MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
The Department of Pharmacology is one of the oldest departments of the College having its origin in 1903 itself. In the early stages, materia medica and pharmacy alone were taught to the students. In 1979, the Toxicology unit, which was then a part of the Department of Therapeutics, was brought under this department. The first thesis for M.Sc. degree was submitted in 1959, while the Ph. D. programme was started from 1979.
- To impart basic knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology for the undergraduate students.
- To conduct field oriented research programmes in the subject.
- To develop human Resource in the fields of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Imparting education in Pharmacology and Toxicology to UG and PG students is the major activity. So far, 63 students had obtained their M.V.Sc degree and 18 scholars had obtained their Ph. D. degree.
M.V.Sc. and Ph. D. research is being carried out based on research topics in the fields of ethnopharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics etc.
- Standardized the technique of estimating neurotransmitters using spectrofluorimeter
- Developed the technology of administration of drugs into appropriate sites in the brain using the stereotaxic instrument
- Standardized the techniques of chromosomal aberrations in genotoxicological studies
- Reported the role of various neurotransmitters on growth promotion
- Modified the animal model of myocardial infarction in rats for studying cardiovascular drugs
- Modified the animal model of adjuvant induced arthritis for the study of antiarthritic drugs
- Standardized a battery of tests to be applied for the pharmacological screening of extracts and plant materials such as anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiproliferative, antioxidant, antihepatotoxic, antiinflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiarthritic, antifertility properties.
1. Part II Scheme on Indigenous medicine in Veterinary Practice
The root and stem of Punica granatum possessed greater anthelmintic activity than fruit rind and were also found to be equipotent. P. granatum was found to have better immunomodulating response when compared to Levamisole in both normal and immunosuppressed rabbits, with regard to humoral immunity.
2. Evaluation on anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect of parentally administered Nimesulide in laboratory animals (Funded by Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Hyderabad).
The parenteral Nimesulide at 5mg/Kg exhibited significant analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. Analgesia was induced within 10 minutes of administration of Nimesulide (5mg/Kg, I.M.) and was significantly higher than that of Nimesulide oral at 60, 90 and 120 minutes post treatment. Nimesulide (5mg/Kg, I.M.) exhibited a rapid and highly significant anti-pyretic effect as compared to both Diclofenac and Nimesulide oral preparation. Toxic studies revealed that the gastric mucosal damage was found to be less with Nimesulide (5mg/Kg, I.M.) compared to both Diclofenac and orally administered Nimesulide.