Synergistic effect of methanol extract of Abies webbiana leaves on sleeping time induced by standard sedatives in mice and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts in rats

Standardization and Ameliorative effect of Kalyanaka ghrita in β-amyloid induced memory impairment in wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kalyanaka ghrita (KG) is an Ayurvedic formulation traditionally used in the treatment of Daurbalya (debility) and Smritidaurbalya (impairment of intellectual activities). Clinical studies have reported the effect of KG in the treatment of Manasmandata or Buddhimandyata which is associated with impaired learning, social adjustment and maturation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aims to standardization of KG and validation of its use in experimental models of neurodegeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

KG was Standardized for biomarkers curcumin, gallic acid, tannic acid, chebulagic acid, and berberine. In male wistar rats, neurodegeneration was induced by administration of intracerebroventricular Amyloid β (Aβ_1-42). The effect of KG (oral and intranasal treatment) was evaluated through behavioral parameters such as Morris water maze, social recognition test, novel object recognition, locomotor activity, and molecular parameters, brain acetylcholinesterase, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidants. Brain histopathology was performed for studying the architecture of the brain and plaque formation.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A novel HPLC method has been developed for the standardization of KG. Treatment with KG significantly improved cognition and memory and increased brain BDNF and antioxidant status in Aβ_1-42 induced rats. It also reduced brain acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines and prevented neuronal damage. There were more marked effects with intra-nasal administration compared to oral treatment.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that KG has neuroprotective potential and along with its nootropic property could be a promising therapy for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

Anti‑inflammatory effect of red ginseng marc, Artemisia scoparia, Paeonia japonica and Angelica gigas extract mixture in LPS‑stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

A normal inflammatory response is essential in protecting the body from foreign substances. However, excessive inflammation contributes to diseases such as oxidative stress, heart disease, and cancer. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of RAPA (red ginseng marc, Artemisia scoparia Waldst.et Kit, Paeonia japonica Miyabe & Takeda, and Angelica gigas Nakai extract mixture) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (macrophages). RAPA suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors such as iNOS and COX-2 and decreased the production of nitric oxide. In addition, RAPA decreased the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, RAPA inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs such as JNK and ERK as well as IκB and NF-κB. In conclusion, RAPA inhibited production of inflammatory mediators via downregulation of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results of this study demonstrated that RAPA regulates excessive inflammatory responses at the cellular level. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether the same effect is observed in vivo through further research.

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers' phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

Neuropharmacological Assessment of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Calotropis procera (Ait). R. Br. (Apocynaceae) in Mice

BACKGROUND

Calotropis procera has been widely used traditionally for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also reportedly used in ethnomedicine for mental health disorders including epilepsy even in the absence of supporting scientific data. Thus, the potential of the plant to affect neurological functions was evaluated.

METHODS

Irwin's test was performed to determine the effect of the oral administration of the extract (30-3000 mg kg^-1) on gross behaviour and physiological function. The activity meter, rotarod, pentylenetetrazol- (PTZ-) induced convulsion, pentobarbitone-induced sleep test, and the tail immersion tests were used to evaluate the spontaneous activity, neuromuscular function, convulsive threshold, sedation, and analgesic effects of the Calotropis procera extract (30-1000 mg/kg), respectively, in mice.

RESULTS

Calotropis procera extract (CPE) exhibited significant (p < 0.0001) anticonvulsant and analgesic effects. There was a significant increase in withdrawal latency of the CPE-treated animals in the tail immersion test for analgesia (p < 0.0001), while latency and duration of PTZ-induced convulsions were positively modulated. Calotropis procera extract showed significant (p < 0.0001) central nervous system depressant effects in pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis at 100-1000 mg/kg and spontaneous activity test (30-1000 mg/kg). The extract also depicted impaired motor coordination at 100-1000 mg/kg dose levels. LD₅₀ was estimated to be above 1000 mg kg^-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Calotropis procera extract has significant central nervous system depressant and analgesic effects in mice.

A new alkaloid isolated from Abies webbiana leaf

A new alkaloid namely 1-(4’-methoxyphenyl)-aziridine was isolated from the leaf of Abies webbiana Lindl. (Pinaceae), grown in Sikkim Himalayan region of India. Its chemical structure was elucidated on the basis of elemental and spectral analyses. This is the first experimental report of the isolation of any alkaloid from A. webbiana.

Evaluation of chemical constituents and antinociceptive properties of Myricaria elegans Royle

The phytochemical screening of Myricaria elegans Royle (Tamaricaceae) gave strongly positive results for terpenes. A total of six triterpenes were isolated from the CHCl₃ fraction, including eleganene-A, eleganene-B, corsolic acid, betulin, ursolic acid, and erythrodiol. The in vivo antinociceptive investigation of the plant showed a significant increase in the tail-flick latency, accompanied by mild sedation and severe ataxia. Considering the known activities of some of the compounds isolated from the plant, it may be hypothesized that the increase in the tail-flick latency may be the combined effect of analgesia, ataxia, and sedation, rather than analgesia alone. These findings suggest M. elegans to be a potential source for activity-guided isolation of important natural compounds with a variety of effects.

Anti-inflammatory study on crude methanol extract and different fractions of Eremostachys laciniata

CONTEXT

Eremostachys laciniata (L.) Bunge (Lamiaceae), which has been reported as a rich source of flavonoids, is one of the rarely explored species of the genus Eremostachys.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the crude methanol extract and different fractions of E. laciniata were investigated for in vivo anti-inflammatory properties.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Shade-dried leaves of E. laciniata were exhaustively extracted by percolation with methanol (80%) to obtain 250 g of crude methanol extract (El), followed by fractionation with different organic solvents to get the n-hexane (Elh), chloroform (Elc), ethyl acetate (Ele), butanol (Elb), and water (Elw) fractions. An in vivo anti-inflammatory study of the crude extract and sub-crude fractions was carried out in rats using the carrageenan model.

RESULTS

The Ele fraction was found to be the most potent inhibitor of edema formation by inducing a maximum inhibitory effect of 74.2% at the 300 mg/kg dose, during 3 h post carrageenan injection. The El extract and Elc fraction also showed good anti-inflammatory properties at the same dose.

DISCUSSION

The demonstration of excellent anti-inflammatory activity by the plant chiefly concentrating in the Ele fraction and the appearance of peak activity in the latter phase of the experiment suggested the presence of relatively low-polar substances with arachidonic acid metabolite inhibition property.

CONCLUSION

The plant may be an excellent source in the future for activity-guided isolation of important anti-inflammatory substances.