Evaluation of Anti-Depressant Potential of Medicinal Ghrita

This article aims to evaluate the possible antidepressant effect of the Ghrita prepared from the combination of these plants and to provide probable scientific explanations for using medicated Ghrita (ghee) in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Herbs for Ghrita like Marsilea quadrifolia, Lawsonia inermis, Mimosa pudica, Piper betle were collected freshly during the month of June. One part Kalka (herb bolus), 4 parts pure cow ghee, and 16 parts Dravadravya were used to make Ghrita (Swarasa). Anti-depressant potential of the Ghrita was evaluated by forced swimming, tail suspension, locomotor activity, rota-rod test (motor co-ordination), elevated plus maze (EPM) model, and hole board test were used to assess the Ghrita's anti-depressant potential. According to the Irwin schedule, Gritha medication reduces alertness but has no effect on other parameters, but imipramine treatment reduces responsiveness, alertness, grooming, and writing reflexes to some extent. Following 14 days of therapy with medicinal Ghrita, the immobility time in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test were reduced by 29% and 42%, respectively. In the rotarod test, it had no significant effect on muscle gripping ability when compared to control animals, whereas imipramine produced a significant result. It was observed that the medicinal Gritha significantly (p<0.05) decreases the locomotor activity in actophotometer test and head dips counts in hole board test as compared to control at the end of 14 days study in a 5 minute observation. Ghrita increased the number of entries in the elevated plus maze by 50% and the time spent in the open arm by 72%. The results of this investigation suggest the possible antidepressant potential of medicinal Ghrita.

An In-depth Pharmacognostical View Of Sunishannaka (marsilea Quadrifolia Linn) – A Valuable Pteridophyte

Sunishannaka (Marsilea quadrifolia Linn) is a known pteridophytic creeping aquatic fern, commonly known as European Water Clover belonging to the family Marsileaceae which is being used extensively since Samhita period. According to Acharya Vagbhata, it is included among Pathyaahara or Nityasevaniyaahara which itself shows its nutritional importance. Pteridophytes have considerable importance in traditional pharmacopoeias, whereas scientific studies on pharmacognosy of this group are scanty. Records of indigenous medicinal knowledge about pteridophytes need to be given top priority to aid the protection of such knowledge before they vanish from present day traditional healers. This work aims at understanding the organoleptic features and microscopic details of leaf, petiole and rhizome(stem) and root of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. Even though the drug Sunishannaka (Marsilea quadrifolia Linn) is being used by traditional Vaidyas, but the detailed study regarding the microscopical aspects of the plant has not been documented in detail. So the present paper will definitely throw a light towards the microscopical characters of the plant which is much essential to provide a key towards identification of the plant source and to prevent any adulterations.

1-triacontanol cerotate isolated from Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. safeguards hippocampal CA3 neurons and augments special memory deficit in chronic epileptic rats / Cerotato de 1-triacontanol aislado de Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. protege las neuronas CA3 del hipocampo y mejora el déficit de memoria especial en ratas epilépticas crónicas

SUMMARY: Currently many people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications. Moreover various antiepileptics have adverse cognitive impact with other side effect. Thus, need for new antiepileptic drugs still remains challenge. However, many of the natural components have antiepileptic action and this fact remains scientifically unexplored. This study was designed to check the behavioral and neuro-pathological outcome of 1-Triacontanol cerotate (1TAC), isolated from Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. (MQ) on chronic Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling model of epilepsy in rats. Two-month-old adult male Wistar rats (n=60) were randomly divided into six groups; Group I (Cage Control), II (Vehicle Control), III (Positive Control), IV (Standard drug treated), V (1TAC: 40 mg/kg) & VI (1TAC: 80 mg/kg). To induce kindling a 35 mg/kg dose of PTZ was injected i.p. in every 48 hrs for 30 days in Group III to VI. Spatial memory performance was tested using Morris water maze, following which brains were further processed for histopathological investigations. Interestingly, 1TAC was able to minimize the loss of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA3 region. These cellular changes were behaviorally responded as improved special learning and memory, a better spatial navigation and object place configuration. The current study strongly implicates that 1TAC from MQ has potent neuroprotective role and augments special memory deficit in chronic epileptic rats. The isolated component which attenuates spatial memory performance could be beneficial outcome to retain cognitive blunting in chronic epilepsy.

RESUMEN: Actualmente, muchas personas con epilepsia no cuentan con un control adecuado de las convulsiones, incluso con los mejores medicamentos disponibles. Además, varios antiepilépticos tienen un impacto cognitivo adverso además de efectos secundarios. Por lo tanto, la necesidad de nuevos fármacos antiepilépticos sigue siendo un desafío. Sin embargo, muchos de los componentes naturales tienen acción antiepiléptica y este hecho permanece científicamente inexplorado. Este estudio se diseñó para verificar el resultado conductual y neuro-patológico del cerotato de 1-triacontanol (1TAC), aislado de Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. (MQ) en el modelo de epilepsia en ratas del pentilenetetrazol (PTZ) crónico (PTZ). Ratas Wistar adultas de dos meses de edad (n = 60) se dividieron aleatoriamente en seis grupos; Grupo I (Control de jaula), II (Control de vehículo), III (Control positivo), IV (Medicamento estándar de tratamiento), V (1TAC: 40 mg / kg) y VI (1TAC: 80 mg / kg). Para inducir la inflamación se inyectó una dosis de 35 mg / kg de PTZ i.p. en cada 48 horas durante 30 días en los grupos III a VI. El rendimiento de la memoria espacial se probó utilizando el laberinto de agua de Morris, después de lo cual se procesaron los cerebros para investigaciones histopatológicas. Curiosamente, 1TAC pudo minimizar la pérdida de células piramidales en la región CA3 del hipocampo. Estos cambios celulares respondieron de manera conductual como una mejora del aprendizaje especial y la memoria, una mejor navegación espacial y la configuración del lugar del objeto. El estudio actual implica fuertemente que 1TAC de MQ tiene un potente papel neuroprotector y mejora el déficit de memoria especial en ratas epilépticas crónicas. El componente aislado que atenúa el rendimiento de la memoria espacial podría ser un resultado beneficioso para retener la reducción cognitiva en la epilepsia crónica.

GC-MS Analysis of Phytocompounds of Leaf and Stem of Marsilea quadrifolia (L.).

To investigate the phytochemical constituents of methanolic extracts of leaf and stem of Marsilea quadrifolia (Linn.). Methods: The methanolic leaf and stem extracts of M. quadrifolia were prepared by standard procedure and concentrated at 40ºC using hot air oven. The concentrated methanolic extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis using GC-MS. Results: The GC-MS analyes showed that the presence of 39 phytocompounds in the methanolic extract of leaf of M. quadrifolia including 4H-Pyran-4-one,2,3-dihydro-3,5- dihydroxy-6-methyl-(21.41%); n-Hexadecanoic acid (17.47%); 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid,methylester (Z,Z,Z)-(12.96%); 2-Furancarboxaldehyde,5-(hydroxyl methyl)-(9.39%) and 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-1-ol (Z,Z,Z)-(3.54%). The methanolic extract of stem of M. quadrifolia revealed that the presence of 29 bioactive compounds including 2- Furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-(60.42%); 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2, 3-dihydro-3, 5-di hydroxyl-6-methyl-(13.88%); n-Hexadecanoic acid-(6.00%); 6-Octadecenoic acid (Z)- (2.69%) and Furfural-(2.23%). Conclusions: The result of the GC-MS analysis showed that the methanolic extract of M. quadrifolia contains many pharmacologically important bioactive compounds. However M. quadrifolia is an important medicinal plant and used in the traditional system of medicine to cure many diseases including diabetes mellitus. So there are need of further studies to isolate and identify the specific phytocompound involved in controlling diseases and ultimately which may lead to drug development.

Antimicrobial Activity of Marsilea quadrifolia (L.) Against Some Selected Pathogenic Microorganisms.

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of leaf and stem of M. quadrifolia (L.) against selected human pathogenic microorganisms. Methods: The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by well diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal studies were carried out at the Department Laboratory, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612 001, Tamilnadu, India during the months of July to December 2013. Wells of 6 mm diameter were punched in the agar medium and filled with different volumes of extracts (50mg/ml) contains 2.5, 3.75 and 5mg concentrations. Results: The antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of leaf and stem of M. quadrifolia at different concentrations was analyzed. Among the concentrations, 5mg of both leaf and stem extracts showed best antimicrobial activity than other concentrations 2.5 and 3.75mg. The leaf and stem extracts showed antimicrobial activity and produced the zone of inhibition ranges from 8 to 23mm. The aqueous leaf extract showed maximum zone of inhibition 23mm against Streptococcus pyogenes followed by ethanolic stem extract showed 21mm against Bacillus subtilis. The minimum antibacterial activity 8mm was observed by diethyl ether stem extract against Klebsiella pneumonia. The antifungal activity of diethyl ether leaf extract showed positive results in all tested fungal strains when compared to other solvent extracts. The maximum zone of inhibition 13mm was observed against Aspergillus terreus at 5mg of diethyl ether leaf extract. Aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts had no antifungal activity in all tested fungal strains except 5mg of methanolic leaf extract. The aqueous and diethyl ether stem extracts showed potent antifungal activity and the maximum zone of inhibition 15mm was observed against Aspergillus niger. Diethyl ether stem extract also showed maximum zone of inhibition 15mm against Trichoderma viride. Conclusion: From this study, we concluded that it may be a new source for the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds from M. quadrifolia.