Plants with neurobiological activity as potential targets for drug discovery

Effects of asiatic acid on passive and active avoidance task in male Spraque-Dawley rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

Centella asiatica has a reputation to restore declining cognitive function in traditional medicine. To date, only a few compounds that show enhancing learning and memory properties are available. Therefore, the present study investigates the effects of for acute administration of asiatic acid (A-A) isolated from Centella asiatica administration on memory and learning in male Spraque-Dawley rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

4-5 weeks Spraque-Dawley rats were administered with concentration 1, 3, 5, 10, 30 mg/kg of A-A, baclofen, scopolamine and saline intra peritoneally and were evaluated for passive avoidance (PA), active avoidance (AA) and changes in blood pressure (BP).

RESULTS

Treatment 30 mg/kg of A-A resulted in significantly dose-dependently improved memory, with increased retention latency to enter difference compartment in PA test compared to baclofen, saline and scopolamine. Furthermore, 30 mg/kg of A-A was significantly higher on learning abilities on 1st day but there was no significantly difference on avoidance memory ability after 7 days of retention. Low reading in blood pressure dose-dependent significantly difference was observed in the 30 mg/kg of A-A group compared to saline group.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration A-A facilitated PA and AA on memory and learning and but had no effect on active avoidance on memory. Hence, may serve useful memory and learning with less effect in blood pressure in promoting memory and learning increases.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Nor-Yauyos, a part of the Landscape Reserve Nor-Yauyos-Cochas, Peru

AIM OF THE STUDY

To collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnopharmacologic knowledge in Nor-Yauyos in order to protect it. This paper reports the results of an ethnopharmacological survey on the uses of medicinal plants by inhabitants of the Andean region Nor-Yauyos, Peru. In this region one surviving ethnic group, the Jaqaru-Quichuas, has been identified.

METHODOLOGY

Field work was concluded between October 1999 and March 2000, using semi-structured questionnaire and participant observation as well as transects walks in wild herbal plant collection. Interviews with 68 informants (mean age: 54; 100% men, 0% women) were performed in 12 farmers' communities: Huancaya, Vilca, Vitis, Miraflores, Piños, Carania, San Lorenzo De Alis, Santa Rosa De Tinco, Tomás, Huancachi, Laraos and Huantán.

RESULTS

63 species of plants belonging to 29 families were reported. More than a half of reported plants were native, endemic of the studied area. Leaves and their mixtures were the most (67.26%) commonly used plant part. Most of the remedies were prepared in infusion, and 90.08% were administered orally. Most treated disorders were the gastrointestinal (18.59%) and respiratory ones (18.22%).

CONCLUSIONS

6 species (9.52%) without pharmacological references in international scientific literature, 21 species (33.33%) with 1-2 references, 16 species (25.40%) with 3-6 references, and 20 species (31.75%) that have been already widely studied were found.