BACKGROUND Different parts of the plant Mikania micrantha are traditionally used to treat several diseases like dysentery, body sprain, diabetes, snake bites, itches, gout, flatulence, rheumatism and cancer. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of the Ethanolic Extracts of leaves of Mikania micrantha (EEMM) on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, granuloma-pouch method and adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis on experimental animals. MATERIALS AND METHODSPlants of Mikania micrantha were collected from the campus of Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam. The extract of Mikania micrantha leaves was prepared by percolation method using 95% alcohol. Acute oral toxicity test of the extract was performed as per OECD 423 (OECD Guidelines, 2001). Acute inflammation was studied by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema method; subacute inflammation was studied by Granuloma pouch method and chronic inflammation was studied by Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis method. Aspirin 100 mg/kg was taken as a standard drug. A control group is maintained in all the above mentioned models. RESULTSThe results were analysed by ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. EEMM in doses 200 -400 mg/kg produced dose dependent and significant (p < 0.05) reduction of paw oedema in carrageenan-induced acute and sub-acute inflammation in comparison to control. EEMM is not effective in chronic arthritis model in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONThe present study indicates that EEMM has significant anti-inflammatory activity. The complete process of inflammation consists of three phases-(i) Dilatation and increased permeability of small blood vessels resulting in oedema and swelling; (ii) Emigration of leucocytes and cellular infiltration; and (iii) Proliferation of fibroblast and synthesis of new connective tissues. KEYWORDS

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the anti-nociceptive action of amitriptyline with fluoxetine and evaluation of their probable mechanism of anti-nociceptive action by observing their individual interactions with morphine, naloxone, yohimbine, and ondansetron.Methods: Albino mice weighing 25-35 grams were taken and divided into 12 groups. Group A-Control(distilled water), Group B-amitriptyline 20 mg/kg, Group C-fluoxetine 20 mg/kg, Group D-morphine 5 mg/kg, Group E-amitriptyline 20 mg/kg+ morphine 5 mg/kg, Group F-amitriptyline 20 mg/kg+ naloxone 3 mg/kg, Group G-amitriptyline 20 mg/kg+ yohimbine 2 mg/kg, Group H-amitriptyline 20 mg/kg+ ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg, Group I-fluoxetine 20 mg/kg+morphine 5 mg/kg, Group J-fluoxetine 20 mg/kg+ naloxone 3 mg/kg, Group K-fluoxetine 20 mg/kg+ yohimbine 2 mg/kg and Group L-fluoxetine 20 mg/kg+ ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg. Hot plate method and acetic acid writhing test were used to assess central and peripheral analgesic activity respectively.Results: Both the amitriptyline and fluoxetine-treated animals showed significantly increased reaction time in a hot plate (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in the number of wriths in acetic acid writhing test (p<0.05), when compared with control. Animals in amitriptyline group showed significantly higher reaction time and less number of wriths when compared to fluoxetine group. Morphine increased, while naloxone, yohimbine and ondansetron decreased the reaction time in a hot plate. In the acetic acid writhing test, a number of wriths significantly decreased when co-treated with morphine and increased when co-treated with naloxone, yohimbine and ondansetron.Conclusion: It is concluded that amitriptyline is a better antinociceptive agent than fluoxetine. Their central and peripheral mechanism of antinociception both involve opioidergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic pathway.

Mental and behavioral disorders are common around the world. Pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and psychosocial rehabilitation are three treatment components for these disorders. Drug therapy is an essential part of the comprehensive treatment of these diseases. Their use pattern in psychiatric practice has changed dramatically in recent years. Mental disorders require long-term treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to study the prescribing practices of these groups of drugs. This study aims to assess drug use patterns using the WHO/INRUD Core Prescribing Indicators. Patients of both genders and ages with mental illness and prescription psychiatric drugs were evaluated from the outpatient department of the Psychiatry Unit (OPD). The prescription data were collected and analyzed using the indicators recommended by the WHO/INRUD. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel-2007. The percentage and average values of the variables were compared. A total of 655 prescriptions were analyzed. Male patients (54.96%) were more than women (45.04%). The morbidity profile included schizophrenia (37.86%), alcohol use disorder (18.78%), major depressive disorder (11.30%), anxiety disorder (10.23%), bipolar disorder (4.88%), and others (16.95%). The newer antipsychotic were the most commonly prescribed drugs (particularly olanzapine), along with a central anticholinergic (trihexyphenidyl) and a benzodiazepine (lorazepam). The percentage of drugs prescribed with generic names was 39.80%, and that of drugs prescribed by NLEM was 48.49%. The average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.58. This study's Index of Rational Prescribing (IRDP) was 3.87, whereas the optimal score was 5. Prescriptions were complete, and principles of rational prescribing were followed, except for a low generic prescribing rate.