Anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of different methanolic extracts of Melia azedarach Linn.

Present study was planned to search for neuropharmacological properties of methanolic extracts of different parts of Melia azedarach Linn. because conventional medicine shows adverse effects. Recently natural products are studied worldwide, as safer alternatives, which are not duly supported with scientifically proved data. Melia azedarach (Bakayan, China berry tree) is medium sized tree belonging to family Meliaceae. Traditional use of plant is as anthelmintic, antilithic and diuretic. Topical application of oil for cramps and rheumatism is beneficial. Methanolic extract of flowers (BFM), twigs (BTM) and roots (BKB) were the test drugs to study different activities on NMRI mice. This is the first report regarding CNS activity of Melia flowers. Significant anxiolytic activity (p=0.000) of extract of flowers (BFM) and of roots (BKB) (p=0.002) was determined by "elevated plus maze" and "Light and dark activity box". Antidepressant activity was seen by BFM (p=0.000) in "forced swim test". Diazepam and Imipramine were used as positive controls respectively. In conclusion flower extract have shown very powerful anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity and cytotoxic potential of twigs cannot be ruled out.

Evaluation of antiviral activity of plant extracts against foot and mouth disease virus in vitro.

The aim of this study was to evaluate antiviral activity of chloroformic leaves extracts of three plants: Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Morus alba against Foot and Mouth disease virus using MTT assay (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Antiviral and cytotoxic activity of each extract was evaluated as cell survival percentage and results were expressed as Means ± S.D. The concentrations which resulted in cell survival percentages of greater than 50% are considered to be effective antiviral concentrations. From the tested plant extracts, Moringa oleifera showed potent antiviral activity (p<0.05) while Azadirachta indica showed significant antiviral activity in the range of 1-50µ/ml & 12-100µ/ml respectively. In contrast no antiviral activity was observed by Morus alba as all the tested concentration resulted in significant reduction (p<0.05) in cell survival percentage.

Anxiolytic effect of herbal medicine, Khamira Gaozaban Ambri Jadwar Ood Salib Wala (KGJ) in experimental rat models.

Anxiety and depression leads to a number of morbid states. Search of new agents which are low-priced and safe alternative is necessary. Khamira Gaozaban Ambri Jadwar Ood Salib wala (KGJ), is a product of Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Pakistan. They claim that it is anxiolytic, anti-convulsant and nervine tonic. However this claim is not scientifically proven. Some components are proved to be anxiolytic but combination may alter the individual properties of drugs. Therefore we designed present study to prove these properties of KGJ scientifically. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six animals in each group. The groups were saline group, control group (receiving Diazepam I mg/kg) and three test groups receiving 86, 170 and 360 mg/kg doses of Khamira orally. Assessments of different doses of KGJ in comparison to diazepam were carried out on anxiety paradigms namely "Elevated Plus Maze", "Light And Dark Activity Box" and "Open Field" paradigms. KGJ produced anxiolytic effects in all the behavioral methods, which were not significantly different from the effects produced by diazepam. Basal levels of corticosterone not altered by diazepam were decreased by 86 mg/kg dose of KGJ. Same dose of KGJ also decreased blood glucose levels. In conclusion, these results suggest anxiolytic potential of KGJ with non-sedative property.