Pharmacological screening of Dikamaliartane-A, A cycloartane isolated from gum resin, Dikamali.

The biological activitites of Dikamaliartane-A, a cycloartane isolated from gum resin Dikamali of Gardenia gummifera/Gardenia lucida was screened for some pharmacological actions. The study was carried out using albino mice (20-25gr). It reduced locomotor activity and potentiated pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice indicating Central Nervous System depressant activity. It protected mice from strychnine and electro shock–induced convulsions indicating that it has anti-convulsant activity. All these activities were statistically significant. The LD50 (Lethal Dose) was carried out in mice according to Organization for Environmental Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 423. The LD50 was tested in three mices for each dose with doses from 5mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 2000mg/kg. The LD50 was found to be 500mg/kg.

Neuroprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Pseudarthria viscida (L) Wight and Arn against -amyloid(25-35)-induced amnesia in mice.

The neuroprotective potential of ethanolic extract of roots of Pseudarthria viscida (L) Wight and Arn (EEPV) was investigated against -amyloid(25-35)-induced amnesia in mice which is a suitable animal model for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The senile plaques of -amyloid (A) are major constituents accumulated during the progression of AD as a potent neurotoxicant. In our investigation, intracerebroventricular injection of A(25-35) in mice induced the neurodegeneration, exhibited the increased time of escape latency in behavioral pattern using water maze and decreased the levels of antioxidants namley superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and vitamin C with elevated level of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). The neuroprotective potential of EEPV was determined by behavioral pattern using water maze and biochemical parameters such as SOD, CAT and GPx and vitamin C content as well as AChE. Mice were treated with EEPV at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses for 21 days. Except control, all animals received a single injection of neurotoxicant A(25-35) on 14th day. In behavioural assessment, treatment with ethanolic extract improved the cognitive function in the water maze and attenuated the elevated levels of AChE with increase in antioxidant enzymes, indicating the neuroprotection with increased levels of vitamin C. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of P. viscida exerts anti-amnesiac effects and enhances cognitive function.