Anxiolytic, antidepressant and inhibitory effect on MAO isoenzymes by Bougainvillea glabra flower extract in rats

Main aim of current study was to determine the anxiolytic and antidepressant potential of Bougainvillea glabra Extract (BVE). The effects were investigated by using Open-Field-Test (OFT), Light-and-Dark Model (LD), Hole-Board (HB) and Forced-Swimming-Test (FST). Different doses for BVE were given to Wistar-Rats and compared with Control and Diazepam. Data has been collected by simple observations of animal behaviors in mentioned models. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS-22 version. In OFT (number of squares travelled), significant differences noted between Control and BV100mg/kg (p=0.001), Diazepam and BV100mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV200mg/kg (p=0.015), Diazepam and BV300 mg/kg (p=0.002). In LD-Test, significant differences were noted between Control and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV100mg/kg, 200mg/kg (p=0.0001), Diazepam and BV300mg/kg (p=0.028). In HB-Test by head dips, significant differences noted between control group and BV100mg/kg and 200mg/kg (p=0.0001), Control group and BV300mg/kg (p=0.005). For number of head dips, significant differences noted between Diazepam and BV100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg (p=0.0001). In FST, significant differences were observed between Control group and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001), Fluoxetine and BV100mg/kg, BV200mg/kg and BV300mg/kg (p=0.0001). It is observed that MAO-A and MAO-B are inhibited by BVE. Study demonstrates that BV flowers have anxiolytic and antidepressant activities.

Computation-based experimentation: Identification of piperazine containing antidepressants

Depression, a common mental disorder, is one of the major contributors to the overall global burden with more than 264 million individuals affected worldwide. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have well-known efficacy for treating depression and other related disorders. Herein we report the implementation of extensive in-silico calculations to predict the mono-amine inhibitory potential of an in-house library of piperazine-based compounds. In this connection, a multistep virtual screening protocol based on pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) was carried out by MOE. Further, to assess its ability to cross the blood brain barrier, ADME properties of the compounds were predicted. Compounds predicted the highest enzyme inhibition by QSAR was synthesized for experimental validation. Both the synthesized compounds (I15 and I21) presented good strength against Monoamine Oxidase in in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity.

Evaluation of antiviral activity of plant extracts against foot and mouth disease virus in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate antiviral activity of chloroformic leaves extracts of three plants: Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Morus alba against Foot and Mouth disease virus using MTT assay (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Antiviral and cytotoxic activity of each extract was evaluated as cell survival percentage and results were expressed as Means ± S.D. The concentrations which resulted in cell survival percentages of greater than 50% are considered to be effective antiviral concentrations. From the tested plant extracts, Moringa oleifera showed potent antiviral activity (p<0.05) while Azadirachta indica showed significant antiviral activity in the range of 1-50μ/ml & 12-100μ/ml respectively. In contrast no antiviral activity was observed by Morus alba as all the tested concentration resulted in significant reduction (p<0.05) in cell survival percentage.