FACULTY OF PHARMACY

BPH 1204
PHARMACOLOGY I-General
Pharmacology
(CORE)

PRACTICAL MANUAL
.
1. Course code : BPH 1204

2. Course title : PHARMACOLOGY 1

3. Credit unit :3

4. Timing in Curriculum : First Year, Second Semester

5. Practical’s Title (According to subject):

Pre- reading and preparation is required before the commencement of each practical.
Students are expected to answer the questions given.

1. Animal Handling
2. Routes of administration in experimental animals. (Oral, I.M., I.V. and SC etc.).
3. Demonstration of synergism and antagonism.

6. Student learning time

Face to face 12 hours
Not face to face 12 hours
Total 24 hours

7. Assessment of the Learning outcomes

Assessment will be achieved through lab reports and rubrics

8. Report writing
(a) Format
The report should be written according to the following format (unless stated
otherwise by the supervisor/lecturer)
(1) Aims/Objectives
(2) Introduction
(3) Results
(4) Discussion
(5) Conclusions
(6) Answers to exercise
(7) References
i. References may be obtained from books, journals or internet but
they should (preferably) contain the latest/most updated
information.
ii. Arrange all references in Vancouver Format
iii. A complete reference should contain
 The author’s/authors’ name
 Title of the article
 Name of the journal, year, volume and page number
(b) Submission
Report to be submitted one week after the end of each practical session. Marks
will be deducted for late submission and plagiarism.
 OBSERVATION
PRACTICAL 1

TITLE: ANIMAL HANDLING

OBJECTIVE:
To understand how to handle and use the laboratories animals like rats,
mice and rabbits in the Pharmacological experiments.

PRINCIPLE:
The techniques used to handle small mammals vary slightly with each
species, however many of the general principles are the same. When
handling all small mammals, a firm but gentle approach is advisable. This
practical will outline recommended techniques for handling rodents, rabbits
and ferrets. The adoption of these techniques will help to minimise stress
for the animals and help reduce the risk of bite injuries to the handler.

It is important that animals are aware of the handler’s presence before

attempting to restrain them, particularly if the animal is initially asleep. This
will reduce stress for the animal and help to avoid bite injuries.

REQUIREMENTS:
Rabbits, rats, mice, gloves.

PROCEDURE:
A. Mouse
i. Handling and Restraint
1. Mice are generally easy to restrain, but their small size
makes them especially vulnerable to physical injury, not least
by the handler inadvertently dropping them when bitten.
Some mice are also very active and may attempt to jump
away from the handler.

2. The animal should be grasped by the tail, preferably the

proximal third and lifted clear of its cage. It should then be
placed on a surface such as a cage top. If gentle traction is
maintained on the tail, the animal will grip the cage top and
attempt to pull away.

3. The scruff can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger

whilst maintaining a grip on the tail. The animal is then
secure and can be examined or injected safely.
 OBSERVATION

ii. Handling for injection

1. Intraperitoneal injections can be made into the posterior
quadrant of the abdomen.

2. Subcutaneous injection can be made into the scruff of the

neck. Care must be taken to direct the needle into the scruff
and not into the handler’s finger or thumb.

3. Because the muscle masses of mice are so small, care must

be taken to use a small needle and a small volume for
injection. Intramuscular injections can be made into the
quadriceps muscle groups on the anterior of the thigh.

B. Rat
i. Handling and Restraint
1. Rats are typically docile animals, particularly if they are
routinely handled using appropriate techniques. Bites from
rats are uncommon and will typically only occur if the animal
is stressed or in pain. To initially restrain a rat, the handler
should gently grasp it around the shoulders.

2. The handler’s thumb can then be placed under the rat’s

mandible, to prevent bites, and the rat’s hindlimbs can be
supported with the other hand. Restraint should be firm but
not too tight as this will impede the animal’s respiration.

ii. Handling for injection.

1. Intraperitoneal injections may be made into caudal half of the
abdomen with the needle directed along the line of the hind
limb.

C. Rabbit
i. Handling and Restraint
1. Rabbits are especially susceptible to the effects of stress
and should always be approached in a calm and confident
manner.

2. The handler is restraining the rabbit firmly by the scruff with

the other hand ready to support the animal’s hindquarters.

3. The rabbit should be held its head tucked under the

handler’s arm and with the back and hindquarters supported
by the handler’s forearms.
 OBSERVATION

ii. Handling for injection.

1. Rabbits may also be restrained for injection by wrapping the
animal in a drape or towel. If the rabbit is securely wrapped,
it will not struggle.

2. Intravenous injections into the rabbit’s marginal ear vein can

be readily made if the rabbit is restrained with a drape.

DISCUSSION:

CONCLUSION:

REFERENCE:

QUESTIONS:
1. What are the rules and regulations to carry out the research in animals?

2. Discuss the health and safety issue while handling the laboratory animals.
 OBSERVATION
PRACTICAL 2A

TITLE:ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND THE ACTION OF DRUGS

OBJECTIVE:
To demonstrate the modification of drug effects by various routes of
administrations.

PRINCIPLE:
Route of administration is one of the factors that modify the action of drugs
both quantitatively and qualitatively. Oral administration of pentobarbitone
produces hypnotic effect with delayed onset; i.e. induction time is slow
whereas IV administration of the same produces the same effect with
quick onset and short duration (quantitative variation).Magnesium sulphate
given orally produces purgative effect and it produces CNS depressant
effect when given by intraperitoneal route (qualitative variation).

REQUIREMENTS:
2 Rabbits, 2 albino rats, syringe & needle, 1% Magnesium sulphate
solution and Pentobarbitone (100mg/ml) solution.

PROCEDURE:
1. Take two rabbits, rabbit No1 and rabbit No2. With the help of a mouth
gag and oral catheter tube, administer orally 1 ml of Pentobarbitone
solution to rabbitNo1.
2. Take rabbit No2 and shave off the hairs of one of the earlobes so as
to locate the marginal earlobe vein through which inject
Pentobarbitone sodium (55mg/kg).
3. Note down the onset and duration of hypnotic effect in both these two
rabbits and enter the results in the given tabular column.
4. Take 2 albino rats. With help of mouth gag and oral catheter tube
meant for rats, administer orally to rat-1 one ml of 1% Magnesium
sulphate solution.
5. 0.5 ml of 1% Magnesium sulphate is administered to rat-2 by
intraperitoneal route and the difference in the pharmacological effect
produced in these two rats is watched for.
6. Enter your results in the tabular column.
RESULTS:

Table 1

Rabbit Drugs Dose Onset of Sleeping Inference

No Administered &Route Action in Duration in
Minutes Minutes
1 Pentobarbitone 1 ml/oral

2 Pentobarbitone 0.5ml/IV

Table 2

Rat Drugs Dose Effect Inference

No Given &Route Observed
1 Magnesium 1 ml/oral Purgative
Sulphate Effect

2 Magnesium 0.5ml/IP CNS

Sulphate depression

DISCUSSION:

CONCLUSION:

REFERENCE:
 OBSERVATION

QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss why the same drug has different onset of action when given by different
routes?

2. What is the relation of weight of the animal and route of administration of a drug?