EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL CENTRAL PROTECTIVE ROLE OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF PEDALIUM MUREX LINN. IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC UNPREDICTABLE STRESS INDUCED MODELS IN SD RATS
M. Sudha, R. Shanmuga Sundaram*, T. Thiyagarajan
ABSTRACT
Objectives: An attempt is made to understand the protective role of ethanol extract of Pedalium murex Linn. herb (EEPM), using behavioral models, changes in the feeding patterns (food and water intake, and body weight) and biochemical studies by employing acute stress (AS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Methods: Animals were divided into five groups each for AS and CUS models. The animals were subjected to AS (immobility-induced stress) and CUS paradigms (immobility + forced-swimming + dark phase) for 10 days, followed by a battery of behavioral and biochemical analyses. The changes in food and water intake, body weight and general behavior were measured for 4 weeks. In addition, the effect of EEPM on the antioxidant enzyme systems [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH)] in whole brain of animals, in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were also screened. Results: AS and CUS induced anxiety, depression and impairment of cognition and memory. Pretreatment with EEPM (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg; p.o.) for 30 days, significantly reduced stress-induced anxiety and related mood disorders. The normalization of SOD, CAT and GSH levels, further substantiates the protective role of EEPM. The herb was found to be effective in preventing CUS than the AS model. Conclusions: EEPM attenuated anxiety, depression and impairment of cognition and memory, more significantly in CUS rats, substantiating the hypothesis that EEPM may exert part of its neuroprotective effect through the brain antioxidant system. In addition, the protective ability could also be attributed to the antioxidant potential of EEPM, as indicated through diverse in vitro studies.
Keywords: Pedalium murex, acute stress, chronic unpredictable stress, behavioral studies, in vitro, brain antioxidants.
[Download Article]
[Download Certifiate]