Adaptogenic activity of lanostane triterpenoid isolated from Carissa carandas fruit against physically and chemically challenged experimental mice

Abstract

ObjectiveCarissa carandas L. an important plant bearing minor fruit has been traditionally, used for the aphrodisiac, aperitive, antipyretic and astringent properties. Lanostane triterpenoid isolated from the ethanolic fruit extract and investigated for adaptogenic activity in experimental mice. MethodsThe lanostane triterpenoid was isolated from the ethanolic extract of the fruit and characterized as Lanost-5-en-3β-ol-21-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic (UV, IR, 1H, 13C NMR and MS) methods. Ethanolic extract at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day as well as lanostane triterpenoid (10 mg/kg/day) were screened for adaptogenic activity using anoxia stress tolerance, swimming endurance and Cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression model. The levels of Hb, RBC, WBC and organ and body weight suppressed by Cyclophosphamide were estimated. ResultsThe isolated compound was amorphous brownish white powder yielded 0.44% (w/w), melting point 130–132 °C, Rf value at 0.81 in methanol:chloroform (90:10) solvent system, UV absorption maxima at 283 nm and molecular peak [M + H]+ at 458.4 m/z. It was observed that extract and lanostane triterpenoid significantly increased the anoxia stress tolerance, swimming endurance, duration of stay on rota rod and normalized the Hb, RBC, WBC level, altered organ and body weight (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) suppressed by Cyclophosphamide. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that extract and isolated compound showed significant adaptogenic activity. Mass spectra and 13C NMR confirmed the isolated compound structure which was supported by 1H NMR.