Clitorienolactones and Isoflavonoids of Clitorea ternatea Roots Alleviate Stress-Like Symptoms in a Reserpine-Induced Zebrafish Model

Abstract

Clitorea ternatea has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a brain stimulant to treat mental illnesses and mental functional disorders. In this study, the metabolite profiles of crude C. ternatea root extract (CTRE), ethyl acetate (EA), and 50% aqueous methanol (50% MeOH) fractions were investigated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–DAD–MS/MS), while their effect on the stress-like behavior of zebrafish, pharmacologically induced with reserpine, was investigated. A total of 32 compounds were putatively identified, among which, a series of norneolignans, clitorienolactones, and various flavonoids (flavone, flavonol, isoflavone, and isoflavanone) was found to comprise the major constituents, particularly in the EA and 50% MeOH fractions. The clitorienolactones, presently unique to the species, were present in both the free and glycosylated forms in the roots. Both the EA and 50% MeOH fractions displayed moderate effects on the stress-induced zebrafish model, significantly decreasing freezing duration and elevating the total distance travelled and average velocity, 72 h post-treatment. The results of the present study provide further evidence that the basis for the use of C. ternatea roots in traditional medicine to alleviate brain-related conditions, such as stress and depression, is attributable to the presence of clitorienolactones and the isoflavonoidal constituents.

A Reliable High-Throughput Screening Model for Antidepressant

“…In order to improve screening efficiency and conduct high-throughput screening, we established reserpine-induced models on zebrafish. It has been reported in the literature that 20 and 40 mg/L reserpine did not cause significant acute behavioral effects, and locomotor ability was significantly reduced after 7 days, similar to the locomotor retardation observed in depression [30][31][32][33]. Based on this research, we found that when the concentration of reserpine was 10 mg/L, it could cause zebrafish to show reduced locomotor ability and exploratory behavior.…”

The Effect of Clitoria Ternatea's Drink on Insomnia in Post COVID-19 Patients

“…Butterfly pea flowers are used in traditional medicine to stimulate the brain in mental illness and mental functional disorders. Due to clitorienolactone and isoflavonoid constituents in butterfly pea flower therefore it is beneficial in lowering stress and depression (Ngadni et al, 2021).…”

Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Applications of Under-Explored Knottin Peptide-Rich Phytomedicines

“…For instance, knottin peptides, although considerably stable to enzymatic attack, when hydrolyzed in the gut may act as a good source of dietary amino acids while the unhydrolysed stable peptide has the potential to trigger changes in the gut microbiota [ 32 ] owing to their broad bioactivity, antimicrobial activity in particular [ 33 ]. Medicinal plants and phytomedicines rich in knottin-like peptides commonly taken as food appear to be good sources of essential amino acids and low molecular weight peptides [ 34 ] needed for the proper physiological functioning and prevention of several metabolic diseases [ 35 ]. These essential and other types of important dietary amino acids have thus been classified as functional amino acids [ 35 ].…”