Evaluation of anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity of Neolamarckia cadamba in mice

Objective: Evaluation of anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity of Neolamarckia cadamba in mice. Material & Method: The aqueous and methanolic extract of “Neolamarckia cadamba” and chose low medium and high doses for therapy. The behavioral consequences of an oral acute or subacute (10 days) treatment. Neolamarckia cadamba (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o) aqueous and methanolic stem bark extract assessed in male and female Swiss mice (EPM). Diazepam (1 mg/kg) will also be evaluated. Anti-anxiety drug testing in the lab. Results: Neolamarckia cadamba, acute oral toxicity was detected with different extracts (ENC & AQNC) having dose (5, 50, 300, 1000 mg/kg ) via the oral route, shows no change in behavioral responses and observation shows no acute oral toxicity. Hence depending upon it, Dose was selected 250 mg/kg & 500 mg/kg for our experimental work. Conclusion: Neolamarckia cadamba has both anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, which likely operate through BZD receptors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of Neolamarckia cadamba ethanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated in Swiss albino mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Both extracts (ANC & ENC) showed strong antidepressant and anxiolytic efficacy using TST and EPM parameters.

Phytochemical Investigation and Analgesic Activity of Stem Bark Extract of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn

Aims: The study is designed to isolate and charecterize the phytoconstituents, and screen for the analgesic activity of stem bark extracts of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn. Methodology: The cleaned, dried and powdered stem barks of Sapindus trifoliatus were subjected to extraction by maceration process. The concentrated ethanolic extract of stem bark on was further subjected to preliminary phytochemical studies. The fractionated extracts were then packed into column chromatography for the isolation of phytoconstituents and they were characterized by IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectroscopy.Acute toxicity was performed to establish the lethal dose of the extract and In vivo analgesic activity was performed by tail flick and acetic acid induced writhing methods in experimental animals. Results: Preliminary phytochemical studies showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates. Isolation of extracts led to give compounds like saponin glycoside, a steroid and triterpenoids. The extract was found to be safe up to 2000 mg kg bodyweight. Analgesic activity was found significant at level P = 05 when compared with control by tail flick and acetic acid induced writhing models in experimental animals. Conclusion: From ethanolic extract isolated a saponin glycoside,from petroleum ether stigmasterol and triterpenoids ursolic acid. The presence of saponin glycoside, triterpenoids, steroids might be responsible for the analgesic activity of the stem bark extract of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn.

Crude Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Its Fractions: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Antiplasmodial Activity

Malaria is a global problem, as treatment failure has hampered the efficacy of most anti-malarial medications. The goal of this study was to see if stem bark extract from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides had antiplasmodial properties that could be used to treat both susceptible and resistant parasites. The stem bark of Z. zanthoxyloides (500g) was crushed and extracted with ethanol. The extract was tested for antiplasmodial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-sensitive (CQS) strain NF54 and chloroquine-resistant strains (CQR) K1 of P. falciparum, as well as in vivo against the CQS(NK65) strain of P. berghei at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract was performed. The crude extract had an in vitro activity of 1076.4 56.4 and 1315.1 121.6 ng/ml against chloroquine sensitive and resistant parasites, respectively while standard drugs (chloroquine and artesunate) were 10.94 nM (3478.92 ng/ml) and 9.24 nM (3215.52ng/ml) for CQS and 310.68 nM (98796 ng/ml) and 10.94 nM (3650.52 ng/ml) for CQR respectively. At Day 7, mice treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw crude extract had parasite densities of 1159, 928, and 869 parasites/ µl, respectively (compared to positive control that had 123 parasites /µl). In vitro antiplasmodial activity was best in the K2, K4, and K6 fractions (IC50 were 6670, 6890, and 6480 ng/ml), but in vivo antiplasmodial activity was best in the K4 fraction (1183 parasites/ µl).The stem bark extract of Z. zanthoxyloides have remarkable antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine sensitive and drug resistant P. falciparum supporting it ethnomedicinal use in malaria treatment.The extract of Z. zanthoxyloides has promising antiplasmodial activity and could be used to generate therapeutic leads against the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum, in addition to providing an alternative allopathic antiplasmodial medication.

Inhibition of Lipid Accumulation and Adipokine Levels in Maturing Adipocytes by Bauhinia rufescens (Lam.) Stem Bark Extract Loaded Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles

The present study reports a cost-effective, environmentally friendly method to increase the bioavailability and bio-efficacy of B. rufescens stem bark extract in the biological system via functional modification as B. rufescens stem bark nanoparticles (BR-TO2-NPs). The biosynthesis of BR- -NPs was confirmed by UV-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction analyses. The shifts in FT-IR stretching vibrations of carboxylic and nitro groups (1615 cm−1), the O–H of phenolics or carboxylic acids (3405 cm−1), alkanes, and alkyne groups (2925 and 2224 cm−1) of the plant extract and lattice (455) indicated successful biosynthesis of BR- -NPs. Compared with the stem bark extract, 40 ng/dL dose of BR- -NPs led to a reduction in adipogenesis and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis-related gene expressions, adiponectin-R1, PPARγC1α, UCP-1, and PRDM16, in maturing-adipocytes. This confirmed the intracellular uptake, bioavailability, and bio-efficiency of BR-TiO2-NPs. The lipid-lowering capacity of BR-TiO2-NPs effectively inhibited the metabolic inflammation-related gene markers, IL-6, TNF-α, LTB4-R, and Nf-κb. Further, BR-TiO2-NPs stimulating mitochondrial thermogenesis capacity was proven by the significantly enhanced CREB-1 and AMPK protein levels in adipocytes. In conclusion, BR-TiO2-NPs effectively inhibited lipid accumulation and proinflammatory adipokine levels in maturing adipocytes; it may help to overcome obesity-associated comorbidities.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of Methanol stem bark extract of Cadaba farinosa (Forssk) in wistar rats.

The study focused on evaluating the toxicity profile of the methanol stem bark extract of Cadaba farinose (Forssk), considering possibilities of adverse effects arising from continual use of herbal plants especially in the management of long-term conditions. Cadaba farinosa is a slender shrub plant widely used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, inflammations, rheumatic pains and various infections including skin and intestine both in Africa and India. The acute toxicity study and sub-acute toxicity studies were carried out in Wistar rats using Lorkes Method (1983) and the OECD Guidelines 425. For the sub-acute toxicity studies, twenty rats weighing between 120 and 170g were randomly grouped into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (control) received 10ml/kg of distilled water and the others received doses of 40, 200 and 1000mg/kg p.o of extract for 28 days. The acute toxicity revealed no mortality or behavioural signs of toxicity in both phases up to 5000mg/kg. The haematological indices revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the WBC count, MCV and PLT of the groups that received 1000mg/kg of the extract after treatment for 28 days. The liver function test showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in AST and ALT. Renal indices showed a significant decrease in creatinine and a significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma Na+, K+ and Cl- ion concentration across the groups. Histopathological section of the spleen revealed follicular hyperplasia. The results suggest that the plant could be slightly toxic to the liver and the spleen on long-term use.

28 Days Sub Acute Toxicity Studies of the Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Combretum hypopilinum Diels (Combretacea) in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of Combretum hypopilinum stem bark extracted with Methanol (70%v/v). Preliminary Phytochemical screening of the crude methanol stem bark extract was carried out, and revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as steroids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Initial oral acute toxicity test was carried out using the Limit Dose Test to ascertain the safety of the extract in rats. Sub-acute toxicity testing was conducted by 28 days oral administration of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg body weight to three groups of ten rats. The fourth group was administered distilled water 10 ml/kg. No major changes were observed in body weight of the animals following 28 days of daily oral administration. Biochemical parameters such as Total Protein, Total Bilirubin, Creatinine, Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT), were found to be within normal ranges. The levels of marker enzymes in the vital organs did not show any significant changes between control and treated groups. Histopathological examination of the major vital organs (liver, brain, and kidney) revealed no significant pathological changes in the treated groups of rats. The results of the present work suggested that the methanol stem bark extract of Combretum hypopilinum is relatively safe for use at the tested doses.