Anxiolytic and sedative properties of hydroethanolic extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaves in mice

Design, synthesis, structural and molecular characterization, toxicity, psychotropic activity and molecular docking evaluation of a novel phenytoin derivative: 3-decyl-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione

The hydantoin scaffold is of substantial importance and it is commonly used in drug discovery. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel phenytoine (a hydantoin derivative) with high yield by the reaction of phenytoin with 1-bromodecyl agent. Namely, 3-decyl-5,5- diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (3DDID). The optimized geometry of the compound was calculated using density functional theory (DFT) method by B3LYP with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. For this calculation, the X-ray data were used as initial values. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface and Frontier molecular orbitals (FOMs) were prepared for the compound. The crystal structure of the title compound contains intermolecular N-H···O, C-H···O hydrogen bonds and weak C-H···π interactions. Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots of the molecule aid comparison of intermolecular interactions and these analysis reveals that two close contacts are associated with intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The psychotropic activity evaluation of the synthesized compound was further explored using hole bored test for exploratory behaviors, dark//light box test for anxiolytic activity and Rota-road, traction, chimney testes were used to assess the myrelaxant effect. In addition, molecular modeling study was also conducted to rationalize the potential as neurotherapeutic drugs of our synthesized compound by predicting their binding modes, binding affinities and optimal orientation at the active site of the GABA-A receptor and Na⁺ channel. Finally, in silico ADMET predictions was also examined. HighlightsSynthesis, structural, and molecular characterization of a novel phenytoin derivative.DFT, XRD, and the Hirshfeld surface analysis of crystal structure was studied.Acute toxicity and psychotropic activity evaluation of 3-decyl-5,5 diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (3DDID).Molecular modeling studies have been conducted to rationalize the obtained data and to determine the probable binding mode.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The Potential of Parsley Polyphenols and Their Antioxidant Capacity to Help in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: An In Vivo Subacute Study

Depression and anxiety are major mental health problems in all parts of the world. These illnesses are associated with a number of risk factors, including oxidative stress. Psychotropic drugs of a chemical nature have demonstrated several side effects that elevated the impact of those illnesses. Faced with this situation, natural products appear to be a promising alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the Petroselinum sativum polyphenols in vivo, as well as its correlated antioxidant properties in vitro. Anxiolytic activity of the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) was evaluated using the open field and the light-dark chamber tests, while the antidepressant activity was evaluated using the forced swimming test. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical test and the FRAP (iron-reducing capacity) test. The phenolic extract showed very powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, especially at a dose of 100 mg/kg, decreasing the depressive behavior in mice (decreased immobility time) and also the anxiolytic behavior (tendency for discovery in the center and illuminated areas) better even than those of paroxetine and bromazepam (classic drugs) concomitant with those results the extract also showed an important antioxidant capacity. These preliminary results suggest that Petroselinum sativum exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant potential for use as a complement or independent phytomedicine to treat depression and anxiety.

Inhalation Administration of the Bicyclic Ethers 1,8- and 1,4-cineole Prevent Anxiety and Depressive-Like Behaviours in Mice

The anxiolytic and antidepressant-like activities of the naturally occurring monoterpene 1,8-cineole and its structural isomer 1,4-cineole were evaluated in mice via inhalation administration at doses ranging from 4 × 10-6 to 4 × 10-1 mg per 400 μL of triethyl citrate. Mice were tested for anxiety-like behaviours by using the light-dark box test (LDB) and marble-burying test (MBT) and for depression-like symptoms by using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Diazepam and fluoxetine were used as standard drugs for anxiolytic and antidepressant tests, respectively. The results showed that 1,8-cineole at 4 × 10-4 mg, and 1,4-cineole at 4 × 10-4 and 4 × 10-3 mg significantly increased the amount of time spent in the light box and the number of entries in the light box in the LDB as well as reduced the number of marbles buried in the MBT relative to those in the control, suggesting an anxiolytic effect. Similarly, 1,8-cineole at 4 × 10-4 and 4 × 10-2 mg and 1,4-cineole at doses of 4 × 10-4 to 4 × 10-2 mg significantly reduced immobility times in the FST and TST relative to those of the control, suggesting an antidepressant activity. The role of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor system in the anxiolytic effects of 1,8- and 1,4-cineole was investigated through co-administration of flumazenil, a GABAergic system antagonist. Flumazenil reversed the effects of diazepam and 1,8-cineole, suggesting that 1,8-cineole affects the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptors. Collectively, the results suggest that inhaled 1,8- and 1,4-cineole prevented anxiety and depressive-like symptoms in classic mice models.

Polyphenolic compositions and in vitro angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory properties of common green leafy vegetables: A comparative study

This study compared the phenolic compositions of common green leafy vegetable extracts from Vernonia amygdalina (VA), Telfairia occidentalis (TO), Talinium triangulare (TT), and Amaranthus hybridus (AH) and their effects on the angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and cisplatin-induced malonylaldehyde (MDA) production in an isolated rat kidney homogenate. HPLC confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds in the extracts. Furthermore, all extracts inhibited ACE activity dosedependently; however, the extract from VA exhibited the highest ACE activity while TT exhibited the least. Incubation of the kidney homogenate with 1mM cisplatin caused an increase in MDA production; however, all the extracts inhibited the level of MDA produced. Nevertheless, VA extract exhibited the highest inhibition. These activities of the vegetable extracts could be attributed to their phenolic compositions and may suggest some possible mechanism of the actions. However, VA appeared to be the most potent among the vegetables tested.

Evaluation of neuropharmacological effects of aqueous leaf extract of Albizia glaberrima (Leguminosae) in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Albizia glaberrima is a shrub found in the deciduous forest and jungle of the coastal plain of West Africa. Preparations of the plant are used traditionally in the treatment of fever, pain and central nervous system disorders, including epilepsy. This study was conducted to investigate the neuropharmacological effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Albizia glaberrima in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The hole-board, elevated plus-maze, thiopentone-induced sleep (anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotic), traction, climbing, inclined screen (muscle relaxant), strychnine-, picrotoxin- and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion (anticonvulsant) tests were employed in this study.

RESULTS

Albizia glaberrima extract at 200mg/kg significantly increased the duration of head dips (p<0.05) and number of open arms entry (p<0.01) compared with control in the hole-board and elevated plus-maze tests, respectively. At 400mg/kg, Albizia glaberrima extract significantly reduced the number of sectional crossings relative to control. The extract at 400mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) increased the duration of sleep compared with control in the thiopentone-induced hypnosis test. Albizia glaberrima extract at 200mg/kg and diazepam (5mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) increased the post-treatment climbing time and reduced the latency to slide down in the climbing and inclined screen tests, respectively. The extract was not effective in the strychnine-induced seizure model, while in the picrotoxin test Albizia glaberrima extract at 100mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced the duration of convulsion while reducing mortality at 400mg/kg, as was the case with diazepam (2mg/kg). The extract and diazepam significantly (p<0.01, 0.001) increased onset and reduced duration of convulsion, with significant level of protection against convulsion and reduction in mortality in the PTZ-induced seizure model. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of phenols>tannins>saponins>flavonoids. The extract was found to be relatively non-toxic when administered p.o. up to 5000mg/kg and the LD50 was 398.11mg/kg when administered i.p.

CONCLUSIONS

The aqueous leaf extract of Albizia glaberrima possesses dose-dependent anxiolytic/muscle relaxant (low dose) and sedative-hypnotic/anticonvulsant (high dose) activities possibly mediated via enhancement of GABAergic inhibitory actions.