title: Immunopharmacological studies on Picrorhiza kurroa Royle-ex-Benth. Part III: Adrenergic mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action.
abstract: Nature of adrenergic mechanisms contributing to anti-inflammatory effect of Picrorhiza kurroa suggested from earlier studies was explored in Wistar albino rats. Water soluble fraction of alcoholic extract of rhizomes (PK) potentiated castor oil-catharsis on oral administration but direct subplanter PK-injections failed to exhibit any local irritancy and oedema. Propranolol pretreatment counteracted while phentolamine enhanced anti-inflammatory effect of PK in carrageenin-induced inflammation. 6-hydroxy-dopamine pretreatment antagonised the said PK-effect and in such animals both ephedrine and isoprenaline augmented anti-inflammatory effect of PK, the former interaction being more conspicuous. PK-treatment of rats did not influence adrenaline uptake by lung slices in vitro. The results suggest that a non-neural augmentation of beta-adrenoceptor function or consequent cellular events mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of PK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D016627:Oxidopamine; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D016627:Oxidopamine