Apigenin attenuates depressive-like behavior via modulating monoamine oxidase A enzyme activity in chronically stressed mice.

Chronic stress is a risk factor for depression and is characterized by elevated levels of brain monoamine oxidase A (MAOA). Mounting evidence has shown that MAOA is a biochemical link between stress and depression. Apigenin (API), a natural flavonoid, as demonstrated inhibitory effect on MAOA, is suggestive of antidepressant-like activity.

Methanol leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata exerts sleep-enhancing and anticonvulsant effects via a mechanism involving the GABAergic pathway.

Purpose: Leaf extracts of Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) are used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of central nervous system-related diseases such as insomnia and epilepsy. We determined the bioactive constituents, sleep-enhancing and anti-convulsant potentials, and possible mechanisms of action of P.

Quercetin mitigates memory deficits in scopolamine mice model via protection against neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Aims: Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD) are outcomes of neuroinflammatory processes that result in memory impairment. Quercetin (QT), a plant based flavonoid, has demonstrated notable effects against neurodegeneration and inflammation in models of dementia. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been well elucidated.

Phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extract of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig (Sapindaceae) and its analgesic property in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Blighia sapida is traditionally used in treating intercostal pain, psychosis, stomach ache, back pain, and skin diseases. However, there is limited information on the scientific basis for its use traditionally in the treatment of pain.

Aim Of Study: To identify the major constituents in the aqueous leaf extract of Blighia sapida (AEBS) and to assess its analgesic properties in mice.

Creatine attenuates seizure severity, anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in pentylenetetrazole kindled mice.

Epilepsy has been associated with several behavioral changes such as depression and anxiety while some antiepileptic drugs can precipitate psychiatric conditions in patients. This study evaluated the ameliorative effect of creatine on seizure severity and behavioral changes in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindled mice. Mice were kindled by administering sub-convulsive doses of PTZ (35 mg/kg i.

Effects of Concurrently Administered Aqueous Extract of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), and Lead Acetate in Rats.

Ganoderma lucidum is a hard, bitter mushroom with many ethnomedicinal uses, including conditions similar to lead (Pb) toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of a G. lucidum aqueous extract (GL) when concurrently administered with Pb.

Evaluation of some neuropharmacological effects of Caladium bicolor aiton (araceae) leaf extracts in mice.

Caladium bicolor Aiton (Araceae) is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of boils, wound ulcers and convulsion. This study investigated the effects of the leaf extracts on some neuropharmacological parameters. The leaves were collected, dried, powdered and then extracted by maceration in methanol to yield the whole extract (WE).

Evaluation of the anti-asthmatic and antitussive potentials of methanol leaf extract of Napoleona vogelii in rodents.

Napoleona vogelii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of asthma and cough. This study evaluated antiasthmatic and antitussive properties of its methanol leaf extract (NVE) in rodents. Phytochemical screening was conducted using established methods.

Studies on the anti-asthmatic and antitussive properties of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum in rodent species.

Objective: To evaluate the antiasthmatic and antitussive properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) (BP) Lam.

Methods: Ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs which were treated with BP for 21 consecutive days were exposed to 0.

Evaluation of the protective and ameliorative properties of Garcinia kola on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.

Background: Garcinia kola is popularly used in African traditional medicine for the relief of acute bronchoconstrictive episodes.

Objective: In this study, we examined the anti-asthmatic and morphological effects of the ethanol extract of G. kola in animal model.

Possible mechanisms of action of the hypotensive effect of Annona muricata (soursop) in normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats.

Context: Annona muricata Linn (Annonaceae) (soursop) is a food plant reported to have antihypertensive properties.

Objective: We investigated the blood pressure reducing effect of its aqueous leaf extract and the possible mechanisms that may be responsible.

Methods: Intravenous administration of an aqueous leaf extract (9.

Some characteristic relaxant effects of aqueous leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata and andrographolide on guinea pig tracheal rings.

The ethnomedicinal uses of the aqueous leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees (AP) include treatment of pain and inflammation, malaria, asthma and common cold. We designed this study to characterize some effects of AP and those of its andrographolide constituent. Guinea pig tracheal rings suspended in organ baths containing PSS were precontracted with histamine or carbachol and then exposed to cumulative concentrations of AP, andographolide or theophylline.

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on guinea pig tracheal ring contractility.

Aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam (Crassulaceae) is used as a cough remedy and for the prophylaxis of asthma. Since drugs used for the prophylaxis of asthma may be acting on airway smooth muscles, we investigated the effects of aqueous leaf extract of the plant on the contractile responses of isolated tracheal rings. Guinea pigs were grouped into non-sensitized, ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized, OA-sensitized but 200 mg/kg/day x 21 extract-treated, and OA-sensitized but 400 mg/kg/day x 21 extract-treated.

Analgesic activity of aqueous extract of Stereospermum kunthianum (Cham, Sandrine Petit) stem bark.

The analgesic activity of the aqueous extract of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark was studied using the acetic acid-induced writhing, the hot plate test, tail flick test, and formalin pain test in mice or rats. The aqueous extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) produced a significant (p<0.001) dose-dependent inhibition of abdominal writhes in mice.

Acute and sub-acute toxicological assessment of the aqueous seed extract of Persea americana mill (Lauraceae) in rats.

The aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by herbalists in Nigeria for the management of hypertension. As part of our on-going scientific evaluation of the extract, we designed the present study to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles in rats. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral median lethal dose (LD(50)) and other gross toxicological manifestations on acute basis.

Increased superoxide dismutase and Na+, K+-ATPase activities in aortic strips from potassium-adapted rats: implication for altered vascular reactivity.

The contributions of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase to the altered vascular reactivity in potassium-adapted rats were investigated to test the hypothesis that smooth muscle hyperpolarisation may be involved. Isometric contractions to noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh), levcromakalim (LEV) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), were measured in aortic rings from potassium-adapted rats. Pieces of the aortae were also excised from the animals and assayed for SOD and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase.