Ijp_june_07.indd
Evaluation of the antioxidant potential of NR-ANX-C
(a polyherbal formulation) and its individual constituents in
reversing haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice
Albina Arjuman, Vinod Nair*, H.N. Gopalakrishna*, M. Nandini
evaluate the possible role of the antioxidant activity of the polyherbal
formulation, NR-ANX-C and its individual components in reversing haloperidol-induced catalepsy in Swiss albino mice.
Materials and Methods:
Materials and Methods: Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p) in 13
Departments of Biochemistry and
groups of male albino mice (n = 6 / group). Three groups received NR-ANX-C (10, 25,
*Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical
50 mg/kg), three groups received Withania somnifera (1.7, 4.25, 8.5 mg/kg), another three
College, Mangalore, Karnataka,
groups Ocimum sanctum (1.7, 4.25, 8.5 mg/kg), three other groups Camellia sinensis (3.4,
8.5, 17 mg/kg) and one group received the vehicle (1% Gum acacia) orally, 30 minutes prior to haloperidol administration, for a duration of seven days. Animals were sacrificed
Received: 22.10.2006
on the seventh day and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was estimated in the brain.
Results: A significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the cataleptic scores was observed in all the
Accepted: 10.5.2007
drug-treated groups as compared to the control, with maximum reduction in the NR-ANX-C
Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
25 mg/kg group. Similarly, a reduction in SOD activity was observed in the NR-ANX-C-, O.
sanctum- and the W. somnifera-treated groups. An increase in SOD activity was observed
in the C. sinensis-treated groups.
Conclusion: With the exception of
C. sinensis, the antioxidant potential of NR-ANX-C and
its individual constituents has contributed to the reduction in the oxidative stress and the catalepsy induced by haloperidol administration.
WORDS: Camellia sinensis, catalepsy, haloperidol, Ocimum sanctum, oxidative stress,
Withania somnifera medknow
the amounts of peroxidative products or the rates of enzyme-
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Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug, which is used in the
catalysed reactions neutralizing free radical intermediates such
treatment of schizophrenia and other affective disorders. It
as those of superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD is a primary,
blocks the dopaminer
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gic action in the nigro-strial pathway
natural, free radical-scavenging, antioxidant enzyme in the
leading to high frequency of extrapyramidal motor side effects.[1]
body. The estimation of the activity of such antioxidant enzymes
In animal models, haloperidol induces a behavioural state
such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase
known as catalepsy in which the animals are unable to correct
etc, can be used to assess the therapeutic effects of different
externally imposed postures.[2] The use of haloperidol has been
antioxidant agents.
associated with an increased level of oxidative stress in the
The administration of any exogenous agent is associated
brain.[3] This evidence suggests a possible role for antioxidants
with the development of cellular oxidative stress as a result
in the treatment of haloperidol-induced catalepsy.
of its metabolism in the body. The ability of the compound to
The brain is made up of 70% lipid and any kind of stress is
counteract the oxidative stress induced by its metabolism is
usually manifested by lipid peroxidative damage.[4] The extent
known as its antioxidant potential. Recently, the evaluation
of this damage can be used to evaluate the degree of cellular
of the extent of cellular oxidative stress has been applied to
harm. In practical terms, this stress-induced lipid peroxidative
determine the therapeutic / toxic doses of synthetic and herbal
damage in the brain can be quantified by either determining
drugs. A step ahead of this approach would be to evaluate
Indian J Pharmacol June 2007 Vol 39 Issue 3 151-154
Arjuman, et al.: Effect of NR-ANX-C on catalepsy
the best therapeutic dose of a natural or synthetic compound
20 seconds, it was said to be cataleptic and given one point.
in a specific disease state, giving better or at least similar
For every additional 20 seconds that the animal continued to
therapeutic action on a tissue but with the least amount of
maintain the cataleptic posture, one extra point was given. The
damage to the same, thus ensuring mammalian well being and
animals were then sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the
avoiding supplementary tissue toxicity.
SOD activity in brain tissue was estimated.
NR-ANX-C is a polyherbal formulation containing the
Assay of SOD
aqueous extract of
W. somnifera (17% withanolides, 2.1%
The assay of SOD was carried out based on the SOD-
w/w), 70% ethanolic extract of
O. sanctum (17% Ursolic acid,
mediated inhibition of the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium to
2.9% w/w) and 70% ethanolic extract of
C. sinensis (34%, total
blue formazan by superoxide anions as described by Beauchamp
polyphenols 60.1% w/w). These agents have been used in the
and Fridovich.[14]
Ayurvedic system of medicine for over 3000 years.
W. somnifera
The total protein present in the homogenate was estimated
(Ashwagandha) has been used as a liver tonic, anti-inflammatory
following the method described by Lowry
et al.[15] Units of SOD
agent and antioxidant, in the treatment of bronchial asthma,
activity determined were expressed in terms of milligrams of
insomnia, as a nervine tonic in the treatment of senile dementia,
total protein (TP).
cognitive and neurological disorders and Parkinson's disease.[5-8]
Preparation of homogenate
O. sanctum (Tulsi, India's Holy Basil) has been shown to have
The brains isolated from the individual groups of mice were
hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, adaptogenic, antidepressant,
homogenized (20% w/v) in 10 mM Phosphate buffer, pH 7.8. The
hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-
homogenate was subjected to centrifugation. 0.1 ml aliquot of
inflammatory properties.[9-11]
C. sinensis (Green tea) has been
the homogenate (1:10 dilution) was used for the assay.
used in the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infection and other
impaired immune functions. It has also been shown to have
Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by
Dunnett's multiple comparison.
The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of
NR-ANX-C and its individual components by virtue of their antioxidant potential in mouse brain using haloperidol-induced
The cataleptic scores of the present study are given in Table
catalepsy as our model of investigation.
1. Significant reversal in haloperidol-induced catalepsy (
P < 0.01) was observed with NR-ANX-C at a dose of 25 mg/kg.
Materials and Methods
This dose was the most effective of the three tested doses. Of
Prior approval was obtained from the Institutional Animal
the individual constituents of NR-ANX-C,
W. somnifera and
O.
Ethics Committee, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, for
sanctum at a dose of 8.5 mg/kg showed a significant reversal in
conducting this study.
the catalepsy (
P < 0.01). The result observed with
C. sinensis though significant when compared to the control, is not as
Study design
pronounced as with NR-ANX-C,
W. somnifera or
O. sanctum.
Adult male Swiss albino mice (25-30 g) were allocated to
The SOD activity in the brain of the mice treated with
thirteen groups (
n = 6/ group) and housed in polypropylene
haloperidol and the test drugs are also presented in Table 1.
C with 12 h:12 h light-dark cycle. The animals
The SOD activity in the brain was found to be elevated in the
were allowed free access to food (standard pellet feed) and
haloperidol-treated group. The observed increase was about
water. They were allowed an acclimation period of seven days
66% above the normal. The test drug formulation, NR-ANX-C
before the study.
showed an overall reduction in SOD activity at all the three
A pilot study was carried out and suitable doses were
doses with a maximum reduction observed in the group treated
selected. The individual doses used were suspended in 1%
with 25 mg/kg. In the
W. somnifera-treated groups, there was a
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gum acacia and administered orally to the different groups.
dose-dependent decrease in the brain SOD activity. Significant
One group received the vehicle (1% gum acacia solution) and
(
P < 0.05) reduction was observed at a dose of 8.5 mg/kg with
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ved as the control. Three groups received NR-ANX-C (10,
W. somnifera. In the
O. sanctum-treated groups, there was a
25 and 50 mg/kg), three groups received
W. somnifera (1.7,
decrease in the SOD activity at the lower dose with maximum
4.25 and 8.5 mg/kg), three groups received
O. sanctum (1.7,
reduction seen at a dose of 4.25 mg/kg. However, with the
4.25 and 8.5 mg/kg) and three groups received
C. sinensis (3.4,
higher dose (8.5 mg/kg), there was a slight increase in the SOD
8.5 and 17 mg/kg). Thirty minutes after the administration of
activity. Unlike the groups treated with the other constituents of
these drugs, catalepsy was induced by the
i.p. administration of
NR-ANX-C, all the
C. sinensis-treated groups showed an increase
haloperidol at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight, in the form of an
in the SOD activity compared to the control.
injectable solution constituted in normal saline. This procedure was repeated for seven days. On the seventh day, catalepsy
was measured 240 minutes after haloperidol administration
Induction of free radicals in mammals by haloperidol is
in a manner similar to the method described by Ahtee and
well established. Previous studies have shown that dopamine
Buncombe.[13] All observations were made between 14:00 and
receptors in the striatum are involved in neuroleptic-induced
16.00 hours. The animals were placed on a flat surface and their
catalepsy. It has been demonstrated that cataleptic effects of
front paws were elevated and placed on a 4 cm-high wooden
haloperidol are apparently mediated by dopamine receptors
bar. If the animal maintained the imposed posture for at least
localized postsynaptically on strial neurons.[2] It is also well
Indian J Pharmacol June 2007 Vol 39 Issue 3 151-154
Arjuman, et al.: Effect of NR-ANX-C on catalepsy
Effect of test drugs on haloperidol-induced catalepsy and brain superoxide dismutase activity
SOD (U/mg TP)
% decrease
% increase from
(n = 6)
(n = 3)
Normal (no haloperidol)
W. somnifera
O. sanctum
C. sinensis
All values are Mean ± SE; Statistical analysis by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's Multiple Comparison Test; *
P < 0.05 **
P < 0.01
established that administration of haloperidol leads to an
can be attributed to its role in reversing haloperidol-induced
increase in the oxidative stress in the brain tissue.[3] The
increase in SOD observed in the present study supports the
Of its individual constituents,
W. somnifera appears to
above concept.
be the major contributor of antioxidant activity leading to
Superoxide formation is a major factor in oxygen toxicity
the reduction of SOD activity. The antioxidant activity of
W.
and the superoxide dismutase enzyme constitutes an essential
somnifera could be attributed to the direct scavenging of free
defence against it. Under normal conditions, decreased activity
radicals by polyphenols present in it.
of antioxidant enzymes,
viz. SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-
The antioxidant activity of NR-ANX-C could be possibly
PX) and catalase in the brain leads to accumulation of oxidative
due to the direct scavenging of the superoxide radicals by
free radicals resulting in degenerative effects.[6] An increase
the polyphenols[9,12,16] or the flavanoids known to be present
in these enzymes under normal conditions would represent
in its individual constituents which have been established to
increased antioxidant activity and a protective mechanism
have an antioxidant potential. From the present study, it can
in neuronal tissue, thus, constituting the first line of defence
be concluded that the polyherbal formulation, NR-ANX-C and
against oxidative stress in our body. However, in the presence of
its individual components can be beneficial adjuvants in the
a free radical-quenching agent, the induction of the antio
treatment of drug-induced extrapyramidal side effects and
enzymes is minimized. So, an overall decrease in cataleptic
related disorders. Clinical trials in humans suffering from
scores and also SOD activity in the NR-ANX-C-treated groups
Parkinson's disease may provide us with greater evidence for
indicates the ability of NR-ANX-C to combat oxidative stress
the neuroprotective activity of this formulation.
in brain tissue and reduce the severity of haloperidol-induced
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ith regard to the individual constituents,
W. somnifera
We are grateful to Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore for providing us with the
test drugs. We also appreciate the technical assistance offered to us by P. Dorababu,
and
O. sanctum[10] showed a dose-dependent decrease in the
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Lovelyn Joseph, Rose Merin Chacko, Rejeesh E. P. and Anjali Varghese (Postgradu-
cataleptic scores. Of the two,
W. somnifera showed a dose-
ates, Dept. of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka).
dependent decrease in SOD activity while
O. sanctum showed
decrease in SOD activity only at the two lower doses (1.7 and 4.25 mg/kg).
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The increase in SOD activity in
C. sinensis-treated groups
sion tomographic analysis of central D1 and D2 dopamine receptor occupancy
is contrary to the effects of the test drug or its individual
in patients treated with classical neuroleptics and clozapine: Relation to extra-pyramidal side effects. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1992;49:538-44.
components namely,
W. somnifera and
O. sanctum on SOD
2. Sanberg PR. Haloperidol-induced catalepsy is mediated by postsynaptic dopa-
activity. The reduced SOD activity seen in the test drug NR-ANX-
mine receptors. Nature 1980;284:472-3.
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3. Sagara Y. Induction of reactive oxygen species in neurons by haloperidol. J
present in it which have been shown to possess antioxidant
4. Kedar NP. Can we prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease? J Postgrad
Med 2003;49:236-45.
From these observations, it can be inferred that the test
5. Monograph. Withania somnifera. Altern Med Rev 2004;9:211-4.
drug NR-ANX-C shows significant antioxidant activity, which
6. Naidu PS, Singh A, Kulkarni SK. Effect of
Withania somnifera root extract on
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(Ashwagandha): A review. Altern Med Rev 2000;5:334-46.
15. Peterson GL. Review of the folin phenol protein quantiÞ cation method of Lowry,
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Withania
Rosenbrough, Farr and Randall. Anal Biochem 1979;100:201-20.
somnifera glycowithanolides in chronic footshock stress-induced perturbations
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cell damage against kainic acid induced excitotoxicity. J Biosci 2003;28:121-8.
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Ocimum
sanctum Linn as a medicinal plant. Indian J Exp Biol 2002;40:765-73.
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Presentation at a meeting: part of the work was presented
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Date: December 2005.
striatal homovanillic acid content in mice. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh)
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