Anticonvulsant activity of bacopa monniera in rodents / Anticonvulsivante atividade de bacopa monniera em roedores

Bacopa monnieri (L), belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family and commonly known as Brahmi, is well known in India for its CNS activity but its neuropharmacological effect has not yet been explored. In the present study, the antiepileptic effects of the plant were investigated. The ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for anticonvulsant activity in albino rats, using different convulsive models. The ethanolic extract of leaves produced significant anticonvulsant activity for all the different models studied. The present study shows a probable mechanism of action similar to that of benzodiazepines (GABA agonist). Thus, these results emphasize the need to diversify by using alternative therapeutic approaches pertaining to herbal medicine, where a single easily available plant may provide solutions to several therapeutic challenges, as observed in the anticonvulsant action of ethanolic extract of B. monniera.

Bacopa monniera, da família Scrophulariaceae, e comumente denominada Brahmi, é bem conhecida na Índia por sua atividade no Sistema Nervoso Central, mas seu efeito neurofarmacológico não foi, ainda, explorado. No presente estudo, investigaram-se os efeitos antiepilépticos da planta. O extrato etanólico da Bacopa monniera foi testado quanto à atividade anticonvulsivante em ratos albinos, utilizando-se diferentes modelos de convulsão. O extrato etanólico das folhas produziu atividade anticonvulsivante significativa para todos os diferentes modelos estudados. O presente estudo mostra provável mecanismo de ação semelhante ao dos benzodiazepínicos (agonista do GABA). Assim sendo, esses resultados enfatizam a necessidade de diversificar, utilizando-se abordagens terapêuticas alternativas da medicina natural, em que uma planta facilmente disponível pode fornecer soluções para vários desafios terapêuticos, como o observado na ação anticonvulsivante do extrato etanólico de Bacopa monniera.

Population ecology of a freshwater turtle Kachuga tentoria near Panchnada (Etawah: U.P.) and its role as water purifier.

The present study deals with biology, ecology and population dynamics of freshwater turtle Kachuga tentoria and its role as water purifier. The study area Panchnada is the site, where five important national rivers meet together and is preserving an appreciable population of nine species of fresh water turtles. Kachuga tentoria was located at all the sampling stations surveyed by the authors, and hence selected for the present study. Different activities (nesting, incubation, predation and other reproductive aspects), climatic conditions, habitat, population density and morphometric features were worked out in detail. A time bound conservation strategy is needed to save this species from extinction. In situ conservation will be more helpful for the recruitment of the population of this species. It will help in the "hatch and release programme" to clean different polluted national rivers.