Effect of methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley fruits on marble-burying behavior in mice: Implications for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Context:Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common mental disorder and is diagnosed nearly as often as asthma and diabetes mellitus. Over the last decade, the inhibition of burying of glass marbles by mice has been used as an index of anti-OCD drug action in the so-called marble-burying test. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS), commonly known as “bottle gourd” (English), possesses several medicinal properties; little is known about its action as a nerve tonic.Objective:The purpose of this study was to characterize the anti-OCD (anti-compulsive) activity of the methanolic extract of the fruits of L. siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS) using the marble-burying behavior in mice.Materials and Methods:The experiment was conducted in specific animal models of Swiss albino mice to evaluate marble-burying behavior.Results and Conclusions:Intraperitonial administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg of LS extract significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the total number of buried marbles. The effect was comparable to that of the fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Fluoxetine and LS fruit extract do not produce any overt motor dysfunction. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of LS showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, sterols, proteins, tannins and carbohydrates. The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses anti-compulsive (anti-OCD) activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the mechanism of action of the constituents from this plant.

Efficacy of Lotion Containing Fractions of Selaginella Plana Leaves and Lagenaria Siceraria (Molina) Standl. Fruit for Relief of Skin Erythema

“…Analysis showed that the fraction had a water content of 19.02%, total ash content of 11.17%, acid-insoluble ash content of 0.06%, ethanolsoluble fraction content of 8.37%, and a water-soluble fraction content of 21.86%. Phytochemical screening of the S. plana ethanol fraction showed the presence of flavonoids, steroids/triterpenoids, tannins, and saponins [11][12][13].…”

“…In this study, we evaluated the physical stability of two lotion formulations containing S. plana and L. siceraria (Molina) Standl. and investigated their safety and efficacy to relieve erythema due to exposure to the sun [11][12][13].…”

Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Lagenaria Siceraria in Albino Rats

“…[8,9,10] The rats were evaluated for the pain threshold at a different interval of time up to 120 minutes. The aqueous extract shows a significant activity at 60 minutes.…”

“…Lagenaria Sicerariais commonly known as lauki (Hindi) and bottle gourd (English). It is used as medicine for its cardio tonic, general tonic and diuretic properties [10,11,12] . The fruit is also found to be useful as anti hepatotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic, immuno modulatory and antioxidant activities.…”

Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of thermally processed sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) as studied by using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)

“…[5,6] It is considered as an excellent source of all the essential constituents required for good health of humans. [7] There have been many studies on the phytochemicals and their antioxidant potential in L. cylindrica. The phytochemical constituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and steroids possessing antioxidant activity have been reported in L. cylindrica.…”