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The depressant-like effects of albiflorin (AF) were studied on stressed chronic restraint stress (CRS) rats. Experimental rats were subjected to immobilization stress for a daily 6 h-restraining in a plastic restrainer for continuous 21 d and were treated with 30 or 15 mg·kg−1 of AF for 21 d. Control rats were maintained in completely non stressed conditions. Behavioral tests and biochemical analysis were applied to investigating a regulatory mechanism of anti-stress of AF. Treatment with AF significantly restored the depressant-like behaviors. Besides, AF increased the levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), noradrenaline (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the hippocampus and increased the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum and protein expression in hippocampus. In addition, AF decreased the levels of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) cascade, reduced the level of NO and cGMP in serum and inhibited the overexpression of 5-HT 2A R mRNA and protein expression. Taken together, AF can modulate the NO-mediated network pathway in the hippocampus against stress-induced depressive-like behaviors. These physiological and behavioral changes allow rats to avoid potential deleterious effects of stress that may result from chronically elevated levels of glucocorticosteroids over days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2013 and 2014, which were irrigated by drainage water which belong to salinity class (C3S1 to C4S2), to study the effect of the foliar enrichment namely (Anti-stress) and weed management treatments (some pre and post-emergence herbicides and two-hand hoeing) on maize growth, yield, yield components and chemical composition of maize grains and associated weeds ( Portulaca oleracea , Amaranthus retroflexus and Echinochloa colonum ). The results illustrated that application of the foliar enrichment enhanced the dry weight of weeds and increased maize growth characters, yield and yield components and total crude protein and total oil percentage of grain maize, as compared with untreated treatment. All weed management treatments caused a significant reduction in total dry weight of weeds at 60 and 80 days after sowing in both seasons. Two-hand hoeing treatment exerted the highest decrease in total dry weight of weeds followed by metribuzin, oxadiagyl, fluroxypyr and bentazon, respectively at 60 and 80 days after sowing compared with other weed management treatments. While, the highest values of maize growth, yield, yield components and maize grains' content of protein and oil was obtained with two-hand hoeing followed by metribuzin, oxadiagyl, fluroxypyr and bentazon, respectively. While, two hands hoeing produced the maximum values of leaf area, ear length, the weight of kernels plant −1 , but applying of metribuzin treatment gave the highest values of total oil percentage of grain maize when the foliar enrichment was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restraint and cold stress induces the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to release corticosterone from the adrenal gland, which can worsen the antioxidant defense system in the central nervous system. Here, we investigated the corticosterone levels and the antioxidant defense system in the cerebellum and brain, as well as in its isolated regions, such as cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of stressed rats supplemented with royal jelly (RJ). Wistar rats were supplemented with RJ for 14 days and the stress induction started on the 7th day. Stressed rats increased corticosterone levels, glycemia and lipid peroxidation in the brain and cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus besides reduced glutathione defense system in the brain and striatum. Rats supplemented with RJ decreased corticosterone, maintained glycemia and decreased lipid peroxidation in the brain, cerebellum, as well as striatum and hippocampus, besides improved glutathione defense system in cerebral cortex and striatum. This study suggests an anti-stress and neuroprotective effect of RJ under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the role of jasmonates (JAs) during the ripening of peach fruit, two concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 10 and 100 mM) were evaluated using field system. Fruit quality parameters, such as the contents of anthocyanin, volatile compounds and cell wall enzymes, and the transcriptional profiles of several ripening-related genes were analyzed. Our results showed that MeJA promoted fruit chlorophyll degradation and anthocyanin accumulation, volatile compounds enhancement, but it would also delay fruit softening through regulation cell wall enzymes activities of PG and cellulase. MeJA increased fruit anti-stress because of the promotion of SOD, POD, CAT, PPO enzyme activities. MeJA reduced fruit endogenous ethylene content, although ethylene accelerated fruit softening and decreased titratable acidity that resulted in fruit ripening. MeJA altered the expression profiles of its biosynthesis pathway genes of PpLOX , PpAOS , and PpOPR3 , which resulted the accumulation of JA accumulation in peach fruit. MeJA also increased the expression levels of anthocyanin-associated genes PpMYB , PpPAL , PpCHS , PpCHI , PpF3H , PpDFR , and PpUFGT . MeJA increased chlorophyll degradation gene of PpPAO , as well as decreased its biosynthesis gene of PpPORC , which led to chlorophyll reduction. However, ethylene had a reverse effect on the genes’ expression levels, and it inhibited anthocyanin accumulation. Ultimately, heterologous expression peach PpAOS in strawberry showed that JA promoted fruit anthocyanin accumulation. The present findings suggest that JA promotes peach fruit ripening through regulation anthocyanin accumulation, which is different from the way triggered by ethylene in regulation peach fruit ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa Star apple (ASA) remains under-utilized. Development into an acceptable food supplement (FS) with anti-stress potentials has not been explored. ASA were washed, de-pulped, oven-dried (65 °C, 18 h) and milled (≤180 µm). Possible bioactives were investigated using Gas-Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry. Blending with pre-gelatinized starch (pulp:starch, 7:3) followed, yielding the FS. Chemical parameters and sensory attributes were determined. Impact on oxidative stress marker - malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were monitored in Rats stressed and fed FS. FS had predominantly 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (0.58 mg/kg) with high free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH, 86.23%). Mean Sensory (taste) scores for food supplemented with FS (5.5 ± 1.17) compared favourably with the unsupplemented (6.2 ± 1.03). MDA was lower (0.92 ± 0.04nmole/ml) in Rats stressed and fed the FS when compared to exclusively stressed groups (2.28 ± 0.09nmole/ml). FS also significantly (P = 0.05) enhanced (36–109%) the activities of antioxidant enzymes. An acceptable FS with good anti-stress potential has been developed to further expand the utilization for ASA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En aromathérapie, l'huile essentielle d'Ylang-ylang est utilisée contre l'inflammation, la douleur, les contractures, le stress, l'insomnie et la dépression. En tonique capillaire, elle lutte contre la chute de cheveux. En massage, elle est appréciée pour se déconnecter et comme aphrodisiaque. En olfaction, elle aiguise les sens et tempère les humeurs dépressives, la peur et la colère. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combined application of 1 mg/L Na 2 SeO 4 in nutrient solution, and 200 μM NaHS by foliar application, significantly alleviated the adverse effects of salinity stress on strawberry yield. • H 2 S+Se further strengthened the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system of the plant and also improved quantitative and qualitative parameters compared to the treatments of solely H 2 S or Se. • The use of Se in nutrient solution caused the desired biofortification of strawberry fruit with this element and increased the nutritional value of the fruit. High levels of salinity usually cause osmotic stress, cell toxicity, excess of ions and, ultimately, nutritional disorders. In the case of many plant species, including strawberries, nutritional disorders entail oxidative stress. In this study, an experiment consisted of 2 factors as treatments. The first factor was anti-stress compounds at four levels (control, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), 200 μM sodium-hydrosulfide (NaHS) as the H 2 S donor by foliar application once a week, selenium (Se), 1 mg/L sodium selenate (Na 2 SeO 4) in a nutrient solution through the roots, and H 2 S+Se). The second factor was salinity at two levels (0 and 40 mM NaCl) with 4 replications. Strawberry plants cv. 'Parus' were planted in 3 L plastic pots filled with cocopeat/perlite (v/v 1:1). According to the results, the treatments of H 2 S+Se, H 2 S, and Se alleviated the adverse effects of salinity on yield by 82, 66 and 63%, respectively. The H 2 S+Se treatment caused the highest values of inhibition percentage of free radicals (84%), anthocyanin content, vitamin C, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase). As a result of the sodium selenate treatment, the concentration of selenium increased in all fruits, both in salt-stress and non-stress conditions, thereby causing the biofortification of selenium in strawberry fruits (2.67–3.02 mg/kg dry weight). Based on the findings of the present research, the combined use of the two anti-stress compounds further strengthened the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system and, thus, reduced the adverse effects of salt stress on fruit yield. The combined use increased the antioxidant quality (vitamin C and anthocyanin content) and flavor of fruits. Therefore, biofortification can be deemed suitable for fruits with selenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the phytohormone gibberellin was evaluated for its effect on lipid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulation in Aurantiochytrium sp.YLH70. It was found that 4 mg/mL of gibberellin increased biomass, lipid and DHA yield of Aurantiochytrium sp.YLH70 by 14.4%, 43.6% and 79.1%, respectively. Moreover, a GC–MS metabolomics method combined with a multivariate analysis was applied to reveal the metabolic mechanisms responsible for the increased lipid and DHA accumulation. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that metabolomics profiles from all groups were discriminated. 38 metabolites identified by the partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were responsible for responding to gibberellin treatment. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that gibberellin accelerated the rate of utilization of glucose, and metabolites in fatty acids biosynthesis and mevalonate pathway were increased, while metabolites in glycolysis and TCA cycle were decreased in Aurantiochytrium sp.YLH70. Moreover, the anti-stress mechanism in Aurantiochytrium sp.YLH70 might be induced by gibberellin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly increasing aging population and environmental stressors are the two main global concerns of the modern society. These have brought in light rapidly increasing incidence of a variety of pathological conditions including brain tumors, neurodegenerative & neuropsychiatric disorders, and new challenges for their treatment. The overlapping symptoms, complex etiology and lack of full understanding of the brain structure and function to-date further complicate these tasks. On the other hand, several herbal reagents with a long history of their use have been asserted to possess neurodifferentiation, neuroregenerative and neuroprotective potentials, and hence been recommended as supplement to enhance and maintain brain health and function. Although they have been claimed to function by holistic approach resulting in maintaining body homeostasis and brain health, there are not enough laboratory studies in support to these and mechanism(s) of such beneficial activities remain largely undefined. One such herb is Ashwagandha, also called “Queen of Ayurveda” for its popular use in Indian traditional home medicine because of its extensive benefits including anticancer, anti-stress and remedial potential for aging and neurodegenerative pathologies. However, active principles and underlying mechanism(s) of action remain largely unknown. Here we provide a review on the effects of Ashwagandha extracts and active principles, and underlying molecular mechanism(s) for brain pathologies. We highlight our findings on the nootropic potential of Ashwagandha leaves. The effects of Ashwagandha leaf extracts are multidimensional ranging from differentiation of neuroblastoma and glioma cells, reversal of Alzheimer and Parkinson's pathologies, protection against environmental neurotoxins and enhancement of memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Theanine, an amino acid in tea, has significant anti-stress effect on experimental animals under psychosocial stress. Anti-stress effect of theanine on humans was evaluated in 5th-year university students during pharmacy practice. Method: The study design was a single-blind group comparison and participants (n=20) were randomly assigned to theanine or placebo groups. Theanine or placebo (lactose) tablets (200mg, twice a day, after breakfast and lunch) were taken from 1week prior to the pharmacy practice and continued for 10days in the practice period. To assess the anxiety of the participants, the state–trait anxiety inventory test was carried out before the pharmacy practice. Salivary α-amylase activity (sAA) was measured as a marker of sympathetic nervous system activity. Results: In the placebo-group, sAA in the morning (pre-practice sAA) was higher than in theanine-group during the pharmacy practice (p =0.032). Subjective stress was significantly lower in the theanine-group than in the placebo-group (p =0.020). These results suggest that theanine intake had anti-stress effect on students. Furthermore, students with higher pre-practice sAA showed significantly higher trait anxiety in both groups (p =0.015). Similarly, higher pre-practice sAA was correlated to shorter sleeping time in both groups (p =0.41×10−3). Conclusion: Stressful condition increased the level of sAA that was essentially affected by individual trait anxiety. The low levels of pre-practice sAA and subjective stress in the theanine-group suggest that theanine intake suppressed initial stress response of students assigned for a long-term commitment of pharmacy practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phytochemical investigation of the n-butanol fraction of Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn.) led to the isolation of three new phenolic glycosides, evolvosides C, D and E (1–3) along with six known compounds (4–9). The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, viz. 1D and 2D NMR experiments, chemical study, and comparison with literature data. Evolvoside C (1) was characterized as kaempferol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, whereas evolvosides D and E (2–3) were found to be mono and di-O-methyl derivatives of 1. The new compounds (1–3) represent rare triglycoside derivatives of flavonol at C-4′. The isolated compounds (1–6) were screened for acute stress-induced biochemical changes in male Sprague–Dawley rats at a dose of 40mg/kg body weight. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed anti-stress effects by normalizing hyperglycemia, plasma corticosterone, plasma creatine kinase, and adrenal hypertrophy. Compounds 3 and 6 were also found to be effective in normalizing most of these stress parameters, whereas compounds 4 and 5 were ineffective in normalizing most of these effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Heteropterys tomentosa : A. Juss (Malpighiaceae), commonly mistaken as Heteropterys aphrodisiaca, is chronically used by the Brazilian population to improve general health due to its claimed protective effects against a wide range of medical conditions. Aim of the study: This study in rodents aimed to verify the adaptogenic potential of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the roots (the most commonly used portion), branches and leaves of the plant. Materials and methods: The phytochemical constitution of the extracts was analyzed through thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Restriction- and cold-induced stress in rats treated for 14 days with 100 or 300mg/kg of the extracts were used to evaluate parameters such as ulceration, adrenals, thymus and spleen weights, as well as ACTH and corticosterone plasmatic levels. The stress response also was evaluated in mice by self-analgesia induced by restraint stress, after 7 days of treatment at doses of 100 and 300mg/kg. The learning and memory of aged rats treated with extracts of root or branches at the dose of 50mg/kg for 80 days were evaluated in the elevated T-maze test. Results: The chemical constituents of the three parts of the plant were relatively similar in the presence of saponins, hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and triterpenes. None of the three extracts were capable of protecting the stomach from ulcerations in rats submitted to cold restraint stress or protecting from alterations in adrenal or spleen weight (p>0.05). Furthermore, the extracts did not inhibit increases in plasma levels of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Moreover, the extracts did not inhibit self-analgesia induced by restraint stress in mice and did not improve the performance of aged rats in the T-maze test (p>0.05). Conclusion: The tests employed in this study did not show evidence of adaptogenic activity in the three extracts of Heteropterys tomentosa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article is focused on understanding the mechanisms for the interactions between the central catecholamine (CA) and oxytocin (OXY) neurons and their relevance for brain function especially social behaviour in the field of pair bonding. Such a topic is analysed under two perspectives namely the intercellular communication modes between CA and OXT neurons and the molecular integrative mechanisms at the plasma membrane level between their respective decoding systems. As a matter of fact, recent observations strongly indicate a major role of volume transmission and receptor–receptor interactions in the CA/OXT neuron interplay in the brain control of social behaviour and pair bonding. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Brain Integration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological context: This review explores the medicinal and therapeutic applications of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in curtailing different types of acute as well as chronic maladies. The plant is being used in different parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Materials and methods: Sea buckthorn based preparations have been extensively exploited in folklore treatment of slow digestion, stomach malfunctioning, cardiovascular problems, liver injury, tendon and ligament injuries, skin diseases and ulcers. In the recent years, medicinal and pharmacological activities of Sea buckthorn have been well investigated using various in vitro and in vivo models as well as limited clinical trials. Results: Sea buckthorn has been scientifically analyzed and many of its traditional uses have been established using several biochemical and pharmacological studies. Various pharmacological activities such as cytoprotective, anti-stress, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, anti-atherogenic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and tissue regeneration have been reported. Conclusion: It is clear that Sea buckthorn is an important plant because of its immense medicinal and therapeutic potential. However, several knowledge gaps identified in this paper would give impetus to new academic and R&D activities especially for the development of Sea buckthorn based herbal medicine and nutraceuticals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is the origin or most associated with stress related disorders such as depression. Sinisan, a TCM prescription, has been used as a hepatic protectant. We examined whether Sinisan exerts therapeutic effects in an experimental animal model: the chronic restraint stress (CRS) model. Sinisan was administered in the animal''s drinking water at a concentration of 100mg/kg for 21 days (7 days pre-CRS and 14 days during the CRS). Spatial learning and memory were measured 24h after the CRS procedures using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Aggressive behavior and body weight were determined as well. The Sinisan treatment decreased aggressive behaviors and reversed CRS-induced impairment of spatial learning and memory as well as decreased rate of growth. In conclusion, our results suggest that Sinisan does exert measurable therapeutic effects in an experimental chronic stress model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: β-Lactotensin (β-LT) is a bioactive peptide derived from bovine milk β-lactoglobulin and is a natural ligand for neurotensin receptors. We examined the effect of β-LT on restraint stress and fear memory in mice. Mice subjected to acute restraint stress exhibited a decreased number of head-dips and increased head-dip latency compared to non-stressed controls in the hole-board test, reflecting increased stress-induced behaviors. However, prior administration of β-LT improved the behaviors caused by stress. The anti-stress effect of β-LT was blocked by levocabastine, a neurotensin receptor subtype 2 (NTR2) antagonist. In the fear-conditioning test, the duration of freezing responses by cued fear conditioning was significantly reduced in mice administered β-LT compared with control mice. These results suggest that β-LT has an anti-stress effect and promotes the extinction of fear memory, which may be mediated by NTR2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Anti-stress activity was carried out on glyco-peptido-lipid (AF) fraction from the alcoholic extract of Trichopus zeylanicus Gaerten and demonstrated against a battery of tests in rats and mice. AF exhibited significant anti-stress activity in dose-related manners in all the parameters studied against different models used to induce non-specific stress viz physical and chemically. The major parameters studied were immobilization induced gastric ulceration, adjuvant-induced trauma (Stress); humoral antibody synthesis in normal and immuno-suppressed mice and delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, chemically stress-induced alteration in hepatic function and anti-oxidant activity. The extract of Withania somnifera root (a commercial preparation available locally, Dabur India ltd.) was used to compare the results. In the safety evaluation study the maximum tolerance dose (MTD) and oral LD50 were found to be more than 3000mg/kg, with no signs of abnormalities or any mortality observed for 15 days period under observation after single dose of drug administration. Feeding behaviour and fecal output were normal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To determine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects stress responses in rats, we investigated its influence on several behavioral tests. Female rats were fed a diet deficient in (n-3) fatty acid from mating through pregnancy and lactation. Male pups fed the same diet as their dams were used for experiments. The effects of dietary (n-3) fatty acid deficiency and supplementation with DHA on psychological stress and conditioned-fear stress were investigated. The effect of DHA on psychological stress was examined by an elevated plus-maze test. The (n-3) deficient rats spent significantly (P<0.05) less time in the open arms; after 1 week of supplementation with DHA, they showed a significant (P<0.01) improvement. We then examined the paired effects of DHA and CRH on stress manifestations by an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulation and behavior testing. An i.c.v. infusion of CRH (500 pmol) under resting conditions was shown to have stress-inducing effects on behavior such as decreases of rearing, smelling and feeding, and increases of face washing; the supplementation of DHA significantly improved these distress behaviors. Finally, conditioned fear was induced by 40 min forced exposure to a cage in which the rat had experienced footshocks (30×1 mA×1 s) 1 day before. Freezing behavior was dramatically suppressed by the supplementation of DHA, even 48 h after the conditioning treatment. Furthermore, the effect of DHA on the conditioned fear stress response is maintained over a long-term period. The i.c.v. pre-treatment of rats with bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, enhanced the conditioned-fear-induced freezing time in a dose-dependent fashion in the (n-3) fatty acid deficient animals. Significantly, the DHA supplemented group was not affected by the pre-treatment with bicuculline. From these findings, it is concluded that the involvement of DHA in stress responses may act via a GABAA receptor-mediated mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

When the yeast hydrolysate SCP-20 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ingested to the rat to identify the effect on anti-stress, SCP-20 have an potent effect on the weight of adrenal, spleen, kidney and thyroid, and the glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GOT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminse (GPT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity recovered as much as the non-stress level. In addition, the swimming time was significantly increased in the group to administer SCP-20. It is assumed that anti-fatigue effect might relate to the resistance effect on the stress induced intensive exercise. SCP-20 stimulated not only the activation of macrophage (1.9-fold of saline control) but also IL-6 production (1.9-fold) at 2.0 g/kg/day. By the culture supernatant of Peyer''s patch cells from C3H/HeJ mice fed SCP-20 at 2.0 g/kg/day for 7 days, the bone marrow cells significantly proliferated as 2.1 fold to compare with those of mice received only saline (control). In addition, the contents of IL-6 in the culture supernatant of Peyer''s patch cells from mice fed SCP 20 at 2.0 g/kg per day were increased in the comparison with those from control (2.3-fold). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-stress effects of the ethanol extracts of five medicinal plants from Southern part of Tunisia, traditionally used in folk medicine: Cymbopogon schoenanthus Spreng. (CSEE), Crithmum maritimum L. (CMEE), Arthrophytum scoparium (Pomel) ll'jin (ASEE), Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (AHEE), and Rhanterium suaveolens Desf. (RSEE). Assays using SH-SY5Y cells and HSP47-transformed CHO cells (HSP47+/− cells) were performed. Heat (at 42 °C, for 90 min) was used to induce stress in pre-treated cells. The tested plants at 1/1000 dilution significantly enhanced the reversal of the heat shock protein expression in heat-stressed HSP47+/- cells as shown by the enhanced expression of heat shock proteins HSP27 , HSP70 and HSP90 mRNAs in heat-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, CSEE at 1/1000 and 1/100 (v/v) dilutions showed no cytotoxic effects on both SH-SY5Y and HSP47-/+ cells. In addition, the results demonstrated that CSEE and RSEE promoted the recovery of acetylcholine (Ach) compared to heat-stressed SH-SY5Y cells. These results suggest that C. schoenanthus , C. maritimum , and R. suaveolens can modulate stress, and a follow up study on the bioactivities of these species may offer a new source of phytomedicines for the effective treatment of stress-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: The extract of the leaves of Alchornea cordifolia (AC) is extensively used in ethnomedicine for ulcers, rheumatic pains, febrile convulsions and for enhancing physical performance. In this study, the anti-stress and anticonvulsant activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia were investigated in mice. Materials and methods: The anti-stress activity was assessed based on the ability of the extract to alter the duration of immobility, in the forced swim endurance test, whilst a picrotoxin-treated animal, was employed as the model for convulsive seizures. Results: The extract (100–400mg/kg) given orally was found to significantly (p <0.05) reduce the duration of immobility, which suggest an anti-stress/anti-fatigue property. However, AC when tested at doses between 100 and 400mg/kg did not prevent convulsions induced by picrotoxin in mice. The acute toxicity study carried out in mice revealed that the extract was well tolerated by the animals, as no death was observed at oral doses of 500–4000mg/kg. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary study provide evidence, which may support the use of Alchornea cordifolia against stress or fatigue in ethnomedicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal also known as 'Ashwaghanda' in Sanskrit and as 'Indian Winter Cherry' in english. is an important medicinal herb in India. It is widely used in Indian systems of medicine as an adaptogen, nerve tonic, anti-stress, memory enhancer and against cognitive deficits, insomnia, anxiety, infectious diseases, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis and gout over thousands of years. Its formulations are mainly used in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a remarkable centuries old herbal Rasayana used to treat neuronal ailments and is known as "Sattvic Kapha Rasayana. To review neuroprotective properties of Withania somnifera (L.) extract as well as its active constituents in neurodegenerative diseases and other neurological ailments. The sources of information used in present article include Indian system of Medicine reports on the use of natural products, Medicinal books, research articles and scientific databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science-Direct, SciFinder, ACS Publications and Wiley Online Library. Research reports based largely on preclinical studies as well as few clinical trials have highlighted the neuroprotective role of Ashwagandha against many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. The protective effects of Ashwagandha were accomplished by restoring mitochondrial and endothelial function, mitigation of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms. In this review, we recapitulated neuroprotective properties of Ashwagandha extracts and/or its major constituents and discussed their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. The pre-clinical as well as clinical studies suggest the use of Withania somnifera (L.) against neurodegenerative disease. However, extensive studies are warranted to validate the use of extract or its single constituents for its clinical use. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]