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Celastrus Paniculatus

Celastrus paniculatus is an Indian climbing plant whose seeds have long been used traditionally, and its extracts appear to act on acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory. People mostly look at it for age-related memory decline, and in rodent studies the seed extract improved memory retention. Evidence is limited, though, since nearly all of it comes from animals or lab work rather than people.

Sources: PMID 28066108; PMID 36809523

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
7
Graded outcomes
0025

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions, plus general outcomes

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD): outcomes studied for Celastrus Paniculatus
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cognitive Function

In multiple rodent studies, Celastrus paniculatus seed extract (administered for 14 days) improved memory retention in passive avoidance and shuttle-box paradigms, with effects attributed to increased brain acetylcholine and reduced acetylcholinesterase activity. Notably, single doses were ineffective — benefits required chronic administration over approximately 2 weeks.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect11 studies

Studies that measured cognitive function

and 1 more in the citations list

General

General: outcomes studied for Celastrus Paniculatus
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Neuroprotection

In rodent and in vitro models, Celastrus paniculatus seed extracts protected neurons against glutamate toxicity, scopolamine-induced impairment, and oxidative stress. Mechanisms include reduced lipid peroxidation, enhanced antioxidant enzymes, attenuation of NF-kB-mediated neuroinflammation, and reduced intracellular calcium influx.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect9 studies

Studies that measured neuroprotection

Depression

In mice, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (50–200 mg/kg for 14 days) significantly reduced immobility in both tail suspension and forced swim tests, with efficacy comparable to fluoxetine. The antidepressant-like effect appears mediated through dopamine D2, serotonergic, and GABAB receptors, as well as MAO-A inhibition.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect6 studies

Studies that measured depression

Stress Resilience

In rodent models of chronic immobilization stress, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil restored antioxidant enzyme levels and improved cognitive performance impaired by chronic stress exposure. The oil also reduced plasma corticosterone levels in stressed mice.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect6 studies

Studies that measured stress resilience

Intestinal Smooth Muscle Relaxation

A Celastrus paniculatus seed extract exerted potent myogenic relaxation of isolated rat ileum (IC50: 0.24 µg/mL; near-complete inhibition at 99%) via an L-type Ca2+-dependent mechanism. Notably, the effect was also confirmed in isolated human ileum tissue, supporting its traditional use for intestinal spasms.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect5 studies

Studies that measured intestinal smooth muscle relaxation

Anxiety Disorders (Other)

  • Anxiety: improves
Anxiety Disorders (Other): outcomes studied for Celastrus Paniculatus
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety

In rat models, Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (1–1.5 g/kg) showed significant anxiolytic activity in elevated plus maze and open field tests without producing tolerance. The anxiolytic effect may involve GABA modulation.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect6 studies

Studies that measured anxiety

Cardiovascular Health

  • Cholesterol: improves
Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Celastrus Paniculatus
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cholesterol

In hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats, methanolic seed extract of Celastrus paniculatus (65 mg/kg) substantially reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL, with results comparable to standard hypolipidemic drugs. Mechanism may involve HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and elevated lipoprotein lipase activity.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect5 studies

Studies that measured cholesterol

Key findings

  • Cognitive FunctionAge-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • NeuroprotectionImproves (the measure goes up)
  • AnxietyAnxiety Disorders (Other)Improves (the measure goes down)

Safety notes in the studies

  • In rodent and in vitro models, Celastrus paniculatus seed extracts protected neurons against glutamate toxicity, scopolamine-induced impairment, and oxidative stress.

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  • Grade C

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Studies cited

17 studies from PubMed

  1. Celastrus paniculatus oil ameliorates NF-KB mediated neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rat modelMetabolic Brain Disease, 2023 · PMID 36809523
  2. Neuroprotective Effect of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Extract on Epilepsy and Epilepsy-associated Cognitive DeficitsBasic and Clinical Neuroscience, 2023 · PMID 37346867
  3. Protective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on cognitive function in glutamate-induced brain-injured mice by reducing the intracellular influx of CaInternational Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 2022 · PMID 35338672
  4. Neuroprotective effect of Celastrus paniculatus on chronic stress-induced cognitive impairmentIndian Journal of Pharmacology, 2016 · PMID 28066108
  5. Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences for Antidepressant-Like Activity of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Oil in MiceBasic and Clinical Neuroscience, 2016 · PMID 27303599
  6. Evaluation of nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus on albino ratsPharm Biol, 2010 · PMID 19585478
  7. Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seedPharmaceutical Biology, 2010 · PMID 20645820
  8. Hypolipidemic Effect of Celastrus paniculatus in Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemic Wistar RatsIndian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2010 · PMID 21966115
  9. Effect of Celastrus paniculatus seed oil (Jyothismati oil) on acute and chronic immobilization stress induced in swiss albino micePharmacognosy Research, 2010 · PMID 21808561
  10. Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileumJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2009 · PMID 19429308
  11. Evaluation of anxiolytic potential of Celastrus oil in rat models of behaviourFitoterapia, 2007 · PMID 17169502
  12. Celastrus paniculatus seed oil: a review of traditional uses and pharmacological studiesJ Ethnopharmacol, 2004 · PMID 15033226
  13. Celastrus paniculatus seed water soluble extracts protect against glutamate toxicity in neuronal cultures from rat forebrainJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2004 · PMID 15234755
  14. Neuroprotective activity of Celastrus paniculatus seedsPharm Biol, 2002 · PMID 11302180
  15. Antioxidant property of Celastrus paniculatus willd.: a possible mechanism in enhancing cognitionPhytomedicine, 2002 · PMID 12120811
  16. Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seedPharm Biol, 1997 · PMID 12095177
  17. Effects of Celastrus paniculatus on passive avoidance performance and biogenic amine turnover in albino ratsJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 1995 · PMID 7500635