Nootropic and anxiolytic activity of saponins of Albizzia lebbeck leaves

• Published in: Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior Vol. 69; no. 3; pp. 439 - 444
• Main Authors: Une, H.D, Sarveiya, V.P, Pal, S.C, Kasture, V.S, Kasture, S.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: 1-Butanol - pharmacology; 1-Butanol - therapeutic use; Albizzia lebbeck; Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Anxiety Agents - therapeutic use; Anxiety - drug therapy; Anxiolytic; Biological and medical sciences; Gamma-aminobutyric acid; General pharmacology; Medical sciences; Mice; Nootropic; Nootropic Agents - pharmacology; Nootropic Agents - therapeutic use; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Retention (Psychology) - drug effects; Retention (Psychology) - physiology; Saponins; Saponins - pharmacology; Saponins - therapeutic use; Saponins; Gamma-aminobutyric acid; Nootropic; Albizzia lebbeck; Anxiolytic; Agonist; Intraperitoneal administration; Psychotropic; Toxicity; Central nervous system; Cognition; Extract; Medicinal plant; Saponin; Prevention; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Anxiety; Phytotherapy; Mechanism of action; Albizia lebbeck; Nervous system diseases; Pharmacognosy; Rodentia; Biological activity; Cerebral disorder; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Tranquillizer; Leguminosae; Mouse; Animal; Nootropic agent; Central nervous system disease; Plant origin; Intracerebral administration; Spermatophyta; Gabaergic receptor B; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0091-3057; 1873-5177
• DOI: 10.1016/S0091-3057(01)00516-0

The effect of saponin containing, n-butanolic fraction (BF), extracted from dried leaves of Albizzia lebbeck, was studied on cognitive behavior and anxiety in albino mice. The elevated plus maze was used for assessment of both nootropic and anxiolytic activity. The nootropic activity was evaluated by recording the effect of BF (0, 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) on the transfer latency, whereas anxiolytic activity was assessed by studying its effect on the duration of occupancy in the closed arm. Results showed significant improvement in the retention ability of the normal and amnesic mice as compared to their respective controls. Animals treated with BF (25 mg/kg) spent more time in the open arm in a dose-dependent manner. The BF was without any significant effect on motor coordination. However, it significantly inhibited passivity and hypothermia induced by baclofen (10 mg/kg), a GABA B agonist. The data emanated in the present study suggests involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the nootropic and anxiolytic activity of saponins obtained from A. lebbeck.