Effects ofNardostachys jatamansion Biogenic Amines and Inhibitory Amino Acids in the Rat Brain

Abstract

Nardostachys jatamansi (Jones) DC. (Valerianaceae) is used in large quantities in the preparation of Ayurvedic and Unani drugs (1, 2). The decoction of the roots of this plant have been used for centuries in Ayurveda for epilepsy, hysteria, syncope, and mental weakness (3). Gupta et al. (4) reported that the ethanolic extract was found to be the most active and abolished the tonic extensor response in 50% of rats subjected to maximal electroshock seizures (MES). Jatamansone was found to be more effective than diphenylhydantoin (DPH) and the essential oil of N.jatamansi in MES. A preliminary study in our laboratory showed that the alcoholic extract of the roots of N. jatamansi increased the seizure threshold when tested against MES (25). Many investigations have been performed to determine the role of neurotransmitters in seizure mechanism. Several reports are available on the role of monoamine metabolism (5-8) and inhibitory amino acid metabolism (9, 10) in experimental as well as clinical seizures. But very few reports are available on the scientific evaluation of the effect of N.jatamansi extract on the activity of the brain. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the extract of N.jatamansi on biogenic amines and inhibitory amino acids in rat brain. Materials and Methods Animals Adult male albino Wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were used in the present study. The rats were housed in colony cages at an ambient temperature of 25 2°C and relative humidity of 50 10% with a light-dark cycle of 12 h each. They were fed standard pellet chow (purchased from Hindustan Lever, India) and water ad libif urn. In order to avoid the interference by the circadian rhythm in central nervous system amine content and turnover, all the experiments were performed at the same time of the day (8.00-11.00 am.). Drugs The roots of N.jafarnansi DC, (Valerianaceae) were purchased locally and identified by a pharmacognosist of the Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Manipal where the voucher specimen has been deposited (No. 004083) aod were dried in shade, cleaned, and powdered to prepare the alcoholic extract. Extraction procedure and yield One kg of moderately powdered roots of N.jafamansi was extracted by refluxing with 95% alcohol in a Soxhlet extractor for 6-8 h. The extract was evaporated to dryness imder reduced pressure and temperature using flash evaporation and the dried residue was weighed and stored at 4°C. The yield of dry extract from the crude powder of N.jafarnansi was 8 %.

An Open Labeled, Randomized, Parallel Arms, Clinical Trial to Evaluate Sedative Effect of Leaves of Beejapura (Citrus Medica Linn.) and Rhizome of Jatamansi (Nardostachys Grandiflora) in Anidra (Primary Insomnia)

“…Jatamansone may enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABAA receptor. 12 Jatamansi also contains alkaloids, Spirojatamol, Valerenic acid, Virolin and is having actions like sedative, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, CNS depressant, anti-anxiety and analgesic activities.…”

Anticonvulsant profile of nardostachys jatamansi roots in albino rats

“…A previous study has clearly shown that nardostachys jatamansi has an influence on the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, of special interest being the increase in the gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) levels. 17 Further study is required to confirm and isolate the active principle/principles that contributes to the anticonvulsant activity. The active principle/principles when isolated may prove to be a prospective broad spectrum anticonvulsant agent, either alone or in combination with already available anticonvulsant drugs.…”

Evaluation of toxicological and antioxidant potential of Nardostachys jatamansi in reversing haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats

“…46,47 N. jatamansi has also been reported to enhance biogenic amine activity, 48 decrease the level of dopamine and its metabolites and increasing the number of dopaminergic D2 receptors in striatum. 29 Such evidence supports our study and indicates that the extract of N. jatamansi inhibits the symptoms of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats.…”