@article {372, title = {Evaluation of Anti-Anxiety Effect of Brassica oleracea L. Extracts in Experimental Animals}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {July 2017}, pages = {638-643}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {638}, abstract = {

Introduction: Oxidative stress in the brain causes nervous system impairment. Hence the use of antioxidants could be an effective approach to prevent disorders such as anxiety. Plants containing phenolic constituents are reported to be potent antioxidants. Brassica oleracea L. commonly known as broccoli, is rich in phenolics mainly flavonoids and possesses excellent antioxidant property, however its anxiolytic potential has not been investigated. Thus in the present study antianxiety activity of extracts of broccoli was evaluated in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Various pharmacognostic parameters of the plant material were studied following standard procedures. Groups of six mice each were taken as different treatment groups. Control group received vehicle (1\% Carboxy Methyl Cellulose), positive control received Diazepam (2mg/kg) as standard drug while test groups received petroleum ether and hydroalcoholic extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o.). The effects were evaluated on Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), hole board and mirror chamber tests. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, followed by Turkey\’s post-hoc test. Results: Hydroalcoholic extract shows dose dependent increase in the average time spent and frequency of entries in the open arms of the EPM; decreased latency, increased time spent and frequency of entries in the mirror chamber; increased number of head dips in hole board test as compared to control was observed. These effects were comparable to the effect produced by diazepam. Phytochemical screening of the bioactive extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Conclusion: From our study, it can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea at the dose of 200 mg/kg possesses marked anxiolytic activity.

}, keywords = {Antianxiety, Brassica oleracea, Elevated Plus Maze, Hole Board, Mirror Chamber Test}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.5.101}, url = {/files/pj-9-5/10.5530pj.2017.5.101/index.html}, author = {Divneet Kaur and Richa Shri and Anjoo Kamboj} } @article {134, title = {Bioactivity Guided Fractionation of Ethanol Extract of Caesalpinia digyna Rottler Roots}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {December 2015}, pages = {165-167}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {165}, abstract = {

Background: Authors have reported earlier that ethanol extract of Caesalpinia digyna Rottler roots exhibits significant antianxiety activity at 400 mg/kg, po, in mice using elevated plus-maze (EPM). Objective: Aim of the study was to isolate antianxiety principle(s) from ethanol extract of C. digyna roots following bioactivity guided fractionation approach. Materials and Methods: Bioactive ethanol extract was partitioned with ethyl acetate to get ethyl acetate soluble (EASF) and ethyl acetate insoluble (EAIF) fractions. A compound (CD1) precipitated from EASF. The two fractions and CD1 were evaluated for antianxiety activity in mice. Column chromatography of EASF yielded 5 fractions (F1-F5), all of which were evaluated for antianxiety activity using EPM. Results: Present study revealed that EASF (80 mg/kg) and CD1 (40 mg/kg) exhibited significant antianxiety activity, while EAIF does not. Among the five fractions, only F4 (40 mg/kg, po), exhibited significant antianxiety activity, which was statistically comparable to that of diazepam (2 mg/kg). Conclusion: Present investigation reveals that EASF obtained by partitioning of ethanol extract of C. digyna roots with ethyl acetate, and a compound CD1, isolated from EASF, exhibit significant antianxiety activity. Among 5 fractions (F1-F5) obtained from column chromatography of EASF, only F4 exhibited significant antianxiety activity. F4 is being processed further to isolate the anxiolytic constituent(s), and CD1 is being characterized.

}, keywords = {Antianxiety, Bioactivity-guided fractionation, Caesalpinia digyna, Elevated plus-maze.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2016.2.11}, author = {Jitender Singh and Ashwani Kumar and Anupam Sharma} }