Neuroprotective effect of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides against monosodium glutamate-induced excitotoxicity

We aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of H. sibthorpioides against monosodium-glutamate (MSG) induced excitoneurotoxicity in rats. We randomly divided the animals into 11 groups (n = 8) and subjected them to high doses of MSG (2 g/kg body weight) and the test dose (1 week). The test chemicals were H. sibthorpioides extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water. We used Dizocilpine-hydrogen-maleate as a standard and assessed the cognitive property using Morris-water-maze and elevated-plus-maze. After the experimental period, we evaluated the biochemical parameters. We found chloroform and methanolic extracts significantly enhanced the cognitive behaviour of rats compared to control. Biochemical analysis suggested that there was a high level of antioxidants and lower levels of glutamate and proinflammatory cytokines in the cortex and hippocampus. We concluded that chloroform and methanolic extracts of H. sibthorpioides enhanced the level of antioxidants, decreased proinflammatory-cytokines and glutamate in the brain, and thus prevented the monosodium-glutamate-induced-excite-neurotoxicity.

Acute oral toxicity evaluation of extracts of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides in wister albino rats as per OECD 425 TG

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Toxicity was studied for Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides.

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LD₅₀ was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg of body weight.

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Petroleum ether extract showed increase in somatomotor activity for short time.

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Methanolic and aqueous extract exhibited some change in Haematological parameters.

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (Family: Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant and is been a part of traditional cuisine. Hence, an acute toxicity study was performed to confirm its safety profile. Female rats (n=5) were randomly divided into 5 groups. One group served as the control and the other groups were been administered with the petroleum ether, chloroform, methanolic and aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides at 2000 mg/kg body weight. Blood was collected at certain intervals to measure the haematological and biochemical parameters. The vital organs were isolated and preserved for histopathological examinations.

The result suggested that the LD₅₀ of all the extracts are greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight. There was no significant change in body weight, Behaviour, Renal Function test, Liver function test and Lipid profile. In haematological evaluation, there was an increase in RBC count and haemoglobin production post administration of methanolic and aqueous extract. The study suggested that the LD₅₀ of the plant is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight of rats in all the extracts.