title: Antipsychotic activity of embelin isolated from Embelia ribes: A preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Embelia ribes is claimed in Indian traditional medical practice to be useful in the treatment of nervous diseases. Embelin, an alkyl substituted hydroxy benzoquinone, is a major active constituent of E. ribes. The present preliminary study was intended to evaluate antipsychotic activity of embelin against apomorphine-induced climbing behaviour in mice and stereotyped behaviour in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two doses of embelin (5 and 10mg/kg) were administered once daily for 15days before exposure to apomorphine. On the concluding day of pre-treatment, after apomorphine-injection, the rodents were assessed for climbing and stereotyped behaviours according to the published scoring system. Thereafter, neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) levels were estimated in rodent brains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Embelin pre-treatment significantly inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing and stereotyped behaviours in mice and rats, respectively. Further, embelin also statistically reversed elevated levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin neurotransmitters in the brain of mice and rats. Embelin showed more significant results at high dose (10mg/kg) than low dose (5mg/kg) in both the tested models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the present pharmacological profile of embelin, it is suggested that embelin possesses antipsychotic activity in the treatment of psychotic disorders. However, further research is warranted for evaluating its exact mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: sharanabasappadurg@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sharanbasappa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durg
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Naveen Kumar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: B
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ravichandra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vandal
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shivsharan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dhadde
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Thippeswamy
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Veeresh P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Veerapur
authors.affiliation: Sree Siddaganga College of Pharmacy, Tumkur 572102, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shrishailappa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D031645:Embelia / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016227:Benzoquinones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001058:Apomorphine; C010945:embelin
keywords: Dopamine; Embelia ribes; Embelin; Noradrenaline; Psychotic behaviour; Serotonin