Kuvempu University

About: Kuvempu University is a education organization based out in Shimoga, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cyclic voltammetry & Carbon paste electrode. The organization has 1575 authors who have published 2210 publications receiving 39755 citations. The organization is also known as: KU.

A wareness and use of UGC-Infonet digital library consortium by the faculty members of Karnataka state universities

Abstract: A questionnaire based survey found that 39.79 percent of the faculty members are aware of and use the UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium resources whereas 35.99 percent are aware but do not use and 24.22 percent are not at all aware of the availability of the consortium resources. Majority of the non-users belong to social sciences and humanities and those who have not undergone formal computer training. Comparatively the science faculty uses the consortium resources more frequently than those belonging to social sciences and humanities. Lack of knowledge to use, insufficient internet nodes, slow bandwidth and lack of relevant information sources are found to be the major problems faced. Only 5.22 percent of the faculty members have indicated that they have necessary expertise to use the digital resources. About 37 percent of the faculty members were aware of and participated in user education programmes conducted by their university libraries.

Antiamnesic potentiality of Argyreia speciosa (Burm.f) Boj. in mice

Abstract: Several ‘rasayana’ herbs that are enlisted in Indian system of medicine have been in use for the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Roots of Argyreia speciosa are used in several Ayurvedic preparations as brain tonic and nervine tonic. The present work was undertaken to justify the traditional claim of the plant as nootropic and antiamnesic agent in mice. The ethyl acetate and ethanolic fractions (EtAS) of roots were selected for the study. Exteroceptive behavioural models such as elevated plus maze and Water maze were used to assess the short-term memory, whereas, scopolamine and natural ageing- induced amnesia served as interoceptive models. The whole brain acetyl cholinesterase activity was measured to assess the effect of A. speciosa on the central cholinergic system. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the transfer latency significantly (P,0.01) in young mice on the first and second day as compared to control indicating the impairment of memory. Pretreatment with EAAS (100 and 200 mg/ kg, p.o.) significantly (P,0.01) attenuated scopolamine and ageing-induced amnesia. Escape latency time was recorded in the water maze model as an index of acquisition, and trials were conducted for 4 days. The mean time spent in target quadrant (TSTQ) during retrieval trial on fifth day was taken as the index of retrieval (memory). EAAS (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) administered before the training trial (from day 1 to day 4), significantly (P,0.01) attenuated scopolamine and ageing-induced decrease in TSTQ during the retrieval test on the fifth day. EAAS (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly produced reduction in whole brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity of both young and aged mice thus exhibiting anti-AChE activity in whole brain homogenate compared to Piracetam, scopolamine and control groups of mice. The results indicate that A. speciosa has significant nootropic and antiamnesic activity, justifying its traditional use in Ayurveda. Key words: Antiamnesic, Argyreia speciosa, ayurveda, nootropic, rasayana

Synthesis and Activity Evaluation of 2-(1-naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-yl-carbonyl)-3,5-disubstituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles.

Abstract: Ethyl naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-carboxylate (2) on reaction with hydrazine hydrate in presence of acid catalyst in ethanol medium affords naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-carbohydrazide (3). The reaction of substituted acetophenones (4a-c) with aromatic aldehydes (5a-e) produces chalcones (6a-o) via the Claisen condensation. The reaction of naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-carbohydrazide (3) with chalcones (6a-6o) in presence of acetic acid as catalyst in dioxane produces 1-(naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-yl-carbonyl)-3,5-disubstituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles (7a-o). The structures of newly synthesized compounds have been established by elemental analysis and spectral studies. The compounds 7a-o have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and some selected compounds evaluated for antiinflammatory, analgesic, anthelmintic, diuretic and antipyretic activities.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of Cassia fistula fruit in hyperlipidemic mice.

Abstract: Context: The plant Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) fruit was widely used by traditional practitioners to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in India. Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder and the major risk factor for the development of CVDs. Although most of the current hypolipidemic drugs are expensive and have potential side effects, the research focusing on natural alternative medicines is relevant.Objective: To investigate the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of C. fistula fruit (CFE) in high-fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in mice.Materials and methods: Oral administration of CFE at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg body weight on HFD induced hyperlipidemia mice for 30 days. The standard drug atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) was used to compare the efficacy of CFE. Hypolipidemic effect was evidenced by the measurement of serum lipid profile and further confirmed by Oil Red O staining of adipose tissue. The hepatic and cardiac melondialdehyde (MDA) level and antioxidan...