Journal of Natural Remedies

S. B. Kasture , V. S. Kasture , C. T. Chopde

Abstract

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and gastrolesive properties of petroleum ether extract of Rubia cordifolia ischolar_mains. Materials and methods: Bioassay guided separation of petroleum ether extract was carried out to obtain a compound possessing anti-inflammatory activity. An active triterpene responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity was separated. The compound exhibited antiinflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced edema, cotton pellet granuloma and adjuvant-induced arthritis. The analgesic activity was studied using acetic acid induced writhing and radiant heat analgesiometer and antipyretic activity was assessed in yeast-induced hyperpyrexia in rats. The ulcerogenic potential was studied using pyloric ligated rats. Results: The compound possesses antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity and strong gastrolesive properties. Conclusion: The study justifies the use of Rubia cordifolia in the treatment of inflammation, pain and fever.

Keywords

Rubia Cordifolia, Antiinflammatory Activity

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S. Ambawade , V. Kasture , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Objective: To study anxiolytic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of ischolar_mains and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Materials and methods: Mice received varying doses (10-300mg/kg i.p.) of hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and anxiolytic activity was assessed using different paradigms like elevated plus maze, foot shock-induced aggression, and amphetamine-induced stereotypy. Diazepam or ondansetron served as standard anxiolytic agents. Results: In all the animal models of anxiety, lower doses of hydroalcoholic extract were more effective in alleviating anxiety. The extract and standard anxiolytic agents increased duration of occupancy of mice in open arm, increased latency to foot shockinduced aggression and reduced number of fighting bouts and delayed the onset of amphetamineinduced grooming, biting, sniffing and repetitive head movements. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of ischolar_mains and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra possesses anxiolytic activity.

Keywords

Glycyrrhiza Glabra, Anxiolytic Activity, Elevated Plus Maze, Amphetamine, Foot Shock

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V. D. Kakad , M. Mohan , V. S. Kasture , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Vitis vinifera (VVE) and methanolic fraction (MF) of methanolic extract on memory and behaviour mediated by monoamines. Methods: The effect of VVE and MF on memory was studied using Passive shock avoidance paradigm, Elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm and Object recognition test. The effect of extract on clonidine induced hypothermia, lithium induced head twitches, haloperidol induced catalepsy and sodium nitrite induced hypoxia was observed to study the behaviour mediated by noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine and Acetylcholine respectively. Scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg) was used to induce cognitive dysfunction. Piracetam (100 mg/kg) served as a standard nootropic drug. Results: Methanolic fraction (MF) of extract significantly (P<0.05) reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The VVE and MF exhibited significant (P<0.05) nootropic activity in all three models of memory. VVE and MF decreased lithium induced head twitches, modified haloperidol induced catalepsy and decreased percentage mortality induced by sodium nitrite. However, clonidine induced hypothermia was not modified. Conclusion: Thus, the raisins of Vitis vinifera contain bio-active principle(s) which possess prominent nootropic activity. It also modified 5-HT, DA and Ach mediated behaviour.

Keywords

Vitis vinifera, Nootropic, Noradrenaline, Serotonin, Dopamine, Acetylcholine

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M. Iyer , H. Belapurkar , O. Sherikar , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Objective : To study the anxiolytic activity of Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) seeds. Methods: Methanol extract (ME) and ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract (EAF) were assessed for their anxiolytic activity. The ME (30,100 mg/kg) and EAF (30, 100mg/kg) administered intra-peritoneally exhibited anxiolytic activity in elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm, Light/Dark apparatus (LDA) and Open field apparatus (OFA). Meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP, 1 mg/kg), a 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, known to induce anxiety was used to study antagonism with different doses of EAF and with diazepam. Results : In EPM, both ME and EAF increased the time spent in open arms and the number of entries in open arms. In Light: Dark apparatus, ME and EAF increased the time spent in lit zone. In OFA, the number of assisted rearing and the number of squares traversed were increased. Different doses of EAF (30,60,120,240,480 mg/kg ) also antagonized the effects of m-CPP( 1 mg/kg). The ED₅₀ value of EAF was found to be 48.97mg/kg. Conclusion : Thus, the seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum contain bioactive principle(s) which possess anxiolytic activity.

Keywords

Anxiolytic, Trigonella foenum-graecum, 1,3-Chlorophenylpiperazine

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S. S. Sadekar , V. B. Chauhan , R. L. Shirole , B. U. Salve , V. S. Kasture , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo on dopaminergic function. Methods: The effect of acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) was studied on haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice, amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior in rats and dopamineinduced contraction of isolated vas deferens preparation of rat. Results: The acetone soluble fraction of methanolic extract of V. negundo significantly potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy, antagonized dose dependent amphetamine- induced stereotyped behavior, and also antagonized dopamine-induced contractions of rat vas deferens. Conclusion: The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Vitex negundo possessed antidopaminergic principles.

Keywords

Antidopaminergic, Vitex negundo, Amphetamine, Haloperidol

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N. S. Gawale , S. C. Pal , V. S. Kasture , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Objective: To identify the fraction responsible for the nootropic activity of Butea monosperma and to correlate nootropic activity with monoamine and acetyl choline mediated behaviour. Materials and methods: The acetone soluble part of petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of dried flowers of Butea monosperma exhibited nootropic activity in the elevated plus maze paradigm and active avoidance learning. The effect of active fraction was observed on clonidine-induced hypothermia (noradrenaline mediated behaviour), haloperidol-induced catalepsy (dopamine mediated behaviour), lithium-induced head twitches (serotonin mediated behaviour) and sodium nitrate induce respiratory arrest (acetylcholine mediated behaviour). Results: The elevated plus maze paradigm indicated that the nootropic activity resides in the ethyl acetate (PEF) fraction of petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate fraction (AEF) and methanolic fraction (AMF) of alcoholic extract. These fractions reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The fractions influenced the monoamine-mediated behavior differentially. The approximate LD50 of PEF, AEF and AMF were estimated as 0.3g/kg, >5.0g/kg and 3g/kg i.p. respectively. Conclusion: The PEF, AEF and AMF exhibited significant nootropic activity had differential effect on the monoamine mediated behaviour indicating different modes of their nootropic activity. These fractions need to be investigated further to understand mechanism of their action.

Keywords

Butea Monosperma, Nootropic, Elevated Plus Maze, Hypothermia, Catalepsy, Head Twitches

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H. D. Une , S. C. Pal , V. S. Kasture , S. B. Kasture

Abstract

Albizzia lebbeck (Linn.) is an avenue tree commonly observed in many parts of India and is reported to possess a variety of pharmacological actions. This article reviews the phytochemical constituents present in different parts of the plant. The major therapeutic uses are also reviewed.

Keywords

Albizzia Lebbeck

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S. B. Kasture , V. S. Kasture , A. J. Joshua , A. Damodaran , A. Amit

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nootropic activity of BacoMind^TM, an enriched phytochemical composition from Bacopa monnieri, in different learning and memory paradigms viz., elevated plus maze, passive shock avoidance test and object recognition test. BacoMind^TM was administered for 7 days at the dose of 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg to mice in elevated plus maze and passive shock avoidance test and 27, 40 and 54 mg/kg to rats in object recognition test. Scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg) was used to induce amnesia and piracetam (100 mg/kg) served as reference standard. In elevated plus maze test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.01) increased the inflexion ratio in scopolamine treated mice. In passive shock avoidance test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.001) reduced the latency to reach the shock free zone and number of mistakes in 15 min in both normal as well as scopolamine treated mice. In object recognition test, BacoMind^TM significantly (p<0.001) increased the discrimination index in both normal as well as scopolamine treated rats. Thus, the findings of the present study revealed the nootropic activity of BacoMind^TM.

Keywords

, Bacopa monnieri, Nootropic Activity, Bacosides, Elevated Plus Maze, Passive Shock Avoidance Test, Object Recognition Test

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