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Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) and Cognitive function: evidence and sources
inferred from nootropic/neuroprotective action
For educational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants, especially alongside prescribed medication, during pregnancy, or for a serious condition.
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The effects of the extracts of the aboveground parts of Filipendula vulgaris Moench on the behavior and memory of mice after hypoxic injury and their physical performance in the open-field test were studied using the models of hypoxia in a sealed volume, conditioned passive avoidance response (CPAR), and forced swimming with a load. The extracts improved animal resistance to hypoxia, normalized orientation and exploration activities, promoted CPAR retention after hypoxic injury, and increased physical performance. Aqueous extract of meadowsweet had the most pronounced effect that corresponded to the effect of the reference drug piracetam. These effects were probably caused by modulation of hippocampal activity.
We studied the effect of Filipendula vulgaris aqueous extract on mitochondrial energy production system in the brain of rats with posthypoxic encephalopathy developing 19 days after hypoxic injury. Filipendula extract more effectively than valerian extract improved kinetic characteristics of respiratory activity of mitochondria, increased substrate oxidation-phosphorylation coupling, and inhibited LPO.
2 sources supporting Dropwort for Cognitive function. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's neuroprotective / cognition support action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Nootropic activity of water extract fractions from aerial parts of Filipendula vulgaris Moench was demonstrated on the models of hermetic volume hypoxia, conditioned passive avoidance response, open field test, and forced swimming with a load. The fractions stimulated hypoxic resistance, normalized orientation and exploratory behavior, improved conditioned response reproduction during testing after hypoxic injury, and increased exercise tolerance. Fractionation of the extract led to dissociation of the effect components, which suggests that individual constituents have specific characteristics. Ethylacetate fraction exhibited most pronounced nootropic activity and was superior to plant extract by some characteristics. The detected effects seemed to be caused by modulation of the hippocampus activity the under the effects of phenol and triterpene compounds.
Filipendula hexapetala Gilib., a medicinal plant native to Sétif, Northeastern Algeria, holds therapeutic potential, though its bioactive constituents remain underexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of its chemical composition and biological activities. The hydromethanolic extract obtained from aerial parts was analyzed using LC-HRESIMS for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profiling. The antioxidant activity was assessed using five different assays, while the anticholinesterase activity was evaluated through in vitro enzyme inhibition tests. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular docking were conducted to explore the electronic properties and binding affinities of key flavonoids. Chemical profiling revealed considerable phytochemical diversity, with hyperoside identified as the predominant compound. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, particularly in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC 50 = 14.93 ± 0.35 mg/L) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (IC 50 = 112.11 ± 3.34 mg/L) assays. Although the extract exhibited only weak anticholinesterase activity, molecular docking showed that key flavonoids had significant affinity for both human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE) active sites. DFT calculations elucidated the most stable molecular geometries and provided valuable predictions regarding the chemical stability and electronic properties of these compounds. These results provide the first detailed insight into the phytochemical and biological properties of F. hexapetala, highlighting its potent antioxidant effects and assessing its potential neuroprotective activities.