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Biomedical subjects

V Saxena

Publications and source records attributed to V Saxena.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Copper(II) ion-selective microelectrochemical transistor.

A device has been developed for the measurement of copper(II) ions (Cu++) in aqueous medium. The device reported here is an electrochemical transistor that consists of two platinum electrodes separated by 100-microm spacing and bridged with an anodically grown polycarbazole film. The undoped polycarbazole film is observed to be highly selective for the Cu(II) ions. In a completed device, the conductivity of the polycarbazole film changes on addition of Cu (II)ions. This change in conductivity is attributed to the conformational changes in the polymer phase on occupation of the Cu(II) ions, without affecting electron/proton transfer. The device turns on by adding 2.5 x 10(-6) M Cu(II) ions and reaches a saturation region above a concentration of 10(-4) M Cu(II) ions. In this concentration range, the plot of I(D) vs log[Cu(II)] is linear. The selectivity of the device for other metal ions such as Cu(I), Co(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Zn(II), and Pb(II) is also studied.

Copper↗

Anti-implantation activity of some indigenous plants in rats.

Various extracts of one hundred and eight medicinal plants were screened for their anti-implantation activity in female albino rats. Out of these, 50% ethanolic extract of Codonospis ovata Benth (PL); 50% ethanolic, acetone and benzene extracts of Puararia tuberosa DC (TUB); aqueous and methanolic extracts of Punica granatum Linn. (PX) and ethanolic and acetone extracts of Rubus ellipiticus Smith (PX) inhibited pregnancy in 70-90% of rats. Similarly ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees (LF) and Kigelia pinnata DC (PL); ethanolic and acetone extracts of Acrostichum aureum Linn. (PL), Juniperus communis Linn. (SD), Lepidium capitatum H.f. & T. (PL); ethanolic and benzene extracts of Citrulus colocynthus Schrad (LF) and acetone extract of Codonopsis ovata Benth (PL) showed 60-70% anti-implantation activity. Extracts of a few plants VIZ. Dolichos biflorus Linn. (SD), Ferule orientalis Linn. (PL), Nerium odoratum Lamk (RT), Randia dumetorum Lamk (SD) and Ruta graveolens Linn. (PL) could inhibit pregnancy in 50-60% of rats. The rest of the plants were either inactive or showed insignificant antifertility activity.

Animals↗

Contraceptive potency of Pueraria tuberosa D.C. and its hormonal status.

A medicinal plant, Pueraria tuberosa D.C. has been thoroughly investigated for its contraceptive potency in various animals viz. rats, mice and hamsters. The activity has been further confirmed with respect to its habitat and seasonal variations. The potent fractions have been studied for their biological properties so as to elucidate its exact hormonal status. The observations suggest that tubers of P. tuberosa D.C. possess significant antifertility activity. The contraceptive efficacy does not alter significantly with respect to the change in time and place of collection. Its crude powder, ethanolic aand butanolic extracts evoke a significant antifertility activity in rats, mice and hamsters whereas hexane, chloroform, methanol, petroleum ether and benzene extracts are significantly effective to prevent implantation only in rats and mice. Aqueous extract does not show any significant antifertility activity in all these three animal species. The studies on its biological properties suggest that all the fractions of P. tuberosa D.C. possess significant estrogenic activity. In addition to this activity, the crude powder also shows significant progestational and mild antiprogestational activity whereas ethanolic and butanolic extracts show significant progestational activity. Petroleum ether and benzene extracts show only the estrogenic activity. The biological properties and their differences in activity have been discussed in relation to antifertility mode of action of P. tuberosa.

Animals↗