A New Gastroprotective Effect of Limonoid Compounds Xyloccensins X and Y from Xylocarpus Molluccensis in Rats

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Comparative evaluation of <i style="">Bacopa monniera</i> and <i style="">Panax quniquefolium</i> in experimental anxiety and depressive models in mice

306-313The present study was undertaken to compare medicinal plants against mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD) to evaluate their potency in combating MAD disorders. Previous studies from our lab have shown that Bacopa monniera (BM), and Panax quniquefolium (PQ) have significant adaptogenic properties. Hence, we have further confirmed their activity in stress related disorders like anxiety and depression in animal model, rodents and assessed their efficacy. In our experimental protocol, gross behaviour was observed through Digiscan animal activity monitor. Anxiety was studied through light dark test, elevated plus maze test and holeboard test. Depression experiments were conducted following tail suspension test and forced swim test. Further, rotarod test was also used to study any defects in motor in-coordination in mice. It was observed that BM at the dose of 80 mg/kg (po) and PQ at 100 mg/kg (po) were effective as an anti-anxiety as well anti-depressant activity and had no motor in-coordination in mice. Hence, these extracts can be used as a potent therapeutic agent in treating mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD)

Novel regioselective ester hydrolysis by pig-liver esterase

Pig-liver esterase, which catalyzed the hydrolysis of substrates containing both saturated and α,β-unsaturated/cyclopropanecarboxylic esters (methyl and ethyl), was studied. An exclusive hydrolysis of the saturated esters was observed. Kinetic experiments revealed that the presence of deactivated carbonyl in the unsaturated/cyclopropanecarboxylic esters and their weaker bindings are both responsible for the observed specificity. The relative binding abilities of the substrates have been explained in light of Jones active-site model. The regioselectivity has been exploited in the synthesis of intermediates for the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor

Anti-ulcerogenic and proton pump (H⁺, K⁺ ATPase) inhibitory activity of <i style="">Kolaviron </i>from<i style=""> Garcinia kola</i> Heckel in rodents

461-468Anti-ulcer potential and proton pump inhibitory activity of kolaviron (KV) isolated from Garcinia kola Heckel has been evaluated using different ulcer models. Cold-restraint (CRU), aspirin (ASP), alcohol (AL), pyloric ligation (PL) induced gastric ulcer models were used to assess&nbsp; anti-ulcerogenic activity of KV in rats. Effects of KV on gastric juice for free and total acidity, peptic activity and mucin secretion were also evaluated. The H+, K+-ATPase activity was assayed in gastric microsomes, spectrophotometrically. Results of this study showed that KV (200 mg/kg) reduced the incidence of ulcers in CRU (69.0%), PL (67.6%), ASP (68.6%) and AL (51.5%). Reductions were also observed in free acidity (32.6%), total acidity (56.2%) and peptic activity (35.4%) with increase in mucin secretion by 40.1%. KV inhibited the H+,K+-ATPase activity with IC50 of 43.8 g/ml compared with omeprazole with IC50 of 32.3 g/ml. KV showed both cyto-protective and anti-secretory potentials against peptic ulcer models, and a proton pump inhibitory activity. KV may emerge as a potent anti-ulcer compound

<i>In vivo</i> gastroprotective effect of xyloccensin-E and xyloccensin-I from <i>Xylocarpus molluccensis</i> in rats

<div><p>Anti-ulcer activities of xyloccensin-E and xyloccensin-I were investigated in various ulcer models in Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects and the mechanism of action of both compounds for anti-secretory and cytoprotective activities were also studied. Both these active molecules improved the depleted levels of mucin and consequently inhibited the formation of erosions in a pyloric ligated ulcer model. Furthermore, xyloccensin-E and xyloccensin-I inhibited H⁺K⁺-ATPase activity <i>in vitro</i> confirming their anti-secretory activity. In conclusion, xyloccensin-E and xyloccensin-I were found to possess anti-ulcerogenic activity which might be due to their anti-secretory activity and subsequent strengthening of the defensive mechanism.</p></div

Nature of stress: differential effects on brain acetylcholinesterase activity and memory in rats

Effect of acute, chronic-predictable and chronic-unpredictable stress on memory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was investigated in rats. The animals were subjected to 3 type of stressors - (1) acute immobilization stress, (2) chronic-predictable stress i.e., immobilization daily for 5 consecutive days and (3) chronic-unpredictable stress that included reversal of light/dark cycle, over-night fasting, forced-swimming, immobilization and forced exercise in random unpredictable manner daily for 5 consecutive days. Learning and memory function was studied by single trial Passive avoidance test. AChE activity was assayed spectrophotometrically in the detergent (DS) and salt (SS) soluble fractions in different brain regions. Learning was obtained in acute and chronic-predictable stress groups but not in chronic-unpredictable group. Acute, chronic-predictable and chronic-unpredictable stress caused significant decrease in AChE activity in the DS fraction of cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus as compared to control. Results indicate that AChE in DS fraction is predominantly affected in stressed and stressed-trained group but cognition is affected only by chronic-unpredictable stress. In acute and chronic-predictable groups the decreased AChE activity in the hippocampal DS fraction during learning may be responsible to maintain cognitive function by enhancing the cholinergic activity

<i>Desmodium gangeticum</i> : A potent anti-ulcer agent

517-521The present study was designed to investigate anti-ulcerogenic property of ethanolic extract of Desmodium gangeticum (DG) against cold restraint (CRU, 2 hr cold restraint stress), aspirin (ASP, 150 mg/kg orally), alcohol (AL, absolute alcohol 1m1/200gm) and pyloric ligation (PL, 4 hr pylorus ligation) induced gastric ulcer models in Sprague Dawley rats, and histamine (HST, 0.25 mg/kg) induced duodenal ulcer in guinea pigs. We found that DG at a dose of 200mg/kg, (orally), markedly decreased the incidence of ulcers in all the above models. DG showed significant protection against CRU (68.37%), AL (88.87%), ASP (38.2%), PL (40.63%) and HST (63.15%) induced ulcer models, whereas standard drug omeprazole (OMZ) showed protection index of 83.86, 56.35, 70.31 and 84.21%, respectively in CRU, ASP, PL and HST models. Sucralfate as standard drug showed 92.64% protection in AL model. DG significantly reduced acid secretion 41.61 %, whereas OMZ produced 43.13% reduction. Treatment with DG showed increase in mucin secretion by 56.17%, whereas OMZ showed 12.45% increase. Anti-ulcer effect of DG may be due to its cytoprotective effect along with antisecretory activity and could act as a potent therapeutic agent against peptic ulcer disease