Neuroprotective and nootropic activity of Clitorea ternatea Linn.(Fabaceae) leaves on diabetes induced cognitive decline in experimental animals.

PURPOSE: Ethanol extract of Clitorea ternatea (EECT) was evaluated in diabetes-induced cognitive decline rat model for its nootropic and neuroprotective activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effect on spatial working memory, spatial reference memory and spatial working-reference memory was evaluated by Y maze, Morris water maze and Radial arm maze respectively. Neuroprotective effects of EECT was studied by assaying acetylcholinesterase, lipid peroxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), total nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the brain of diabetic rats. RESULTS: The EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) was found to cause significant increase in spatial working memory (P < 0.05), spatial reference memory (P < 0.001) and spatial working-reference (P < 0.001) in retention trials on Y maze, Morris water maze and Radial arm maze respectively. Whereas significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity (P < 0.05), lipid peroxide (P < 0.001), total NO (P < 0.001) and significant increase in SOD, CAT and GSH levels was observed in animals treated with EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) compared to diabetic control group. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicates that Clitorea ternatea tenders protection against diabetes induced cognitive decline and merits the need for further studies to elucidate its mode of action.

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of Clitorea ternatea Linn. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Ethanol extract of Clitorea ternatea Linn. (EECT) was evaluated for its antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Antihyperglycemic activity of EECT was studied in normal fasted and glucose fed hyperglycemic and epinephrine induced hyperglycemic rats by estimating fasting serum glucose (FSG) by glucose oxidisae or peroxidase enzymatic method. Antioxidant activity of EECT was studied by assaying lipid peroxide/Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total nitric oxide, catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels in diabetic rats. The EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed significant antihyperglycemic activity by decreasing FSG in all hyperglycemic models except epinephrine induced hyperglycemic rats; in which improvement in FSG was observed only with EECT in 400 mg/kg dose, whereas significant decrease in TBARS (P < 0.001), nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and significant increase in SOD (P < 0.001), CAT (P < 0.01) and reduced glutathione levels (P < 0.001) was observed in animals treated with EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) compared to diabetic control group. The results indicated that EECT has remedial effects on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Clitorea ternatea, a herb from Indian folklore, improves streptozotocin-induced diabetes and diabetes-induced cognitive decline in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antidiabetic, neurochemical-antioxidant and cognition protective effects of Clitorea ternatea leaves on a rat model of diabetic cognitive decline. METHODS: Antidiabetic activity was evaluated by serum glucose and body weight estimation in ethanol extract of Clitorea ternatea (EECT)-treated diabetic rats. Effects of EECT on spatial working memory (SWM) and spatial reference memory (SRM) were evaluated by Y-maze and Morris water maze tests respectively. Neurochemical-antioxidant effects of EECT were studied by acetylcholinesterase assay, and measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels in diabetic rats. RESULTS: The 200 and 400 mg/kg of EECT showed a significant antidiabetic activity by decreasing serum glucose level (P<0.05, P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the body weight in 400 mg/kg of EECT-treated diabetic rats (P<0.01). EECT was found to cause significant increases in SWM and SRM in retention trials on Y-maze and Morris water maze respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). Significant decreases in acetylcholinesterase activity and TBARS level, and significant increase in CAT level were observed in rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of EECT compared with rats in the diabetic control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significant increase was also found in SOD in rats treated with 400 mg/kg of EECT. CONCLUSION: Clitorea ternatea exhibits antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, offers the protection against diabetes-induced cognitive decline, and warrants the need for further studies to elucidate its mode of action.

Proteomic analysis of glycated proteins from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat kidney.

Glycation of proteins leading to formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has been considered as one of the important causes of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, in this study, glycated proteins were detected by anti-AGE antibodies from kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat showing nephropathic symptoms, by using two dimensional electrophoresis and western blot analysis. These glycated proteins were identified and characterized by using combination of peptide mass finger printing and tandem mass spectrometric approaches. Glycated proteins identified included proteins from metabolic pathways, oxidative stress, cell signaling, and transport. Several of the proteins modified by glycation were involved in glucose metabolism. The extent of glycation was higher in diabetes compared to control, in the glycated proteins that were common to both control and diabetic kidney. Two dimensional electrophoresis proteins profiling of glycated proteins suggest that four of the glycated proteins were significantly up regulated in diabetes.

Study of central nervous system depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (Agadha) in different animal models.

BACKGROUND: Achyranthes aspera Linn., an indigenous herb, has been reported to have antifertility, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, diuretic, cardiotonic, analgesic anti-inflammatory, hypnotic, antifungal, antibacterial, and central antinociceptive activities. AIMS: This study was designed to evaluate depressant effects on central nervous system (CNS) and behavioral effects of ethanol extract of A. aspera (EEAA) and to find the phytochemical responsible for these activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pharmacological assays used to study CNS depressant effect in albino mice were rota rod and actophotometer performance test. Effects on behavioral activity were studied using open field test. The extract was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Diazepam (2 mg/kg body weight i.p.) was used as standard. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening revealed presence of triterpenoids, saponins, alkaloids (betaine, achyranthine), and steroids as major constituents. The result of this study reflected that EEAA (400 mg/kg i.p.) decreased locomotor activity, produced muscle relaxation, and showed anxiolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS: EEAA exhibit CNS depressant and significant anxiolytic activity comparable to diazepam.