www.symbiosisonline.org Symbiosis www.symbiosisonlinepublishing.com Research article SOJ Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Open Access Neuropharmacological Profile of Methanolic Extract of Leucas aspera Leaves in Swiss Albino Mice Rashed Reza1, Md. Abdul Mannan1*, Md. Sohrab Hosen2 and Most. Nazma Parvin1 1Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51, Siddeswari Road, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh 2Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, H#4/4-B, Block-A, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh Received: June 27, 2018; Accepted: July 10, 2018; Published: July 17, 2018 *Corresponding author: Md. Abdul Mannan, Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51, Siddeswari Road, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh, Tel: +8801723841759; E-mail: [email protected] weed in Asia, Africa, and Asia tropical countries. It is used for Abstract the treatments of analgesic, anti-pyretic, anti-rheumatic, anti- Leucas aspera (L. aspera) is commonly known as “Darkolos or Dandokolos” in Bangladesh. The plant is used for the treatments of anti- asinflammatory, an insecticide, and coughs, anti-bacterial pain, and diseases. skin eruption The paste conditions of this plant [4]. The purpose of this present study was to investigate the central is used topically to inflamed areas [3]. The entire plant is used nervouspyretic, anti-rheumatic, system (CNS) depressantanti-inflammatory, activities and of anti-bacterial methanolic extract diseases. of L. aspera leaves (MELA) in mice models. The central nervous system animal behavioral models [5, 6] through prostaglandin inhibition [7,The 8]. anti-inflammatory The plant has wound activity healing of this activity plant hasthat been is used reported in cobra in whole cross, force swimming, tail suspension, and thiopental sodium- venom poisoning [9]. L. aspera leaves are useful in psoriasis, (CNS) depressant activity of the MELA was evaluated using open field, induced sleeping time tests. For CNS tests, diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was scabies, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents [10]. The root used as reference drug. In all mice models, MELA was administered extract of was studied for the central nervous system orally at the doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, where as the control L. aspera group expected deionized water (0.1 mL/mouse, p.o.). The present (CNS) depressant activity [11]. Preliminary phytochemical screening is reported that L. aspera is a source of triterpenoids, increasedstudy indicated the duration that MELA of immobility significantly time decreased both force locomotor swimming activity and of open field and whole cross tests in mice. The extract significantly oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and 3-sitosterol [12, 13]. The plant sleep at an earlier stage and lengthened the duration of sleeping time contained sterols, alkaloids such as compound A, α-sitosterol, tail suspension tests. MELA significantly (*p< 0.05, vs. control) induced L. aspera. Some of β-sitosterol, reducing sugars, and glucoside [14, 15]. Twenty- study indicated a CNS depressant activity of L. aspera leaves extract. them are volatiles, u-farnesene, x-thujene, and menthol. Amyl and five compounds are identified from the leaf of However,in thiopental further sodium-induced studies are needed sleeping to evaluatetime test. the The potential findings use of ofthis L. isoamyl propionate are major phytochemical constituents, which aspera for the treatment of CNS depressant diseases. L. aspera [16]. Palmitic acid, stearic Keywords: Leucas aspera; Depressant; Extract; Diazepam; CNS acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and ceryl alcohol are were found from the flowerL. of aspera [17, 18]. Some novel phenolic Introduction compounds, aliphatic ketols, and long-chain compounds are revealedidentified from from the the shootseeds ofpart of this plant [19-21]. Leucolactone Depression is a complex heterogeneous psychiatric condition that causes suffering to several millions of the world is isolated from the roots of L. aspera [22]. The anti-microbial, population [1]. It is characterized by emotional and physical anti-malarial,(I) which has namedlarvicidal, by 3,and 3, 16c-dihydroxyoleanan-28-1,3-olide,anti-sporiatic activities of L. aspera manifestations such as energy, appetite, sleep, weight, and feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, guilt or to possess anti-plasmodial and pupicidal activities [27]. indecision, loss of concentration, interest, agitation, mental were well-established in research field [23-26]. It was also found and social withdrawal [2]. Although, market preparations are L. aspera available which are used for the treatment of depression; but showed the central nervous system (CNS) depressant properties [11].Based For these on the reason, previous the purposescientific of reports, this present root studyof was to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant activities toleratedthe efficacy and of thiscost drugs effective are restricted,drugs. Plant and theyderived are expensive.medicines of methanolic extract of L. aspera leaves (MELA) in mice models. acrossThere isa broadcontinuing spectrum research have to been develop advanced highly as efficacious, novel sources more of However, further studies are needed to evaluate the potential use for the treatment of CNS depressant diseases. of traditional therapeutic uses that have been researched and Materials and Methods screenedpsychiatric on therapies behalf of [1],their which psychotherapeutic have been reflected potential in the in animalplenty models. Chemicals Leucas aspera (Family: Labiatae), is commonly known as Diazepam (Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bangladesh), “Darkolos or Dandokolos” in Bangladesh. The plant is found as thiopental sodium (Sigma Chemicals Co., USA). Diazepam (1 Symbiosis Group *Corresponding author email: [email protected] Neuropharmacological Profile of Methanolic Extract of Leucas aspera Leaves in Swiss Albino Mice Copyright: © 2018 Mannan A,et al. CNS depressant activity tail suspension, and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping timemg/kg tests i.p.) aswas standard used in drug.open field,For eachhole experiment,cross, force swimming,the drugs Open field test were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 15 min before the experimental mice. For central nervous system (CNS) depressant The method was described by Gupta et. al.[30] with few micemodifications. in each (n=5).The The apparatus control was group in receivedlight and deionized sound control water mice models, MELA was orally administered 30 min previous to doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, where the animals in control (0.1mL/mouse,room. The mice p.o.)were and divided the standard into five groupgroups received consisting diazepam of five the experiments (Except open field and hole cross tests) at the group received deionized water (0.1 mL/mouse, p.o.). (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Three test groups received MELA at the doses of Collection of plant material 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg body weight respectively (p.o.). The For this study, Leucas aspera leaves were collected from Padma Garden, Rajshahi, Bangladesh and were authenticated mice were individually placed in the open field box (100 cm × 60,100 90, cm and × 40 120 cm min h) which intervals. was divided into 16 square blocks. The Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The voucher number is “DACB: square blocks visited by mice were recorded for 3 min on 0, 30, by Principal Scientific Officer, Bangladesh National Herbarium, Hole cross test use. The experiment was designed as described by Subhan et. 38390”. The number is deposited to the herbarium for further Preparation of extraction The leaves were dried out at room temperature in the away al.[31] with minor modifications. The equipment was a fixed from direct sunlight for 5 days. The plant samples were ground partitioning wall which having a dimension of 30 cm × 20 cm × 14 cm. In the middle of cage, 3 cm diameter hole was created at days with methanol. Then, the extract was collected and the receiveda height ofdeionized 7.5 cm wall water from (0.1mL/mouse, the floor. Mice p.o.) were and separated the standard into solventinto the wasfine completelypowder-using removed blender by and rotary soaked evaporator. by dissolving 9.80 7g groupfive groups received containing diazepam five (1 mice mg/kg, each i.p.). (n=5).The The three control test groups group received MELA at 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg doses body weight for all experimental studies. respectively (p.o.). Then, the number of passages from one extract (yield 3.92 % w/w) was obtained which was then used chamber to other through the hole inside the cage was counted Animals Swiss albino mice (20-25 g) of both sexes were used for this study. The animals were purchased from Pharmacology forForced a period swimming of 3 min on test 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min intervals. Laboratory, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The forced swimming test was conducted by using the method They were housed in polyvinyl cages with soft wood bedding materials and were kept under standard environmental were placed in 45 cm glass cylinder of 20 cm diameter containing of Porsolt et. al.[32] with modifications. The experimental mice humidity with 12 h light/dark cycle. All the experimental mice weresurroundings treated followingof room temperature the Ethical Principlesat 25 ± 2 ˚C,and 55-65% Guidelines relative for controlwater at group the temperature received deionized of 25 ±water 1 °C. (0.1 Twenty-five mL/mouse mice p.o.) were and therandomly standard separated received intodiazepam five groups (1 mg/kg, in