ABSTRACT
Effect of a triterpene isolated from the acetone soluble part of petroleum ether extract of R. cordifolia was studied on convulsions induced by maximum electro shock (MES), electrical kindling and various chemoconvulsants in rats and mice. The effect of triterpene was also investigated on behavior and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT) content in mouse brain. Triterpene inhibited seizures induced by MES, electrical kindling, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), and lithium-pilocarpine. However, seizures induced by strychnine were not inhibited. Triterpene reduced locomotion as well as rearing. Pentobarbitone induced sleep was potentiated and amphetamine induced stereotypy was inhibited. The triterpene was found to possess anxiogenic activity. Brain GABA and 5-HT contents were raised by the compound. The study suggests that the triterpene isolated from R. cordifolia bear a potential for further study.
Subject(s)
Animals , Anticonvulsants/isolation & purification , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Female , Male , Mice , Rats , Rubiaceae/chemistry , Serotonin/metabolism , Triterpenes/isolation & purification , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolismABSTRACT
Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine), a major alkaloid isolated from Piper nigrum Linn, potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time in dose dependant manner, with peak effect at 30 min. Blood and brain pentobarbitone levels were higher in piperine treated animals. Piperine treatment in rats, treated chronically with phenobarbitone, significantly potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time, as compared to the controls. There was no alteration in barbital sodium sleeping time. It is possible that, piperine inhibits liver microsomal enzyme system and thereby potentiates the pentobarbitone sleeping time.