The ethanol extracts of the roots of T. cordfolia Miers and C. asialica Linn were observed to induce a marked protective action against an 8 h restraint stress induced ulcerization, the activity being comparable to that of diazepam.Keywords: Tinospora cordifolia Miers; Centella asiatica Linn; restraint-stress; antiulcer; antistress.
INTRODUCTIONIndia has a long tradition of Ayurvedic medical practice, wherein apart from the curative aspects of treatment, the restorative and rejuvenative aspects of health are emphasized. A number of plant drugs are categorized as rasayans, which are used to prevent or treat diseases through the restoration of a healthy balance of life forces and an integrated relationship to the environment (Sharma, 1978). This drug induced state of nonspecifically increased resistance against aversive stimuli has been termed an adaptogenic property and the drugs which are used to achieve this state are collectively known as adaptogens (Brekman and Dardymov, 1969). The recent approach of 'pro-host therapy' (Hadden, 1982), in which drugs like glucans, muramyl dipeptide and colony stimulating factors were administered, was found to possess many limitations (Thatte and Dahanuker, 1989). Against this background, the drugs with rasayana properties appear to be potential immunostimulators and general tonics, devoid of the side effects which were characteristic of other drugs.Recent studies indicated the immunomodulatory properties of T. cordifolia (Sarma and Khosa, 1993; Thatte and Dahankar, 1989) and the antistress activity of C. asiatica (Upadyay et al. 1991; Chatterjee et al. 1992). In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate their antistress activity by estimating their effects in rats on restraint stress-induced ulcerization, according to accepted tenets (Glavin et al. 1991; Brodie and Hansen, 1960). Benzodiazepines are known to impart protection against stress-induced ulcers (Henke, 1987;File and Pearce, 1981). Hence diazepam was taken as the control drug for the purpose of comparisons.Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
MATERIALS AND METHODSThe roots of T. cordifolia and C. asiatica were obtained from the local forests of Varanasi, India, and authenticated by Dr V. K. Joshi, Department of Drayva Guna, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Their voucher specimens are preserved at the author's department. The plant materials were defatted by Soxhlation with petroleum ether (60"-80") and the ethyl alcohol (95%) extracts of the defatted materials were obtained by Soxhlation. The ethanol extracts were dried to constant weight in vacuum (yield w/w 4.04% and 7.68% respectively) and suspended in distilled water containing 20% v/v propylene glycol and 0.08% Tween-80 (as suspending agent).Inbred male adult albino rats of Charles Foster strain (150 k 20 g) were used in the study. The animals were housed in polypropylene colony cages (3 in each cage) at an ambient temperature of 25" k 2" C with 55%-65% relative humidity and a 12 h light-dark cycle. The animals had free access to wa...
