Bangladesh Journal of 
Pharmacology 

 Volume: 11; Number 4; Year 2016 

 

Cite this article as: Rajagopal SS,  Swaminathan G, Manickam V, Ramanathan S.  Effect of Pedalium murex 
against lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity in substantia nigra of rat midbrain. Bangladesh J Pharmacol. 
2016; 11: 876-877. 

 



 

Effect of Pedalium murex against lipopoly-

saccharide-induced neurotoxicity in  
substantia nigra of rat midbrain    
 

Sir, 

Parkinson's disease affects approximately 1–3% of the 
population and is characterized by a slow and progre-
ssive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the 
substantia nigra (Obeso et al., 2000). This process is 
characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic 
neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and is 
accompanied by depletion of striatal dopamine and its 
metabolites such as DOPAC (3,4 dihydroxy phenyl 
acetic acid) and HVA (homovanillic acid). Activation of 
the immune system in response to stress and infection 
or bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide produces 
profound neurophysiological, neuroendocrine and 
behavioral changes.  

To date, specific pharmacologic agents that can be used 
in the management of septic shock are lacking and yet a 
rather scanty number of potential therapeutic agents 
are under clinical trials (Gallily et al., 1997). Lipopoly-
saccharide, among the principal components of all gram
-negative bacteria, has been extensively studied as a 
major factor contributing to the pathogenesis of bacte-
rial infections. Endotoxic shock can be elicited by a 
systemic injection of lipopolysaccharide induces the 
production and release of several cytokines (Morrison 
and Ryan, 1987). In response to these cytokines, several 
reactive oxygen species are produced from cells such as 
neutrophils and other phagocytic cells, creating a status 
of oxidative stress (Sugnio et al., 1987). Thus, this type 
of stress may hypothetically support the assumption 
that lipopolysaccharide-induced cell injury would be 
retarded by modifying free radical metabolism with the 
aid of antioxidant pretreatment.  

One of the widely used medicinal herbs, in indigenous 
systems of medicine, is Pedalium murex which belongs 
to the family Pedaliaceae and commonly known as 
“Anai nerinji”. Epidemiological studies have suggested 
posi-tive associations between the consumption of 
phenolic-rich foods or beverages and the prevention of 
diseases. The aim of the present study is to examine the 
effect of ethanolic extract of P. murex in the protection of 
dopaminergic neurons from lipopolysaccharide-
induced neurotoxicity in rats. 

The plant is authenticated by Botanical Survey of India 
(No. BSI/SC/5/23/2012-13/Tech-1934). Leaves were 
dried in shade and extracted with 90% v/v ethanol, the 
extract used for phytochemical screening. Results 
showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbo-
hydrate and proteins.  

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (120) weighing 240-
350 g purchased from the Animal House of J. K. K. N. 
College of Pharmacy. Rats were kept under standard 
laboratory conditions with controlled temperature, 12 
hours light/dark cycle and given free access to 
standard diet and water. Animals were acclimatized for 
one week before starting the in vivo experiment. The 
experimental protocols were approved by the 
Institutional Animal Ethical Committee with reference 
No: 887/ac/15/CPCSEA. The lipopolysaccharide 
(Escherichia coli-derived; 500,000 endotoxin units/mg) 
and all chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, 
USA.   

Group І: Received 0.9% saline vehicle, i.p for 7 days and 
served as a vehicle; Group II: Received a single i.p 
injection of lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg); Group III:  
Received single i.p injection of lipopolysaccharide (10 
mg/kg) and ethanolic extract of P. murex (100 mg/kg, 
i.p) for 7 days; Group IV:  received single i.p injection of 
lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract of 
P. murex (200 mg/kg, i.p) for 7 days.  

After the experimental period, the rats were anesthe-
tized then decapitated. Brain was removed and the 
midbrain was dissected. Each dissected midbrain was 
weighed and stored at -80°C until time brain tissues 
were processed for measurement of dopamine and its 
metabolites. 

A single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide 

A Journal of the Bangladesh Pharmacological Society (BDPS) Bangladesh J Pharmacol 2016; 11: 876-877 

Journal homepage: www.banglajol.info 

Abstracted/indexed in Academic Search Complete, Agroforestry Abstracts, Asia Journals Online, Bangladesh Journals Online, Biological Abstracts, 
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ISSN: 1991-0088; DOI: 10.3329/bjp.v11i4.29306 

Letter to the Editor 

Table I 

Effect of striatal dopamine and its metabolites   

Group Dopamine (µg/
g wet tissue) 

DOPAC (µg/
g wet tissue) 

HVA (µg/g 
wet tissue) 

I 14.9 ± 0.9 1.3 ± 0.2 0.9 ± 0.0 

II 9.8 ± 1.1 0.5 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.0 

III 10.1 ± 1.2 0.7 ± 0.1 0.6 ± 0.0 

IV 13.2 ± 0.9 1.1 ± 0.1 0.7 ± 0.0 



 

(10 mg/kg) in male Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in a 
decrease of dopamine and its metabolites levels 
compared to the control. Dopamine and its metabolites 
levels were significantly increased in ethanol extract of 
P. murex (200 mg/kg) treated rats compared to in the 
lipopolysaccharide-treated rats. Ethanol extract of P. 

murex was found to possess potential therapeutic effect 
against lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity via 
preserving dopamine level in nigrostriatal pathway of 
rat midbrain. 

In conclusion, the ethanol extract of P. murex may be 
used for remedy of neurodegenerative disease.  

  

Shanmuga Sundaram Rajagopal, Gomathi 
Swaminathan, Vijayabaskaran 
Manickam,  Sambathkumar Ramanathan    

J. K. K. Nattraja College of Pharmacy, Komarapalayam, Tamilnadu, 
India. 

Corresponding author:  
email: gomathiswaminathan03@gmail.com   

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