title: Bioactive non-sterol triterpenoid from Streblus asper: microwave-assisted extraction, HPTLC profiling, computational studies and neuro-pharmacological evaluation in BALB/c mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In folk medicine, the stem bark of Streblus asper Lour. (Moraceae) has been reported to possess anticonvulsant activity. However, no systematic/scientific validation is available. Objective This study explores the constituents in the stem bark, their biosassy-guided isolation and their efficacy in neuro-pharmacological disorders, for validating the traditional claims.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was employed to obtain the crude extract. The n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous fractions were prepared and phytoconstituents were ascertained by phytochemical tests. The isolated compound, betulin, was characterized by different physicochemical and spectral methods, including HPTLC. Finally, neuro-pharmacological evaluations were conducted at 100, 200, 400 mg/kg b.w., p.o. (25, 50, 100 mg/kg b.w. for betulin) doses in BALB/c mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The n-hexane fraction (400 mg/kg), and isolated compound betulin (100 mg/kg), showed maximum anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock (87.84% and 85.14% seizure inhibition), and isoniazid induced convulsion models (88.85% and 83.18% seizure inhibition), respectively. A dose-dependent attenuation of epileptic seizures was observed, probably through GABArgic mechanism of anticonvulsant action. Moreover, the antidepressant study was also conducted using behavioural models and the results expound that n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of immobility, as compared to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reports some novel aspects like applying an environmentally benign/green approach of MAE, neuro-pharmacological screening and use of docking studies, for the first time, on the plant S. asper. The findings present a rational explanation for its use in traditional medicine, for the management of neuro-pharmacological disorders.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Babu Banarasi Das Northern India Institute of Technology , Lucknow , UP , India.
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: a Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Babu Banarasi Das Northern India Institute of Technology , Lucknow , UP , India.
authors.forename: Avinash C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.affiliation: a Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Babu Banarasi Das Northern India Institute of Technology , Lucknow , UP , India.
authors.forename: Shailendra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Saraf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008872:Microwaves; D029586:Moraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; C002503:betulin; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
keywords: Anticonvulsant; antidepressant; betulin; high-performance thin-layer chromatography; microwave-facilitated extraction; molecular docking; neurotoxicity