Department of Pharmacology

Sree Siddaganga college of Pharmacy

Tumkur-572 102
Karnataka
WHAT IS
ADRENALINE?
 Adrenaline or epinephrine is
a hormone released from the
adrenal gland.

 It is one of the major

neurotransmitters is the body.
HOW DOES ADRENALINE ACT ?

 Adrenaline acts
through receptor
mechanisms, in
the sympathetic
nervous system.
 The receptors
being α and β
receptors.
What is the use of
adrenaline?

 It is often used in cardiac

resuscitation
 To reverse severe allergic
reaction.
 People who are allergic to
bees may carry an Epi-Pen.
How is Adrenaline
bioassayed ?

PREPARATIONS ACTIVITY
ASSAYED
 Blood pressure of spinal cat Rise in B.P

 Isolated rabbit duodenum

 Isolated caecum of fowl Inhibition of the tone
 Isolated rat uterus
Standard Preparation
 Adrenaline standard
solution is prepared in
0.1 N HCl.

 Dilutions are made with

saline.

 Suitable concentration is
1:10,000
Method using
Anaesthetised Dog:
 A medium size dog(10-13kg) is
anaesthetised with phenobarbitone
sodium in a dose of 25 mg/kg i.v.

 B.P is recorded on a kymograph

after cannulating carotid artery
with arterial cannula , connected
with mercury manometer.
The animal should be given
0.001-0.002 mg of atopine to
paralyse the vagus nerve.
Adrenaline is injected into the
femoral vein through venous
cannula.
Two successive responses of
the same dose of adrenaline are
noted.
The similar responses after same
doses, is an indication that there is
no variation in BP.
Then the test and standard
samples are given in alternate till
both produce similar rise in BP.
Method Using Rabbit’s
Duodenum:
 A rabbit weighing 2-3
kg is killed by headblow
method.
 Dissected and
duodenum is isolated.
 The duodenum is
suspended in the inner
bath of mammalian
organ bath.
Inner bath is filled with
Tyrode solution,
maintained at 37.5 0C.

Muscle allowed to
stabilize for 30 mins.
 Adrenaline relaxes the duodenum.

 Rhythmic contractions are recorded by

means of the isotonic frontal writing lever on
the kymograph.
 De Jalon’s
Method on Rat’s
Uterus:

 A virgin female rat

(100-150 g) is used.

 The rat is killed by

headblow method.
 Abdomen opened,
uterine horns are
isolated and placed in
De Jalon solution

De Jalon's solution

NaCl - 9.0gm
KCl - 0.42gm
CaCl2 - 0.06gm
NaHCO3 - 0.5gm
Glucose - 0.5 gm/L
Uterine horns are ligated and suspended in
mammalian organ bath containing modified
ringer solution.
NaCl - 9.0 gm
CaCl2 - 0.06 gm
KCl - 0.45 gm
Dextrose – 0.5 gm
NaHCO3 – 0.5 gm
Distilled water – 1000 ml
 Two identical contractions for 30 seconds
with carbochol are recorded (0.75 mcg/ml)
 Response from 3 different doses of standard
adrenaline and 1 intermediate dose test
adrenaline is recorded.
 The percentage reduction in carbochol
induced contractions are recorded.
Straub’s Method:
 A glass cannula is passed through the aorta
and valves into the ventricle of heart, so that
the solution is pumped up and down in the
cannula with every beat.
 A graph paper is attached behind the cannula
to give an estimate of force of contracton of
systole.
 Every beat is recorded by attaching the tip of the
ventricle through a thread to a lever.
 Very widely used for the detection of small
quantity of adrenaline.
 Adrenaline increases the force of contraction of
heart.
On Spinal
The spine of the cat is
exposed.

Spine is destroyed by
passing a stiff wire down
the spinal canal.
 This causes a
precipitous fall in
BP.
 Then adrenaline is
given in i.v route
and observed for the
rise in BP.
 Bioassay of
Noradrenaline
Preparation Activity assayed
BP of pithed cat Rise in BP

It can be assayed
By using aneasthetised dog also.
The procedure is same as the method
used for bioassay of adrenaline.