In this study, the neuroprotective potential and in vivo antioxidant status of extract of roots and rhizomes of Rubia cordifolia L (MERC) in reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia was studied. Reserpine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) on day 1, 3 and 5 was used to induce orofacial dyskinesia. At the end of treatment schedule, MERC significantly inhibited reserpine-induced vacuous chewing movements, tongue protrusions, orofacial bursts, catalepsy. MERC significantly increased locomotion and rearing in open field test. MERC exhibited significant elevation in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in forebrain region, compared with the reserpine treated group. It significantly elevated dopamine levels in the forebrain region. GCMS revealed the presence of anthraquinones, having strong antioxidant activity. It is concluded that oxidative stress might play an important role in reserpine-induced abnormal oral movements and MERC significantly protected animals against reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia and has great potential in treatment of neuroleptic induced orofacial dyskinesia.

Aim:Flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn (Malvaceae) popularly known as “China-rose flowers” contain flavonoids. Flavonoids have been found to have antidepressant activity. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antidepressant activity of flavonoids in H. rosa-sinensis flowers with possible involvement of monoamines.Materials and Methods:Anti-depressant activity of methanol extract containing anthocyanins (MHR) (30 and 100 mg/kg) and anthocyanidins (AHR) (30 and 100 mg/ kg) of H. rosa-sinensis flowers were evaluated in mice using behavioral tests such as tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). The mechanism of action involved in antidepressant activity was investigated by observing the effect of extract after pre-treatment with low dose haloperidol, prazosin and para-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA).Results:Present study exhibited significant decrease in immobility time in TST and FST, similar to that of imipramine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) which served as a positive control. The extract significantly attenuated the duration of immobility induced by Haloperidol (50 μg/ kg, i.p., a classical D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist), Prazosin (62.5 μg/kg, i.p., an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) and p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg, i.p., × 3 days; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) in both TST and FST.Conclusion:It can be concluded that MHR and AHR possess potential antidepressant activity (through dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms) and has therapeutic potential in the treatment of CNS disorders and provides evidence at least at preclinical levels.

Aim:To evaluate the antinociceptive activity of acute and chronic administration of petroleum ether extract of Murraya koenigii L. leaves (PMK) and total alkaloids separated from petroleum ether extract of Murraya koenigii leaves (AMK) in mice.Materials and Methods:PMK was subjected for isolation of total alkaloid fraction AMK. The antinociceptive activity of PMK (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) and AMK (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.), after acute and chronic administration (for 15 days), was evaluated using peripheral model like acetic acid-induced writhing method and central model like hot plate method and tail immersion method. Statistical analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test.Result:In acute studies, PMK and AMK significantly and dose-dependently reduced the number of acetic acid-induced writhing, significantly increased the latency of paw licking in hot plate method, and significantly increased the basal reaction time in tail immersion method. With chronic administration of PMK and AMK, highest activity was observed on day 9 in acetic acid-induced writhing model. In hot plate and tail immersion method, chronic administration of PMK and AMK initially showed fluctuating responses but produced highest degree of antinociception on day 9 of the study.Conclusion:The degree of antinociception produced by PMK and AMK at the end of 15 days study suggest that Murraya koenigii has potential to use as an analgesic.

Context:Reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia is an animal model of tardive dyskinesia which may be associated with neurodegeneration and free radical damage.Aim:The aim was to assess the neuroprotective potential and in vivo antioxidant status of alcoholic extract of roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi (ANJ) and its triterpenes (TNJ) in reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia.Materials and Methods:In the present study, repeated treatment with reserpine (1.0 mg/kg) on each other day for a period of 5 days (days 1, 3, and 5) significantly induced vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) and tongue protrusions (TPs) in rats. The effect on reserpine-induced catalepsy was also studied. The effect of ANJ and TNJ on levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GSH) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the forebrain region was assessed.Statistical Analysis:All observations were expressed as mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by the one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. P<0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.Results:At the end of the treatment schedule, ANJ and TNJ significantly inhibited reserpine-induced VCM, TP, and catalepsy, and significantly increased the locomotion and rearing in the open-field test. Treatment with ANJ and TNJ exhibited significant elevation in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GSH) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in forebrain region compared to the reserpine treated group.Conclusions:The study concludes that ANJ and TNJ significantly protected animals against reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia as well as catalepsy suggesting its potential value in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced orofacial dyskinesia and Parkinson's disease.

Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate the bilirubin lowering and wound healing property of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera (AECP) leaves in Wistar rats.Materials and Methods:Albino Wistar rats of either sex were used for the study. Bilirubin lowering property of C. procera leaves was evaluated using phenylhydrazine and paracetamol as inducing agents followed by measuring the concentration of serum total bilirubin in hyperbilirubinemic rats. Wound healing property was evaluated using incision and excision models by measuring tensile breaking strength, percentage wound contractions, and epithelization days, respectively.Statistical Analysis:Statistical comparison between groups in each experiment was done with one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test.Results:AECP showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in concentrations of serum total bilirubin in hyperbilirubinemic rats as well as significant (P < 0.05) increase in breaking strength and percentage wound contractions with decreased epithelization period when compared to control groups.Conclusions:AECP showed significant bilirubin lowering and wound healing property in Wistar rats.