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Anti depressant and antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus seeds
Abstract
Objective: Asparagus Racemosus has been referred in Indian traditional medicine system (Ayurveda) for treatment of various diseases. In the present study extracts of Asparagus Racemosusstudied for its anti depressant activity in animal models of depression and invitro antioxidant activity. Materials and methods: Methanolic extracts of complex product prepared from dried seeds of plant Asparagus Racemosus. In the present study, the antidepressant effect of Asparagus Racemosuswas examined using two behavioural models, the forced swim test (FST) in rats and tail suspension test (TST) in mice and one in vitro model such as estimation of Dopamine levels in rat brain. DPPH & Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity models were selected for antioxidant activity. Results: The In-vitro antioxidant studies such as DPPH activity and Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity shows the satisfactory results, the concentration of extract increases the percentage inhibition of DPPH and Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity also increases, so they shows the Dose dependent action. In Forced Swim Test & Tail Suspension Test demonstrate dadose dependant, statistically significant reduction in duration of immobility that was comparable to Imipramine (20mg/kg). Conclusion: The effect of 200mg/kg of Asparagus Racemosus was better than 20 mg/kg Imipramine. The effect of 100mg/kg of Asparagus Racemosus was significant when compared to vehicle treated group. In in-vitro study, Asparagus Racemosusin the doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg showed increased levels of Dopamine when compared to that of normal. Plant extract at dose of 200 mg/kg showed increased levels of Dopamine, which is nearly equal to that of Standard.
... Flavonoids are thought to be responsible for antidepressant action in experimental animal models. 16 ...
Depression is a heterogeneous mood disorder that has been classified and treated in a variety of ways. Despite the fact that a variety of synthetic medications are utilized as conventional treatment for clinically depressed patients, these drugs have side effects that can jeopardize the therapeutic outcome. In recent decades, there has been a rise in research and interest in the psychopharmacology of natural treatments. Thus, it’s worthwhile researching for antidepressants derived from plants that have a demonstrated effect and a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. By virtue of their medicinal constituents, a variety of medicinal plants and medicines produced from these plants have exhibited antidepressant properties. As a result, major pharmaceutical companies are currently researching plant materials extensively for their possible medical benefit. Depression is caused by low levels of monoamines such as noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, treatments that restore lowered levels of these monoamines in the brain by blocking monoamine oxidase or decreasing reuptake of these neurotransmitters could be beneficial in the treatment of depression. The current review focuses on medicinal plants and plant-based formulations that have been shown to have antidepressant effect in both animal and human studies.
... Histopathological studies were carried in all the groups. Estimation of Dopamine levels in rat brain is done by dopamine assay [6]. ...
Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest which stops you doing your normal activities. The present study is focused on the evaluation of Leaves of Catharanthus roseus extract as antidepressant and anti-oxidant and to scientifically validate the claim by in silico docking studies of natural compounds present in the extract for their respective sites against selected proteins. The preliminary phytochemical investigation of methanolic extract of leaves of Catharanthus roseus revealed the presence of bioactive compounds of which phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates and tannins were the most prominent. In vivo evaluation of antidepressant activity of the extract of Catharanthus roseus was carried out by using Forced swim test and Tail suspension test. Imipramine was used as standard. The animal brains were subjected for histopathological studies and brain dopamine levels were also estimated in FST model. In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity of the extract of Catharanthus roseus was carried out using Lipid peroxidation assay and Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Upon treatment with extract at 200 mg/kg. bd. wt, 400 mg/kg. bd. wt. & imipramine (5 mg/kg), the duration of immobility was found to be reduced when compared with the control group. Histopathological results clearly showed improvement in thickness of granule cell layer, increase in count of glial cells, no shrinkage of hippocampal volume and no visible atrophy was observed. This clearly shows that the extract possesses anti-depressant activity. Improved brain dopamine levels were observed in groups treated with extract and standard drug. The anti-oxidant results clearly showed the ability of the extract to scavenge the free radicals in both the assays. In the present study docking studies were performed for natural compounds present in the extract such as yohimbine, chlorogenic acid, catharanthine, kameferol, quercetin, vindolinine, gallic acid, serpentine, vindoline, lurasidone and standard drug imipramine against PDB ID: 5I6X, PDB ID: 4UH5, PDB ID: 1HD2, PDB ID: 1RVL using Schrödinger software. The statistical verification of the model was evaluated with PROCHEK; a structure verification program relies on Ramachandran plot which determines the quality of the predicted structures. The results revealed that yohimbine, chlorgenic acid, catharanthine, quercetin, vindolinine, lurasidone and standard drug imipramine had shown highest glide scores which indicates a stronger receptor-ligand binding affinity among the various phytochemical constituents present in the extract. From the above it is concluded that the extract possess anti-depressant and anti-oxidant activity.
... Several synthetic antidepressant drugs are available in pharmaceutical markets; however, their effectiveness is not satisfactory along with undesirable side effects such as dry mouth, hypotension, fatigue, sexual dysfunction and drowsiness as well as drug interactions as the major restrictions for the clinical utility. 5 People from different regions of the world have DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20200720 been used medicinal herbs to alleviate disorders for many years and the entrance of new herbal medicines in the pharmaceutical industry has been hot topics in the last decades. ...
Background: Depression is the most common disorder of mental illnesses and affects excess of 10-15% of population. According to the WHO reports, more than 350 million persons suffer from depression all over the world. The aim of present study is to evaluate anti-depressant activity of Punica granatum peel extract (PgPE) in albino mice.Methods: Male albino mice (20-30 g) were used. Animals were divided into 5 groups with 6 animals in each which were subjected to forced swim test. Group 1 is control, group 2 received (standard) imipramine 10 mg/kg, p.o, group 3 (T1) PgPE 50 mg/kg, p.o, group 4 (T2) PgPE 100 mg/kg, p.o, group 5 (T3) PgPE 200 mg/kg, at first animals were forced to swim for 15 min (trained), and the study was performed after 24 hrs. All the animals were treated with individual drug 60 min prior to study, animals were forced to swim for 6 min and the duration of immobility was recorded. The mouse was considered immobile when it floats motionlessly or made only those moments necessary to keep its head above the water surface. The total duration of immobility of each mouse was recorded after the test in each group.Results: The duration of immobility is significantly reduced at PgPE 200 mg/kg and results were analysed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Conclusions: PgPE 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreases the duration of immobility in mice.
... The methanolic extract of A. racemosus seeds demonstrated a decrease in immobility time in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice, which was comparable to imipramine, and increased the levels of dopamine in vitro. 27,28 Furthermore, it was found to significantly reduce brain monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B) levels as compared to control. 28 In a study focusing on finding the underlying mechanism of action, it was seen that methanolic extract significantly inhibited cholinesterase and MAO activities. ...
Asparagus racemosus a well-known female tonic species, a well-known home grown herb in India, that belong to the Asparagus genus of the Asparagaceae family. The Asparagus racemosus roots, stems, flowers and leaves are employed in herbal therapy, and also used as a food and nutraceutical supplement. Pharmacological and therapeutic research, phytochemistry of the Asparagus racemosus and its active components are presented in this overview. KEYWORDS- Asparagus racemosus, Asparagaceae, Pharmacology, Marketed formulations, Phytochemistry
This study is aimed to evaluate extraction capacity of different solvents through determining total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total saponin content, and an antioxidant assay of different solvent extracts (toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, water, 60% aqueous methanol, 60% aqueous ethanol and 60% aqueous acetone) of Asparagus racemosus (A. racemosus) root. The 60% aqueous methanol shows the highest extracting yield, in contrast, toluene shows the lowest yield. Highest total phenolic content (220.8±0.74mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (219.3±0.64mg QCE/g), total tannin content (108.4±0.88mg GAE/g) were found from acetone extract. The methanol extract showed the highest saponin content (579.4±2.85mg ESE/g). Antioxidant potential determines by using various in vitro methodologies such as DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assay. The lowest IC50 value was found in acetone extract and thus it exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. The highest correlation was found between phenolic content and the antioxidant assay. It seems that phenolic contents are responsible for free radicle scavenging activity. From the observation, it concluded that acetone extract rich with polyphenolic content and methanol extract shows the highest amount of saponin content.
The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Raw Fruit extracts of Muntingia calabura and Theobroma cacao. The antioxidant effectwere evaluated for Radical Scavenging activity using FRAP (Benzei and Strain, 1996) and CUPRAC assay with certain modifications (Apak et al., 2004). The raw fruits of Theobroma cacaoexhibited the highest Antioxidant activity with a Radical Scavenging effect of 90% at 100 g/ml. The raw fruits of Muntingia calaburaexhibited a Radical Scavenging Effect of 70% at the same concentration. Total phenolic content of the extracts of Muntingia calaburaand Theobroma cacaowere determined by Follins Ciocalteau method (Demray et al.,2009) with certain modifications. Positive correlations were found between Total Phenolic Content of the extracts and Antioxidant activity. The Phytochemical screening suggests that phenols and flavonoids of these extracts might provide a considerable Antioxidant potential. Addition of Muntingia calaburaand Theobroma cacaoin food will increase the Antioxidant content and may have a potential as a natural Antioxidant
The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Michelia champacca (Seed and Fruit) and Muntingia calabura (Raw Fruit) extracts. The antioxidant effect were evaluated for Radical Scavenging activity using FRAP(Benzei and Strain, 1996) and CUPRAC assay with certain modifications(Apak et al., 2004). The Chloroform extracts of Michelia champacca seed exhibited Highest Radical Scavenging Effect with 88.9% at 100g/ml.The Chloroform extract of Michelia champacca fruit exhibited significant Antioxidant activity with Scavenging effect of 80% and the raw fruits of Muntingia calabura exhibited a Radical Scavenging Effect of 70% at the same concentration. Total phenolic content of the extracts of Michelia champacca and Muntingia calabura were determined by Follins Ciocalteau method (Demray et al.,2009) with certain modifications. Positive correlations were found between Total Phenolic Content of the extracts and Antioxidant activity. The Phytochemical screening suggests that phenols and flavonoids of these extracts might provide a considerable Antioxidant potential. Addition of Michelia champacca and Muntingia calabura in food will increase the Antioxidant content and may have a potential as a natural Antioxidant.
The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-anxiety activity and anti-depressant activity of various extracts viz petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water, of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. duncan using elevated plus maze (EPM) model and forced swimming test (FST) respectively in swiss albino mice. Albino mice were treated with different doses of the extracts (i.e.100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally) and behavior was observed on the EPM and FST. Results showed that methanol extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg of the leaves of Citrus paradisi var. duncan markedly increased the average time spent in the open arms in EPM and methanol extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the time spent immobile by mice in FST. These results provide support for the potential anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of Citrus paradisi var. duncan.
To identify the protective effect of ethanolic extracts of Mucuna pruriens (EEMP) seeds against haloperidol induced tardive dyskinesia. The effects of ethanolic extracts of Mucuna pruriens was studied using in-vivo parameters like vacuous chewing movements, tongue protrusions, transfer latency in elevated plus maze. Biochemical parameters (SOD, CAT, GSH, Dopamine, glutamate, lipid peroxidation and total protein content) of the ethanolic extracts of mucuna pruriens were assessed at two dose levels (200 and 400mg/kg). Ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens at the dose level of 400mg/kg exerted significant protective effect against haloperidol induced tardive dyskinesia. Significant elevation of antioxidant enzymes levels was observed. The protective action of the extract could be due to its ability to increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes and suppress lipid peroxidation.
Background: Free radicals or highly reactive oxygen species are capable of inducing oxidative damage to human body. Antioxidants are the compounds which terminate the attack of reactive species and reduce the risk of diseases. Both Celtis timorensis and Vanda Spathulata are used in treatment of brain disorders in human and have almost similar effects.Objective: The study was conducted to determine the Antioxidant properties of two well known memory enhancer medicinal plants, Celtis timorensis and Vanda Spathulata.Results: The antioxidant activity of these two medicinal plants were evaluated by measuring reducing ability, free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and hydrogen peroxide methods. The antioxidant compounds like ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also evaluated in these plants. Celtis timorensis and Vanda Spathulata exhibited significant differences (P<0.05) in their antioxidant values. The methanolic extract of whole leaf powder of Celtis timorensis exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than the Vanda Spathulata. The antioxidant components viz. ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also found in a higher concentration in Celtis timorensis as compared to Vanda Spathulata.Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that regular use of Celtis timorensis as a supplement could be more helpful compared to Vanda Spathulata in treatment of neurological disorders caused by free radical damage.
A standardised 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Indian Hypericum perforatum (IHp) was investigated for its antidepressant activity on various experimental paradigms of depression, viz. behavioural despair (BD), learned helplessness (LH), tail suspension (TS) and reserpine-induced hypothermia (RIH) tests in rats and mice. Pilot studies indicated that single dose administration of IHp had very little or no acute behavioural effects, hence the IHp was administered orally at two dose levels (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for three consecutive days, while imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), a clinically used antidepressant agent, was administered acutely to rats (CF strain, 150 +/- 10 g) and mice (Wistar strain, 23 +/- 2 g) of either sex as the standard drug. Controls animals were treated similarly with equal volume of vehicle (0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose). Indian Hypericum perforatum extract showed significant antidepressant activity on all the paradigms of depression used. Thus IHp and imipramine treatments significantly reduced the immobility time in BD and TS tests. Significant reduction in escape failures was also observed in LH test. In RIH test IHp and imipramine inhibited reserpine induced hypothermia in a dose dependent manner. The observed antidepressant activity of IHp was qualitatively comparable to that induced by imipramine.
Xiaobuxin-Tang, a traditional Chinese herbal prescription recorded in a silk scroll unearthed from Mogao Caves of Dunhuang has been indicated that it can remit depressive disorder. The present study was designed to investigate its antidepressant effects in various animal depression models.
Xiaobuxin-Tang was extracted by 70% alcohol, and then three behavioral despair models and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (HTP)-induced head twitch response model were adopted to assess the antidepressant effects of the ethanolic extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang with the study on spontaneous motor activity. Groups of mice and rats received oral treatment with Xiaobuxin-Tang (150 - 1200 mg/kg) only once acutely in all tests. The duration of immobility was measured during the last 4 minutes of the 6-minutes test period in mice forced swimming test, rats forced swimming test and mice tail suspension test. In 5-HTP-induced head twitch response, the mice were intraperitoneally administered with 120 mg/kg of L-5-HTP, and then the cumulative number of head twitches was counted in 20 minutes. Spontaneous motor activities of mice were recorded automatically in 10 minutes by VIDEOMEX-V image analytic system.
The extract at doses of 300 mg/kg (p.o.) and 600 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in a dose dependent manner in mice forced swimming test; also, the extract at dose of 1200 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in rat forced swimming test. Furthermore, the extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg had the same effect in mice tail suspension test. Meanwhile, the extract at the effective doses for behavioral despair models, had no effect on spontaneous motor activity in mice. The extract (300 - 1200 mg/kg, p.o.) also increased the accumulative number of the 5-HTP-induced head twitch response in mice in 20 minutes.
Our results suggested that the ethanolic extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang exerts antidepressant-like effect.
Marsilea minuta Linn. (Marsileaceae) has been referred in Indian traditional medicine system (Ayurveda) for the treatment of insomnia and other mental disorders. Marsiline isolated from Marsilea minuta was reported to have sedative and anticonvulsant property. The ethanol extract of Marsilea minuta was standardised for marsiline (1.15%, w/w) and studied for its antidepressant activity.
Antidepressant activity was studied using forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), learned helplessness test (LHT) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) induced head twitches response in rodents. Standardised extract of Marsilea minuta in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day were administered orally for three consecutive days and evaluated on day 3, 1h after the last dose treatment. Imipramine (15 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was used as the standard drug. Neurochemical mechanism of antidepressant activity was elucidated by using radioligand receptor binding assays for 5-HT2A and benzodiazepine receptors in rat frontal cortex.
Immobility time in FST and TST was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by ethanol extract of Marsilea minuta treated animals. A decrease in number of escape failures in LHT was also observed in Marsilea minuta treated rats. Head twitch response induced by 5-HTP was significantly attenuated by Marsilea minuta (400 mg/kg, p.o.) and imipramine showing the involvement of serotonergic system. This effect was corroborated with radioligand receptor binding study where Marsilea minuta (400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.05) down regulated 5-HT2A receptor in frontal cortex, whereas, no marked effect was observed for benzodiazepine receptor.
The antidepressant effect exhibited by Marsilea minuta extract may be due to its effect on 5-HT2A density in rat frontal cortex.
This review article draws the attention to the many species of plants possessing activity on the central nervous system (CNS) In fact, they cover the whole spectrum of central activity such as psychoanaleptic, psycholeptic and psychodysleptic effects, and several of these plants are currently used in therapeutics to treat human ailments. Among the psychoanaleptic (stimulant) plants, those utilized by human beings to reduce body weight [Ephedra spp (Ma Huang), Paullinia spp (guarana), Catha edulis Forssk (khat)] and plants used to improve general health conditions (plant adaptogens) were scrutinized. Many species of hallucinogenic (psychodysleptic) plants are used by humans throughout the world to achieve states of mind distortions; among those, a few have been used for therapeutic purposes, such as Cannabis sativa L., Tabernanthe iboga Baill and the mixture of Psychotria viridis Ruiz and Pav and Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V Morton Plants showing central psycholeptic activities, such as analgesic or anxiolytic actions (Passiflora incarnata L., Valeriana spp and Piper methysticum G Forst.), were also analysed. Finally, the use of crude or semipurified extracts of such plants instead of the active substances seemingly responsible for their therapeutic effect is discussed. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
India representing over a sixth of the world's population is a popular venue for clinical trials, including those of psychotropic agents. In this commentary, we have focused on the rating scales employed to assess major depressive disorder, especially the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in the Indian clinical setting. The prominence given to somatic symptoms in the HAM-D scale may be appropriate for the less "westernized" Indian patients who do not speak English fluently, while the MADRS with more emphasis on cognitive symptoms may be better suited for the urban and westernized Indian subjects. Research into the prevalence of "persecutory ideation" or "fearful mood" or "decreased interest in religious activity" should be undertaken to determine if some of the individual items enquired in these scales require change and/or modification. Finally, even though these are observer rated scales, translations into various Indian languages will likely result in improved quality and validity of clinical trials of major depressive disorder conducted in India. This commentary may be relevant to other non-English speaking populations as well.
In the present work, we studied the effects of piplartine (PIP), an amide alkaloid isolated from the roots of Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae), in the elevated plus maze, open field, rota rod, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, and forced swimming tests, in mice (Swiss, male, 25 g) to assess anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant and antidepressant effects, respectively. Results showed that PIP (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.), similarly to diazepam, significantly increased not only the number of entrances (100% and 66%, respectively) but also the time of permanence in the open arms (104% and 199%, respectively), indicating that PIP presents an anxiolytic activity. Both effects were completely blocked by the previous administration of flumazenil what suggests the involvement of benzodiazepine type receptors. In the open field test, although PIP did not alter the number of crossings, it significantly increased grooming (103% and 119%) and rearing (60% and 23%), at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively, as compared to controls. However, in the rota rod test, PIP was devoid of effect. Although in the PTZ-induced convulsion test, PIP did not alter the latency time for the onset of the first convulsion, as compared to controls, it significantly reduced in 58% and 60%, respectively, the animal's latency time to death. Furthermore, a significant and dose-dependent decrease in the immobility time, as evaluated by the forced swimming test, was observed after PIP administration (41% and 75% decrease, at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively), suggesting an antidepressant effect, similarly to that observed with imipramine, a classical antidepressant drug used as standard. In conclusion, we showed that PIP presents significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activities, making this drug potentially useful in anxiety and depression.
In the present work, we studied the effect of laetispicine, an amide alkaloid isolated from the stems of Piper laetispicum (Piperaceae), in forced swimming, open field, acetic acid writhing and formalin tests in KM mice to assess antidepressant and antinociceptive effects. A significant and dose-dependent decrease in the immobility time, as evaluated by the forced swimming test, was observed after laetispicine administration (38.18, 39.79, 58.77 and 67.28% decreased at the doses of 5, 10, 20, 40mg/kg, respectively), suggesting an antidepressant effect. Furthermore, in the open field test, laetispicine at the given doses did not alter the number of crossings and rearing, as compared to controls. Results from writhing and formalin tests showed that laetispicine reduced the number of writhing in mice in a dose-dependent manner, attenuated the licking and spiting time of the injected paw in the first phase of formalin test. The antinociceptive effect of laetispicine was not affected by pre-treatment (i.p.) with naloxone (2mg/kg). In conclusion, we showed that laetispicine possessed significant antidepressant and antinociceptive properties, making this drug potentially useful in depression and pain.
Recent clinical and experimental data showed the involvement of reactive oxygen species/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in many human pathophysiological conditions. Antioxidant activity of the aqueous (ARA) and ethanolic extracts (ARE) of Asparagus racemosus (AR) root were evaluated in a series of in vitro assays including ROS generation in chemicals and biological model systems. The dose-dependent ARA and ARE extracts showed the scavenging activity against DPPH (IC50 = 60.7 and 52.5 microg/ml), nitric oxide (IC50 = 141.9 and 63.4 microg/ml), superoxide (IC50 = 221 and 89.4 microg/ml), hydroxyl (IC50 = 318.7 and 208.8 microg/ml) and ABTS.+ (IC50 = 134.5 and 71.9 microg/ml) radicals. The antioxidant capacity of ARA and ARE were assessed for their reducing power using FRAP (Ferric Reducing antioxidant power) and potassium ferricyanide reducing methods as well as free radical scavenging capacity by TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) method. ARA and ARE extracts were also found to be effective at suppressing lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+/ascorbate system in rat liver mitochondrial preparation (IC50 = 511.7 and 309.2 microg/ml, respectively). Further, ARA and ARE root extracts significantly decreased (P < 0.05) copper-mediated human LDL oxidation by prolongation of lag phase time with decline in oxidation rate, maximal yield of conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde concentrations. The addition of ARA and ARE root extracts to human serum significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the formation of lipid peroxidation in medium. Trolox, alpha-tocopherol and mannitol were tested similarly to compare their antioxidant activities. In conclusion, antioxidant activity of ARE as compared to ARA extract is more effective which act as hydrogen donors, metal ion chelators, reducing agents, radical scavengers and anti-lipid peroxidative. These effects are attributed to the high amount of lipophilic phenolics content of ARE root extract.
Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant with established antidepressant properties. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of this antidepressant with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a group of standard antidepressants. For this purpose, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies comparing efficacy and/or tolerability of Hypericum with SSRIs in the management of major depressive disorder (MDD). The search terms were: “Hypericum” or “St. John's wort” and “fluoxetine”, “paroxetine”, “citalopram”, “serteraline”, “escitalopram”, or “fluvoxamine”. Data were collected from 1966 to 2008 (up to June). “Clinical response”, “remission”, “mean reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) score from baseline”, “total adverse events”, and “withdrawals due to adverse events” were the key outcomes of interest.
Asparagus racemosus Linn. (AR) is an Ayurvedic rasayana used as an adaptogen. Adaptogenic drugs are those which are useful as anti-stress agents by promoting non-specific resistance of the body. Although, the adaptogenic effect of AR is well documented, its use in psychological disorders like depression is not scientifically evaluated. Hence, the present investigation evaluates the antidepressant effect of methanolic extract of roots of AR (MAR) standardized to saponins (62.2% w/w). Rats were given MAR in the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily for 7 days and then subjected to forced swim test (FST) and learned helplessness test (LH). The results show that MAR decreases immobility in FST and increases avoidance response in LH indicating antidepressant activity. In behavioral experiments, MAR increased the number of head twitches produced by 5-HTP and increased clonidine-induced aggressive behavior indicating facilitatory effect on both serotonergic and adrenergic systems respectively. However, MAR had insignificant effect on l-DOPA-induced aggressive behavior indicating absence of activity on dopaminergic system. MAR also reversed changes to the endogenous antioxidant system induced by FST. Thus, MAR has significant antidepressant activity and this effect is probably mediated through the serotonergic and the noradrenergic systems and augmentation of antioxidant defenses.
On the basis of the intensive psychotherapy of about 40 depressed patients over the course of two decades, the authors describe three premorbid types of depressive personality: 1) one based on a "dominant other" relationship, 2) one based on a "dominant goal," and 3) one that is a form of character structure or personality disorder. They also describe typical childhood experiences of depressive adults and discuss their theory of the nature of depression as a human experience. They characterize depression as a limitation of alternate ways of thinking and as self-inhibition from new experiences.
Rodent models of clinical depression are extensively used for the evaluation of putative antidepressants. In the present review, the available experimental methods which can be utilized by most laboratories involved in preclinical screening of antidepressants, have been discussed. The methods have been categorized on the basis of induction of the depressive state or on the assumption that monoamine deficiency leads to depression. These methods have been critically validated in terms of efficacy of standard antidepressants in these tests and, in some cases, by the neurochemical basis of depression, namely, the deficient monoaminergic theory of clinical depression.
The frontal cortex (FCX) plays a key role in processes that control mood, cognition and motor behaviour, functions which are compromised in depression, schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. In this regard, there is considerable evidence that a perturbation of monoaminergic input to the FCX is involved in the pathogenesis of these states. Correspondingly, the modulation of monoaminergic transmission in the FCX and other corticolimbic structures plays an important role in the actions of antipsychotic and antidepressant agents. In order to further understand the significance of monoaminergic systems in psychiatric disorders and their treatment, it is essential to characterize mechanisms underlying their modulation. Within this framework, the present commentary focuses on our electrophysiological and dialysis analyses of the complex and reciprocal pattern of auto- and heteroreceptor mediated control of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission in the FCX. The delineation of such interactions provides a framework for an interpretation of the influence of diverse classes of antidepressant agent upon extracellular levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in FCX. Moreover, it also generates important insights into strategies for the potential improvement in the therapeutic profiles of antidepressant agents.
Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Scrophulariaceae) is a commonly used Ayurvedic drug for mental disorders. The standardized extract was reported earlier to have significant anti-oxidant effect, anxiolytic activity and improve memory retention in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, the standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (bacoside A - 38.0+/-0.9) was investigated for potential antidepressant activity in rodent models of depression. The effect was compared with the standard antidepressant drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip). The extract when given in the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg, orally once daily for 5 days was found to have significant antidepressant activity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression and was comparable to that of imipramine.
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. A. racemosus has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases and certain infectious diseases. However, no scientific proof justifying aforementioned uses of root extract of A. racemosus is available so far. Recently few reports are available demonstrating beneficial effects of alcoholic and water extracts of the root of A. racemosus in some clinical conditions and experimentally induced diseases, e.g. galactogogue effect, antihepatotoxic and immunomodulatory activities. The present article includes the detailed exploration of pharmacological properties of the root extract of A. racemosus reported so far.
Extracts of Hypericum perforatum are becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, despite the lack of consensus on their efficacy. Although the mechanism(s) of this action are still debated, several components, including the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, the acylphloroglucinol hyperforin and some flavonols, are believed to play major roles in the antidepressant-like effects. Some of these also increase the expression of the P-glycoprotein transporter and others the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes, possibly contributing to the interactions involving the extracts and conventional drugs. However, few pharmacokinetic studies of naphthodianthrones and hyperforin have appeared and none has yet evaluated the exposure to unchanged quercetin and its glycosides after intake of extracts. There are no formal pharmacokinetic studies in special populations. Bioavailability appears low, giving variable steady-state plasma concentrations, whose prediction may be complicated by non-linearity for hypericin and hyperforin. Data on tissue distribution are scarce, and it appears that hypericin and hyperforin do not reach the central nervous system in appreciable concentrations in animals. Clearance is low-intermediate, with little or no unchanged compounds excreted with urine. Although some potentially active conjugated metabolites have been identified for quercetin and its glycosides after intake of authentic compounds or flavonol-rich foods, these too have been characterised little with regard to their pharmacokinetics and central activities. Thus, further pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of the main components and their metabolites are urgently needed to clarify the role of each constituent and provide more rational and safe regimens for people preferring "natural" drugs.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of an n-hexane extract of Myristica fragrans seeds on depression in mice by using the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). M. fragrans extract (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered orally for 3 successive days to different groups of Swiss male young albino mice. M. fragrans extract significantly decreased immobility periods of mice in both the FST and the TST. The 10 mg/kg dose was found to be most potent, as indicated by the greatest decrease in the immobility period compared with the control. Furthermore, this dose of the extract was found to have comparable potency to imipramine (15 mg/kg i.p.) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg i.p.). The extract did not have a significant effect on locomotor activity of mice. Prazosin (62.5 microg/kg i.p.; an alpha (1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), sulpiride (50 mg/kg i.p.; a selective D(2) receptor antagonist), and p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg i.p.; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) significantly attenuated the M. fragrans extract-induced antidepressant-like effect in the TST. Thus, extract of M. fragrans elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice, when assessed in both the TST and the FST. The antidepressant-like effect of the extract seems to be mediated by interaction with the adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems.
Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae), among other uses, is popularly employed for the treatment of depression. In this study, the antidepressant-like effect of the hexanic extract from leaves of S. molle was investigated in the mouse tail suspension test (TST), a predictive model of depression. The immobility time in the TST was significantly reduced by the extract (dose range 30-600 mg/kg, p.o.), without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in an open-field test. The efficacy of extract was found to be comparable to that of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, p.o.). The anti-immobility effect of the extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA, 100 mg/kg, i.p., an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis, for four consecutive days), NAN-190 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), ketanserin (5 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist), MDL72222 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist), prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c., a D(1) receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., a D(2) receptor antagonist). It may be concluded that the hexanic extract of S. molle produces an antidepressant-like effect that seems to be dependent on its interaction with the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. These results provide evidence that the extract from S. molle shares with established antidepressants some pharmacological effects, at least at a preclinical level.
Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Asparagaceae) is an important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical India. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the Indian and British Pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Asparagus racemosus is mainly known for its phytoestrogenic properties. With an increasing realization that hormone replacement therapy with synthetic oestrogens is neither as safe nor as effective as previously envisaged, the interest in plant-derived oestrogens has increased tremendously making Asparagus racemosus particularly important. The plant has been shown to aid in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and in alcohol abstinence-induced withdrawal symptoms. In Ayurveda, Asparagus racemosus has been described as a rasayana herb and has been used extensively as an adaptogen to increase the non-specific resistance of organisms against a variety of stresses. Besides use in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, the plant also has potent antioxidant, immunostimulant, anti-dyspepsia and antitussive effects. Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus racemosus is constantly on the rise; however, the supply is rather erratic and inadequate. Destructive harvesting, combined with habitat destruction in the form of deforestation has aggravated the problem. The plant is now considered 'endangered' in its natural habitat. Therefore, the need for conservation of this plant is crucial. This article aims to evaluate the biological activities, pharmacological applications and clinical studies of Asparagus racemosus in an attempt to provide a direction for further research. Keeping in mind the fact that it is the active principle that imparts medicinal value to a plant; consistency in quality and quantity needs to be maintained to ensure uniform drug efficacy. Also, deliberate or inadvertent adulteration needs to be dealt with at an early stage. To overcome these prevalent problems, the availability of genetically superior and uniform planting material is essential. This can be obtained by a combination of various biotechnological tools involving chemoprofiling, tissue culture and use of molecular markers. Along with the application of these methods, proper agro-techniques and adequate marketing opportunities would encourage cultivation of Asparagus racemosus and thereby contribute to its conservation. There are also several gaps in the existing literature with regard to the pharmacological actions of Asparagus racemosus. These include an incomplete understanding about the interaction/synergy between Asparagus racemosus and other plant constituents in polyherbal formulations; lack of information regarding the mode of action of the various constituents of Asparagus racemosus, etc. Consequently, we have suggested a 'systems biology' approach that includes metabolite profiling, metabolic fingerprinting, metabolite target analysis and metabonomics to enable further research.