ANTI STRESS ACTIVITY OF MURRAYA KOENIGII; IN RAT MODEL OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC STRESS

Abstract

Stress basically is a reaction of mind and body against change in the homeostasis. During stressful conditions, the energy requirements of the organism are increased, resulting in enhanced generation of free radicals. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential usefulness of leaf extract of Murraya koenigii (MK) for its antistress and adaptogenic activity against oxidative stress induced changes in rats. Withania sominifera (WS), an adaptogen was used as reference standard. Wistar Albino rats (180-200 g) were used in the study. Animals were divided into 6 groups of six each and treated with vehicle or MK extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o), or WS extract (200 mg/kg, p.o). Except vehicle control group, all groups were subjected to Ischemic/reperfusion induced myocardial injury (IRMI)/ Chronic cold restraint stress (CRS)/ Iron overload induced hepatotoxicity (IO). At the end of the experimental period all rats were sacrificed and heart, liver tissues were collected for biochemical estimations. In IRMI, there was significant reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and increase in lipid peroxidation LPO activity indicating the production of oxidative stress. In CRS model, stimulation of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) alters plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and corticosterone levels. In IO the hepatic LPO activity was significantly increased. Pretreatment with leaf extract of MK reverted above stress induced enzyme levels. The results indicating that leaf extract of MK has antistress and adaptogenic activity against a variety of biochemical and physiological perturbations in different stress models.