• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.290-296
• /
• 2014

The present experiment investigated putative anxiolytic-like effects of quercetin using an elevated plus-maze (EPM) and hole-board apparatus test in mice. Quercetin is a flavonoid widely distributed in nature. Quercetin (1.25, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg) was orally administered to ICR mice 1 h before a behavioral evaluation in the EPM. Control mice were treated with an equal volume of vehicle, and positive control mice were treated with buspirone (2 mg/kg, i.p.). The mice administered quercetin (5 mg/kg) spent a significantly longer percentage of time in the open arms of the EPM and their percentage of entries into the open arms was significantly increased compared to the vehicle-treated controls (p<0.05). The anxiolytic-like activities of quercetin were antagonized by trans-4-aminocrotonic acid (a $GABA_{A-{\rho}}$ agonist, 20 mg/kg) but not by flumazenil (a $GABA_A$ antagonist, 10 mg/kg) or WAY-100635 (a $5-HT_{1A}$ antagonist, 0.3 mg/kg). Moreover, there were no changes in the locomotor activity or myorelaxant effects in any group compared with the vehicle-treated controls. In the hole-board apparatus test, the number of head-dips increased significantly in the single treatment with quercetin (5 mg/kg) group compared to the vehicle-treated controls (p<0.05). These findings suggest that quercetin can promote anxiolytic-like activity, mediated by the GABAergic nervous system, in mice.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 2003

The psycho-pharmacological effect of BRHAT VATACHINTAMANI RASA (BVC) an Ayurvedic preparation was investigated, both in animal and clinical models. It was observed that BVC possess a sedative or quitening effect in that it significantly decreased the spontaneous motor activity, and also lowered the exploratory behavior of the amphetamine treated animals. This was further evident by increase in climbing out time and taming effect on animal in isolation induced aggression test. Apart from very high dose it seems have little effect on pentobarbital sleeping time and narcotic analgesic test. The drug BVC increases performance of the animal in forced locomotor test. The effect of VATACHINTAMANI RASA on clinical study was not significant.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.258-267
• /
• 2002

In this study the general pharmacological profiles of AS6 on the central nervous system, cardiovascular and the other organs were investigated. The dosages given were 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg and drugs were orally administered. The animals used for this study were mice, rats and guinea pigs. Significant increases (p<0.01) in the charcoal transport capacity were observed at the high dose of 1000 mg/kg and significant increases in retardation of pain threshold were observed in the test using acetic acid in all dosed animals. However, AS6 showed no noticeable effects on general behavior, motor coordination, spontaneous locomotor activity, hexobarbital-induced sleep time, body temperature, analgesic activity in the test using hot plate method and anticonvulsant activity. Furthermore no noticeable effects were observed in cardiovascular functions in the isolated rat heart, contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle in the isolated guinea ileum, gastric secretion and renal function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2021

PURPOSE: Robotic gait training is being used increasingly to improve the gross motor performance and gait speed. The present study examined the effectiveness of a novel end-effector type of robotic gait training (RGT) system on standing, walking, running, and jumping functions, as well as the gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III (6 males; age range, 15.09 ± 1.44 years) were examined. They underwent 24 sessions (30 minutes/sessions, one time/day, three days/week for eight consecutive weeks) of RGT. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 D domain (GMFM D), and GMFM E were assessed with a pretest and posttest of RGT. The setting was a one-group pretest-posttest design. RESULTS: A comparison of the pre-test and post-test show that the outcomes in post-test of GMFM D (p < .01), GMFM E (p < .05), and 10MWT were improved significantly after RGT intervention. CONCLUSION: The present study provided the first evidence on the effects of an eight-weeks RGT intervention in participants with spastic CP. The outcomes of this clinical study showed that standing performance, locomotion function, and gait speed increased in after 24 sessions of the end-effector RGT system in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.578-585
• /
• 2017

Recently, there has been a rise in the number of amphetamine derivatives that serve as substitutes for controlled substances (e.g. amphetamine and methamphetamine) on the global illegal drug market. These substances are capable of producing rewarding effects similar to their parent drug. In anticipation of the future rise of new and similar psychoactive substances, we designed and synthesized four novel amphetamine derivatives with N-benzyl, N-benzylamphetamine HCl (NBNA) substituent on the amine region, 1,4-dioxane ring, ethylenedioxy-amphetamine HCl (EDA), methyl, para-methylamphetamine HCl (PMEA), and naphthalene, 2-(aminopropyl) naphthalene HCl (2-APN) substituents on the phenyl site. Then, we evaluated their abuse potential in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test in mice and self-administration (SA) test in rats. We also investigated the psychostimulant properties of the novel drugs using the locomotor sensitization test in mice. Moreover, we performed qRT-PCR analyses to explore the effects of the novel drugs on the expression of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor genes in the striatum. NBNA, but not EDA, PMEA, and 2-APN, induced CPP and SA in rodents. None of the test drugs have produced locomotor sensitization. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that NBNA increased the expression of striatal D1 dopamine receptor genes. These data indicate that NBNA yields rewarding effects, suggesting potential for abuse. Continual observation for the rise of related substances is thus strongly encouraged.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation on changes in blood biochemistry in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats whose cords were damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were assigned to one of three groups: normal (n=7), control (n=7) and experimental group (n=7). The experimental group received electroacupuncture (Es-160, ITO, Japan) for 15 minutes in the form of low frequency (2 Hz) stimulation to the zusanli point. After treatment, we observed motor behavior recovery using the inclined plane test. We also measured serum and CNS concentrations and activities of enzymes including creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Immunoglobulin G (IgG). Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Concentrations of CK, ALP and IgG were lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Functional recovery was evaluated by the maximal angle of the inclined board on which rats could maintain their initial position. This allowed us to monitor progressive locomotor recovery. The maximal angles of the inclined plane test were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that electroacupuncture to the zusanli point has a therapeutic effect on functional recovery after SCI.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Improved walking is a common goal after stroke. Although the neurodevelopmental intervention(PNF) is the most widely used approach in the walking training of hemiparetic subjects. There is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a PNF techniques. Methods : Included persons with stroke who were living in the community. Sixteen subjects were assigned to the experimental group participated in a measures design that evaluated the subjects with pre-treatment, post-treatment(8 weeks). Temporal-spatial parameter of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Intervention : Training for the experimental group was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The training sessions were comprised of 50 minutes of walking with pattern and techniques in PNF. Results : The experimental group had improvements in the functional walking ability after 8 weeks treatment and Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score. The treatment group demonstrated significantly post-treatment test improvement in gait velocity, cadence and FAP. Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the PNF exercise intervention can improve functional gait ability. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of PNF treatment at improving locomotor function in chronic stroke.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2003

The pharmacological effects of an Ayurvedic diuretic drug 'Treenoponchomul' (TPM) was investigated in animal model. The pharmacological actions of the test drug along with that of the components thereof, on the Central Nervous System (CNS) were studied. The drug under study TPM showed little effect on the CNS, the same can not be said about the components. The most prominent CNS depressant effect was observed with Saccharum officinarum Linn. (EE) in that it lowered the spontaneous motor activity as well the exploratory -behavior of the animals. An exploration retarding effect of moderate degree, was evident with Imperata cylindrica Beauv. (UU), and Phragmites maxima Blatter & McCann (NN). Although the test drug did not alter the normal locomotor and/ or exploratory behavior of the treated animals, it did significantly (p<0.01) lower the locomotion of the amphetamine induced hyperactive animals. TPM along with its components (especially Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. Root, KU), significantly reduced the gastro-intestinal motility of the treated animals (p<0.01). The test drug and its components lowered the body weight of the treated animals, on being administered chronically (30 days), with EE being the only exception.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.830-843
• /
• 2006

Clinical evidence suggests that Nelumbinis Semen extracts have antidepressive properties and may offer an interesting alternative for the treatment of mood disorders. It was the aim of the present study to compare the effects of Nelumbinis Semen extracts with those of fluoxetine and hypericum perforatum extract in the rat forced swimming test (FST) and chronic mild stress (CMS), a model of depression. In the FST, p.o. administration of Nelumbinis Semen extracts (1 mg) induced a statistically significant reduction of immobility. The active behaviors in that test did not reflect decreased general activity because Nelumbinis Semen extracts failed to alter the locomotor activity of rats, measured in the open field test. Moreover Nelumbinis Semen extracts was superior to fluoxetine and hypericum perforatum extract in the incidence of sexual side-effects. These effects of Nelumbinis Semen extracts on the rat behavior is to be ascribed to increased Cytochrome c oxidase polypeptide Vla-liver, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 , Adenylosuccinate synthetase, and Aldehyde dehydrogenase in rat hippocampus.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of direct functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of affected spinal cord on motor recovery following spinal cord injury in rats. Methods: After a contusion injury at the spinal level T9 using an NYU Impactor, functional magnetic stimulation was delivered by a magnetic stimulator through a round prototype coil (7 cm in diameter). Stimulation parameters were set as follows: repetition rate = 50 Hz (stimulus intensity 100% = 0.18 T), stimulation time = 20 min. Functional magnetic stimulation was administered twice a day, 5 days per week for 8 weeks starting 4 days after spinal cord injury. Functional magnetic stimulationwas delivered directly to the affected spinal cord. Outcomes of locomotor performance were assessed by the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and by an inclined plane test weekly for 8 weeks. Results: In the BBB test, hindlimb motor function in the Functional magnetic stimulation group improved significantly more compared to the control group at 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). In the inclined plane test, the angle of the plane in the functional magnetic stimulation group increased significantly more compared to the control group at 4, 5, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that direct Functional magnetic stimulation of the lesional site may have beneficial effects on motor improvement after spinal cord injury.