Pharmacological Experimentation

This document contains the preface of the book.

This document contains the contents of the book.

Pharmacological experiment means testing of drug(s) on living system. At laboratory scale, living system means sub-human species and/or their body parts, organs, tissues or cells.

In this unit, the students may briefly learn step-by-step scientific treatment of laboratory animals; from procurement of animals, their storage and care, their stabilization and adaptation in laboratory conditions, documentation of drug treatments.

A student receives a drug in the form of solid, powder, liquid (with appropriately mentioned strength of solution). Another form of drug that is utilized at laboratory scale is in the form of formulations or marketed forms, i.e. popularly called as injections. This form is sometimes preferred by students because of its easy availability. These ampoules are available in certain strengths. Suitable examples have been mentioned to easily understand and then prepare the required dose for animal in a particular experiment.

Student is required to mention appropriate species of animal(s) being used in the laboratory. For example, for mice, Mus musculus is commonly used species. For rats, Rattus norvegicus is commonly used species. This helps to document that on which species, the laboratory data has been collected and then may be used for reproducibility on same species and this data may not be reproducible on other species.

The science deals which deals with the study of effect of drugs on the living system. Here, it is necessary to understand the meaning of (a) living system and (b) drug.

Any pharmacological investigation should follow a systematic approach, so that the experimental procedure adopted is easily carried out and it should involve minimum number of animals, suitable animal species and suitable parameters should be observed, so that the results are reliable.

On whole animal body different chemicals and/or different procedures are tested and following points are observed:
• Animal behavior
• Change in functions of body organs
• Animal physiology
• Change in levels of bio-chemicals like glucose, cholesterol etc.

The Animal Use and Experimentation are regulated by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate, Government of India under an Act of Government of India, called “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 amended 1982 and its rules called “Animal Breeding Rules, 1998. This Act demands that animals should not suffer from undue pain and discomfort.

Collection of blood from small laboratory animals is necessary for a wide range of scientific research and there are a number of efficient methods available for that. The method of blood collection should be described in the protocol approved by the Institute animal ethics committee.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an inter-governmental organisation, established in 1961. The purpose of his organization is to discuss issues of common interests, make uniform policies among member countries and work together for solution of international problems.