Effect of fruits of Opuntia elatior Mill on mast cell degranulation.

BACKGROUND: The presence of potentially active nutrients and their multifunctional properties make prickly pear a perfect candidate for the production of phytopharmaceutical products. Among the numerous Opuntia species, bioactive compounds have been isolated and characterized primarily from Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia polycantha, Opuntia stricta, Opuntia dilleni for various medicinal properties. OBJECTIVE: Based on the traditional use of prickly pear for enhancement of immune function, the objective of the present study to evaluate the effect of prickly pear on mast cell degranulation function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Opuntia fruit juice (OFJ) (10-200 µl/ml) were studied for the effect on sensitized rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation induced by immunological (egg albumin), and nonimmunological (compound 48/80) stimuli and compared with that of the reference standard, sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen (10 µg/ml). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The OFJ exhibited significantly (P < 0.001) concentration dependent inhibition of mast cell degranulation. The IC50 value of OFJ was found 12.24 and 18 µl/ml for immunological and nonimmunological induced mast cell degranulation, respectively. The betacyanin is an active principle compound in prickly pear that may responsible for mast cell stabilizing action.

Effect of methanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley fruits on marble-burying behavior in mice: Implications for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

CONTEXT: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common mental disorder and is diagnosed nearly as often as asthma and diabetes mellitus. Over the last decade, the inhibition of burying of glass marbles by mice has been used as an index of anti-OCD drug action in the so-called marble-burying test. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS), commonly known as "bottle gourd" (English), possesses several medicinal properties; little is known about its action as a nerve tonic. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the anti-OCD (anti-compulsive) activity of the methanolic extract of the fruits of L. siceraria (Molina) Standley (LS) using the marble-burying behavior in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was conducted in specific animal models of Swiss albino mice to evaluate marble-burying behavior. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitonial administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg of LS extract significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the total number of buried marbles. The effect was comparable to that of the fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Fluoxetine and LS fruit extract do not produce any overt motor dysfunction. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of LS showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, sterols, proteins, tannins and carbohydrates. The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses anti-compulsive (anti-OCD) activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the mechanism of action of the constituents from this plant.

Neuroprotective activity of Matricaria recutita against fluoride-induced stress in rats.

CONTEXT: Oxidative stress plays a key role in pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and so on. Although Matricaria recutita L. (Asteraceae), German chamomile, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS)-related diseases, its antistress properties have received little attention. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of German chamomile against aluminium fluoride (AlF4⁻)-induced oxidative stress in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (200-250 g) were selected and grouped as: group I received normal saline; group II received AlF4⁻ (negative control); groups III, IV, and V received 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, orally, German chamomile methanol extract (GCME) along with AlF4⁻; and group VI received quercetin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) + AlF4⁻, respectively. After 10 days treatment with GCME, oxidative stress was induced by administering AlF4⁻ through drinking water for 7 days. Then, the protective antioxidant enzyme levels were measured and the histopathological studies were carried out. RESULTS: The GCME showed dose-dependent neuroprotective activity by significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and total thiol levels in extract-treated animals as compared with negative control group (P < 0.001). The histopathological studies also revealed the potent neuroprotective action of German chamomile against oxidative brain damage. CONCLUSION: The present study for the first time shows potent neuroprotective activity of the methanol extract of German chamomile against AlF4⁻-induced oxidative stress in rats.