Journal of Natural Remedies

T. K. Sur , D. Bhattacharyya

Abstract

The involvement of central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the anti-stress effects of Panax ginseng was studied in immobilized rats after blockade of 5-HT synthesis with parachlorophenylanine (PCPA). Materials and methods : Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with PCPA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 3 days. Panax ginseng (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min before the rats were subjected to immobilization stress (IS) for 1 h. The levels of 5-HT in brain and hypothalamus, and plasma corticosterone, were measured spectrofluorometrically. Results : IS for 1 h resulted in enhanced 5-HT levels in brain and hypothalamus and increase in plasma corticosterone. Administration of PCPA reduced all the above parameters. Panax ginseng significantly attenuated IS-induced elevations in the above parameters when either given alone or when co-administered with PCPA. Conclusions : These data suggest that anti-stress effect of Panax ginseng may be modulated by central 5-HT-ergic system.

Keywords

Immobilization, Stress, Brain, 5-HT, Panax ginseng, Corticosterone

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D. Bhattacharyya , R. Mukherjee , B. Mazumder , S. Pandit , N. Das , T. K. Sur

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of Himoliv (HV), a polyherbal preparation on the prevention of liver damage caused by galactosamine. Materials and methods : The rats were pretreated with HV (1ml/kg), and silymarin (25 mg/kg) orally for 9 days. Liver damage was induced in all rats except control with galactosamine at the dose of 200 mg/kg, i.p. on the day 7. Two days later, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were estimated. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and protein in liver were also noted. Histopathological studies were also done to confirm the biochemical changes. Results : There was a significant elevation of hepatic enzyme (GOT, GPT and ALP) levels in serum after 48 h of galactosamine treatment, in comparison to normal control. These findings were reversed with HV pretreatment. Galactosamine treatment caused significant elevation in MDA concentration and reduction in SOD concentration when compared to control group. But, HV pretreatment showed significant reduction of MDA production and elevation of SOD concentration. These effects were very much similar to those of silymarin treated group. Histopathological studies also supported the biochemical findings. Conclusions: The results confirm the hepatoprotective activity of HV. It also provides a basis for the clinical use of HV in several clinical conditions involving liver diseases.

Keywords

Hepatoprotective Effect, Galactosamine, Free Radicals, Lipid Peroxidation, Liver

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S. S. Pramanik , T. K. Sur , P. K. Debnath , T. Pramanik , D. Bhattacharyya

Abstract

The study was carried out to establish the anti-stress effect of Pueraria tuberosa in relation to the levels of plasma corticosterone and norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in whole brain and hypothalamus and compared with Withania somnifera (adaptogen). Adult male Wistar rats pretreated with 70% hydroethanolic extract of P. tuberosa tuber ischolar_main (PTE) at the doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, for 5 consecutive days. W. somnifera rhizome extract (WSE) at 100 mg/kg was used as reference drug. The rats were subjected to cold immobilization stress (IS) for 2 h. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and ulcer formation in gastric mucosa was noted. Weights of adrenals and spleens were also taken. Further, plasma corticosterone levels were estimated by spectrophotoflurometrically. Simultaneously, brain monoamines like, NE, DA and 5-HT were determined in whole brain and hypothalamus region HPLC electrochemical detector. IS for 2 h damaged the gastric mucosal layers, enhanced plasma corticosterone levels and increase adrenal glands and spleen weight. Further, IS elevated NE, DA and 5-HT levels both in whole brain and hypothalamus. PTE significantly protected the gastric mucosa, lowered corticosterone level in blood and negated the hypertrophy of adrenals and spleen. PTE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and WSE (100 mg/kg) significantly decreased IS elevated NE, DA and 5-HT both in whole brain and hypothalamus. These data suggest that anti-stress effect of Pueraria tuberosa may be modulated by monoaminergic system.

Keywords

Stress, Corticosterone, Monoamines, HPLC, Pueraria tuberosa, Withania somnifera

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