Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta on marble-burying behavior in mice: Implications for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

CONTEXT: Over the past decades, the inhibition of spontaneous burying of glass marbles by mice has been used as an index of anxiolytic drug action in the so-called marble-burying test. Although Colocasia esculenta Linn. (Araceae), commonly known as elephant ear (English), possesses several medicinal properties, little is known for its use in neurological activity. OBJECTIVE: The current research evaluated the anti-obsessive-compulsive disorder (anti-compulsive) activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta (HECE) for the first time using the marble-burying behavior test in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, the effect of HECE (25 and 50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) was examined using the marble-burying behavior test, which is an animal model of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), using Swiss albino mice. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The acute toxicity studies showed that the LD50 value of the HECE in mice was 1000 mg/kg by i.p. route. The effect of HECE (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was characterized by significant reduction in the number of buried marbles as compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The effect of HECE was comparable with that of fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) - a reference standard drug used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (p < 0.001). Fluoxetine and HECE do not produce any overt motor dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses anti-compulsive activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the anti-compulsive activity of the constituents from this plant.

Neuropharmacological activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta.

CONTEXT: Although Colocasia esculenta Linn. (Araceae), commonly known as elephant ear (English), possesses diverse pharmacological activities in animals, little is known about its neuropharmacological activity. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the neuropharmacological activities of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Colocasia esculenta (HECE) using several experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Wistar albino rats were subjected to behavior despair and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Thiopental-induced sedation and rotarod tests were conducted on Swiss albino mice. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The effects of HECE on anxiety, depression, thiopental-induced sleeping time, and rotarod performance were evaluated. The anxiolytic activity of HECE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) per os (p.o.) was characterized by increased time spent and number of entries in open arms in the EPM paradigm as compared to control group (p < 0.001). The HECE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose-dependent significant reduction in duration of immobility (p < 0.01) in the behavior despair test. The HECE at the doses 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. was found to produce a significant reduction in motor coordination (p < 0.001) and prolongation of thiopental-induced sleeping time (p < 0.001). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, ß-sitosterol, and steroids. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses neuropharmacological activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the neurobehavioral activity of the constituents from this plant.

Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Lagenaria sicereria.

Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) standley (LS) (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is an annual herbaceous climbing plant with a long history of traditional medicinal uses in many countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Since ancient times the climber has been known for its curative properties, and has been utilized for treatment of various ailments, including jaundice, diabetes, ulcer, piles, colitis, insanity, hypertension, congestive cardiac failure (CCF), and skin diseases. Its fruit pulp is used both as an emetic and purgative, and for its cooling, diuretic, antibilious, and pectoral properties. Boiled in oil this pulp is used to treat rheumatism and insomnia. A wide range of chemical compounds including sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, and saponins have been isolated from the species. Its extracts have been found to possess various pharmacological activities. Below, we give a comprehensive review of its ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological profile as a medicinal plant. Particular attention is given to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, and antibacterial effects so that its potential uses in pharmaceutics can be better evaluated.