Sachin Parmar

Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Lagenaria sicereria.

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) standley (LS) (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is an annual herbaceous climbing plant with a long history of traditional medicinal uses in many countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Since ancient times the climber has been known for its curative properties, and has been utilized for treatment of various ailments, including jaundice, diabetes, ulcer, piles, colitis, insanity, hypertension, congestive cardiac failure (CCF), and skin diseases. Its fruit pulp is used both as an emetic and purgative, and for its cooling, diuretic, antibilious, and pectoral properties. Boiled in oil this pulp is used to treat rheumatism and insomnia. A wide range of chemical compounds including sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, and saponins have been isolated from the species. Its extracts have been found to possess various pharmacological activities. Below, we give a comprehensive review of its ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological profile as a medicinal plant. Particular attention is given to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, and antibacterial effects so that its potential uses in pharmaceutics can be better evaluated.

Colocasia esculenta: A potent indigenous plant

Colocasia esculenta (CE) Linn. (Family: Araceae) is an annual herbaceous plant with a long history of usage in traditional medicine in several countries across the world, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. The herb has been known since ancient times for its curative properties and has been utilized for treatment of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis, diarrhea, internal hemorrhage, neurological disorders, and skin disorders. The juice of CE corm is widely used for treatment of body ache and baldness. A wide range of chemical compounds including flavonoids, β-sitosterol, and steroids have been isolated from this species. Extracts from this plant have been found to possess various pharmacological activities. This contribution provides a comprehensive review of its ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and the pharmacological profile as a medicinal plant. Particular attention has been given to analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hypolipidemic effects presented in this review in order to evaluate the potential use of this plant in pharmaceuticals.

Neuroprotective activity of Matricaria recutita against fluoride-induced stress in rats

Context: Oxidative stress plays a key role in pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and so on. Although Matricaria recutita L. (Asteraceae), German chamomile, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases, its antistress properties have received little attention. Objective: The present study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of German chamomile against aluminium fluoride (AlF4−)-induced oxidative stress in rats. Materials and methods: The Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (200–250 g) were selected and grouped as: group I received normal saline; group II received AlF4− (negative control); groups III, IV, and V received 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, orally, German chamomile methanol extract (GCME) along with AlF4−; and group VI received quercetin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) + AlF4−, respectively. After 10 days treatment with GCME, oxidative stress was induced by administering AlF4− through drinking water for 7 days. Then, the protective antioxidant enzyme levels were measured and the histopathological studies were carried out. Results: The GCME showed dose-dependent neuroprotective activity by significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and total thiol levels in extract-treated animals as compared with negative control group (P < 0.001). The histopathological studies also revealed the potent neuroprotective action of German chamomile against oxidative brain damage. Conclusion: The present study for the first time shows potent neuroprotective activity of the methanol extract of German chamomile against AlF4−-induced oxidative stress in rats.

Anticonvulsant activity of solasodine isolated from Solanum sisymbriifolium fruits in rodents.

Context: Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae), commonly known as sticky nightshade, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Although solasodine has been isolated from this plant, little is known about its anticonvulsant and CNS depressant actions. Objective: We investigated anticonvulsant and CNS depressant effects of solasodine isolated from S. sisymbriifolium using several experimental models. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice (n = 6) were employed for pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin (PCT)-induced convulsions and thiopental-induced sleep time. Different groups of Wistar albino rats (n = 6) were subjected to maximal electroshock (MES) test. Solasodine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid, was isolated from dried fruits of S. sisymbriifolium and identified by GC-MS. Results: The results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of solasodine (25 mg/kg) significantly delayed (p < 0.01) latency of hind limb tonic extensor (HLTE) phase in the PCT-induced convulsions. In the MES model, solasodine significantly reduced (p < 0.001) duration of HLTE at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p. in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, solasodine did not produce any significant reduction in PTZ-induced convulsions. Prior treatment of solasodine (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly potentiated thiopental-provoked sleep in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Our study, for the first time, shows potent anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities of solasodine. It is likely that solasodine, in part, is responsible for the anticonvulsant and sedative properties of S. sisymbriifolium. The future study should focus on the exact mechanism of action of solasodine.

Solasodine protects rat brain against ischemia/reperfusion injury through its antioxidant activity

Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The major limitation of stroke management is the lack of clinically effective therapy. Antioxidants have been demonstrated as potent neuroprotective agents by enhancing the defense mechanism(s), whereas reducing the oxidative stress in the ischemic stroke models. In the present study, we evaluated neuroprotective potential of solasodine, an antioxidant glycoalkaloid of Solanum species, against global model of ischemia in rats. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-injury produced marked elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased in experimental animals. Prior administration of solasodine (100 and 200mg/kg, p.o.) significantly heightened SOD, CAT, GSH and total thiols, whereas reduced LPO and NO levels in the brain. Interestingly, brain coronal sectioning and histopathology studies revealed a marked reversal of I/R-provoked neuronal damage in the solasodine treatment groups. Taken together, our study, for the first time, demonstrates neuroprotective potential of solasodine against global ischemia-induced cerebral injury in experimental rats. We propose that the neuroprotection offered by solasodine could be attributed, at least in part, to its anti-oxidant property.

Neuropharmacological activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta

Context: Although Colocasia esculenta Linn. (Araceae), commonly known as elephant ear (English), possesses diverse pharmacological activities in animals, little is known about its neuropharmacological activity. Objective: The present study evaluated the neuropharmacological activities of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta (HECE) using several experimental models. Materials and methods: Adult Wistar albino rats were subjected to behavior despair and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Thiopental-induced sedation and rotarod tests were conducted on Swiss albino mice. Results and discussion: The effects of HECE on anxiety, depression, thiopental-induced sleeping time, and rotarod performance were evaluated. The anxiolytic activity of HECE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) per os (p.o.) was characterized by increased time spent and number of entries in open arms in the EPM paradigm as compared to control group (p < 0.001). The HECE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose-dependent significant reduction in duration of immobility (p < 0.01) in the behavior despair test. The HECE at the doses 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. was found to produce a significant reduction in motor coordination (p < 0.001) and prolongation of thiopental-induced sleeping time (p < 0.001). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, β-sitosterol, and steroids. Conclusions: The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses neuropharmacological activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the neurobehavioral activity of the constituents from this plant.

Effect of methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley fruits on marble-burying behavior in mice: Implications for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Context: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common mental disorder and is diagnosed nearly as often as asthma and diabetes mellitus. Over the last decade, the inhibition of burying of glass marbles by mice has been used as an index of anti-OCD drug action in the so-called marble-burying test. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS), commonly known as “bottle gourd” (English), possesses several medicinal properties; little is known about its action as a nerve tonic. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the anti-OCD (anti-compulsive) activity of the methanolic extract of the fruits of L. siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS) using the marble-burying behavior in mice. Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted in specific animal models of Swiss albino mice to evaluate marble-burying behavior. Results and Conclusions: Intraperitonial administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg of LS extract significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the total number of buried marbles. The effect was comparable to that of the fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Fluoxetine and LS fruit extract do not produce any overt motor dysfunction. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of LS showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, sterols, proteins, tannins and carbohydrates. The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses anti-compulsive (anti-OCD) activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the mechanism of action of the constituents from this plant.

Ficus recemosa bark extract attenuates diabetic complications and oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Abstract Context Ficus recemosa Linn. (Moraceae) has been reported as a natural folk medicine with diverse pathological activities such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, renoprotective and cardioprotective. Objective The present study evaluates the preventive effect of standardised ethanol extract of F. racemosa stem bark (EEFSB) on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Materials and methods Animals were rendered diabetic by one time administration of STZ (45 mg kg−1, i.v.) and, after 7 d, diabetic rats were randomised into four groups of eight rats each. EEFSB (200 and 400 mg kg−1) was administered to diabetic rats once daily for 8 weeks. Furthermore, the presence of phytochemicals was evaluated by HPTLC. Results Treatment with EEFSB markedly restores the blood glucose and lipid level (p < 0.001), also reduced creatinine kinase (p < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001), collagen (p < 0.05) and albumin (p < 0.001) levels. Reduced level of sodium (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) in heart and kidney tissue along with enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001) and reduced glutathione (p < 0.001). Moreover, left ventricular hypertrophic index and cardiac hypertrophic index were markedly reduced by EEFSB treatment. Conclusion The findings of this study provided strong scientific evidence for the traditional use of F. racemosa and postulate protective effects against diabetes and its complications such as DC and DN.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta on marble-burying behavior in mice: Implications for obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract Context: Over the past decades, the inhibition of spontaneous burying of glass marbles by mice has been used as an index of anxiolytic drug action in the so-called marble-burying test. Although Colocasia esculenta Linn. (Araceae), commonly known as elephant ear (English), possesses several medicinal properties, little is known for its use in neurological activity. Objective: The current research evaluated the anti-obsessive–compulsive disorder (anti-compulsive) activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta (HECE) for the first time using the marble-burying behavior test in mice. Materials and methods: In the present study, the effect of HECE (25 and 50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) was examined using the marble-burying behavior test, which is an animal model of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), using Swiss albino mice. Results and discussion: The acute toxicity studies showed that the LD50 value of the HECE in mice was 1000 mg/kg by i.p. route. The effect of HECE (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was characterized by significant reduction in the number of buried marbles as compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The effect of HECE was comparable with that of fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) – a reference standard drug used in the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (p < 0.001). Fluoxetine and HECE do not produce any overt motor dysfunction. Conclusions: The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses anti-compulsive activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the anti-compulsive activity of the constituents from this plant.