Cucumis melo L. (C. melo) is a fruit with many medicinal properties and is consumed in various countries. It is utilised for chronic eczema and to treat minor burns and scrapes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Cucumis melo Linn (MECM). A coarse powder prepared from the fruit and seeds was extracted with methanol (absolute) by a hot continuous percolation process in accordance with the standard protocols. All the extracts were estimated for potential antioxidant activities with tests such as an estimation of total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power ability. The qualitative analysis of the methanolic extract of C. melo fruit showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, sterols, phenolic compounds, terpenes and flavonoids. The total antioxidant activity of concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 µg were tested and observed to be 3.3 ± 0.1732, 6.867 ± 0.5457 and 13.63 ± 0.8295 µg of ascorbic acid, respectively. The results also showed significant nitric oxide and DPPH scavenging activities as well as a reducing power activity of MECM. Thus, our results suggest that MECM may serve as a putative source of natural antioxidants for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications.
Aim:To evaluate the adoptogenic activity of ethanolic extract of Mimosa pudica L. in chronic Alzheimer's model. Materials and Methods: The dried whole part of the plant were subjected to hot continuous extraction method using ethanol as solvent and were standardized using pharmacognostical and phytochemical screening. The in-vitro antioxidant studies were conducted by super oxide scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Satisfactory IC 50 values were obtained for both assays. Dose selection for in-vivo study was made on the basis of already conducted acute toxicity studies (500 mg/kg body weight). Oral administration of extract of M. pudica was continued for 21 consecutive days. Adaptogenic activity was assessed by using oral dose of 500 mg/kg of EEMP and 2 mg/kg diazepam as test and standard compound respectively. Results: There was a significant improvement in memory, which was observed from the test paradigms viz., morris water maze, radial arm maze. Forced swim test was used as the observation paradigm for the adaptogenic activity and EEMP caused significant reduction in swimming endurance time. Conclusion: It was concluded that ethanolic extract of M. pudica at the dose of 500 mg/kg p.o produces potential changes in chronic Alzheimer's model and stress.
BackgroundHerbal medicines have been used to treat PD in ancient medical systems in Asian countries such as India, China, Japan and Korea based on their own anecdotal or experience-based theories. Mucuna pruriens commonly known asvelvet beans, or cow itch, are used in case of spasms associated with Parkinsonism.PurposeTo investigate the antiparkinsonism activity of hydro alcoholic root extract of P. zeylanica L (PZE) aloneand its combination withaqueous extract of C. sinensis leaves (AECS) in Haloperidol induced model.MethodsParkinsonism (PD) was induced by intraperitoneal administration of Haloperidol (1 mg/kg). The extracts/drugs being tested were administered orally (p.o) 60 min prior to the administration of the Haloperidol. Catalepsy was measured using the metal bar test.ResultsHaloperidol induced a time dependent increase in cataleptic score in rats, as compared to vehicle treated groups. All the groups ie L-dopa + carbidopa (syndopa), hydro-alcoholic extract of P. zeylanica alone and its combination with C. sinensis showed significantly (P<0.001) lower scores of catalepsy at all time periods as compared to Haloperidol. Results were analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison tests.ConclusionIt is concluded that P. zeylanica alone and its combination with C. sinensis exert a protective effect against PD, while bi-herbal extracts showed more significant protective effect. Hence it may offer a safer therapeutic approach to the treatment of PD and drug induced dyskinesia.
Rationale:The present study deals with the evaluation of antistress activity in acetone extracts of M.paradisiaca unripe fruit peels and acetone extracts of M.paradisiaca ripe fruit peels (AURMP, ARMP) with special reference to stress induced depression in animal models. The presence of high amounts of plant sterols and triterpenoids in the peels are expected to reduce the cholesterol level and the modulating effect of cholesterol in the stress and chronic depression. The potentially high antioxidant activity in peel extracts is hypothesized to produce the adaptogenic activity. Materials and Methods: The anoxia stress was evaluated on the 7 th , 14 th , and 21 st day, one hour after the AURMP and ARMP treatment in the anoxia stress model. The swimming endurance stress was assessed as the mean swimming time on 8 th day following AURMP and ARMP treatment. The antidepressant activity was measured using open field and forced swim test (FST) following chronic variable stress (CVS) model. The level of tryptophan in brain was estimated ex vivo by HPLC technique. Results: The mean endurance time was increased significantly by AURMP (39.17 ± 1.88) treatment (P < 0.01) alone in comparison with the control in swimming endurance test. The anoxia stress model also showed significant (P < 0.001) antidepressant activity for AURMP and ARMP. Both AURMP and ARMP had suppressed the stress induced by CVS model and this was evidenced from the results of FST and open-field test confirming antidepressant activity. It is concluded that the AURMP and ARMP had shown promising antistress activity.
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