Anxiolytic interventions of extracts and pure compounds from Adenanthera pavonina and Peltophorum pterocarpum leaves to treat acute anxiety and depression symptoms in mice.

Anxiolytic effect of ethanol, hexane extracts and pure compounds ß- sito sterol glucoside and bergenin isolated from Adenanthera pavonina AP (Fabaceae) and Peltophorum pterocarpum PP (Fabaceae) leaves were monitored in this study. Mice were treated with dose of 125mg/kg body weight of ethanol and hexane leaves extracts of both tested plants while, 5mg/kg body weight of ß-sito sterol glucoside and 25mg/kg body weight of bergenin. The effect was monitored by hole board test, forced swimming test, open field apparatus and stationary rod test. Results from neuropharmacological effects revealed that ethanol extract of AP leaves and hexane extract of PP leaves had significant anxiolytic (forced swimming test) exploratory (head dip and open field test) and neuro activator activity (stationary rod test) at tested dose. The greatest anti-depressant and anxiolytic effect was found in ethanol extract of AP leaves when compared to all treated drugs. A part from memory enhancing effects, diazepam treated mice also exhibited anxiolytic and antidepressant effects and found comparable with ethanol extract of AP. These findings may clarify the impact of ethanol, hexane extracts and pure substances ß-sitosterol glucoside and bergenin at tested concentrations, as well as their potential to treat the Parkinson's and related disorders as an alternative therapy.

Formulation and evaluation of natural antitussive cough syrups.

Among respiratory complications, cough is an important defensive pulmonary reflex that removes fluids, irritants or foreign substances from the respiratory tract. Rosa damascene Mill, petal extract is a traditional medicine and reported to use in the management of cough. In the present study rose petals extract samples were used to prepare natural antitussive cough syrups containing ivy leaf extract to observe synergistic effect of rose water in managing coughing in rats. Four cough formulations (A1, A2, A3 and A4) were prepared. The antitussive activity was observed at three dosage levels; 5ml, 10ml and 15ml. Cough was induced by the standard procedure using sulfur dioxide gas and ammonia. The antitussive activity was recorded by observing the coughing bouts. The result indicated that all formulations had a good effect on cough reduction at 90min but comparing the effect of formulations in all doses formulations, A2 followed by A3 and A4 at 30 minute time interval which is good in comparison with standard Diphenhydramine HCL and Dextromethorphan HBr 10ml in sulfur dioxide gas and ammonia induced cough. Hence, the results of the present study indicated the synergistic effect of rose water in the management of cough ailments.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper nigrum L.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of pure compound, piperine along with hexane and ethanol extracts of Piper nigrum L. fruit in mice and rats. METHODS: The analgesic activity was determined by tail immersion method, analgesy-meter, hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing test. While the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats. RESULTS: Piperine at a dose of 5 mg/kg and ethanol extract at a dose of 15 mg/kg after 120 min and hexane extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg after 60 min exhibited significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity by tail immersion method, in comparison to ethanol extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg using analgesy-meter in rats. However, with hotplate method, piperine produced significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity at lower doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) after 120 min. A similar analgesic activity was noted with hexane extract at 15 mg/kg. However, in writhing test, ethanol extract significantly (P<0.05) stopped the number of writhes at a dose of 15 mg/kg, while piperine at a dose of 10 mg/kg completely terminated the writhes in mice. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect using plethysmometer, piperine at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg started producing anti-inflammatory effect after 30 min, which lasted till 60 min, whereas hexane and ethanol extracts also produced a similar activity at a slightly low dose (10 mg/kg) but lasted for 120 min. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded from the present study that Piper nigrum L possesses potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.