The study assessed the in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of an ethanol (70%) extract of Momordica tuberosa Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae) (TMT) tubers in experimentally induced liver damage by paracetamol (2 g/kg, po.) in albino rats. The degree of protection was ascertained by estimating the levels of biochemical markers like SGPT, SGOT, bilirubin (total and direct), ALP, and triglycerides. Tissue GSH and lipid peroxidation were also determined. The ethanol (70%) extract of tubers in an oral administration of 20 and 40 mg/kg doses produced significant protection by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides and tissue lipid peroxidation, while it increased tissue GSH at 40 mg/kg dose. The effects of the extract were comparable to the standard drug silymarin (100 mg/kg). Results suggested that an ethanol (70%) extract of the tubers of the plant at 40 mg/kg possesses potential hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage and significant antioxidant activity in rats.

Aim:The aim of this study is to find out the anti-Alzheimer’s activity of isolated karanjin and embelin.Materials and Methods:Karanjin isolated from Pongamia pinnata (L.) pierre and embelin from Embelia ribes Burm.f. and their purity was confirmed by ultraviolet spectrophotometric and Thin layer chromatography based study. Anti-Alzheimer’s activity of isolated compounds were evaluated through elevated plus maze and Morris water maze model on Swiss albino mice. Diazepam (1 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) was used for the induction of Alzheimer’s like effects (amnesia) on Swiss albino mice and piracetam (200 mg/kg body weight, oral) used as a standard treatment.Results:In EPM, embelin and karanjin decrease the transfer latency time in dose dependent manner and escape latency time in MWM method. A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in amnesia with an anti-Alzheimer’s effect found when results of isolated compounds were compared with standard and vehicle control. Diazepam (1 mg/kg) treated group showed significant increase in escape latency and transfer latency when compared with vehicle control; which indicates impairment in learning and memory.Conclusion:Both isolated compounds and standard significantly reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam and improved learning and memory of mice in dose and time dependent manner. This study supports the ethnobotanical use of these two plants in India for the management of nerve or brain related problems.