Antioxidant, Analgesic and CNS Depressant Activities of Commelina diffusa Burm. f.

Commelina diffusa Burm. f. is a member of Commelinaceae family, which is widely grown in crop land and treated as a weed. This plant has several important medicinal properties which have not been studied extensively. In this study, the crude powder of C. diffusa whole plant was extracted with 95% ethanol and different solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) were prepared from the crude extract by solvent-solvent partitioning. All these plant samples were subjected to bioassays for evaluating the antioxidant, central analgesic, peripheral analgesic and CNS depressant activities. The crude extract and its methanol soluble fraction showed mild free DPPH scavenging property with IC50 values of 98.49- and 84.77-μg/ml, respectively as compared to the standard ascorbic acid (IC50 = 2.67 μg/ml). In the analgesic activity test, the n-hexane fraction of C. diffusa at doses of 200- and 400-mg/kg body weight exhibited significant (p<0.05) central analgesic activity (tail flick test) in mice. Similarly, all the test samples showed statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid. C. diffusa showed significant CNS depressant activity which was measured by ‘open field test’ and ‘hole cross test’. Considering the potential bioactivities, the plant materials can be further studied elaborately to explore the activities of the purified compounds to aid in future drug development. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(2): 159-166, 2021 (December)

CNS Depressant and Analgesic Activities of Thysanolaena maxima Roxb. Available in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, numerous tribal people of Chittagong Hill Tracts have been using different parts of Thysanolaena maxima Roxb. for many years. The present study was designed to investigate CNS depressant and analgesic activities of methanol extract of the aerial parts of the plant in mice models. CNS depressant activity of the crude extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated using open field, hole cross and thiopental-induced sleeping time tests using diazepam as the standard. Analgesic activity was determined using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests using diclofenac sodium as the standard. The extract showed dose dependent suppression of locomotion in open field and hole cross tests and exerted sedative action in thiopental induced sleeping time. In the open field and the hole-cross tests, maximum CNS depressant activity was observed at 90 min after administration of extract and the standard drug. The extract significantly induced the onset of sleep and prolonged the sleeping time in thiopental induced sleeping test compared to the control group. The extract produced significant (p < 0.05) analgesic activity by inhibiting writhing by 41.89% and 60.81%, at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, which was comparable to the inhibition of diclofenac sodium (73.64%). Additionally, in hot plate test, the extract exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in pain threshold in a dose dependent manner. The findings of the study are encouraging and demands further investigation of other bioactivities with isolation of pure compounds. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(2): 227-233, 2021 (December)

Central nervous system depressant activity of fractions of Globimetula braunii Engl. (Loranthaceae) growing on Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) and isolation of lupeol

Globimetula braunii is a parasitic plant belonging to the family Loranthaceae. Traditionally, the plant has been reported to be used in the treatment of insomnia. The study was carried out to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity of the fractions of Globimetula braunii growing on Terminalia catappa and to isolate the phytochemical compound(s) present in the most active fraction. The CNS depressant activity of all the fractions was investigated using diazepam induced sleep. The most active fraction was further subjected to the hole board test and beam walk assay. The chromatographic technique was used for the isolation of phytochemical compound. Hexane fraction significantly (p<0.05) reduced latency to sleep and prolonged the sleeping time. Both chloroform and ethylacetate fractions at highest and median doses showed significant increase in the duration of sleep compared to normal saline. The n-butanol fraction at all doses tested do not have any effect on time of onset and duration of sleep when compared with normal saline treated group. Hexane fraction significantly (p<0.05) decreased the number of head dip in a dose dependent manner and delayed the time to reach the goal box compared to normal saline treated group. Lupeol was isolated from n-hexane fraction.

Pharmacological evaluation for Anti-Anxiety and CNS depressant activity of hydro-alcoholic leaves extract of Pongamia pinnata

The aim of this study was to assess the anti-anxiety and CNS depressant properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of Pongamia pinnata leaves (HALEPP). Standard methods were used to screen the HALEPP's phytochemicals, which showed that the extract contains Flavones, alkaloids, glycosides, proteins and amino acids, gum and mucilage as well as flavonoids, saponins, and steroid hormones. Even at the dose level of 1000 mg/kg body weight, the HALEPP showed no signs of toxicity or mortality in the acute toxicity report. The anti-anxiety behaviour of was studied using light and dark model methods in rats. The CNS depressant action was studied using the extract and actophotometer (Rolex) in rats. The research group (HALEPP 200 gm/kg treated) animals displayed strong anti-anxiety and CNS depressant behaviour similar to the control group (diazepam treated) animals in the current study. The study's findings suggest that the hydro-alcoholic Pongamia pinnata leaf extract has strong anti-anxiety and CNS depressant properties. Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Anti-Anxiety & CNS depressant

Pharmacological Activity of Pyrazole Derivatives as an Anticonvulsant for Benefit against Epilepsy

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Pediatric patients with epilepsy are prone to cognitive impairments during growth and long-term use of most antiepileptic drugs (AED). The affected children do not respond to conventional AED and may require novel drugs to manage the disease. Valproic acid, a first-line drug to treat epilepsy, is associated with serious side effects, which precludes its wider use. Thus, in the present study, we intended to develop novel substituted pyrazoles. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The molecules were tested for anticonvulsive activity in Swiss albino mice via maximal electroshock seizure and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole assays. The most potent molecule among the class was further assayed for its effect on behavioral and CNS depressant activity. The effect of the most potent compounds was also analyzed on various indices of oxidative stress and inflammation in mice. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The designed compounds showed significant anticonvulsive activity in mice revealing 7h as the most potent anticonvulsive agent. The most potent anticonvulsant molecule 7h further showed no behavioral alteration and considerable CNS depressant activity. It also reduces the level of oxidative stress and inflammation in the mice. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study demonstrated utility of pyrazole derivatives as anticonvulsants against epilepsy.

A Review on Melocanna Baccifera

Young edible bamboo shoot (Muia in Kokborok-the third Official Language of Tripura, India) of Melocanna baccifera is widely used as a raw food ingredient of different dishes of Tribal of Tripura. Methanolic extract of Melocanna baccifera (MEMB) revealed the presence of different bioactive constituents like alkaloids, fixed oil, flavonoids, triterpinoids, glycosides carbohydrate, protein, and minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphate. Few pharmacological actions such as analgesic activity, antidiabetic activity and hepatoprotective activity along with antimicrobial activity also exhibited by methanolic extract of Melocanna baccifera. The extract also exhibited CNS depressant activity.

A Critical Review of Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Properties of Basella alba L.

Background: Basella alba L. (Baselaceae) is an ethnomedicinal herb and announced as an antiquated arrangement of medication, generally known as Chinese spinach, Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach, Vine spinach, and Malabar spinach. It is overall dispersed in tropical Asia however far reaching in Africa and parts of tropical America. Among five species, of which Basella alba and Basella rubra are significantly developed in Bangladesh. Phytochemical Investigations: The plant is an unimaginable wellspring of vitamin C, different minerals, follow components alongside flavonoids, carotenoids, saponins, numerous amino acids and natural acids. Pharmacological Properties: Different in-vitro and in-vivo pre-clinical trials revealed that the plant has rich restorative characteristics due to the presence of active constituents having enormous potential in cytotoxic and antibacterial actions, anti-inflammatory action, antiulcer action, wound healing properties, CNS depressant activity, antioxidant activity, androgenic action, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, wound healing properties and so forth. Close to these the plant is regularly significant for its numerous ethnomedicinal importance and are utilized to fix bilious vomiting, sexual asthenia, gonorrhoea, burns, cerebral pain, ulcers, looseness of the bowels, liver issue, digestive disorders, skin diseases, bleeding piles, pimples, urticaria, inflammation, anaemia, whooping cough, aphthae, leprosy, insomnia, and malignant growth. Conclusion: Subsequently, the current exertion is being secured to set up by talking about its essential survey on ethnomedicinal, morphological characteristic, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological assessments of this plant.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Thrombolytic and CNS-Depressant Activities of Three Medicinal Plants Available in Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to explore antimicrobial, thrombolytic and CNS-depressant activity of three medicinal plants Plumbago zeylanica, Trewia nudiflora and Aphanamixis polystachya available in Bangladesh. At room temperature, the plant parts were subjected to cold extraction with methanol, giving rise to concentrated methanolic extracts (MEF) followed by fractionation applying revised Kupchan partitioning procedure to obtain different soluble fractions namely to hexene fraction (HXF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), chloroform fraction (CLF) and aqueous fraction (AQF). To study the antimicrobial activity of these fractions, the disc diffusion method was used, where kenamycin was used as standard. Thrombolytic potential was determined by investigating clot rupture (% clot lysis) for this purpose streptokinase was employed as the positive control whereas water was the negative control. For the evaluation of CNS depressant activity, the open-field method was utilized and diazepam was chosen as the reference standard. Among the three plants, the crude methanolic fraction of P. zeylanica demonstrated good antimicrobial action over the majority of the bacterial strains assayed and the crude methanolic extract exhibited the maximum antimicrobial activity against S. aeruginosa (zone of inhibition was 23.46 ± 2.19 mm). The chloroform fraction of T. nudiflora showed the highest thrombolytic activity (43.45 ± 2.12% clot lysis). It was observed that the four extracts from the plants under investigation had CNS depressant activity. Particularly, the aqueous fraction of P. zeylanica (12.00 ± 0.913); n-hexane fraction of T. nudiflora (09.75±0.854) and A. polystachya (08.50 ± 0.645) demonstrated consistently significant CNS depressant activity, in terms of the number of squares crossed at 120 min; producing a prominent decrease in the measurement of movement.

The spontaneous motor activity of aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits in Swiss albino mice by actophotometer

Background: People spend about one third of their time in sleep every day. The various sedative and hypnotic medications used today have numerous side effects. In the late seventies a very little work was done on the Withania coagulans - a vulnerable species that is found scattered in the world. Therefore, it was essential to discover the CNS depressant activities of aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits in swiss albino mice by using actophotometer.Methods: The spontaneous locomotor activity was evaluated by using the actophotometer. The CNS depressant drugs decrease the locomotor activity in mice as they impair the motor coordination so that mice stay at one place for the longer time. Therefore, there is less disruption of the beams of light. This spontaneous locomotor activity time is statistically correlated among the control, standard and the test drugs.Results: There was statistically highly significant (p value <0.001) association observed between aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits with spontaneous locomotor activity in swiss albino mice on the actophotometer.Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits demonstrated the CNS depressant activity in swiss albino mice by actophotometer.

The Motor Coordination Activity Of Aqueous Extract Of Withania Coagulans Fruits In Swiss Albino Mice By Rota Rod Test

Background: The various sedative and hypnotic medications used today have the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. A very little work has been done on the Withania coagulans – a vulnerable species as it is not found rampant in the world except in late seventies. Therefore, it was important to explore the CNS depressant activities of aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits in Swiss albino mice by using rota rod test. Methods: Motor coordination was assessed by using the Rota Rod Test. The CNS depressant drugs decrease the endurance time of mice on the rota rod as they impair the motor coordination so that mice fall early on the rotating rod. This endurance time is statistically correlated among the control, standard and the test drugs. Results: There was statistically highly significant (p-value < 0.001) association observed between aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits with endurance time in Swiss albino mice on rota rod test. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Withania coagulans fruits demonstrated the CNS depressant activity in Swiss albino mice by rota rod test.