogon distans

A GC/MS study of the hydrocarbon fraction and the fraction containing oxygenated compounds showed the presence of 12 monoterpene hydrocarbons (28.4%), 13 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (32.8%), 3 sesquiterpene alcohols (27.2%), 2 esters (7.2%) and 3 carbonyl compounds (4.4%) in the essential oil of Cymbopogon distans. Of these, 27 compounds have been identified.