title: Protective effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis standardized extract and its fractions against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois. (Convolvulaceae), a well-known Ayurvedic "Medhya Rasayana" (nervine tonic), is extensively used for different central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of standardized hydro-methanol extract of C. pluricaulis (CPE) and its fractions, namely ethyl acetate (EAE), butanol (BE), and aqueous (AE), against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extract of the whole plant was standardized on the basis of scopoletin content (0.014%) using thin layer chromatography densitometric analysis. CPE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and its fractions, namely EAE (15 and 30 mg/kg), BE (25 and 50 mg/kg), and AE (50 and 100 mg/kg) were administered orally for 20 d. Their protective effect against 3-NP (10 mg/kg, i.p. for 14 d) was assessed by the effect on various behavioral parameters, namely body weight, locomotor activity, grip strength, gait pattern, and the effect on cognitive dysfunction. Biochemical parameters for oxidative damage were also assessed in the striatum and cortex regions of the brain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Administration of 3-NP induced HD-like symptoms that were indicated by reduced body weight, locomotor activity, memory, grip strength, and oxidative defense. CPE (200 mg/kg), EAE (30 mg/kg), and BE (50 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated 3-NP induced reduction in locomotor activity, grip strength, memory, body weight, and oxidative defense in comparison with 3-NP-treated animals on 10 and 15 d.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggested that CPE has a protective action against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity and can be further explored for its efficacy against Huntington's disease.
authors: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University , Chandigarh , India .
authors: Jai
authors: J
authors: Malik
authors: Sunayna
authors: S
authors: Choudhary
authors: Puneet
authors: P
authors: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031254:Convolvulus; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011422:Propionates / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011422:Propionates; C015392:3-nitropropionic acid
keywords: Huntington’s disease; Shankhpushpi; oxidative stress