Journal of Natural Remedies

Alok S. Wakade , Abhishek S. Shah , Mrugaya P. Kulkarni , Archana R. Juvekar

Abstract

The present study investigated the protective effect of methanolic extract of fruits of Piper longum L. (PLM) on isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction in rats. PLM was administered to Wistar albino rats in two different doses, by gastric gavage for 28 days. Myocardial infarction was induced by subcutaneous administration of ISO for 2 days at the end of the dosing period. ISO administration resulted in significant decrease in the activities of marker enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) in heart with a concomitant increase in their activities in serum. A significant increase in lipid peroxide levels (TBARS) in hearts of ISO-induced rats was also observed. Activities of myocardial antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX) and glutathione reductase (GR) along with reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly lowered owing to myocardial infarction in ISO treated rats. PLM pretreatment was found to ameliorate the effect of ISO on lipid peroxide formation and retained activities of marker enzymes. It also prevented ISO-induced decrease in antioxidant enzymes in the heart. The histopathological studies of heart revealed a protective role PLM in ISO treated rats. The results exhibited that the pretreatment with methanolic extract of Piper longum fruits may be useful in preventing the damage induced by ISO in rat heart.

Keywords

Piper Longum, Myocardial Infarction, Isoproterenol, Lipid Peroxides, Antioxidant Enzymes

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Mrugaya P. Kulkarni , Archana R. Juvekar

Abstract

The present work was designed to assess the potential of aqueous extract of Tylophora indica on cognitive functions in mice using elevated plus maze model and Morris water maze model. Piracetam (200 mg/kg) was used as a standard nootropic agent for comparison. The results of elevated plus maze model showed that, Tylophora indica extract treated mice at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, significantly (p<0.01) reduced the time required to find the closed arm compared to untreated mice. Further, the extract treatment at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, showed significant (p <0.01) improvement in scopolamine-impaired performance with respect to acquisition and retention of memory in spatial and working memory tests, in Morris water maze model. In conclusion, Tylophora indica appears to be a promising candidate for improving memory and it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in management of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords

Tylophora Indica, Nootropic, Elevated Plus Maze Model, Morris Water Maze Model

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