Anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of extracts of Duchesnea Indica in animal models

THIS study was designed to investigate the anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of Duchesnea Indica. The methanolic extract and n-hexane fraction of plant were tested in albino mice (20-30 g of 6-8 week). Safety profile of each extract was determined at different doses. Anxiolytic effect of plant was determined by Elevated Plus Maze and Light and Dark Model at different doses of methanolic and n-hexane extract. Antidepressant activities were assisted by Tail Suspension and Forced Swim Model at different doses. Result illustrated that D. Indica had a significant (P < 0.05) potential of reducing anxiety and depression. The methanolic extract at 100 mg and 200 mg significantly increased the time spend in light region of light and dark model and more time spent in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model. n-hexane extract at dose of 5 mg and 10 mg/kg significantly increases the time spend in light region of Light and dark model and more time spend in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model as compare to Control group. Methanolic extract of D. Indica significantly reduced the time of immobility in Tail Suspension and Force Swim Model at Dose of 100 mg and 200mg/kg. n-hexane extract also exhibit anti-depressant effect by reducing the time of immobility in Force swim and tail suspension Model at 100 mg and 200mg/kg dose as compare to control group. From the above observations, it could be assumed that the plant has marked anxiolytic and antidepressant potential. However further additional studies will be necessary to determine the underlying exact mechanism and clinical uses.

Phytochemical study guided by the myorelaxant activity of the crude extract, fractions and constituent from stem bark of Hymenaea courbaril L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hymenaea courbaril L. (Caesalpinoideae) is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat anemia, kidney problems, sore throat and other dysfunctions of the respiratory system, such as bronchitis and asthma, although such properties are yet to be scientifically validated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In order to give a scientific basis to support the traditional use of Hymenaea courbaril, this study was designed to evaluate antioxidant, myorelaxant and anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract from stem bark and its fractions. The myorelaxant effect of astilbin, a flavonoid isolated from the bioactive ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), has also been evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the present study ethanol extract from stem bark (EEHC) and fractions were analyzed using bioassay-guided fractionation. The following activities were investigated: antioxidant by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, myorelaxant on rat tracheal smooth muscle, and anti-inflammatory using ovalbumin-induced leukocytosis and airway hyperresponsiveness in rats.

RESULTS

The results of the present investigation show that the whole extract of Hymenaea courbaril and some of its fractions strongly scavenged DPPH radical. The extract showed myorelaxant activity on rat trachea, being EAF its highest efficient fraction. Bio-guided study allowed the isolation of astilbin, a well-known flavonoid. The activity induced by this compound indicates that it may be partly responsible for the myorelaxant effect of EAF. EAF reduced contractions that depended on divalent cation inflow through voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCCs) or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (ROCCs), but it was more potent to inhibit VOCC- than ROCC-dependent contraction induced by Ca(2+) addition in ACh-enriched Ca(2+)-free medium. Oral pretreatment of antigen-challenged animals with EAF prevented airway hyperresponsiveness on KCl-induced contraction and reduced the number of total white cells, particularly eosinophils and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided scientific basis that Hymenaea courbaril presents potential antioxidant, myorelaxant and anti-inflammatory actions, which support its use in folk medicine to treat inflammatory airway diseases.