@article {1494, title = {Pharmacological Evaluation of Cucumber for Cognition Enhancing Effect on Brain of Mice}, journal = {Pharmacognosy journal}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {8th April 2014}, pages = {100-107}, type = {Original Article}, abstract = {

Introduction: Cucumber is fruit of Cucumis sativus var. sativus L. which has been used traditionally in gastrointestinal problems, skin problems and as coolant in salad for body and brain. Cucumber is a great folk medicine used to reduce heat and inflammation. Cognitive effects of cucumber are assessed in this study. Methods: Fresh fruits of Cucumis sativus L. were ground and a paste was prepared which consisted of different concentrations of cucumber (10, 20, 30 \% w/w). The three doses were given ad libitum to mice for 15 successive days. Animal models utilized were sodium nitrite induced hypoxia and object recognition task. Biochemical analysis employed estimation of acetylcholinesterase activity in brain, serum glucose levels, cholesterol levels, brain lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels and reduced glutathione levels in brain of mice. Results: 6g/kg and 9g/kg doses of cucumber significantly (P\< 0.05, P\< 0.01) increased frequency of entry, number of entry and duration of entry in small compartment in sodium nitrite induced hypoxia model and depicted significantly (P\< 0.05, P\< 0.001) enhanced exploratory activity in object recognition task model. Further, biochemical analysis indicated good potential of cucumber in cognition enhancement. 9 g/kg dose (P\< 0.001) reduced brain AchE activity along with blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels. 6 g/kg dose (P\< 0.01) replenished brain GSH levels and reduced lipid peroxides. Conclusion: Cucumber increased cognition in rodents.

Key words: Hypoxia, object recognition task, acetylcholinesterase, glucose, cholesterol, dementia.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholinesterase, Cholesterol, Dementia, Glucose, Hypoxia, object recognition task}, author = {Manish Kumar, and Milind Parle} } @article {1495, title = {Portulaca oleracea extract increases lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and paraoxonase 1 activities and enhances reverse cholesterol transport in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat}, journal = {Pharmacognosy journal}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {8th April 2014}, pages = {1-9}, type = {Original Article}, abstract = {

Background: Plant extracts are generally assumed to be more acceptable and less hazardous than synthetic compounds and could be alternative antidiabetic treatments. Portula caoleracea has been used as one of the traditional edible and medicinal plant in Algeria to treat diabetes. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of lyophilized aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea on high-density lipoproteins composition, paraoxonase (PON1) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Methods: Diabetes was induced intraperitonially by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60mg/kg bw). Twelve diabetic rats, weighing 263\±5g, were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Portulaca oleracea extract (1g/kg bw), for 4 weeks. Results: At d28, in Portulaca oleracea treated vs untreated diabetic group, glycemia, serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TG) and phospholipids (PL) concentrations were decreased significantly (p\<0.05). The hypolipidemic effect induced by Portulaca oleracea extract was due to the reduction of total cholesterol (TC) in LDL-HDL1 (-51\%) and C-HDL3 (-21\%). Portulaca oleracea treatment improved PON1 and LCAT activities by 48\%. HDL3-UC (acyl group acceptor) and -PL (enzyme substrate) were diminished respectively by 47\% and 82\%, whereas HDL2-CE concentrations (product of LCAT reaction) were increased by 44\%. Moreover, HDL-C levels were found to be positively correlated with PON1 activity (r=0.96, p\<0.05). Serum, LDL-HDL1, HDL2 and HDL3 TBARS levels were respectively, 2.9-, 2.6-, 2.4- and 2.8-fold lower in Portulaca oleracea treated than untreated diabetic groups. Conclusion: These findings reflect the potential antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic of Portulaca oleracea extract, in STZ-induced diabetic rat. Moreover, Portulaca oleracea extract restores PON1 and ameliorates the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) by enhancing LCAT activity, therefore could prevent many diabetic complications by reducing dyslipidemia and oxidative damage.

Key words: Rats, Streptozotocin, Portulaca oleracea, Cholesterol, PON1, LCAT, apo A-I, lipoprotein peroxidation.

}, keywords = {apo A-I, Cholesterol, LCAT, lipoprotein peroxidation, PON1, Portulaca oleracea, Rats, Streptozotocin}, author = {Guenzet Akila, and Krouf Djamil, and Berzou Saadia} }