Phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of stem of Sarcostemma acidum

The current study was designed to assess the phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activities of ethanolic extract of stem of Sarcostemma acidum (EESA). The stem of Sarcostemma acidum was collected and extracted with 70% ethanol. The ethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening (Chemical and HPTLC), antioxidant (in-vitro), anti-stress (Mice model) and cerebroprotective activities (Cerebral ischemia model). EESA showed presence of flavonoids as primary phytoconstituents. EESA significantly reduced the immobility period in tail suspension trial and swimming endurance trial. EESA significantly reduced the TBARS levels (21.45±0.56; p<0.01) and augmented tissue antioxidants in cerebral ischemia model. The levels of MOA-A were reduced in the EESA treated animals (54.1±0.2; p<0.001) and cortisol levels also reduced in EESA treated animals (45.1±1.6; p<0.001). Histopathology also supported the biochemical parameters. The EESA effect was compared with reference standard diazepam and Ashwagandha. EESA showed significant antioxidant, anti-stress and cerebroprotective activities and the protective effect might be due to presence of flavonoids as phytoconstituents.

NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING, ANTI-STRESS ACTIVITY, AND TOXICITY STUDIES OF STANDARDIZED EXTRACT OF THE SEEDS OF CELASTRUS PANICULATUS WILLD

Objective: Celastrus paniculatus Willd, family Celastraceae is an important medicinal plant distributed all over India. Due to the presence of antioxidative polyphenols in C. paniculatus Willd have received much attention for health-promoting properties by scavenging the free radicals, the purpose of this study is to understand neuropharmacological, anti-stress activity, and toxicity studies of standardized seeds extract of “C. paniculatus Willd. Methods: The sun dried C. paniculatus Willd seeds were collected and extracted with ethanol by maceration. Then, the ethanolic extract was subjected to phytochemical screening. The acute toxicity of the ethanolic extract of C. paniculatus was observed as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline no. 423. Neuropharmacological and anti-stress effects were analyzed and evaluated by using physical stress models such as Swimming endurance test, Anoxic tolerance test, Tail suspension test (TST), and Elevated plus maze test. For this study, Swiss albino mice (20–30 g) were divided into five groups of six animals each. Distilled water administered as vehicle in control group and standard group received Withania somnifera (100 mg/kg) while C. paniculatus Willd ethanolic extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was given orally for 7 days. Results and Discussion: Change in immobility time in swim endurance, first clonic convulsion produced in anoxic tolerance test, immobility time in TST and open arms entry in elevated plus maze test was recorded as parameters. The ethanolic extracts of C. paniculatus Willd significantly reduces the immobility timing along with increases the swimming endurance time, and clonic convulsion timing in anoxic tolerance test in comparison of control group. In tail suspension significant decrease in immobility time and increased open arm entry in elevated plus maze were observed as compare to control group. Conclusion: C. paniculatus Willd has potential as a medicinal plant and it showed protective effect for the stress prevention as the alkaloids are present as main constituents.

Activity of Ethanol Extract of Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook in Increasing Swimming Endurance on Male Mice Using Natatory Exhaustion Method

The use of stamina-enhancing drugs is now increasingly widespread. Continuous use of stamina medication can cause side effects such as insomnia, feeling nervous and emotional. Therefore, it is necessary to look for effective drugs, relatively low side effects, and relatively cheap prices. One of them is to use natural materials such as Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook stems. This study is to find out the tonic effect extract ethanol of Tinospora crispa stem against male mice with the Natatory Exhaustion Method. This research is an experimental study with a posttest matched control group design. Tonic effect test experiments were conducted using the Natatory Exhaustion Method. Test animals as many as 25 mice were divided into 5 groups, group I, II, III has given Tinospora crispa stem ethanol extract (100,200 and 400 mg/kg body weight). Group IV was given 100 mg/kg body weight of caffeine (positive control) and group V given 25 mL/kg body weight of Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5 % (negative control). Test reserved per oral for 14 days. Test showing that administration 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of Tinospora crispa stem ethanol extract gave tonic effect on male mice. Mann-Whitney tests showed that the administration of Tinospora crispa stem ethanol extract doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight gave a tonic effect on male mice with significant value (p<0.05) compared to the administration of Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, administration of 400 mg/kg body weight extract ethanol of Tinospora crispa stem has a tonic effect on mice which differs noticeably with the administration of caffeine 100 mg/kg body weight with significant value (p<0.05). The present investigation revealed that Tinospora crispa stem ethanol extract shows tonic effect by increasing swimming endurance on male mice.

Anti stress activity of olea europaea

Stress and stressor-related disorders are the global illnesses. The immune system is thought to be strengthened by apoptogenic substances due to their ability of restoring normal body functions, which were imbalanced due to the presence of stressful conditions. The aim of study is to evaluate anti stress potential in ethanolic extract of () leaves on swimming endurance test in mice, cold and immobilization stress in rats. The effect was assessed by swimming survival time and estimation of biochemical parameter, weight of gland, organs, blood count in cold and immobilization stress at a dose 400 and 600 mg/kg per oral(p.o).The results demonstrated on comparison with stress models with leaf extract and Gerifort Syrup showing significant increase (p&#60;0.001) in swimming time, significant decrease (p&#60;0.001) in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), plasma cortisol and Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and also decrease in the weight of adrenal gland and organs weights. Blood cell count such as WBC, polymorphs and neutrophils significant decrease (p&#60;0.01) under physiological limits. It was experimentally compared to control and gerifort group. Thus, obtained results revealed that the leaf extract of have potential Anti-stress activity due to the existence of phenolic compounds, especially secoiridoids and iridoids and antioxidant molecules, such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, caffeic acid, and ligstroside proving its significant anti stress activity.

A Brief Review of Swimming Endurance and Chronic Stress Model for Evaluation of Adaptogenic activity

Stress is the disturbed homeostatic condition of the organism, and it is represented by non-specific response of the body to any demand imposed on it. Stress brings various changes in physiological condition of the organism, but various mechanism of the body will counteract to maintain homeostasis. In some situations, body’s adaptation to stress is like reward, which is responsible for improvement of body’s performance beyond its capacity. However if organism suffer strong acute or chronic stress, body is unable to maintain homeostasis. Under this condition, various types of diseases and disorders will develop, and even it may lead to death, if it is not managed at proper time. Hazardous stressful situation can be managed by using antistress agent or adaptogen. These agents improve physical and mental working capacity in severe stress circumstances. In different screening models for evaluation of adoptogenic activity, animals are challenged with acute or chronic stress conditions. Various stimulating, stress protective, tonic responses and biochemical markers were measured in evaluation of adoptogenic activity in these animal models.

Total saponins from Oplopanax elatus Nakai: An optimization study of the extraction process using response surface methodology and its psychopharmacological activities

Background: Oplopanax elatus Nakai is an ancient angiosperm plant member. It belongs to the Araliaceae family and has biological activities similar to those of Panax ginseng. However, the psychopharmacological effects of O. elatus Nakai have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study, we determined the optimal process for extracting total saponins and then screened the psychopharmacological activities of O. elatus Nakai extract (ONE).Methods: A three-level Box-Behnken design with 3 variables was used to evaluate the treatment variables that influenced the total saponin content (TSC) extracted from O. elatus Nakai. ONE was orally administered to mice and drosophila to evaluate its psychomotor, sedative-hypnotic, anti-stress, and anxiolytic effects.Results: The optimal variables for ethanol extraction were 60 min, 70% ethanol, 30 g/mL and 80 °C, and the total saponin yield reached 18.06±0.17%. Treatment with ONE extended cold swimming endurance time, reduced anxiety-like behaviour, decreased spontaneous locomotor activity, prolonged sleep duration, and ameliorated the sleep-wake rhythm. The ginseng extract (GE) is characterized by low-dose excitation and high-dose inhibition of the central nervous system.Conclusion: Some of the properties of ONE and GE were not identical, but ONE has potentially psychopharmacological activities.

Adrenal Gland Irradiation Causes Fatigue Accompanied by Reactive Changes in Cortisol Levels

Background: Fatigue is a complicated syndrome associated with multiple factors. The development of fatigue after incidental radiotherapy (RT) to the adrenal gland has been observed in clinical practice. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adrenal RT on fatigue and related physiological impacts.Methods: Three patients with inevitable RT to the adrenal gland were enrolled. Serum levels of cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured before, during, and after RT. Fatigue was scored according to the validated fatigue severity scale, and dosimetric parameters were collected. BALB/c mice were surgically explored for the identification of the left adrenal gland. Intra-operative RT was delivered with an electron beam. The swimming endurance test was applied for endurance assessment to represent fatigue. Plasma levels of stress hormones and histopathological features were examined.Results: In the enrolled patients, serum baseline cortisol levels declined after RT. Alterations in levels of morning cortisol and aldosterone showed a similar trend to baseline cortisol, whereas ACTH levels increased, indicating possible compensatory feedback from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In an experimental mouse model, RT to a unilateral adrenal gland decreased baseline cortisol levels and swimming endurance time. In the histopathological assessment, the irradiated adrenal glands showed characteristic RT injury features in the adrenal cortex.Conclusions: The preliminary clinical observation of fatigue development and characteristic hormone alterations indicated that the adrenal glands could be regarded as an organ at risk from RT adverse effects. This observation was supported by functional and histopathological evidence from an experimental animal model.

Role of purinergic signaling pathways in the adaptogenic-like activity of methyl jasmonate in rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress

ObjectivesPurinergic signaling pathway has been implicated in maladaptation of animals subjected to chronic stress. Previous studies have shown that methyl jasmonate (MJ) exhibited adaptogenic properties in mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) via antioxidant and neuroprotective-related mechanisms.MethodsThis study evaluated the role of purinergic system in adaptogenic-like activity of MJ. Male Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle (10 mL/kg) or MJ (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) 30 min prior exposure to UCMS. Thereafter, rats were assessed for swimming endurance in forced swim test (FST) and post-swimming motor coordination on beam walk test (BWT) apparatus. The rats’ brains were processed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine deaminase, and arginase quantification. Hematological parameters, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, and urea nitrogen were also determined.ResultsMJ prolonged swimming endurance time and reversed stress-induced post-swimming motor dysfunction. The altered hematological parameters induced by UCMS in rats were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated by MJ. MJ also reversed UCMS-induced alterations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels. MJ averted UCMS-induced alterations in purinergic system by decreasing ATP and ADP hydrolysis, adenosine deaminase, and arginase activities in rats’ brains.ConclusionsOverall, these findings further suggest that MJ has adaptogenic-like activity in rats exposed to UCMS, which may be related to modulation of the purinergic signaling pathway.