Hypoglycemic, antistress, anxiolytic, and nootropic activity of roots of Rubia cordifolia Linn

Kasture, Veena S.,Kasture, Sanjay B. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2004 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.4 No.4

The alcoholic extract of dried roots of Rubia cordifolia dose dependently reduced blood sugar level in alloxan treated rats. The extract also reduced ulcer index, plasma corticosterone in cold restrain stressed rats in dose related manner. The mice treated with alcoholic extract of Rubia cordifolia spent more time in the open arm of the elevated plus maze indicating anxiolytic activity. The extract also antagonized the amnesic effect of scopolamine in mice as indicated by reduced transfer latency in the elevated plus maze. Thus the plant bears potential for use in diabetes, stress, anxiety, and dementia.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic activity of Asparagus acutifolius extract

Kasture, Sanjay,Kasture, Ameya,Ballero, Mauro,Maxia, Andrea Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2009 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.9 No.1

Although many species of Asparagus have been studied scientifically and shoots are used in the diet of Sardinians, there is very little literature available on the medicinal uses of Asparagus acutifolius Linn. The acetone-ethanol (1:1) extract was screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activities. The extract showed good anti-oxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide radical assays. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and adaptogenic activity in the milk induced leucocytosis assay in rats. The results of the present study suggest need to investigate other pharmacological activities of Asparagus acutifolius.

Bacopa monniera

Kasture, Veena S,Kasture, Sanjay B Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2006 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.6 No.4

The plant is used in India as well as several countries since several centuries for treating different types of ailments. The plant is an important constituent of the Ayurvedic Materia Medica and finds mention in several ancient texts including Caraka Sanhita ($6^{th}$ century A.D.) and the Bhavprakasa ($16^{th}$ century A.D.). The scientific studies on this plant have reported several activities of this plant. Though the plant has cardiotonic, vasoconstrictor, sedative, neuro-muscular blocking, and anticancer activities, it is more popular as memory enhancer. Traditionally, a poultice made of the boiled plant is placed on the chest in acute bronchitis and coughs of children. The plant contains saponins: bacosides A and B, hersaponin, sapogenins: bacogenin $A_{1}$, $A_{2}$, and $A_{3}$ stigmasterol, and flavonoids: luteolin and luteolin-7 glucoside, nicotine, brahmine, and herpestine. This review focuses on the scientific data published since 1931.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic activity of Asparagus acutifolius extract

Sanjay Kasture,Mauro Ballero,Andrea Maxia,Ameya Kasture 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2009 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.9 No.1

Although many species of Asparagus have been studied scientifically and shoots are used in the diet of Sardinians, there is very little literature available on the medicinal uses of Asparagus acutifolius Linn. The acetone-ethanol (1:1) extract was screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activities. The extract showed good anti-oxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide radical assays. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and adaptogenic activity in the milk induced leucocytosis assay in rats. The results of the present study suggest need to investigate other pharmacological activities of Asparagus acutifolius. Although many species of Asparagus have been studied scientifically and shoots are used in the diet of Sardinians, there is very little literature available on the medicinal uses of Asparagus acutifolius Linn. The acetone-ethanol (1:1) extract was screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activities. The extract showed good anti-oxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide radical assays. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and adaptogenic activity in the milk induced leucocytosis assay in rats. The results of the present study suggest need to investigate other pharmacological activities of Asparagus acutifolius.

Rubia cordifolia: a review

Patil, Rupali,Mohan, Mahalaxmi,Kasture, Veena,Kasture, Sanjay Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2009 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.9 No.1

Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications.

Rubia cordifolia: a review

Rupali Patil,Mahalaxmi Mohan,Veena Kasture,Sanjay Kasture 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2009 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.9 No.1

Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications. Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications.

Evaluation of antipsychotic and anti-diarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia Linn

Harde, Minal T.,Khairnar, Avinash S.,Kasture, Ameya S.,Kasture, Sanjay B. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2008 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.8 No.1

The objective of the present study was to assess the antipsychotic and antidiarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia in mice and rats. The antipsychotic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (ERC) was evaluated by observing its effect on amphetamineinduced stereotyped behavior in mice. Effect of ERC was also studied on motor coordination and locomotion in mice. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and excretion of sodium and potassium ions in the intestinal secretion in rats and gastrointestinal transit in mice. The ERC inhibited amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, diminished locomotion and impaired motor coordination. ERC inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased both sodium and potassium excretion in the intestine and decreased gastrointestinal transit. Thus the present study confirms the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Rubia cordifolia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of Rubia cordifolia as an antipsychotic.

Evaluation of antipsychotic and anti-diarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extractof roots of Rubia cordifolia Linn

Minal T Harde,Avinash S Khairnar,Ameya S Kasture,Sanjay B Kasture 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.8 No.1

The objective of the present study was to assess the antipsychotic and antidiarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia in mice and rats. The antipsychotic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (ERC) was evaluated by observing its effect on amphetamineinduced stereotyped behavior in mice. Effect of ERC was also studied on motor coordination and locomotion in mice. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and excretion of sodium and potassium ions in the intestinal secretion in rats and gastrointestinal transit in mice. The ERC inhibited amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, diminished locomotion and impaired motor coordination. ERC inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased both sodium and potassium excretion in the intestine and decreased gastrointestinal transit. Thus the present study confirms the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Rubia cordifolia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of Rubia cordifolia as an antipsychotic. The objective of the present study was to assess the antipsychotic and antidiarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia in mice and rats. The antipsychotic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Rubia cordifolia (ERC) was evaluated by observing its effect on amphetamineinduced stereotyped behavior in mice. Effect of ERC was also studied on motor coordination and locomotion in mice. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea and excretion of sodium and potassium ions in the intestinal secretion in rats and gastrointestinal transit in mice. The ERC inhibited amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, diminished locomotion and impaired motor coordination. ERC inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased both sodium and potassium excretion in the intestine and decreased gastrointestinal transit. Thus the present study confirms the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Rubia cordifolia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of Rubia cordifolia as an antipsychotic.

Anxiolytic activity of standardized extract of Korean ginseng - a study on exploratory behavior

Mohan, M,Kasture, SB,Balaraman, R Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2005 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.5 No.4

The roots of the plant Korean ginseng have been extensively used in the traditional Chinese herbal medicine. We investigated the standardized extract of Korean ginseng on animal models of anxiety based on exploratory behavior. Korean ginseng extract (KGE) (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) was administered intra-peritoneally. The anxiolytic activity was studied using elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm, light/dark apparatus (LDA), open field apparatus (OFA) and the hole board apparatus (HBA). Diazepam (1mg/kg) was used as a standard anxiolytic drug. In EPM, KGE (10 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time spent in open arms and the number of entries in open arms. In LDA, KGE (10 mg/kg) increased the number of transitions. In OFA, KGE (3 and 10 mg/kg) significantly increased (P < 0.05) the number of squares traversed. In HBA the number of head pokes were significantly increased with KGE (3 and 10 mg/kg). KGE at all selected doses did not affect the motor coordination. Thus, the study suggests that saponin containing standardized Korean ginseng extract possess anxiolytic activity.

Anxiolytic effect of chronic ginseng treatment using elevated T-maze in mice

Mohan, M,Kasture, SB,Balaraman, R Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2007 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.7 No.1

The roots of the plant Korean ginseng have been extensively used in the traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The effects of chronic administration of Korean ginseng extract (KGE) were investigated on two different anxiety models: the elevated T-maze (for inhibitory avoidance and escape measurements) and the open field test (OFT). Diazepam (1 mg/kg), KGE (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 15 days. On the 14th day, mice were previously exposed for 30 min to one of the open arms of the T-maze, 24 h before the test. On 15th day, mice had two exposures to the enclosed and open arm of the elevated T-maze followed by exposure to the open field apparatus. The number of line crossings in the apparatus was used to assess locomotor changes. Cumulative Concentration Response Curve of 5-HT was plotted using rat fundus which were pre-treated in a similar way. Treatment with Diazepam (1 mg/kg) and KGE (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) impaired inhibitory avoidance performance but did not impair escape latency. In OFT, diazepam facilitated locomotion as compared to vehicle and other treatment groups. KGE at any of the selected doses did not impair locomotion. Concentration response curve of 5-HT was shifted towards the right with suppression of maxima in rats treated with KGE. The results suggest that KGE exerts anxiolytic like behaviour in a specific subset of defensive behaviour, particularly those related to generalized anxiety disorder.