Author(s): Manoj K. Aswar
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development
ISSN 0974-9446
Volume: 2;
Issue: 6;
Start page: 15;
Date: 2010;
Original page
Keywords: Catalepsy | Ocimum sanctum | Parkinson’s disease
ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (Paralysis agitans) is the major neurodegenerative disorder caused due to deficiency of Dopamine neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia of the brain. Parkinson’s disease may cause due to oxidative stress, formation of MPP (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine) free radicals, MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine) neurotoxin that destroys dopamine producing neuron in Substantia nigra. More than 6 million people are suffering from Parkinson’s disease worldwide. Catalepsy is a symptom of certain nervous disorders or conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy in animals. During exhaustive literature survey, many herbal constituents were also found to be effective to treat Parkinson’s disease symptomatically similar to conventional Levodopa. Ocimum sanctum was found to contain 2.7% ursolic acid, which has antioxidant properties. Considering its strong anti-oxidant nature, an attempt has been made to evaluate its anti-cataleptic activity. The method described by S. Pemminati et al, 2007 was followed for the anticataleptic activity. Catalepsy was induced with Haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) and assessed at 15 minutes interval for 90 minutes on a standard bar test. The cataleptic score was significantly reduced after 15 min, with all drugs viz. the standard drug Levodopa (30 mg/kg, i.p), the aqueous extract (300 mg/kg, i.p) and the alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg, i.p) of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum. The reduction in cataleptic scores with aqueous extract and alcoholic extract were significant (P < 0.001) throughout the period of observations, except for 0 minutes and 15 minutes.
Journal: International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development
ISSN 0974-9446
Volume: 2;
Issue: 6;
Start page: 15;
Date: 2010;
Original page
Keywords: Catalepsy | Ocimum sanctum | Parkinson’s disease
ABSTRACT
Parkinson’s disease (Paralysis agitans) is the major neurodegenerative disorder caused due to deficiency of Dopamine neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia of the brain. Parkinson’s disease may cause due to oxidative stress, formation of MPP (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine) free radicals, MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine) neurotoxin that destroys dopamine producing neuron in Substantia nigra. More than 6 million people are suffering from Parkinson’s disease worldwide. Catalepsy is a symptom of certain nervous disorders or conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy in animals. During exhaustive literature survey, many herbal constituents were also found to be effective to treat Parkinson’s disease symptomatically similar to conventional Levodopa. Ocimum sanctum was found to contain 2.7% ursolic acid, which has antioxidant properties. Considering its strong anti-oxidant nature, an attempt has been made to evaluate its anti-cataleptic activity. The method described by S. Pemminati et al, 2007 was followed for the anticataleptic activity. Catalepsy was induced with Haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) and assessed at 15 minutes interval for 90 minutes on a standard bar test. The cataleptic score was significantly reduced after 15 min, with all drugs viz. the standard drug Levodopa (30 mg/kg, i.p), the aqueous extract (300 mg/kg, i.p) and the alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg, i.p) of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum. The reduction in cataleptic scores with aqueous extract and alcoholic extract were significant (P < 0.001) throughout the period of observations, except for 0 minutes and 15 minutes.
