BIOASSAY OF BY- SK ABDUL HAFIZ

B. PHARM 3RD YEAR

D-TUBOCURARINE 5TH SEM ROLL- 100

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CONTAINS

• Introduction
• Bioassay of D-tubocurarine.
• Rabbit head-drop method.
• Procedure
• Conclusion
• Reference

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INTRODUCTION
• Bioassay is the measurement of Potency or concentration of an active
principle in unit quantity of preparation by measuring its biological
response on living tissues.
• We compare the test substance with the International Standard
Preparation of same to find out how much test substance is required
to produce the same biological effect, as produced by the standard.
• Bioassay can be performed on Intact In-vivo animals, Isolated tissues,
specific cells, organisms In-vitro.

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Bioassay of d-tubocurarine
• D-tubocurarine is a non depolarizing
potent skeletal muscle relaxant.
• It blocks the NM receptor at neuromuscular
junction and cause the relaxation of
skeletal muscle.
• In the mid 1900s it was used in with an
anaesthetic to provide skeletal muscle
relaxation during surgery.
• Source is Chondodendron Tomentosum, it
is also called Arrow poison.
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Bioassay of d-tubocurarine
• Potency of test D-tubocurarine is determined by
comparing its activity with standard preparation
of D-tubocurarine by using specific biological
assay method.

• We can bioassay of d-tubocurarine by two

method-
1. In Vivo- Rabbit Head Drop Method.

2. In Vitro- Frog’s Abdominis muscle.

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Rabbit Head-Drop Method
• D-tubocurarine hydrochloride is injected into
the marginal vein of a rabbit’s ear till the
rabbit’s neck muscle are relaxed such way that
the animal can hold their head up.

• The total amount of test required to produce

the end point is compared with total amount
of standard sample required to produce same
end point.

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Procedure
• Maximum 8 rabbits are used and divided into two groups.
• Rabbits are placed in a holder with its head protruding outside and
the head should be freely movable.
• First group will receive standard sample and second group will receive
the test sample.
• A constant injection should be given at a rate of 0.4 ml/min and
should be take about 10 min. Dose 0.012% w/v in saline.

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Procedure
• Infusion is continued till the rabbit head
drops from its erect position and there will
be no response by focusing light on the
eyes.
• Any possibility of respiratory
embarrassment which is treated by
injecting neostigmine, methyl sulphate
(0.05mg) and atropine sulphate
immediately.
• Cross-over test is carried out to minimize
biological error due to animal variation.
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Conclusion
• Biological assay is a very good method to compare substances which
have similar pharmacological effects and mode of action. Bioassay is
used when there are no chemical method are developed and
chemical assay is not to sensitive. Or to measure the pharmacological
activity of new substances etc.
• From todays assay method we can test and understand efficiency of
the test drug.

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References
• Tripathi K.D, Essential of Medical Pharmacology, Jaypee Brothers
Medical Publication, 8th Edition 2019.

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Thank You
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