Preclinical evaluation of antidepressant activity of aqueous extract of Piper betle leaves in Swiss albino mice

Background: There is a growing demand for alternative medicines derived from indigenous plants having natural antioxidants and neuroprotective actions for the treatment of many behavioural disorders such as anxiety and depression. This study was designed to screen antidepressant activity of aqueous extract of Piper betle L. leaf (betel leaf) in Swiss albino mice.Methods: Swiss albino mice of both sexes weighing 25-30grams were used in the present study. Piper betle leaves aqueous extract (PBAE) was administered to the animals at a dose of 100, 200mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. On the 14th day, after 1 hour of PBAE administration, experiments on force swim test (FST) and tail suspension (TST) were carried out for studying the level of depression. In FST and TST, time of immobility was noted for a period of 5 minutes.Results: Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer’s multiple comparison test at P = 0.05. The results were represented as Mean±SE. PBAE at a dose of 100mg/kg has shown significant antidepressant activity, as evidenced by decrease in the immobility time in both the screening tests of depression.Conclusions: Present results demonstrated that PBAE possess potent antidepressant property. The exact mechanism(s) related to the active compound(s) in Piper betle leaf extract have to be elucidated in future studies

Antidepressant activity of Trigonella foenum leaves in Wistar albino rats

Background: To evaluate antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum in animal models.Methods: A total of 60 healthy male Wistar albino rats weighing 220-250 grams were used and they were divided into 10 groups of 6 rats in each. First five groups (1st -5th) were evaluated by Forced Swim Test (FST) and remaining by Tail Suspension Test (TST). 1st group (control) received normal saline 10 mg/kg, 2nd group (standard) Imipramine 10 mg/kg and 3rd, 4th and 5th groups (test) respectively received Trigonella foenum leaf ethanolic extract [TFEE] in different doses 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg/kg per orally for 14 days. They were evaluated for antidepressant activity using FST after 60 minutes of drug administration on 14th day. Similarly, remaining five groups (6th to 10th) received the same drugs and evaluated using TST after 60 minutes of drug administration. Duration of immobility was noted for six minutes for each rat.Results: One way ANOVA and Tukey Krammer test were used for statistical analysis. The immobility periods were expressed in mean±SD. The immobility period in FST were 207.16±28.7, 50.08±2.9, 46.14±1.2, 40.5±3.4 and 40.0±3.6 seconds respectively for control, standard and three test groups of TFEE (100/200/400 mg/kg). Similarly, immobility periods of 163.11±31.9, 125.03±11.2, 138.81±16.44, 138.16±12.65, 127.58±4.3 seconds were noted for TST for remaining six groups. It was found that TFEE possess statistically significant (p<0.05) antidepressant activity, as evidenced by decrease in the immobility time in both the tests when compared to control group.Conclusions: Present study results demonstrated that TFEE possess antidepressant property in experimental models of depression

Evaluation of antidepressant effect of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves on Wistar albino rats

Background: Depression is one of the common mental disorder prevalent worldwide. Use of herbal medicines in the treatment of depression is becoming popular because of adverse effects of existing non herbal drugs. In this study Psidium guajava leaf aqueous extract is screened for antidepressant activity in Wistar albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats of both sex were used. After performing acute toxicity study, dose of test drug was fixed to 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg. Test and standard drugs were administered for 10 days orally. Standard drug used was Imipramine. Antidepressant activity was assessed using forced swim test and tail suspension test.Results: Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer. Aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves showed significant antidepressant activity. Both Psidium guajava aqueous extract (PGAE)-100mg/kg and 200mg/kg showed antidepressant effect but compared to 100mg/kg dose of PGAE, 200mg/kg showed significant antidepressant activity.Conclusions: From this study it can be concluded that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves has antidepressant activity

Pharmacological evidence for the anticonvulsant activity of Tylophora indica in experimental animal models

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. The antiepileptic drugs currently used are unable to manage seizures effectively and are associated with numerous adverse drug effects. Hence, there is a necessity of a newer anticonvulsant drug with high therapeutic index profile. The objective of this pre-clinical research was to investigate the role of Tylophora indica on Maximal electric shock [MES] and Pentylene tetrazole [PTZ] provoked convulsions in Wistar albino rats.Methods: 36 Wistar albino rats were used for this study, after obtaining ethical clearance. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Tylophora indica [TIEE] (100 mg/kg, p.o) was used to screen the anticonvulsant effect on MES and PTZ provoked convulsions in Wistar albino rats. In MES seizures, inhibition of the tonic hind limb extension and in PTZ seizures, extent of convulsions was noted.Results: TIEE (100 mg/kg, p.o) significantly (p<0.001) blocked the hind limb extension due to MES. The same dose also significantly (p<0.001) lessened the extent of convulsions induced by PTZ.Conclusions: The data suggests that the ethanolic extract of Tylophora indica leaves produce its anticonvulsant effect via different mechanisms since it prevented the hind limb extension induced by MES and decreased the duration of convulsions produced by PTZ

Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of Tinospora cordifolia in cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Background: There is always a need for developing novel drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Though statins are generally well-tolerated drugs for hyperlipidemia with high efficacy they are not free from adverse effects. Herbal drugs are well known for their cost-effectiveness and minimal side effects. Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) is one such plant with known hypolipidemic activity and wide availability in India. Hence this study is an attempt to verify and evaluate the extent of efficacy of T. cordifolia as a hypolipidemic agent. The objective of the study is to compare the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia with that of Rosuvastatin in cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain in the first 30 days of feeding period and continued in the next 30 days of treatment period. Aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia (2.5 and 5g/kg, per oral) was administered as test drug in the treatment period. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg,      per oral) was used as the standard drug. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and body weights were estimated for all rats on the day before the start of the feeding period and on day 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment period. The results were analyzed statistically using student’s unpaired and paired t-test wherever applicable.Results: Serum lipid levels showed significant reduction (p <0.001) in TC,TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C with significant elevation (p <0.001) of HDL-C in both the rosuvastatin and test groups, but the percentage reduction in lipid levels, percentage elevation of HDL-C and percentage protection from atherosclerosis was higher in rosuvastatin group than in test groups.Conclusions: T.cordifolia has a definite hypolipidemic potential. Although its effectiveness is lesser than rosuvastatin its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent may be tested in clinical studies

Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of Tinospora cordifolia in cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Background: There is always a need for developing novel drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Though statins are generally well-tolerated drugs for hyperlipidemia with high efficacy they are not free from adverse effects. Herbal drugs are well known for their cost-effectiveness and minimal side effects. Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) is one such plant with known hypolipidemic activity and wide availability in India. Hence this study is an attempt to verify and evaluate the extent of efficacy of T. cordifolia as a hypolipidemic agent. The objective of the study is to compare the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia with that of Rosuvastatin in cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain in the first 30 days of feeding period and continued in the next 30 days of treatment period. Aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia (2.5 and 5g/kg, per oral) was administered as test drug in the treatment period. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg,      per oral) was used as the standard drug. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and body weights were estimated for all rats on the day before the start of the feeding period and on day 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment period. The results were analyzed statistically using student’s unpaired and paired t-test wherever applicable.Results: Serum lipid levels showed significant reduction (p <0.001) in TC,TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C with significant elevation (p <0.001) of HDL-C in both the rosuvastatin and test groups, but the percentage reduction in lipid levels, percentage elevation of HDL-C and percentage protection from atherosclerosis was higher in rosuvastatin group than in test groups.Conclusions: T.cordifolia has a definite hypolipidemic potential. Although its effectiveness is lesser than rosuvastatin its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent may be tested in clinical studies

Evaluation of analgesic activity of Toxicodendron radicans in animal model using wistar albino rats

Background: Pain forms an integral part of many clinical conditions management is of great importance in every field of medicine. The core of medicine is to preserve and restore patient’s health and to minimize their suffering. Toxicodendron radicans (rhus toxicodendron) is a homoeopathic remedy with anti-inflammatory activity used for various arthritic pain. Rhus toxicodendron is commonly used in skin, mucus membrane affections, pain in joints, tendons, rheumatism in cold season, cellulitis and infection, fever. During the recent exponential rise in the use of alternative medicines and increasing integration into the health service little research has been done on alternative medicine in the context in which it is practiced.Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. group 1 received control (normal saline), group 2 received vehicle (alcohol with distilled water in ratio 1:4), and group 3 received standard (diclofenac-10 mg/kg), group 4 and 5 consist of 2 test groups-rhus toxicodendron 30x and 200c respectively. Analgesic activity was assessed using Hot water tail immersion method and Eddy’s hot plate method. Preliminary pilot study was done with 4 doses rhus toxicodendron 6x, 12x, 30x, 200c respectively. Data was analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer multiple comparison test. P value <0.05 was considered as significant.Results: In Eddy’s hot plate method, rhus toxicodendron 30 showed increase in paw withdrawal time which was statistically very significant at the end of 1 hr compared to the control group whereas statistically rhus toxicodendron 200 showed extremely significant analgesic property. In hot water tail immersion method rhus toxicodendron 30 showed increase in tail withdrawal time at the end of 1hr compared to the control group which was significant statistically.Conclusions: This study shows that toxicodendron radicans homoeopathic formulations possess significant analgesic property

A study on anxiolytic activity and locomotor behavior of Curcuma amada rhizomes using Wistar albino rats

Background: Global burden of disease statistics indicate that 4 of 10 most important causes of disease worldwide are psychiatric in origin. Anxiety affects 1/8th of total population of the world and is a very important area of research interest in psychopharmacology. Medicinal plants and plant products are the oldest tried health-care products. Their importance is growing not only in developing countries but in many developed countries. Curcuma amada Roxb. (CA) commonly known as Mango Ginger is a rhizomatous aromatic herb which is used in this country for culinary purposes and also to treat various diseases. The rhizomes of Curcuma amada was screened for anxiolytic activity and locomotor behavior in Wistar albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups as control (Distilled water with 0.1% CMC), standard (Diazepam - 1mg/kg) and test - Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma amada Rhizome (EECAR-250 mg/kg). They were administered drugs orally for a period of 10 days, and screened for anxiolytic activity using Light dark arena model and Actophotometer for assessing the locomotor behavior on the 10th day. The number of crossings and time spent in light arena for anxiolytic activity, and the number of movements in Actophotometer was noted. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer multiple comparison test using GraphPad InStat software.Results: Curcuma amada (250mg/kg) showed increased time spent in light arena and decreased locomotor behavior which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Curcuma amada possesses significant anxiolytic with CNS depressant activity

Effect on anxiety of Coriandrum sativum leaf hydroethanolic extract oil and aqueous fraction in swiss albino mice

Background: Anxiety is a protective reflex and the most common disorder. This study was done to evaluate the effect of anxiolytic property of oil and aqueous fractions isolated from hydroethanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum leaf by novel freezing technique with swiss albino mice.Methods: Hydroethanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum leaves was prepared. Oil and aqueous part were separated with freezing technique. Animals were divided into six groups. Ist group served as control and 1% DMSO was administered orally. IInd to Vth group were administered with Coriandrum sativum oil fraction and Coriandrum sativum aqueous fraction at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg orally. VIth group was treated with diazepam 1mg/kg orally. After one hour of dosing, battery of test was done viz, elevated plus maze (EPM), light dark arena, photo actometer and rotarod.Results: One-way analysis variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for statistical analysis. Anxiolytic property was found to be in the following order diazepam>coriandrum sativum aqueous 800>coriandrum sativum aqueous 400>coriandrum sativum oil 800>coriandrum sativum oil 400 mg/kg. All the extracts were devoid of adverse effects of motor coordination.Conclusions: Coriandrum sativum leaf possesses anxiolytic effect. The aqueous fraction of the hydroethanolic extract of the Coriandrum sativum leaf was found to be potent and further analysis may lead to identification of active compounds. The findings that the extract is non-sedating anxiolytic and is of good safety index are promising

EFFECT OF GEMCITABINE ON FEMALE FERTILTY – AN ANIMAL MODEL STUDY

Background and objectives: Advances in cancer chemotherapy have led to improved survival rates and poses greater emphasis on preserving quality of life post-treatment. Gonadotoxicity is a well-recognized side effect of many cancer chemotherapeutic agents. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of gemcitabine, an antimetabolite anticancer drug, on oogenesis in Swiss albino mice and its reversibility. Methods: Thirty six inbred female Swiss albino mice in diestrous phase were selected and divided into three groups of twelve each. Groups were labelled as A, B and Control. Groups A and B received 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of gemcitabine intraperitoneally. The control group received saline intraperitoneally. At the end of two weeks 6 mice were sacrificed from each group and the rest at the end of 2 months.  Ovaries were studied histologically. Results: After 2 weeks, the ovaries of experimental group mice showed more number of atretic follicles as compared to control group (p&lt;0.01). The diameter of corpus lutea was more, though a reduction in number was recorded in experimental group (p&lt;0.05).  Whereas after 2 months, both the experimental groups showed no difference in terms of atretic follicles, diameter and number of corpus lutea (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that administration of gemcitabine may have profound effects on oogenesis and hence female fertility. This study also suggests that the effects are reversible. Keywords: Gemcitabine; Oogenesis; Swiss albino mice; atretic follicles; corpus luteum