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Background: Shankhpushpi is a well-known Ayurvedic memory enhancing medicine associated with controversy. Among the various varieties, Convolvulus pleuricaulis and Clitorea ternatia are widely used in commercial memory enhancing formulations under the name of Shankhpushpi. Convolvulus pleuricaulis is recognized as true shankhpushpi in North side of India, however in southern part of India, Clitorea ternatia is accepted as Shankhpushpi. Objectives: The present study aims to compare neuroprotective efficacy of C. pleuricaulis and C. ternatea by in vitro, in vivo methods and establish scientifically validated data to choose appropriate shankhpushpi variety for commercial use. Materials and Methods: Both herbs were extracted in the Soxhlet apparatus with 70% ethanol for 5 - 6 hours at 60 - 65° C. The presence of neuroprotective principles - taraxerol and scopoletin in extracts was confirmed by the Thin Layer Chromatography. The preliminary screening for neuroprotective efficacy of extracts was done by in vitro free radical scavenging, Acetyl cholinesterase enzyme inhibition and LOX enzyme level estimation. Invivo study of extracts included behavioral assessment of adult rats by Y maze, Morris water maze using scopolamine induced Alzheimer's disease like model. Result: Extracts of both C. pleuricaulis and C. ternatea significantly scavenged free radicals, inhibited acetyl cholinesterase and LOX enzyme in vitro. But in in-vivo study, significant retention of spatial and working memory was observed in rats administered with C. pleuricaulis as compared to C. ternatea. Conclusion: C. pleuricaulis more significantly shields against memory loss and dementia by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and memory impairment. Hence should be used in commericial neuroprotective formulation as chief source of Shankhpushpi instead of C. ternatea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanthoxylum armatum DC., a popular spice, and folklore medicine, is widely distributed throughout the Northeastern region of India and practiced by indigenous tribes as a remedy for digestive and nervous system disorders. The study aimed to assess the neuro-protective potentiality of Zanthoxylum armatum extract through different learning and memory paradigms against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment. For the isolation of the compounds, coarsely powdered shade-dried fruits were extracted with ethanol by the cold maceration method. In silico studies were performed for the isolated compounds. TLC bioautographic enzyme assay was developed to screen acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition by plant extract using donepezil, a known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Memory retention activities of ethanolic extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) were determined in-vivo , along with an estimation of whole-brain cholinesterase and antioxidant activity. Chromatographic analysis from chloroform fraction resulted in the isolation of three bio-active phytoconstituents, and structural elucidation identified them as β-sitosterol (ZA-01), Stigmasterol (ZA-02), and Lupeol (ZA-03). In silico molecular docking studies revealed stigmasterol has the minimum binding energy with acetylcholinesterase among all the isolated bioactive. The stability of the protein-ligand complex was found satisfactory after performing molecular dynamics simulation studies. Pre-treatment with extract significantly improved transfer latency in maze tests decreased rat brain acetylcholinesterase activity, and showed antioxidant potentiality against scopolamine-induced memory impairment. The combination of neuroprotective, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant effects shown by Z. armatum extract may be what makes it a nootropic drug. These are good signs for the search for natural nootropics from Z. armatum extract. Even so, more research with extracts and isolated compounds will be needed to make the traditional uses of the plant more scientifically sound. [Display omitted] • Zanthoxylum armatum is evaluated for its potential as neuroprotective agent. • β-sitosterol, Stigmasterol and Lupeol were isolated from the plant extract. • In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. • TLC bioautography, in vivo animal tests showed good neuroprotective action of Zanthoxylum armatum extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sargassum ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh (SI) and Padina tetrastromatica (Hauck) (PT) are tropical and sub-tropical brown algae, found in the coastal region of India. In the present study, the cognitive enhancing activity of chloroform and ethanol extract of SI and PT (CSI, ESI & CPT, EPT) was investigated in scopolamine- induced amnesic mice using the Passive avoidance (PA) test. In addition, the effect on brain oxidative enzymes and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also evaluated using a spectrophotometer. The results of this study indicated that CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg), as well as CPT (600 mg/kg), significantly increased Step-Down Latency compared to scopolamine treated group, indicated that, CSI, ESI and CPT significantly (p < 0.01) reversed memory deficit produced by scopolamine. Further, administration of CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg), as well as CPT (600 mg/kg), produced a significant (p < 0.01) fall in Malondialdehyde and increased in Reduced glutathione activity, indicated that CSI, ESI, and CPT exert a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by scopolamine. Also, it was found that, CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg) and CPT (600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit AChE activity. These findings resemble the effect of the standard anti-amnesic drug Piracetam. In conclusion, chloroform and ethanol extract of SI and PT shows significant cognitive-enhancing activities by the inhibition enzyme AChE and by the regulation of the oxidative enzymes in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. However, further research is essential to explore the exact mechanism underlying this activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug dependence associated with increased dopamine neurotransmission and neuroplastic changes is influenced by Dopamine transporters (DAT) which are modulated by genetic and epigenetic factors. This study assesses DAT availability in relation to the 40bp DAT1 VNTR (genetic) and DAT1 promoter methylation (epigenetic) changes in patients with alcohol dependence (AD) and opioid dependence (OD). A total of 60 subjects (n=20 each of AD, OD and controls) were recruited. SPECT/CT imaging using 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 was performed for measuring striatal DAT availability and DNA screened to check DAT1promoter methylation and 40bp VNTR polymorphism. SPECT/CT imaging revealed significant decrease in DAT availability in the striatum and putamen and significant increase in DAT1 promoter methylation in AD compared to control and OD. The 40bp VNTR distribution was similar in all three groups with 10repeat and 9repeat alleles being the most common. The AD individuals with DAT1promoter methylation showed significantly lower TRODAT-1 uptake compared to the ones with no methylation. AD individuals homozygous for the 10repeat VNTR also showed reduced DAT availability. This is the first imaging study using 99m Tc-TRODAT-1 from India documenting significantly reduced striatal DAT availability, increased DAT methylation and frequency of 10repeat individuals associated with decreased DAT availability in AD., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The article offers information on the genus Datura discolor or Solanaceae, a plant group known for traditional and modern medicinal uses as a source of tropane alkaloids. Topics discussed include some of the Datura species from India, India's export of Datura species in international crude drug market and taxonomic identity of Datura species and their distribution in different parts of India.