Studying some neuroprotective effects of Calotropis procera extracts against scopolamine- induced neuropschiatric comorbidities in a rodent model of epilepsy

Many plants are largely used in alternative medicine of Burkina Faso for neuropsychiatric disorders treatment. However, their neuro-pharmacological properties are less evaluated through scientific studies. The present study aims to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Calotropis procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extract, focusing on a scopolamine-induced model of epilepsy in rodents. In this study, we evaluated this plant extracts possible protective effects on the central nervous system, through the behavioral tests and the enzymes activity assays. Thus, elevated plus-maze test and Y-maze task were used to evaluate animals behavioral and UV/visible spectrophotometer methods were used to evaluate the enzyme’s activities in brain’s supernatant. Our results are showing no significant protective effects of leaves extract, but it revealed a significant neuroprotective effect of root-bark aqueous extract, as well as in the behavioral tests and the brain’s oxidative enzymes specific activity evaluation. Indeed, anti-amnesic and anxiolytic activities were observed through Y maze task and elevated plus maze tests for the groups of animals receiving root-bark extract (100 mg/kg b.w.). In these test, inhibition of disturbances of Time spent in Open Arms, Spontaneous Alternation, and Transfer Latency induced after scopolamine administration were recorded with animals received root-bark extract. Likewise, the superoxide dismutase and catalase activity disturbance induced by scopolamine were also inhibited in root-bark extract pre-administered group. Thus, our study provides biochemical and neuro-pharmacological data for traditional use of C. procera for neuropsychiatric disorders treatment, including scopolamine-induced epilepsy symptoms (mainly referring to the psychiatric comorbidities of this disorder).

Download Full-text

Behavioral Changes Induced by Angiotensin AT1 Receptors Blockade in the Rat Brain

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(09)71092-2 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (S1) ◽

pp. 1-1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

L. Hritcu ◽

W. Bild ◽

A. Ciobica ◽

V. Artenie ◽

I. Haulica

Keyword(s):

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Anxiety State ◽

Avoidance Task ◽

Maze Task ◽

Term Memory ◽

Y Maze ◽

Plus Maze ◽

The Brain

Aims:The brain renin-angiotensin system is involved in learning and memory, but the actual role of angiotensin II and its metabolites in this process has been difficult to comprehend. In the present study we assessed the role of the angiotensin AT1 receptors in certain behavioral effects of angiotensin II using their selective antagonist losartan and PD123319, intracerebroventricularly (icv) administrated.Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1. sham-operated; 2. Losartan; 3. PD123319. All drugs were stereotaxically icv injected. Learning and memory tests began 2 weeks after the operation, and the ability of the rats to acquire the operant task was studied by means of Y-maze task and passive avoidance task, respectively. The anxiety state was measured in elevated plus maze.Results:Losartan and PD123319 significantly impaired spatial memory in Y-maze task, suggesting significant effects on short-term memory. In passive avoidance task, both angiotensin II antagonist, significantly decreased step-through-latency, suggesting significant effects on long-term memory. In elevated plus maze measuring anxiety, both drugs diminished anxiety state.Conclusions:Our results suggest the considerable involvement of the brain ATi angiotensin receptors in the cognition improving effects of angiotensin.

Download Full-text

The effects of the administration of two different doses of manganese on short-term spatial memory and anxiety-like behavior in rats

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs1104031h ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 1031-1036 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Hogas ◽

A. Ciobica ◽

Simona Hogas ◽

Veronica Bild ◽

L. Hritcu

Keyword(s):

Spatial Memory ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Psychomotor Development ◽

Short Term ◽

Maze Task ◽

Manganese Exposure ◽

Y Maze ◽

Plus Maze ◽

Different Doses

Manganese is a very well known neurotoxic agent. It has been mainly linked to impaired motor skills and disturbed psychomotor development. However, very few aspects are known about the cognitive deficits and behavioral consequences of chronic manganese exposure. In this context, we report herein our findings regarding short-term spatial memory, motor and anxiety-like behavior assessments in male Wistar rats exposed for 45 days to two different doses (3 mg/kg b.w., i.p. and 10 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) of manganese. Behavior testing (Y-maze task and elevated plus maze) was performed after 45 days of manganese administration. Chronic manganese exposure in Wistar rats led to behavioral alterations consisting of cognitive deficiencies in the Y-maze task and anxiety/compulsive-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze, but no motor disturbances as tested by the number of arm entries in the Y-maze. Additional work is necessary to understand the longterm effects of different doses and dosing regimens of manganese on cognitive/affective and motor functioning.

Download Full-text

Effects of test experience, closed-arm wall color, and illumination level on behavior and plasma corticosterone response in an elevated plus maze in male C57BL/6J mice: a challenge against conventional interpretation of the test

Molecular Brain ◽

10.1186/s13041-020-00721-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hirotaka Shoji ◽

Tsuyoshi Miyakawa

Keyword(s):

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Plasma Corticosterone ◽

Illumination Level ◽

Test Battery ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Behavioral Tests ◽

Elevated Plus Maze Test ◽

Maze Test ◽

Plus Maze ◽

Corticosterone Response

AbstractThe elevated plus maze test is a widely used test for assessing anxiety-like behavior and screening novel therapeutic agents in rodents. Previous studies have shown that a variety of internal factors and procedural variables can influence elevated plus maze behavior. Although some studies have suggested a link between behavior and plasma corticosterone levels, the relationships between them remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of experience with a battery of behavioral tests, the wall color of the closed arms, and illumination level on the behavior and plasma corticosterone responses in the elevated plus maze in male C57BL/6J mice. Mice were either subjected to a series of behavioral tests, including assessments of general health and neurological function, a light/dark transition test, and an open field test, or left undisturbed until the start of the elevated plus maze test. The mice with and without test battery experience were allowed to freely explore the elevated plus maze. The other two independent groups of naïve mice were tested in mazes with closed arms with different wall colors (clear, transparent blue, white, and black) or different illumination levels (5, 100, and 800 lx). Immediately after the test, blood was collected to measure plasma corticosterone concentrations. Mice with test battery experience showed a lower percentage of open arm time and entries and, somewhat paradoxically, had lower plasma corticosterone levels than the mice with no test battery experience. Mice tested in the maze with closed arms with clear walls exhibited higher open arm exploration than mice tested in the maze with closed arms with black walls, while there were no significant differences in plasma corticosterone levels between the different wall color conditions. Illumination levels had no significant effects on any measure. Our results indicate that experience with other behavioral tests and different physical features of the maze affect elevated plus maze behaviors. Increased open arm time and entries are conventionally interpreted as decreased anxiety-like behavior, while other possible interpretations are considered: open arm exploration may reflect heightened anxiety and panic-like reaction to a novel situation under certain conditions. With the possibility of different interpretations, the present findings highlight the need to carefully consider the test conditions in designing experiments and drawing conclusions from the behavioral outcomes in the elevated plus maze test in C57BL/6J mice.

Download Full-text

Distinct ventral and dorsal hippocampus AP5 anxiolytic effects revealed in the elevated plus-maze task in rats

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory ◽

10.1016/j.nlm.2007.04.007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 177-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Luciane Pereira Nascimento Häckl ◽

Antônio Pádua Carobrez

Keyword(s):

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Dorsal Hippocampus ◽

Maze Task ◽

Plus Maze

Download Full-text

High-Fat Diet Enhances Working Memory in the Y-Maze Test in Male C57BL/6J Mice with Less Anxiety in the Elevated Plus Maze Test

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12072036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 2036 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kaichi Yoshizaki ◽

Masato Asai ◽

Taichi Hara

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Body Weight ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

High Fat ◽

Behavioral Traits ◽

Elevated Plus Maze Test ◽

Maze Test ◽

Y Maze ◽

Plus Maze

Obesity is characterized by massive adipose tissue accumulation and is associated with psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment in human and animal models. However, it is unclear whether high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity presents a risk of psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. To examine this question, we conducted systematic behavioral analyses in C57BL/6J mice (male, 8-week-old) fed an HFD for 7 weeks. C57BL/6J mice fed an HFD showed significantly increased body weight, hyperlocomotion in the open-field test (OFT) and Y-maze test (YMZT), and impaired sucrose preference in the sucrose consumption test, compared to mice fed a normal diet. Neither body weight nor body weight gain was associated with any of the behavioral traits we examined. Working memory, as assessed by the YMZT, and anxiety-like behavior, as assessed by the elevated plus maze test (EPMT), were significantly correlated with mice fed an HFD, although these behavioral traits did not affect the entire group. These results suggest that HFD-induced obesity does not induce neuropsychiatric symptoms in C57BL/6J mice. Rather, HFD improved working memory in C57BL/6J mice with less anxiety, indicating that an HFD might be beneficial under limited conditions. Correlation analysis of individual traits is a useful tool to determine those conditions.

Download Full-text

SHODHANA DECREASES NOOTROPIC ACTIVITY OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s2.13989 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 294

Author(s):

Pratap Kumar Sahu ◽

Mishra Sk ◽

Rout K ◽

Prusty Sk

Keyword(s):

Radial Maze ◽

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Methanolic Extract ◽

Nootropic Activity ◽

Alternation Behavior ◽

Spontaneous Alternation Behavior ◽

Semecarpus Anacardium ◽

Y Maze ◽

Plus Maze

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the nootropic activity of methanolic extract of pre-shodhit and shodhit Semecarpus anacardium (SA) nuts and to observe the effect of shodhana on nootropic activity of SA. Methods: Spatial learning and working memory was considered for evaluation. The parameters used were spontaneous alternation behavior (Y-maze), number of correct responses (radial maze), and transfer latency in day 1 (elevated plus maze). Scopolamine, an anticholinergic drug, was used to induce cognitive deficit. % inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) was measured in vitro. Results: Both pre-shodhit and shodhit drug reversed the scopolamine-induced a decrease in percentage spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-maze and number of correct responses in radial maze. Scopolamine-induced increase in transfer latency in elevated plus maze was significantly decreased by pre-shodhit drug only. Shodhit drug has no significant effect on transfer latency. Both pre-shodhit and shodhit drug showed dose-dependent inhibition of AChE activity in vitro. Pre-shodhit drug showed a more nootropic activity than shodhit drug. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of the nuts of S. anacardium possesses nootropic activity which may be attributed to inhibition of cholinesterase activity. Shodhana of the nuts decreases nootropic activity. Keywords: Semecarpus anacardium, Acetylcholine esterase, Shodhana, Nootropic.

Download Full-text

Effects of the Essential Oil from Leaves of Alpinia zerumbet on Behavioral Alterations in Mice

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x0900400128 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 1934578X0900400 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Shio Murakami ◽

Mariko Matsuura ◽

Tadaaki Satou ◽

Shinichiro Hayashi ◽

Kazuo Koike

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Mass Spectra ◽

Elevated Plus Maze ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Retention Indices ◽

Reproductive Hormone ◽

Behavioral Alterations ◽

Maze Task ◽

Plus Maze ◽

Alpinia Zerumbet

In phytotherapy, the essential oil from the leaves of Alpinia zerumbet ( Alpinia speciosa K. Schum.) (EOAZ) is used for neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, stress and anxiety, and chronic problems that are associated with reproductive hormone imbalances in women. The chemical composition of EOAZ was analyzed by GC/MS, and the EOAZ properties inducing behavioral alterations in mice were examined by behavioral observations (BO) and an elevated plus-maze task (EPM), widely used as a method for assessing anxiolytic-like behaviors. Five major compounds, p-cymene (28.0 ± 5.0%), 1,8-cineole (17.9 ± 4.2%), terpinen-4-ol (11.9 ± 6.3%), limonene (6.3 ± 2.2%), and camphor (5.2 ± 2.1%) were identified by retention indices, mass spectra and comparison with standards. Inhalational administration of EOAZ (8.7 ppm) induced unique jumping behaviors in mice. To further investigate the behavioral regulatory mechanisms of EOAZ, we administered an intraperitoneal injection of either 10 mg/kg 5-HTP or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine prior to the EOAZ inhalations. By 5-HTP or fluoxetine pretreatments, the jumping frequencies were significantly decreased. In EPM, EOAZ (0.087 and 8.7 ppm) obviously showed the anxiolytic-like activity in mice.

Download Full-text