Sedative and anxiolytic effects of the extracts of the leaves of Stachytarpheta cayennensis in mice

Hawaiian Plants with Beneficial Effects on Sleep, Anxiety, and Mood, etc

Diverse chemical messengers are responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the human body, for example, hormones and neurotransmitters. Various Hawaiian plant species produce compounds that exert effects on these messengers and the systems of which they are a part. The main purpose of this review article is to evaluate the potential effects of Hawaiian plants on reducing pain and anxiety and improving sleep and mood. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in SciFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database between 2019 and 2023 to identify related articles. Results indicate that several Hawaiian plant species, such as M. citrifolia and P. methysticum, have medicinal properties associated with these effects. These plants have been used in traditional Hawaiian cultural practices for centuries, suggesting their potential to benefit human health and well-being. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence concerning the potential impacts of Hawaiian plants on sleep, anxiety, mood, and pain.

Anti-asthmatic activity of standardized hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Rich.) Vahl in a murine model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Stachytarpheta cayennensis (Verbenaceae) has been used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effects of different doses of standardized hydro-ethanolic (SCH) and aqueous (SCA) extracts of aerial parts of S. cayennensis using a murine ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The major constituents of the plant extracts were identified and standardized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA solution and treated concomitantly by intraperitoneal injection of standardized SCH or SCA extracts at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg concentrations. OVA-challenged control animals were treated with either dexamethasone (OVA-DEX) or saline solution (OVA-SAL). After challenge, we assessed in vivo bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation (number of cells), peribronchial inflammation (histological analysis) and production of OVA-specific IgE and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 (ELISA).

RESULTS

Acteoside, isoacteoside, and ipolamiide were the major constituents of SCH and SCA. The respective concentrations of acteoside in SCH and SCA were 78 and 98 μg/mL, while those of ipolamiide were 30 and 19 μg/mL. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of SCH or SCA decreased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in lung homogenates. These reductions were accompanied by a lower influx of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) to the airways and lungs. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effects, administration of SCA, but not SCH, ameliorated the parameters of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decreased levels of circulating OVA-specific IgE.

CONCLUSION

The results presented herein demonstrate for the first time the anti-asthmatic activity of S. cayennensis extracts in a murine model, thereby supporting the ethnopharmacological uses of the plant.

Medicinal plants used in traditional Mayan medicine for the treatment of central nervous system disorders: An overview

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

For thousands of years, different cultural groups have used and transformed natural resources for medicinal purposes focused on psychological or neurological conditions. Some of these are recognized as central nervous system (CNS) disorders and diseases, whereas other ethnopsychiatric interpretations are explained in culture-specific terms. In traditional Mayan medicine, several herbs have been part of treatments and rituals focused on cultural and ethnomedical concepts.

AIM OF REVIEW

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the medicinal plants used in Mesoamerica by traditional healers and Mayan groups to CNS disorders and associate the traditional use with demonstrated pharmacological evidence to establish a solid foundation for directing future research.

METHODS

A systematic search for primary sources of plant use reports for traditional CNS-related remedies of Mesoamerica were obtained from library catalogs, thesis and scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar; and Science Direct), and entered in a database with data analyzed in terms of the usage frequency, use by ethnic groups, plant endemism, and pharmacological investigation.

RESULTS

A total of 155 plants used for ethnopsychiatric conditions in Mesoamerica by Mayan groups were found, encompassing 127 native species. Of these, only 49 native species have reported in vitro or in vivo pharmacological analyses. The most commonly reported ethnopsychiatric conditions are related to anxiety, depression, memory loss, epilepsy, and insomnia. The extent of the scientific evidence available to understand the pharmacological application for their use against CNS disorders varied between different plant species, with the most prominent evidence shown by Annona cherimola, Justicia pectoralis, J. spicigera, Mimosa pudica, Persea americana, Petiveria alliacea, Piper amalago, Psidium guajava, Tagetes erecta and T. lucida.

CONCLUSION

Available pharmacological data suggest that different plant species used in traditional Mayan medicine may target the CNS, mainly related to GABA, serotonin, acetylcholine, or neuroprotective pathways. However, more research is required, given the limited data regarding mechanism of action at the preclinical in vivo level, identification of active compounds, scarce number of clinical studies, and the dearth of peer-reviewed studies.

Sedative Effect and Standardization Parameters of Herbal Medicinal Product Obtained from the Ocimum americanum L. Herb

Sedative phytomedications continue to play an important role in the management of a considerable amount of anxiety symptoms because of the various side effects of synthetic sedatives and tranquilizers. However, developing new herbal drugs needs their appropriate quality control according to the relevant requirements. The aim of the study was to determine the sedative properties of the tinctures obtained from the American basil (Ocimum americanum L., Lamiaceae Martinov family) herb and to develop the standardization parameters for the promising herbal medicinal product. The open field test was used to evaluate the sedative effect of the prepared tinctures: (1) with the added of O. americanum essential oil (OATEs) and (2) without adding O. americanum essential oil (OAT). The standardization parameters for the OATEs were developed using validated High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods. The HPTLC analysis was used for the chromatographic fingerprints of polyphenols and for identifying linalool in the OATEs. The HPLC analysis found the significant content of rosmarinic acid (RA) (0.26%) in the OATEs. In conclusion, the developed OATEs can be considered as the new herbal medicinal product with significant sedative properties.

Anti-anxiety properties of selected medicinal plants

Exploration of new drugs targeting anxiety treatment is a major concern worldwide. Medicinal plants are being used as a potential source of novel drugs for anxiety disorders. The objective of this review is to provide information about the healing outcomes of anxiety treatment with natural products. Valeriana officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Commelina benghalensis, Achyranthes aspera, Mimosa pudica, Achillea millefolium, Nymphaea alba, Leonurus cardiac, Camellia sinensis, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Crataegus oxyacantha and Piper methysticum showed promising effects on anxiety in animal models. In clinical studies, passion flower, kava, valerian, St John's wort, and ashwagandha showed the most positive results. More studies are needed for the exploration of the anti-anxiety of medicinal plants. In drugs derived from natural sources have explored many components that are playing an essential role in curing anxiety disorders and associated complications.

Biochemical, hematological and histopathological evaluation of the toxicity potential of the leaf extract of Stachytarpheta cayennensis in rats

Background and Aim

The many pharmacological potentials of Stachytarpheta cayennensis (L.C. Rich) Vahl, especially in managing central nervous system disorders, hypertension, diabetes and infections, have made it a subject of abuse, necessitating the need to ascertain its safety. This study therefore investigated the toxic effects of the leaf extract of S. cayennensis in rats following acute and 28-day repeated doses in male and female rats.

Experimental procedure

Acute and repeated dose studies were conducted in male and female groups of rats (135–150 g), using OECD 423 and 407 Tests guidelines respectively. Functional observational battery, and body weights were monitored. Blood samples were analysed for haematological and plasma biochemical indices. Organs (brain, kidneys and liver) specimen were collected and weighed. Kidney and liver specimen were subjected to histopathological analysis.

Results and conclusion

The LD₅₀ of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg, p.o. (24 h) suggesting that the extract may be non-toxic. However, following single and repeated doses, the results revealed varying degree of significant (p < 0.05) changes in biochemical and heamatological indices, as well as in relative body weight and organ-body and organ-brain weight ratios. Also, histological assessment revealed evidence of liver and kidney toxicities and recovery was incomplete, as signs of toxicities were still evident after 21 days of recovery. Therefore, the extract is potentially harmful to vital organs with evidence of sex differential adverse effects and non-reversible forms of toxicity, especially with repeated usage, necessitating the need to avoid indiscriminate use.

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The leaf extract of Stachytarpheta cayennensis induced significant changes in rats weights.

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The extract caused varying significant changes in biochemical and hematological indices.

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Significant alteration in histoarchitecture of liver and kidney were observed.

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The observed toxic effects were persistent following period of recovery.

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The toxic effects are mostly sex dependent.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2013

This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.