Preclinical evaluation of antidepressant activity of aqueous extract of Piper betle leaves in Swiss albino mice

Background: There is a growing demand for alternative medicines derived from indigenous plants having natural antioxidants and neuroprotective actions for the treatment of many behavioural disorders such as anxiety and depression. This study was designed to screen antidepressant activity of aqueous extract of Piper betle L. leaf (betel leaf) in Swiss albino mice.Methods: Swiss albino mice of both sexes weighing 25-30grams were used in the present study. Piper betle leaves aqueous extract (PBAE) was administered to the animals at a dose of 100, 200mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. On the 14th day, after 1 hour of PBAE administration, experiments on force swim test (FST) and tail suspension (TST) were carried out for studying the level of depression. In FST and TST, time of immobility was noted for a period of 5 minutes.Results: Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer’s multiple comparison test at P = 0.05. The results were represented as Mean±SE. PBAE at a dose of 100mg/kg has shown significant antidepressant activity, as evidenced by decrease in the immobility time in both the screening tests of depression.Conclusions: Present results demonstrated that PBAE possess potent antidepressant property. The exact mechanism(s) related to the active compound(s) in Piper betle leaf extract have to be elucidated in future studies.

In vivo antiplasmodial potential of three herbal methanolic extracts in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65 / 中草药·英文版

Objective: The present study deals with the investigation of antiplasmodial potential of leaf methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos, Aristolochia indica and Cassia auriculata against Plasmodium berghei (NK65) infected mice. Methods: The chloroquine-sensitive parasites P. berghei (1 × 106) were inoculated into Swiss albino mice intraperitoneally. The methanol extracts of three herbal plants were orally administered in P. berghei infected mice which were further assessed using the four-day suppressive test at different doses of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg per day. Chloroquine (CQ) was used as the standard drug with of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg concentrations and was orally administered. Results: The leaves of A. marmelos, A. indica, and C. auriculata were found to suppress P. berghei parasitaemia in Swiss albino mice by (67.0 ± 4.02)%, (72.0 ± 8.44)% and (52.7 ± 2.06)% at 600 mg/kg/d with ED50 values of 284.73, 233.77 and 562.48 mg/kg, respectively. These herbal plants increased the mean survival time of infected mice and prevented body weight loss. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of hentriacontan-16-one (C31H62O) in A. indica extract. The histopathology study showed non-toxic to kidney and liver at 600 mg/kg/body weight. Conclusions: Overall results revealed that herbal plants may be active in the development of novel and cheap antimalarial compounds.

The antipsychotic activity of alcoholic extract of Withania coagulans fruits in Swiss albino mice

Background: Schizophrenia is one of the most distressing central nervous system (CNS) disorders. It is described by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms can be controlled by the antipsychotic medicines. The numerous antipsychotic medications used today are not lacking the adverse drug reactions. The Withania coagulans a susceptible species, is not explored much for its CNS effects except in late seventies. Therefore, it was thought worthwhile to investigate anti-psychotic activities of alcoholic extract of Withania coagulans fruits. The objective of the present study was to assess the antipsychotic activity of alcoholic extract of Withania coagulans fruits in Swiss albino mice by Cook’s Pole Climb Apparatus for conditioned avoidance response (CAR)Methods: Cook’s Pole Climb Apparatus for conditioned avoidance response was used for assessing the antipsychotic activity of the alcoholic extract of 200mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses of Withania coagulans fruits.Results: There was statistically (p-value >0.05) no significant association between any of the 200mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses of the alcoholic extracts of Withania coagulans fruits with antipsychotic activity in Swiss albino mice.Conclusions: Withania coagulans fruits alcoholic extract did not demonstrate antipsychotic activity in Swiss albino mice under standard conditions.

Standardization of ethanol addiction model in Swiss albino Mice

Background: Addiction is compulsive need for use of a habit-forming substance. World Health Organization (WHO) reported that worldwide 3.3 million people died due to alcohol addiction in 2012-13 and 11% of the population in India indulged in heavy drinking in 2014. Addiction is a prime socio-economical problem of society. Studying alcohol dependence in humans involved many ethical issues and experimental difficulties. Hence nonhuman animal experimental model has been used for a research on the topic of alcohol intoxication and dependence. Ethanol dependence has been preferred to develop in genetically modified strain of mice, C-57 which has a natural inclination to consume and develop addiction. But studying addiction in this special strain requires top end experimental facilities and financial aids. Authors reported the animal model to study ethanol dependence in Swiss albino mice. Aim of the study was to develop ‘Ethanol Dependence in Swiss albino mice animal model’ by intermitted access of 20% ethanol.Methods: Dependence was developed in Swiss albino mice by intermitted access of 20% ethanol in two groups having six animals in each group. Dependence was confirmed by presence of the withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, muscular incoordination and behavioral changes of animals on abstinence of ethanol.Results: Significant difference was noted on withdrawal symptoms, i.e. anxiety, muscular coordination, muscle spasm and other behavior related to withdrawal.Conclusions: Ethanol dependence can be successfully developed in Swiss albino mice in 14 days.

In vivo study of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract efficacy against Giardia lamblia in infected experimental mice

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract as an alternative treatment on the white laboratory mice against giardiasis. Methods: Experimental animals were divided into five groups, including Group A:control (infected untreated), Group B: infected and fed with pectin 7 days before infection, Group C: infected and fed with pectin starting from 7th day of infection, Group D:infected and fed with pomegranate peel extract 7 days before infection, and Group E: infected and fed with pomegranate peel extract starting from 7th day of infection. Results: Results from this study revealed that the prevention rate in the experimental groups reached approximately 50%by the 10th day of using pomegranate peel extract. Moreover, stool cyst counts of groups showed a significant reduction in the shedding of cysts approximately 75.6%by day 20 post-infection. ELISA test showed a reduction in Giardia antigen in the stools of the experimental groups which received pomegranate peel extract. The cure rate of these groups was approximately 97.4% by 28th day of infection. Conclusions: Our present findings indicated that the pomegranate peel extract proved to be valuable in prevention and treatment of Giardia lamblia infection. Further studies are required to determine the effective dose of pomegranate peel extract against Giardia lamblia infection.

In vivo study of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract efficacy against Giardia lamblia in infected experimental mice

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract as an alternative treatment on the white laboratory mice against giardiasis. Methods Experimental animals were divided into five groups, including Group A: control (infected untreated), Group B: infected and fed with pectin 7 days before infection, Group C: infected and fed with pectin starting from 7th day of infection, Group D: infected and fed with pomegranate peel extract 7 days before infection, and Group E: infected and fed with pomegranate peel extract starting from 7th day of infection. Results Results from this study revealed that the prevention rate in the experimental groups reached approximately 50% by the 10th day of using pomegranate peel extract. Moreover, stool cyst counts of groups showed a significant reduction in the shedding of cysts approximately 75.6% by day 20 post-infection. ELISA test showed a reduction in Giardia antigen in the stools of the experimental groups which received pomegranate peel extract. The cure rate of these groups was approximately 97.4% by 28th day of infection. Conclusions Our present findings indicated that the pomegranate peel extract proved to be valuable in prevention and treatment of Giardia lamblia infection. Further studies are required to determine the effective dose of pomegranate peel extract against Giardia lamblia infection.

Effect of Phyllanthus Amarus on Haloperidol Induced Catalepsy in Experimental Animal Models.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the anticataleptic effect of Phyllanthus amarus ethanolic extract in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The ethanolic extract of leaves of Phyllanthus amarus [PAEE] at a dose of 100mg/kg/body weight was administered orally for ten days. On tenth day, one hour later Haloperidol [1 mg/ kg IP] was administered to induce catalepsy. Results: The results indicate that induction of catalepsy by Haloperidol in Swiss albino mice was significantly prevented by PAEE. Conclusions: The anticataleptic activity of Phyllanthus amarus can be due to its effect on brain neurotransmitters or due to antioxidant property.

Presence of Toll Like Receptor-2 in spleen, lymph node and thymus of Swiss albino mice and its modulation by Staphylococcus aureus and bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of pattern recognition receptors identifying pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). They play a critical role in the innate immune response during the initial interaction between the infecting microorganism and phagocytic cells. Here, we verified the presence of TLR-2 in spleen, lymph node and thymus of Swiss albino mice and their modulation after infection with Staphylococcus aureus and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. It was seen that TLR-2 gene transcribed to its respective mRNA on S. aureus infection, in thymus, spleen and lymph node of mice but their levels and mode of expression varied. When challenged with LPS no prominent changes in the expression of TLR-2 receptor was observed but its expression increased gradually with time in the thymus, spleen and lymph node of S. aureus infected mice. TLR-2 expression was also found enhanced in infected splenic macrophages. By studying the serum cytokine profile the functionality of the receptor was measured. The results indicate the presence of TLR-2 in thymus, spleen and lymph node of Swiss albino strain of mice and that they are modulated by S. aureus.

Bioassay of Eucalyptus extracts for anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (eac) cells in Swiss albino mice

Objective: To evaluate the antineoplastic activity of Eucalyptus extract (EuE) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Preliminary examination of four plant extracts (namely Eucalyptus, Costus, Azadirachta, Feronia) has been done by observing the reduction ability of number of EAC cells in previously inoculated Swiss albino mice. Among them as EuE showed maximum capability, the whole study has been conducted with EuE only. Important parameters viz. enhancement of life span, reduction of average tumor weight etc. have been studied. In addition the effects of EuE on hematological parameters in both normal and EAC inoculated mice have been measured. Effect of EuE on normal peritoneal cells has also been studied. Results: EuE reduced tumor burden remarkably. It reduced the tumor growth rate and enhanced the life span of EAC bearing mice noticeably. It reversed back the hematological parameters towards normal, reduced the trasplantability of EAC cells and enhanced the immunomodulatory effects in mice. The host toxic effect of EuE in mice is minimum and mostly reversible with time. All such data have been compared with those obtained by running parallel experiments with bleomycin at dose 0.3 mg/kg (i.p.). Conclusions: The Eucalyptus extract may be considered as a potent anticancer agent for advanced researches.

Ameliorative effect of Docosahexaenoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid on blood glucose level in lead treated Swiss albino mice during gestation and lactation.

Numbers of studies in animal models have shown changes in blood glucose level after lead administration. In the present study, ameliorative effect of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) on random blood glucose level of normal and lead exposed pregnant and lactating Swiss albino mice were compared. Pregnant females were exposed to heavy metal lead orally on diet containing 4.5% lead nitrate and 4.5% lead acetate trihydrate during gestation to 3rd week of lactation. Blood glucose level was examined on 15th day of gestation and 10th day of lactation. The results indicated that in lead intoxicated pregnant females, blood glucose level increased. It can be concluded that not only lead exposure during gestation can severely affect the growth and development of pups but can also produce adverse effect on one already having increased blood glucose or diabetes. DHA and GLA showed ameliorative effect on blood glucose level in Swiss albino mice.