Reversal caused by n-butylidenephthalide from the deficits of inhibitory avoidance performance in rats

Ethnoveterinary plants of Pakistan: a review

BACKGROUND

Ethnoveterinary medicine is crucial in many rural areas of the world since people living in remote and marginal areas rely significantly on traditional herbal therapies to treat their domestic animals. In Pakistan, communities residing in remote areas, and especially those still attached to pastoralist traditions, have considerable ethnoveterinary herbal knowledge and they sometimes use this knowledge for treating their animals. The main aim of the study was to review the literature about ethnoveterinary herbals being used in Pakistan in order to articulate potential applications in modern veterinary medicine. Moreover, the review aimed to analyze possible cross-cultural and cross regional differences.

METHODS

We considered the ethnobotanical data of Pakistan published in different scientific journals from 2004 to 2018. A total of 35 studies were found on ethnoveterinary herbal medicines in the country. Due to the low number of field studies, we considered all peer-reviewed articles on ethnoveterinary herbal practices in the current review. All the ethnobotanical information included in these studies derived from interviews which were conducted with shepherds/animals breeders as well as healers.

RESULTS

Data from the reviewed studies showed that 474 plant species corresponding to 2386 remedies have been used for treating domestic animals in Pakistan. The majority of these plants belong to Poaceae (41 species) followed by the Asteraceae (32 species) and Fabaceae (29 species) botanical families, thus indicating a possible prevalence of horticultural-driven gathering patterns. Digestive problems were the most commonly treated diseases (25%; 606 remedies used), revealing the preference that locals have for treating mainly minor animal ailments with herbs. The least known veterinary plants recorded in Pakistan were Abutilon theophrasti, Agrostis gigantea, Allardia tomentosa, Aristida adscensionis, Bothriochloa bladhii, Buddleja asiatica, Cocculus hirsutus, Cochlospermum religiosum, Cynanchum viminale, Dactylis glomerata, Debregeasia saeneb, Dichanthium annulatum, Dracocephalum nuristanicum, Flueggea leucopyrus, Launaea nudicaulis, Litsea monopetala, Sibbaldianthe bifurca, Spiraea altaica, and Thalictrum foetidum. More importantly, cross-cultural comparative analysis of Pathan and non-Pathan ethnic communities showed that 28% of the veterinary plants were mentioned by both communities. Cross-regional comparison demonstrated that only 10% of the plant species were used in both mountain and plain areas. Reviewed data confirm therefore that both ecological and cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping traditional plant uses.

CONCLUSION

The herbal ethnoveterinary heritage of Pakistan is remarkable, possibly because of the pastoral origins of most of its peoples. The integration of the analyzed complex bio-cultural heritage into daily veterinary practices should be urgently fostered by governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with rural development policies in order to promote the use of local biodiversity for improving animal well-being and possibly the quality of animal food products as well.

Lack of effect of Z-butylidenephthalide on presynaptic N-type Ca²⁺ channels in isolated guinea-pig ileum

Z-Butylidenephthalide (Bdph) was reported to more potently inhibit electrically induced twitch responses than acetylcholine-induced tonic contraction in isolated guinea-pig ileum (GPI). The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Z-Bdph on Ca2+ and K+ channels on GPI. In Locke-Ringer’s solution, both responses were isometrically recorded on a polygraph. Incubation of ω-conotoxin MVIIC, but not Z-Bdph, in the electrically stimulated GPI prior to adding ω-conotoxin GVIA, an irreversible blocker of N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs), protected the binding sites and resulted in the twitch responses reversible by washing, suggesting that Z-Bdph did not bind to the N-type VDCCs. Interestingly, we found Z-Bdph concentration dependently delayed the onsets of K+-induced twitch responses, suggesting that Z-Bdph may be a blocker of K+ channels to interfere extracellular K+ across through the pre-junctional membrane of nerve ending in K+-free medium. Z-Bdph similar to nifedipine non-competitively inhibited cumulative ACh-induced phasic contractions, suggesting that Z-Bdph may bind to L-type of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca2+ channels on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. In the presence of verapamil, a L-type Ca2+ channel blocker or Z-Bdph, the twitch inhibitions by either were effectively reversed by exogenous Ca2+, suggesting that they may freely pass through pre-junctional N-type, but not L-type which was blocked at least a part by either, of VDDCs open when each electrical coaxial stimulation (ECS) into intracellular space of cholinergic nerve terminal and trigger release of transmitters. In conclusion, results confirm that Z-Bdph more potently inhibits ECS-induced twitch responses than ACh-induced PCs in GPI and suggest that this effect is not mediated by interaction with presynaptic N-type VDCCs.

Butylidenephthalide antagonizes cromakalim-induced systolic pressure reduction in conscious normotensive rats

Background

Butylidenephthalide (Bdph), a main constituent of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., was reported to have selective antianginal effect without changing blood pressure in conscious rat. Recently, we have observed that Bdph antagonized cromakalim, an ATP-dependent K⁺ channel opener, in guinea-pig trachea. Thus, we were interested in investigating whether Bdph at the dose without changing blood pressure antagonized cromakalim-induced systolic pressure reduction in conscious rats.

Methods

Systolic arterial pressures of conscious rats were determined by using the indirect tail-cuff method.

Results

Bdph (30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect baseline systolic pressure in conscious normotensive and spontaneous hypertensive rats. Bdph (30 mg/kg, i.p.) also did not affect log dose–response curves of prazosin, clonidine and Bay K 8644, a Ca²⁺ channel activator, in normotensive rats. However, Bdph (30 mg/kg, i.p.) similar to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 0.4 mg/kg, i.p.), a K⁺ channel blocker, non-parallelly but surmountably, and partially similar to glibenclamide (GBC, 10 mg/kg, i.v.), an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker, surmountably but not parallelly rightward shifted the log dose-systolic pressure reduction curve of cromakalim, an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel opener, in normotensive rats, respectively.

Discussion

The antagonistic effect of Bdph against cromakalim was similar to that of 4-AP, a K+ channel blocker of Kv1 family, and partially similar to that of GBC, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker. Thus, Bdph may be a kind of K+ channel blockers, which have been reviewed to have a potential clinical use for Alzheimer disease. Indeed, Bdph has also been reported to reverse the deficits of inhibitory avoidance performance and improve memory in rats. Recently, 4-AP was reported to treat Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) which is a form of hereditary neurological disorder. Consistently, Bdph was recently reported to have antihyperglycemic activity in mice, since GBC is a powerful oral hypoglycemic drug.

Conclusions

Bdph similar to 4-AP and partially similar to GBC may block K_v1 family and ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels in conscious normotensive rats.

Butylidenephthalide blocks potassium channels and enhances basal tension in isolated guinea-pig trachea

Butylidenephthalide (Bdph, 30~300 μM), a constituent of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., significantly enhanced tension in isolated guinea-pig trachea. In this study, we investigate the mechanism(s) of Bdph-induced contraction in the tissue. Isolated trachea was bathed in 5 mL of Krebs solution containing indomethacin (3 μM), and its tension changes were isometrically recorded. Cromakalim (3 μM), an ATP-dependent K⁺ channel opener, significantly antagonized the Bdph-induced enhancement of baseline tension. Bdph (300 μM) also significantly antagonized cromakalim-induced relaxation. Bdph (300 μM) did not significantly influence the antagonistic effects of glibenclamide (GBC, 1 μM) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 8 mM) against the cromakalim-induced relaxation. However, Bdph (300 μM) and 4-aminopiridine (4-AP, 5 mM), a blocker of K_v1 family of K⁺ channels, in combination significantly rightward shifted the log concentration-relaxation curve of cromakalim. The antagonistic effect of the combination almost equals the sum of the individual effects of Bdph and 4-AP, suggesting that the antagonistic mechanism of Bdph may be similar to that of 4-AP. All calcium channel blockers influenced neither the baseline tension nor antagonistic effect of Bdph against cromakalim. In conclusion, Bdph may be similar to 4-AP, a blocker of K_v1 family of K⁺ channels, to enhance the baseline tension of guinea-pig trachea.

Volatile Compounds from Roots, Stems and Leaves of Angelica acutiloba growing in Taiwan

The present study analyzed and compared the volatile compounds in fresh Angelica acutiloba roots, stems and leaves both qualitatively and quantitatively. The volatile compounds were isolated by either steam distillation (SD) or headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME). A total of 61 compounds were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). All 61 compounds were verified by SD, with 3n-butyl phthalide, γ-terpinene, p-cymene and cis-β-ocimene as the main compounds. Thirty-three compounds were verified by HS-SPME, with γ-terpinene and p-cymene as the main compounds. The leaf samples contained the highest essential oil content. Compared with SD, HS-SPME sampling resulted in relatively higher amounts of highly volatile monoterpenes and lower amounts of less volatile compounds such as 3n-butyl phthalide. These findings demonstrate that A acutiloba roots, stems and leaves have high 3 n-butyl phthalide contents; thus, all parts of A. acutiloba may be used for further application and development.

Petroleum ether extract of Cnidium monnieri ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia through adrenal gland-mediated mechanism in male rats

AIM

Our previous study indicated petroleum ether layer of Cnidium monnieri L. Cuss. (CM) and its ingredient osthole could alleviate scopolamine-induced amnesia in female rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hence, this study was desired to investigate the mechanism of the ameliorating effects of petroleum ether layer of CM on the performance impairment of inhibitory avoidance task and Morris water maze induced by scopolamine in male rats.

RESULTS

CM at 0.1-0.6g/kg orally administered 60 min before the training trial ameliorated the scopolamine-induced performance impairment on inhibitory avoidance learning and water maze in male rats. Only adrenalectomy but not peripheral cholinergic antagonist scopolamine methylbromide and catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine blocked the ameliorating effects of CM on scopolamine-induced performance impairment in rats.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we demonstrated that the ameliorating effects of CM on scopolamine-induced performance impairment may be related to activating the adrenal gland and central acetylcholingeric neuron, instead of peripheral nervous system.

The ameliorating effects of LiuWei Dihuang Wang on cycloheximide-induced impairment of passive avoidance performance in rats

The ameliorating effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of LiuWei Dihuang Wang (LDW(W) and LDW(E)) after single, 1-week or 2-week consecutive treatment on the cycloheximide-induced amnesia by using the passive avoidance task in rats were studied. After single treatment, LDW(W) and LDW(E) (1 and 2g/kg) significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by CXM and their potency was equal. LDW(W) at 1g/kg after 1-week consecutive treatment or at 0.1g/kg after 2-week consecutive treatment almost completely reversed CXM-induced amnesia. LDW(W) at any dose alone after single, 1-week or 2-week consecutive treatment did not influence the step-through latency in the training trial in rats. Furthermore, muscarinic antagonist scopolamine, peripheral cholinergic antagonist scopolamine methylbromide, serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptamine and serotonin releaser p-chloroamphetamine could block the ameliorating effects of LDW(W). GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen also blocked the ameliorating effects of LDW(W). These results suggest that the ameliorating effects of LDW whose potency were parallel to treatment duration might be related to activating peripheral cholinergic neuronal system and modulating the central nervous system.