Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11
CNS Disorders
The central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders include epilepsy, multiple
sclerosis, spinal cord seizures, etc. Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder, is
invariably associated with cerebral palsy (CP), which results from brain lesions.
The different categories of phytopharmaceutical compounds relating to CNS dis-
orders include reserpine, morphine, atropine, caffeine, physostigmine, benzodiaz-
epine, etc.
MARSILEA MINUTA
LINNAEUS
Phylum: Pteridophyta Class: Filicopsida
Order: Hydropteridales Family: Marsileaceae
Common name: Dwarf water cover, aquatic fern
Distribution: India, Africa, Trinidad, Tobago, Australia, New Caledonia
Habitat: Shallow pools, canals, edges of rivers, ditches, rice ields, brackish waters
Description: This perennial herb forms extensive but diffuse colonies. Leaves
have erect terete petioles (15 cm long) and lealets (2 × 2 cm).
Compounds and activities: This species contains bioactive compounds pos-
sessing antidepressant, antitumor, antioxidative, and anxiolytic activities.
The extracts of this species prevent insomnia and other mental disorders.
Marsiline isolated from this species possesses sedative and anticonvulsant
properties. The extract of this species, when given orally once daily for
5 days at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, showed signiicant antidepressant activ-
ity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression (Jawaid
et al., 2011). The extracts of this plant have also been reported to possess
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