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Chronic stress has been linked to a large number of pathologies, including cancer, premature aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. The accumulation of molecular waste resulting from oxidative and heavy metal-induced stress has been ascribed as a major factor contributing to these diseases. With this in mind, we started by screening 13 small molecules to determine their antistress potential in heavy metal stress-exposed C6 glioblastoma and found that alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) (a natural antioxidant abundantly present in yeast, spinach, broccoli, and meat) was the most effective candidate. We then conducted molecular analyses to validate its mechanism of action. Dose-dependent toxicity assays of cells treated with two ALA enantiomers, R-ALA and S-ALA, showed that they are nontoxic and can be tolerated at relatively high doses. Cells exposed to heavy metal, heat, and oxidative stress showed better recovery when cultured in R-ALA-/S-ALA-supplemented medium, supported by reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), aggregated proteins, and mitochondrial and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. Molecular analyses revealed protection against stress-induced apoptosis and induction of autophagy in R-ALA- and S-ALA-treated C6/U2OS cells. Consistent with these findings, normal human fibroblasts showed lifespan extension. Taken together, this study demonstrates that lipoic acid has antiaging and antistress potential and warrants further attention in laboratory and clinical studies., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics Approval: Not applicable. Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: All authors have consented to publish the paper. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This study investigated the antistress effects of yuzu synthetic fragrances by employing three experiments on humans and mice using two yuzu synthetic fragrances and five single compounds. We prepared two synthetic fragrances based on the component analysis of two natural yuzu essential oils extracted by cold-pressed and steam-distilled extraction methods. Chromogranin A (CgA) and heart rate (HR) were used as stress indices in human experiments. Immobility time during the forced swim test was used as a stress index in mice experiments. We analyzed brain mechanisms by measuring the expression of neurotrophic factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the mice experiments. Synthetic yuzu fragrance mimicked steam-distilled oil (SD) significantly reduced participants' heart rate in experiment 1. In the forced swim test conducted in experiment 2, SD significantly reduced immobility time, and increased the expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF, NGF, and NT-3 in the hippocampus of mice. In experiment 3, focusing on single compounds, terpinen-4-ol significantly reduced immobility time in the forced swim test. These findings indicate that inhalation of SD and terpinen-4-ol has antistress effects. Terpinen-4-ol is a strong candidate for further investigation as a potential stress-reducing agent.

Mortalin, a member of the Hsp70 family of proteins, is commonly enriched in many types of cancers. It promotes carcinogenesis and metastasis in multiple ways of which the inactivation of the tumor suppressor activity of p53 has been firmly established. The downregulation of mortalin and/or disruption of mortalin-p53 interactions by small molecules has earlier been shown to activate p53 function yielding growth arrest/apoptosis in cancer cells. Mortaparibs (Mortaparib, Mortaparib Plus , and Mortaparib Mild ) are chemical inhibitors of mortalin isolated by cell-based two-way screening involving (i) a shift in the mortalin staining pattern from perinuclear (characteristics of cancer cells) to pancytoplasmic (characteristics of normal cells) and (ii) the nuclear enrichment of p53. They have similar structures and also cause the inhibition of PARP1 and hence were named Mortaparibs. In the present study, we report the anticancer and anti-metastasis activity of Mortaparib Mild (4-[(4-amino-5-thiophen-2-yl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanylmethyl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine) in p53-null cells. By extensive molecular analyses of cell proliferation, growth arrest, and apoptosis pathways, we demonstrate that although it causes relatively weaker cytotoxicity compared to Mortaparib and Mortaparib Plus , its lower concentrations were equally potent to inhibit cell migration. We developed combinations (called Mortaparib Mix-AP , Mortaparib Mix-AM , and Mortaparib Mix-AS ) consisting of different ratios of three Mortaparibs for specifically enhancing their anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and antistress activities, respectively. Based on the molecular analyses of control and treated cells, we suggest that the three Mortaparibs and their mixtures may be considered for further laboratory and clinical studies validating their use for the treatment of cancer as well as prevention of its relapse and metastasis.

The Ayurvedic medical system uses fruits of the Benincasa hispida plant to treat mental diseases, including schizophrenia. The goal of the current study was to assess the aqueous extract of B. hispida fruit's ability to relieve stress and anxiety induced in zebrafish models using neuropharmacological evaluation, which included determining behavioral parameters in tests such as the T-maze, open tank test (OTT), and light-dark preference test (LDPT). After measuring the zebrafish survival rate for 96 h, the LC 50 was found to be 5 µg. AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitory activity and the status of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and LDH) were also used to evaluate the toxicity. Furthermore, the administration of the aqueous extract of B. hispida fruit increased the frequency of entry and duration of time spent in the bright section, suggesting a noteworthy reduction in levels of stress and anxiety. Additionally, the antistress and antianxiety activity was confirmed by the docking studies' mechanism of action, which involves the AChE receptor binding stability of the homogalactaconan molecule found in the aqueous extract of B. hispida fruit. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of B. hispida fruit is a viable therapeutic molecule for the creation of novel drugs and the treatment of stress since it has the therapeutic advantage of reversing the negative effects of stress and anxiety., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Various neurotransmitters are involved in regulating stress systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid-rich rice bran extract (GRBe) in mice stressed by forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Four weeks of oral administration of GRBe (500-2000 mg/kg) reduced the levels of dopamine and corticosterone in the blood and brain while increasing serotonin levels. GRBe was involved not only in stress but also in regulating sleep and obesity-related genes. Modern society experiences diverse and tense lives because of urbanization and informatization, which cause excessive stress due to complicated interpersonal relationships, heavy work burden, and fatigue from the organized society. High levels of stress cause psychological instability and disrupt the balance in the autonomic nervous system, which maintains the body's equilibrium, resulting in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hormonal imbalances, and sleep disorders. Therefore, our results suggest that GRBe is a useful substance that can relieve tension by ultimately influencing a depressive-like state by lowering the levels of neuronal substances, hormones, and cytokines involved in stress and sleep disorders.

A variety of environmental stress stimuli have been linked to poor quality of life, tissue dysfunctions, and ailments including metabolic disorders, cognitive impairment, and accelerated aging. Oxidative, metal, and hypoxia stresses are largely associated with these phenotypes. Whereas drug development and disease therapeutics have advanced remarkably in last 3 decades, there are still limited options for stress management. Because the latter can effectively decrease the disease burden, we performed cell-based screening of antistress compounds by recruiting 3 chemical models of oxidative (paraquat), metal (cadmium nitrate), or hypoxia (cobalt chloride) stresses. The screening of 70 compounds for their ability to offer protection against oxidative, metal, and hypoxia stresses resulted in the selection of 5 compounds: Withaferin-A (Wi-A), methoxy Withaferin-A (mWi-A), Withanone (Wi-N), triethylene glycol (TEG), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaf M2-DMSO extract (M2DM). Molecular assays revealed that whereas stress caused increase in (a) apoptosis, (b) reactive oxygen species accumulation coupled with mitochondrial depolarization, (c) DNA double-strand breaks, and (d) protein aggregation, low nontoxic doses of the selected compounds caused considerable protection. Furthermore, Wi-N, TEG, and their mixture-treated normal human fibroblasts (at young, mature, and senescent stages representing progressively increasing accumulation of stress) showed increase in proliferation. Taken together, these results suggested 3-way (oxidative, metal, and hypoxia) antistress potential of Wi-N and TEG that may be useful for management of environmental and old-age-related pathologies., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Sanghuangporus Sanghuang is a fungus species. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it is known for antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antiaging effect of S. Sanghuang has not been deeply studied. In this study, the effects of S. Sanghuang extract (SSE) supernatants on the changes of nematode indicators were investigated. The results showed that different concentrations of SSE prolonged the lifespans of nematodes and substantially increased these by 26.41%. In addition, accumulations of lipofuscin were also visibly reduced. The treatment using SSE also played a role in increasing stress resistance, decreasing ROS accumulations and obesity, and enhancing the physique. RT-PCR analysis showed that the SSE treatment upregulated the transcription of daf-16 , sir-2.1 , daf-2 , sod-3 and hsp-16.2 , increased the expression of these genes in the insulin/IGF-1 signalling pathway and prolonged the lifespans of nematodes. This study reveals the new role of S. Sanghuang in promoting longevity and inhibiting stress and provides a theoretical basis for the application of S. Sanghuang in anti-ageing treatments., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Dong, Wang, Hao, Cheng, Guo, He, Shi, Wang, Li and Shi.)

Stress is the body's reaction to the challenges it faces, and it produces a multitude of chemical molecules known as stressors as a result of these reactions. It's also a misalignment of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems causing changes in a variety of physiological reactions and perhaps leading to stress disorders. The reduction in neurotransmitter & neurohormonal hormones is mainly governed by the nociceptin receptor as G-protein coupled receptor and increased the level of reactive oxygen species. Various synthetic medicines that target nociceptin receptors were utilized to reduce the effects of stress but they come up with a variety of side effects. Because of the widespread utilization and renewed interest in medicinal herbal plants considered to be alternative antistress therapy. Our present work is an approach to decipher the molecular nature of novel herbal leads by targeting nociceptin receptor, under which herbal compounds were screened and validated through in-silico methods. Among screened leads, withanolide-B showed stable association in the active site of the nociceptin receptor as an antistress agent with no side effects. Furthermore, the selected lead was also evaluated for stability by molecular dynamic stimulation as well as for pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile. It has been concluded stable conformation of withanolide-B without presence of any major toxic effects. As a result, the in silico molecular docking technique is a highly successful method for selecting a prospective herbal lead molecule with respect to a specific target, and future research can pave the way for further exploration in the drug development field., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Depression is a serious psychiatric disorder that affects millions of individuals all over the world, thus demanding special attention from researchers in order to investigate its effective remedies. Curcumin, along with its synthetic derivatives, is recognized for its incredible pharmacological activities. In this study, methyl, methoxy and chloro-substituent synthetic curcumin analogues C1 - C3 were respectively tested for free radical-scavenging activity. Behavioral studies were performed using chemical-induced and swimming endurance tests as stress models, and forced swim tests (FSTs) and tail suspension tests (TSTs) as depression mice models. Biochemical examinations were performed after a scopolamine-induced stress model by decapitating the mice, and brain tissues were isolated for biochemical assessment of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The curcumin analogue C2 exhibited higher DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazo-line-6-sulphonate) free radical-scavenging potential, having IC 50 values of 45.18 µg/mL and 62.31 µg/mL, respectively, in comparison with reference curcumin and tocopherol. In the chemical-induced test, C2 (80.17%), C3 (72.79%) and C1 (51.85%) revealed higher antistress responses by significantly reducing the number of writhes, whereas the immobility time was significantly reduced by C2 and C3 in the swimming endurance test, indicating excellent antistress potential. Similarly, C2 and C3 significantly reduced the immobility times in FST and TST, demonstrating their antidepressant properties. The biomarkers study revealed that these compounds significantly enhanced hippocampus CAT, SOD and GSH, and reduced MDA levels in the scopolamine-induced stress mice model. These findings suggest the potential of curcumin analogues ( C2 and C3 ) as antistress and antidepressant agents.

Background: Momordica saponin extract (MSE) was found to not only improve longevity and neuroprotection but also alleviate fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans in our previous study. However, the lipid-lowering activity of MSE alone could not fully explain its ability to improve health, so the antistress effects of MSE were further studied., Methods: Using C. elegans as an in vivo animal, the lifespan of MSE-treated C. elegans under various stressors (H 2 O 2 , paraquat and heat) and normal conditions was studied. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of MSE were discussed. To study the underlying mechanisms, the expression of stress resistance genes and the resistance of related mutants to H 2 O 2 stress were tested., Results: MSE significantly improved the lifespan of C. elegans under stress and normal conditions. Meanwhile, the mobility of C. elegans was also improved. Moreover, the activities of SOD and CAT and the ratio of GSH/GSSG were elevated. Consistently, the levels of ROS and lipid oxidation (the NEFA and MDA content) were reduced. Furthermore, MSE treatment upregulated the expression of the sod-3, sod-5, clt-1, clt-2, hsp-16.1 and hsp-16.2 genes. All biomarkers indicated that the antistress and anti-aging activities of MSE were due to its strong antioxidant activities. Finally, MSE induced nuclear DAF-16::GFP localization. Studies with mutants revealed that skn-1 and hsf-1 were involved in the activity of MSE, which might upregulate the expression of downstream stress-responsive genes., Conclusions: Therefore, in addition to its lipid-lowering property, the ability of MSE to improve healthspan was also attributed to the stress resistance effect. Together, MSE might serve as a lead nutraceutical in geriatric research.

The positive clinical effects caused by skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth or after repeated skin-to-skin contact of premature infants (kangaroo care) or fullterm infants are well documented in the literature. However, information regarding the physiological mechanisms mediating these effects are surprisingly scarce and incomplete. In this article the oxytocinergic system and the cutaneous sensory pathways by which the oxytocinergic system is activated in response to skin-to-skin contact are presented in more detail. In addition, we discuss how the effects of skin-to-skin treatment can be attributed to different aspects of the effect spectrum of the oxytocinergic or calm and connection system. The structure of the oxytocinergic system, comprising the peripheral (circulating, hormonal) and the central (neurotransmitter) components, as well as, the pathways and mechanisms by which these functions are coordinated are described. Also the various effects induced by the oxytocinergic system (the calm and connection system) are reviewed. The sensory pathways, which include visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli, given and received by both mother and newborn and which activate the oxytocinergic system in response to skin-to-skin contact, are reviewed. A special emphasis is placed on the role of cutaneous sensory nerves and their activation by touch, light pressure and in particular warmth. The important role of the rise and the pulsatility of maternal temperature in mediating the positive effects of skin-to-skin contact in the newborn is highlighted. The concept of maternal giving of warmth and its possible link to the experience of trust and safety in the newborn is discussed from an evolutionary perspective. The effects induced by skin-to-skin contact can be attributed to the different functions of the oxytocinergic system. Ameliorated social interaction (e.g., more tactile and auditory interaction, more sensitive and synchronous interaction between mother and baby, the baby's crawling behavior) are expressions of oxytocin's ability to stimulate social interaction. The decreased levels of fear and stress are expressions of oxytocin's ability to reduce the activity of the amygdala and of the stress system, e.g. the activity in the HPA-axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Increased HRV, increased activity in endocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract as well as stimulation of growth and maturation are examples of oxytocin's ability to stimulate the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system and other peripheral and central mechanisms related to restoration and growth. The propensity of different types of treatment with skin-to-skin contact to induce long-term effects is also highlighted. We propose that the sustained effects caused by skin-to-skin contact are induced by an enduring shift in the balance between the oxytocinergic system (the calm and connection system) and the stress system (fight flight reaction) in favor of the oxytocinergic system. This shift leads to a sustained decrease in the HPA-axis and the sympathetic nervous system probably involving alpha 2-adrenoceptors. It is of clinical importance to be aware of the mechanisms by which skin-to-skin contact induces short and longterm positive effects in parents and newborns. If ward routines are adapted to ascertain a maximal stimulation of these mechanisms, the function of the oxytocinergic system will be optimized, which will be linked to a better clinical outcome for parents and newborns., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Withanolides are a group of highly oxygenated steroids derived from a C28 ergostane skeleton, and have attracted significant scientific interest due to their complex structural features and multiple bioactivities. More than 170 new natural withanolides were isolated and identified in the last 5 years. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the structural, biological and pharmacological activities of these new compounds., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: The neuropeptide transmitter nociceptin, which binds to the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor, is a core component of the brain's antistress system. Nociceptin exerts its antistress effect by counteracting the functions of corticotropin-releasing factor, the primary stress-mediating neuropeptide in the brain. Basic investigations support a role for medications that target nociceptin receptors in the treatment of alcohol use disorders. Thus, it is of high interest to measure the in vivo status of NOP receptors in individuals with alcohol use disorders., Methods: Here, we used [ 11 C]NOP-1A and positron emission tomography to measure the in vivo binding to NOP receptors in 15 alcohol-dependent humans as identified by DSM-IV and 15 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and smoking status. Alcohol-dependent individuals with no comorbid psychiatric, medical, or drug abuse disorders were scanned following 2 weeks of outpatient monitored abstinence (confirmed with three times per week urine alcohol metabolite testing). [ 11 C]NOP-1A distribution volume in regions of interest (including the amygdala, hippocampus, and midbrain, striatal, and prefrontal cortical subdivisions) was measured with kinetic analysis using the arterial input function., Results: Regional [ 11 C]NOP-1A distribution volume in alcohol dependence was not significantly different compared with healthy control subjects. No relationship between [ 11 C]NOP-1A distribution volume and other clinical measures (including duration and severity of alcohol abuse, craving, and anxiety or depressive symptoms) were significant after correction for the multiple hypotheses tested., Conclusions: The results of this study do not support alterations in the binding to NOP receptors in alcohol dependence. However, this finding does not necessarily rule out alterations in nociceptin transmission in alcohol dependence., (Copyright © 2017 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The current study was designed to explore anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antistress actions of Cinnamomum tamala (CT) leaves (aqueous extract) in rats., Materials and Methods: Behavioral procedures of anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed in rats. CT (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was given once a daily for 7 days via oral route and the efficacy was matched by those elicited by lorazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o.), imipramine (10 mg/kg, p.o.), and Withania somnifera (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antistress studies, respectively. Standard drugs were given 1 time, 30 min preceding the behavioral trials., Results: One-way analysis of variance followed by Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test was employed to analyze the results. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant as compared to control. CT at 400 mg/kg produced an antianxiety effect equivalent to lorazepam, in the elevated plus maze, open field, and social interaction tests among selected doses of the CT. CT at 400 mg/kg also induced an antidepressant activity similar to imipramine, in the behavioral despair, learned helplessness test, and tail suspension among selected doses of the CT. Moreover, CT at 400 mg/kg produced a significant antistress effect comparable to W. somnifera in water immersion-restraint stress by decreasing ulcer index, adrenal gland weight, and by normalizing the plasma levels of corticosterone, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels when related to stress control., Conclusion: The study shows that among the different CT doses, CT at 400 mg/kg possesses significant anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anti-stress effects and has therapeutic beneficial for the management of psychological ailments.

Cold and immobilization stressors can generate oxidative stress as well as skeletal muscle fatigue. Free radicals cause oxidative degradation of lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates molecules thereby compromising cell integrity and function. Coturnix japonica (quail) egg had been described as being very functional biochemically, due to the essential biomolecules it contains in very regulated quantity. This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of extracts of quail egg yolk and the albumen. The assessment of the antioxidant potentials was typified using the total antioxidant capacity, and ABTS, DPPH (1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and hydroxyl radicals scavenging activities. Others are reducing power, metal chelating and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities. The antistress activities of quail egg yolk and albumen were evaluated on hepatopathic enzymes as well as endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The total antioxidant activities of the yolk extract (YE) and the albumen extracts (AE) were, respectively, 186.57 ± 6.441 mg/g and 172 ± 10.690 mg/g AAE (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent). The YE exhibited significant, potent and appreciable antioxidant activities than AE in a concentration-dependent manner. The study confirmed that quail egg yolk contained highly antioxidative bioactive compounds not present in albumen, contributing to its (yolk) overall antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (antistress) properties, thus necessitating their (albumen and yolk) beneficial effects in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions.

Introduction: In Ayurveda Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers., has been used for its Rasayana, Deepana, Jwaranashana, Tridosha Shamaka properties. It is an immunomodulator, useful in stress, hyperlipidemia, pyrexia. T. cordifolia was evaluated for adaptogenic activity in healthy volunteers during exercise., Aims: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of T. cordifolia on physical performance, and secondary objectives were to evaluate muscle power, maximal oxygen consumption, and sympathetic activity in comparison with placebo when subjected to physical stress., Materials and Methods: A total of thirty participants were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10 each) namely placebo, TC 150 and TC 300. Placebo group received maize starch capsule, TC 150 and TC 300 received 150 mg and 300 mg, respectively of T. cordifolia aqueous extract in capsule form once daily in the morning for 28 days. The assessment was performed at baseline visit, day 14 and 28. Physical stressors were cycle ergometer exercise, Jammer's hand-held dynamometer, and cold pressor tests. Physical performance evaluated was maximum distance and speed, oxygen consumption (VO2 max), and hand grip strength. Cardiovascular response was assessed by multiple heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measurements during each test., Results: On day 28, TC 150 mg group showed a significant increase in mean maximum speed compared to placebo. On day 14 and 28, TC 300 mg group showed a significant decrease in mean systolic BP (SBP) and HR on fixed workload exercise compared to placebo. There was significant increasing dose effect of both TC groups on SBP on day 14 and 28 and on HR on day 28 only. On day 14 and 28, TC 300 mg showed a significant decrease in mean HR on the cold pressor test, compared to placebo., Conclusion: T. cordifolia improved physical performance and suppressed over activation of the sympathetic nervous system showing its adaptogenic property.

Background: Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, commonly known as Brahmi is an important medicinal plant traditionally used as memory enhancer and antiepileptic agent., Objective: The present study investigated antioxidant and stress resistance potentials of B. monnieri aqueous extract (BMW) using Caenorhabditis elegans animal model system., Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity of the BMW was measured using in vitro (DPPH, reducing power and total polyphenol content) and in vivo (DCF-DA assay) assays. The antistress potential of BMW (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mg/ml) was evaluated through thermal stress (37°C) and oxidative stress (10 mM paraquat) using C. elegans. Quantification of the HSP-16.2 level was done using CL2070 transgenic worms., Results: Present study reveals that BMW possess in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities. BMW significantly enhanced stress tolerance and increased the mean lifespan of worms during thermal and oxidative stress, although it did not extend lifespan at 20°C and attenuated age dependent decline in physiological behaviors. Moreover, it was shown that BMW was able to up-regulate expression of stress associated gene hsp-16.2, which significantly (P < 0.001) extends the mean lifespan of worms under stress conditions., Conclusion: The study strongly suggests that BMW acts as an antistressor and potent reactive oxygen species scavenger which enhances the survival of the worms in different stress conditions.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adaptogenic property of the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of methanol extract of Morus alba roots against a rat model of chronic stress (CS)., Materials and Methods: Rats were exposed to stress procedure for 21 days. The stress procedure was mild, unpredictable footshock, administered for 1 h once daily for 21 days. Rats were administered with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanol extract of M. alba roots (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o) 1 h before footshock for 21 days and behavioral parameters were evaluated for cognitive dysfunction and depression using elevated plus maze and despair swim test, respectively. On day 21, rats were sacrificed immediately after stress and blood was collected for biochemical estimation. The adrenal gland and spleen were dissected for organ weight and the stomach was dissected for ulcer score., Results: CS significantly induced cognitive deficit, mental depression and hyperglycemia and increased blood corticosterone levels, gastric ulcerations and adrenal gland weight, but decreased the splenic weight. Pre-treatments with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanol extract of M. alba roots (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the CS-induced perturbations. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard antistress drug., Conclusion: The results indicate that M. alba possesses significant adaptogenic activity, indicating its possible clinical utility as an antistress agent.

Aqueous extract of leaves of Nelumbo nucifera was investigated on acute stress (immobilization stress)-induced biochemical alterations in Swiss mice. The animals were also subjected to acute physical stress (swimming endurance test) and acute chemical stress (writhing test) to gauge the antistress potential of the extract. Further to evaluate the antistress activity of Nelumbo nucifera in chronic stress condition, fresh Wistar rats were subjected to cold restraint stress (4 degrees for 1 h) for 7 days after 21 days of pretreatment with the extract. Stimulation of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis in stressful condition alters plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein and corticosterone levels. Pretreatment with the extract significantly ameliorated the stress-induced variations in these biochemical levels in both acute and chronic stress models. The extract treated animals showed increase in swimming endurance time and reduced number of writhes in physical and chemical-induced stress models respectively. Treatment groups also reverted back perturbed neurotransmitter levels (norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) in brain as well as increase in adrenal gland weights and atrophy of spleen caused by cold chronic stress. In mice immunized with sheep red blood cells, treatment groups subjected to restraint stress prevented the humoral immune response to the antigen. Histopathological studies of adrenal gland of stress control group revealed vacuolar degeneration, loss of architecture and formation of lesions in the cortex, which was reversed by extract treatment. The results indicate that aqueous extract of Nelumbo nucifera has significant adaptogenic activity against a variety of biochemical, histological, physiological and immunological perturbations in acute and chronic stress models.