Central Drug Research Institute

About: Central Drug Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Leishmania donovani & Brugia malayi. The organization has 4357 authors who have published 7257 publications receiving 143871 citations. The organization is also known as: Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow & CDRI.

Physiological and Functional Basis of Dopamine Receptors and Their Role in Neurogenesis: Possible Implication for Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Dopamine controls various physiological functions in the brain and periphery by acting on its receptors D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. Dopamine receptors are G protein-coupled receptors involved in the regulation of motor activity and several neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Reduction in dopamine content in the nigrostriatal pathway is associated with the development of PD, along with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region. Dopamine receptors directly regulate neurotransmission of other neurotransmitters, release of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we provide an update on recent knowledge about the signalling mechanism, mode of action, and the evidence for the physiological and functional basis of dopamine receptors. We also highlight the pivotal role of these receptors in the modulation of neurogenesis, a possible therapeutic target that might help to slow down the process of neurodegeneration.

Effect of bacosides A and B on avoidance responses in rats

Abstract: The nerve tonic activity of Bacopa monniera has been attributed to two saponins named Bacosides A and B. In the present investigation, Bacosides A and a mixture of the two saponins were used as aqueous suspensions. In the shock motivated brightness discrimination reaction a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg, 90 min prior to training, significantly reduced the time per trial, increased the number of positive responses and enhanced the relearning index. Similar effects were also observed in the relearning trial, but it was necessary to give a second dose 90 min prior to testing. In the active conditioned avoidance test 10 mg/kg p.o. given every alternate day significantly reduced the reaction time from the day 4 onward as well as the number of days of training. In the conditioned taste aversion response the bacosides produced a significant decrease in the lithium chloride intake. This effect was dose related in the range of 2.5–7.5 mg/kg p.o. Bacosides appear to be promising compounds having facilitatory effect on mental retention capacity by improving responses with positive as well as negative reinforcement.

Green Synthesis of Silver and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Euphorbia prostrata Extract Shows Shift from Apoptosis to G0/G1 Arrest followed by Necrotic Cell Death in Leishmania donovani

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to synthesize silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) using green synthesis from aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia prostrata as antileishmanial agents and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of induced cell death. In vitro antileishmanial activity of synthesized NPs was tested against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani by alamarBlue and propidium iodide uptake assays. Antileishmanial activity of synthesized NPs on intracellular amastigotes was assessed by Giemsa staining. The leishmanicidal effect of synthesized Ag NPs was further confirmed by DNA fragmentation assay and by cell cycle progression and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the treated parasites. TEM analysis of the synthesized Ag NPs showed a spherical shape with an average size of 12.82 ± 2.50 nm, and in comparison to synthesized TiO2 NPs, synthesized Ag NPs were found to be most active against Leishmania parasites after 24 h exposure, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 14.94 μg/ml and 3.89 μg/ml in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, respectively. A significant increase in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle with a subsequent decrease in S (synthesis) and G2/M phases compared to controls was observed. The growth-inhibitory effect of synthesized Ag NPs was attributed to increased length of S phase. A decreased reactive oxygen species level was also observed, which could be responsible for the caspase-independent shift from apoptosis (G0/G1 arrest) to massive necrosis. High-molecular-weight DNA fragmentation as a positive consequence of necrotic cell death was also visualized. We also report that the unique trypanothione/trypanothione reductase (TR) system of Leishmania cells was significantly inhibited by synthesized Ag NPs. The green-synthesized Ag NPs may provide promising leads for the development of cost-effective and safer alternative treatment against visceral leishmaniasis.

Diversity oriented synthesis of benzoxanthene and benzochromene libraries via one-pot, three-component reactions and their anti-proliferative activity.

Abstract: Libraries of benzoxanthenes, as well as of benzochromenes, were efficiently synthesized via one-pot, three-component reactions of 2-naphthol, aldehydes, and cyclic 1,3-diketones/malononitrile/ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of catalytic amount of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) under solvent free conditions. The protocol offers rapid synthesis of structurally diverse benzoxanthenes and benzochromenes for biologically screening. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity, and several compounds were exhibiting promising anti-proliferative activity.