Isolation of anxiolytic principle from ethanolic root extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum

Cardiospermum halicacabum roots have been used traditionally for the treatment of epilepsy and anxiety disorders. The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative phytoconstituents present in the ethanolic root extract having anxiolytic activity using an elevated plus-maze (EPM) and light dark transition model. Control mice were orally treated with an equal volume of vehicle (4% gum acacia), and positive control mice were treated with diazepam (1mg/kg). In the EPM test, out of pool of 19 master fractions (MF) only MF-14, 16 and 17 significantly (30mg/kg, p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001) increased the number of entries in the open arm. MF-14, 16 and 17 (10, 20 and 30mg/kg) had also increased the time spent by mice in illuminated part of the box significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001), as compared to control. However, significant changes (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001) were recorded in other parameters, e.g., rearing, time spent in the closed arm and dark zone in both the models. These results suggested that C. halicacabum root is an effective anxiolytic agent. The phytoconstituent responsible for the observed central effects was isolated from MF-14 and identified as well-known compound, Cardiospermin, a cyanogenic glucoside.

Oviposition deterrent activity from the ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium leaves against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefaciatus

Mosquitoes are responsible for spread of many diseases than any other group of arthropods. Diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and chikunguinya are real threat to mankind. In the present study, ethanolic extracts of leaves of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium were evaluated for oviposition deterrent activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The oviposition deterrent tests of ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium leaves reduced egg laying by 97.62%, 77.3%, 100% against Aedes aegypti and 59.10%, 39.22%, 82% against Culex quinquefasciatus at higher concentration (0.1%).

Analgesic and antipyretic effects of Capparis zeylanica leaves

The ethanol and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica leaves showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05) increases in pain threshold in tail-immersion test. Moreover, both the extracts (100-200 mg/kg) exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of writhing and also showed a significant (P<0.001) inhibition of both phases of the formalin pain test. The water extract (200 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) reversed yeast-induced fever. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, proteins and carbohydrates.

Immunostimulant effects of Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaves

The present study was undertaken to explore the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica Linn. (family: Capparidaceae) leaves on neutrophil adhesion test, humoral response to sheep red blood cells, delayed-type hypersensitivity, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Pre-treatment of water extract (300 mg/kg, oral) of Capparis zeylanica evoked a significant increase in neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibres. The augmentation of humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells by ethanolic and water extracts (150-300 mg/kg) is evidenced by increase in antibody titres in mice. A dose-related increase in both primary and secondary antibody titre was observed. Oral administration of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica leaves, at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg in mice, dose dependently potentiated the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells. Immunomodulatory activity was also assessed by serological and haematological tests. Capparis zeylanica extracts prevented myelosuppression in mice treated with cyclophosphamide drug. The study comprised the acute toxicity and preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol and water extracts.