Anticonvulsant and Sedative Activity of Leaves of Senna spectabilis in Mice

Revealing the most effective anticonvulsant part of Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. Ex Cav. and its acute and sub-acute toxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Different parts of Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. Ex Cav. (M. arboreus) are traditionally used in the West Region of Cameroon to treat many diseases, including epilepsy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine which part of M. arboreus offers the best anticonvulsant effect, and to assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the part of interest.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

the anticonvulsant effect of the aqueous lyophilisate of the decoction of flowers, leaves, stems and roots of M. arboreus at various doses was evaluated and compared on the model of acute epileptic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (70 mg/kg), injected 1 h after oral administration of the various extracts. Out of these plant parts, the leaves were then selected to prepare the hydroethanolic extract and its anticonvulsant effect against PTZ at the doses of 122.5, 245 and 490 mg/kg, as well as its acute toxicity were compared with those of the aqueous lyophilisate of the leaves. The anticonvulsant effect of the aqueous lyophilisate of M. arboreus leaves was further evaluated on models of acute epileptic seizures induced by picrotoxin (PIC) (7.5 mg/kg), strychnine (STR) (2.5 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (350 mg/kg). The 28 days sub-acute toxicity, as well as the quantitative phytochemistry and the in vitro antioxidant potential (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS+) of the aqueous lyophilisate of the leaves of M. arboreus were also evaluated.

RESULTS

M. arboreus leaves showed the best anticonvulsant effect and the aqueous lyophilisate was the best extract. The latter significantly protected the animals against convulsions induced by PTZ (71.43%) (p < 0.01), PIC (57.14%) (p < 0.05) and STR (42%) and had no effect on pilocarpine-induced seizures. Furthermore, it showed no acute or sub-acute toxicity, and revealed a high content of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids, and antioxidant activity in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The aqueous lyophilisate of the leaves of M. arboreus offers the best anticonvulsant effect on the extraction solvent used, and it would act mainly via a potentiation of the inhibitory systems of the brain (GABA, Glycine). In addition, its richness in bioactive compounds gives it an antioxidant potential, and it is not toxic in acute and sub-acute toxicity. All this justifies at least in part its empirical uses, and makes M. arboreus a candidate for the alternative treatment of epilepsy.

Chemical Profiles and In Vitro Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of the Flower Extracts of Cassia spectabilis

Background

Cassia spectabilis is a flowering plant containing various metabolites that provide potential for pharmacological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the ethanolic and water extracts of C. spectabilis as cholinesterase inhibitor as one of the target treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The chemical composition of the extracts was also studied to determine which components are responsible for the bioactivity.

Methods

The cholinesterase inhibitory activity assay was carried out by the modified Ellman's method against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). LC-MS/MS analysis was carried out to investigate the chemical profiles of the extracts, followed by a molecular networking study by GNPS.

Results

Both extracts showed inhibition against AChE and BChE in a dose-dependent manner, with the higher potency exhibited by the ethanolic extract with IC50 values of 7.88 and 3.78 μg/mL. The chemical analysis and molecular networking study of the flower extracts revealed similarity between the ethanolic and water extracts. Piperidine alkaloids were identified in both extracts, while the sphingolipid compounds were found in the ethanolic extract.

Conclusion

The water and ethanolic extracts of C. spectabilis flowers displayed potency for Alzheimer's disease treatment. The presence of piperidine alkaloids in the extract may be responsible for the cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The higher potency of the ethanolic extract compared to the water extract is possibly due to the higher amount of piperidine alkaloids in the ethanolic extract. Further study is needed to quantify the concentration of alkaloids in the extracts.

Anticonvulsant effects of Senna spectabilis on seizures induced by chemicals and maximal electroshock

Senna spectabilis (Fabaceae) is one of the medicinal plants used in Cameroon by traditional healers to treat epilepsy, constipation, insomnia, anxiety. The present study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant effects of Senna spectabilis decoction on seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), pilocarpine (PC) and its possible action mechanisms in animal models using flumazenil (FLU), methyl-ß-carboline-3-carboxylate (BC) and bicuculline (BIC). Senna spectabilis decoction (106.5 and 213.0mg/kg) antagonized completely tonic-clonic hind limbs of mice induced by MES. The lowest plant dose (42.6mg/kg) provided 100% of protection against seizures induced by PTZ (70mg/kg). Administration of different doses of the plant decoction antagonized seizures induced by PC up to 75%, causing a dose dependent protection and reduced significantly the mortality rate induced by this convulsant. Both FLU and BC antagonize strongly the anticonvulsant effects of this plant and are unable to reverse totally diazepam or the plant decoction effects on inhibiting seizures. The animals did not present any sign of acute toxicity even at higher doses of the plant decoction. In conclusion, Senna spectabilis possesses an anticonvulsant activity. We showed that its decoction protects significantly mice against seizures induced by chemicals and MES, delays the onset time and reduces mortality rate in seizures-induced. It also appears that the oral administration of the decoction of S. spectabilis is more active than the intraperitoneal administration of the ethanolic extract on inhibiting seizures induced by MES and PTZ. Moreover, the plant decoction could interact with GABA_A complex receptor probably on the GABA and benzodiazepines sites.

(+)-Spectaline, a Piperidine Alkaloid from Senna spectabilis DC. Effective in Reducing the In Vitro Infection of Leishmania major

Senna spectabilisis known to have antimicrobial, laxative, antiulcerogenic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties in folk medicine. Piperidine alkaloids extracted from various parts of this plant have been shown to have anticonvulsant (iso-6-spectaline), antinociceptive [(-)-spectaline] and lipid peroxidation [(+)-3-O-feruloylcassine, (-)-spectaline and (-)-3-O-acetylspectaline] activities. In our study, the ethyl acetate extract fromS. spectabilisexhibited antileishmanial activity via intracellular promastigote assay or leishmanicidal assay and was further fractionated by using bioassay-guided isolation approach. The antiprotozoal principle was isolated from the ethyl acetate portion through solvent fractionation and a few series of chromatographic processes. The isolated active compound 1 was identified as (+)-spectaline on the basis of its spectral analysis (MS, 1D & 2D NMR) with EC50value of 0.063 ± 0.005 µM for antileishmanial activity and selectivity index of 3.76.

Alkaloids derived from flowers of Senna spectabilis, (-)-cassine and (-)-spectaline, have antiproliferative activity on HepG2 cells for inducing cell cycle arrest in G1/S transition through ERK inactivation and downregulation of cyclin D1 expression

Cancer is one of the most critical problems of public health in the world and one of the main challenges for medicine in this century. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed at advanced stage, when the treatment options are palliative. Consequently, the search for novel therapeutic options is imperative. In the context, the plants represent an important source for discovering of novel compounds with pharmacological potential including antineoplastic agents. Herein, we aimed to investigate in vitro antiproliferative and cytotoxic potentials of an alkaloid mixture derived from Senna spectabilis, (−)-cassine (1) and (−)-spectaline (2). These alkaloids reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner of six tumor cell lines. From initial screening, HepG2 cells were selected for further investigations. We show that alkaloids 1/2 have an important antiproliferative activity on HepG2 cells due to their ability in inducing cell cycle arrest in G1/S transition. This effect was associated to ERK inactivation and down-regulation of cyclin D1 expression. In addition, we evidenced a disruption of the microfilaments and microtubules in a consequence of the treatment. Taken together, the data showed by the first time that alkaloids 1/2 strongly inhibit cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Therefore, they represent promise antitumor compounds against liver cancer and should be considered for further anticancer in vivo studies.

Leishmanicidal activity of the crude extract, fractions and major piperidine alkaloids from the flowers of Senna spectabilis

Senna spectabilis (sin. Cassia excelsa, C. spectabilis) is an endemic tree of South America and Africa, very common in Brazil, where it is known as "canafistula-de-besouro" and "cassia-do-nordeste". In folk medicine, this plant is indicated for the treatment of constipation, insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, malaria, dysentery and headache. Phytopharmacological studies have also confirmed anticonvulsive, sedative, anti-malarial, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of many parts of S. spectabilis. In this communication, we present a comparative study of the leishmanicidal activity of the crude ethanolic extract, its fractions and also the two major alkaloidal metabolites (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline, trying to establish a relationship between the presence of piperidine alkaloidal constituents and leishmanicidal activity. The growth inhibitory effect of promastigote forms of Leishmania major was determined for the crude extract, fractions of the flowers of S. spectabilis and a mixture of (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline in comparison to pentamidine used as standard drug. The cytotoxic effects were assessed on macrophage strain J774 by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Fractions dichloromethane (FL-DCM) and n-butanol (FL-Bu) and a mixture of (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline (∼7:3) exhibited significant activity against the parasite Leishmania major (IC50 values of 0.6±0.1 μg/ml, 1.6±0.9 μg/ml and 24.9±1.4 μg/ml, respectively), without toxic effects on murine macrophages. Due to the promising results elicited, further studies in vivo need to be performed to confirm the therapeutic potential of Senna spectabilis.

Efficacy of Ocimum sanctum for relieving stress: a preclinical study

HISTORY AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the anxiolytic effects of Ocimum sanctum stress-induced anxiety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out using male albino rats (200 ± 50 gm), male albino mice (25 ± 100) the effect of O. sanctum evaluated for anxiety and depression using forced swim test FST and rotarod test.

RESULTS

Restraint stress (3 hours/day for six consecutive days) induced a significant reduction. It was significantly decreases the mobility period during stress. The standard deviation values are 14.4 and 9.26 and is statistically significant (p = 0.001). In rotarod test, (a) increased latency and (b) decreased ambulation and rearing were also reversed by O. sanctum. A significant increase in immobility period was observed in FST and TST after restraint stress. O. sanctum and C. sinensis significantly reduced the immobility times of rats in FST and TST.

CONCLUSION

Ocimum sanctum possess significant antistress activity but the magnitude and efficacy for relieving stress is less, when compare to standard anxiolytic agent, i.e. Alprazolam.

Cassia spectabilis (DC) Irwin et Barn: a promising traditional herb in health improvement

The genus Cassia, comprising about 600 species widely distributed worldwide is well known for its diverse biological and pharmacological properties. Cassia spectabilis (sin Senna spectabilis) (DC) Irwin et Barn (Fabaceae) is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. C. spectabilis has been commonly used in traditional medicine for many years. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated the presence of a variety of medicinally-important chemical constituents in C. spectabilis. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that C. spectabilis possesses significant biological activity, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal and antioxidant properties. Beside this, toxicity studies of this plant have revealed no toxic effect on mice. In view of the immense medicinal importance of C. spectabilis, this review aimed at compiling all currently available information on C. spectabilis’s botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and mechanism of actions, toxicology and its ethnomedicinal uses.