OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the neuropharmacological effect of four herbs commonly identified as source of Shankhpushpi.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts of all four varieties were tested and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their neuropharmacological effects. Experiments such as protection against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity on brain cell line (Neuro 2A), antioxidant potential, AchE (acetylcholinesterase enzyme) inhibition, and 5-LOX (lipoxygenase) enzyme inhibition were conducted for in vitro evaluation. For in vivo evaluation, scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) induced memory retrieval using pole climbing apparatus and Morris water maze were performed in rat models.
RESULTS: It was found that protective effects of EA and CD against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells were significantly higher than CT and CP. EA proved to be superior than other varieties on the basis of antioxidant activity, AchE inhibitory and LOX inhibitory activities. The preventive activity of EA on scopolamine induced memory retrieval in pole climbing and Morris water maze task in rats was found to be higher than that of CD, CT and CP.
CONCLUSION: EA has remarkable neuropharmacological effect as compared to other three varieties of Shankhpushpi. This effect may be attributed due to the presence of steroids (stigmasterol and betulinic acid), coumarins (scopoletin) and flavonoids (β-carotene and chlorogenic acid). Hence it can be used as a promising lead in development and management of neuronal disorders including Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE: In the present study, bioassay-guided screening technique was employed to identify the best AP extract in the management of MetS, PCa, and MetS-PCa co-disease in vitro.
METHODS: Five AP extracts by different solvent systems; APE1 (aqueous), APE2 (absolute methanol), APE3 (absolute ethanol), APE4 (40% methanol), and APE5 (60% ethanol) were screened through their phytochemical profile, in-vitro anti-cancer, anti-obese, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The best extract was further tested for its potential in MetS-induced PCa progression.
RESULTS: APE2 contained the highest andrographolide (1.34 ± 0.05 mg/mL) and total phenolic content (8.85 ± 0.63 GAE/gDW). However, APE3 has the highest flavonoid content (11.52 ± 0.80 RE/gDW). APE2 was also a good scavenger of DPPH radicals (EC50 = 397.0 µg/mL). In cell-based assays, among all extracts, APE2 exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 57.5 ± 11.8 µg/mL) on DU145 cancer cell line as well as on its migration activity. In in-vitro anti-obese study, all extracts significantly reduced lipid formation in 3T3-L1 cells. The highest insulin-sensitizing and -mimicking actions were exerted by both APE2 and APE3. Taken together, APE2 showed collectively good activity in the inhibition of PCa progression and MetS manifestation in vitro, compared to other extracts. Therefore, APE2 was further investigated for its potential to intervene DU145 progression induced with leptin (10-100 ng/mL) and adipocyte conditioned media (CM) (10% v/v). Interestingly, APE2 significantly diminished the progression of the cancer cell that has been pre-treated with leptin and CM through cell cycle arrest at S phase and induction of cell death.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, AP extracts rich with andrographolide has the potential to be used as an alternative to ameliorate PCa progression induced by factors highly expressed in MetS.