Antihyperglycemic effect of Bridelia ndellensis ethanol extract and fractions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The effects of the ethanol extract (1.25 g/kg) and fractions (1 g/kg) of Bridelia ndellensis stem bark on the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced types 1 and 2 diabetic rats at different prandial states were studied. The ethanol extract of B. ndellensis had no hypoglycemic effect in type 1 diabetic rats in fasting and postprandial glucose load conditions and, in type 2 diabetic rats in fasting condition. However, the extract, and its ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions significantly lowered blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats when fed simultaneously with glucose. The active principles responsible for the antihyperglycaemic effect are concentrated in the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions of the extract

Evaluation of Hypericum androsaemum L. red fruit effects in a mouse model of post-stroke depression

Stroke is one of the most important cerebrovascular diseases, and is classified into two categories, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, with the latter causing infarction and brain injury during which alteration of antioxidant defenses and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause neuronal dysfunction and death.1 Oxidative stress thus plays a pivotal role for the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Indeed, depression is an important and frequent neuropsychiatric disorder occurring in stroke patients.2 Searching for medicinal plants endowed with antidepressant and antioxidant properties, thus potentially useful in the treatment of post-stroke depression, we focused our attention on Hypericum androsaemum L., an evergreen shrub growing in thermophilous woods and considered one of the most used traditional remedies in the genus Hypericum throughout the Mediterranean area.3,4 In particular, we assumed that the antioxidant potential of H. androsaemum berry-like fruits, previously demonstrated,3,4 may be helpful in treating the symptoms of post-stroke depression. For the purpose, a mouse model of post-stroke depression was used. Ischemic stroke was induced in mice by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and the antidepressive-like effects of two aqueous extracts of H. androsaemum red fruits at two doses (15 and 30 mg/kg bw i.p.) were evaluated by despair swimming test (DST) and tail suspension test (TST). Furthermore, the oxidative stress in mice brain was examined by measuring the TBARS, SOD, Cat and GSH levels. Finally, the content of ten bioactive compounds in the H. androsaemum red berry extracts was measured by HPLC-DAD analysis. Results showed that H. androsaemum red berry aqueous extracts reduced the overall symptoms of post-stroke depression, restoring near-normal behavior. Correlation between pharmacological results and the presence in the fruit extract of some bioactive compounds was discussed

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF BRIDELIA NDELLENSIS ETHANOL EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The effects of the ethanol extract (1.25 g/kg) and fractions (1 g/kg) of Bridelia ndellensis stem bark on the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced types 1 and 2 diabetic rats at different prandial states were studied. The ethanol extract of B. ndellensis had no hypoglycemic effect in type 1 diabetic rats in fasting and postprandial glucose load conditions and, in type 2 diabetic rats in fasting condition. However, the extract, and its ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions significantly lowered blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats when fed simultaneously with glucose. The active principles responsible for the antihyperglycaemic effect are concentrated in the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions of the extract

The water extract of tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum L.) red berries exerts antidepressive-like effects and in vivo antioxidant activity in a mouse model of post-stroke depression

Hypericum androsaemum L., commonly known as ‘tutsan’ or ‘shrubby St. John’s Wort’, is a member of the Hypericum genus found growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area and is cultivated extensively as an ornamental plant due to the showy color variation in its fresh berry-like capsules, which turn from red to shiny black as they ripen. Tutsan has also been used in Portuguese and Spanish folk medicine to treat depression. In this study, we assessed the beneficial role of the water extract of H. androsaemum red berries (WE) in an experimental animal model of post-stroke depression. WE was obtained by decoction of H. androsaemum red berries, and its content of ten bioactive compounds was determined through HPLC-DAD analysis. Behavioral tests were carried out using a mouse model of post stroke depression to examine the antidepressive-like activity of WE at two doses (15 and 30 mg/kg bw). In addition, the in vivo antioxidant activity in the mouse brain was evaluated by measuring CAT, GSH, and SOD activity and TBARS levels. WE contained significant amounts of shikimic acid (110.0 g/kg), chlorogenic acid (56.9 g/kg), catechin (5.8 g/kg) and hyperoside (2.7 g/kg). Overall, the highest dosage of WE was found to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression, restoring normal behaviour and reducing levels of oxidative stress by increasing endogenous antioxidant defenses. The protective effects of WE in post-stroke depression in a mouse model were demonstrated in vivo for the first time, and correlated with the antioxidant capacity of its bioactive constituents

The water extract of tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum L.) red berries exerts antidepressive-like effects and in vivo antioxidant activity in a mouse model of post-stroke depression

Hypericum androsaemum L., commonly known as 'tutsan' or 'shrubby St. John's Wort', is a member of the Hypericum genus found growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area and is cultivated extensively as an ornamental plant due to the showy color variation in its fresh berry-like capsules, which turn from red to shiny black as they ripen. Tutsan has also been used in Portuguese and Spanish folk medicine to treat depression. In this study, we assessed the beneficial role of the water extract of H. androsaemum red berries (WE) in an experimental animal model of post-stroke depression. WE was obtained by decoction of H. androsaemum red berries, and its content of ten bioactive compounds was determined through HPLC-DAD analysis. Behavioral tests were carried out using a mouse model of post stroke depression to examine the antidepressive-like activity of WE at two doses (15 and 30 mg/kg bw). In addition, the in vivo antioxidant activity in the mouse brain was evaluated by measuring CAT, GSH, and SOD activity and TBARS levels. WE contained significant amounts of shikimic acid (110.0 g/kg), chlorogenic acid (56.9 g/kg), catechin (5.8 g/kg) and hyperoside (2.7 g/kg). Overall, the highest dosage of WE was found to significantly reduce the symptoms of depression, restoring normal behaviour and reducing levels of oxidative stress by increasing endogenous antioxidant defenses. The protective effects of WE in post-stroke depression in a mouse model were demonstrated in vivo for the first time, and correlated with the antioxidant capacity of its bioactive constituents