Behavioral and Brain Structural Changes in Kindled Rats Induced by Coriaria Lactone/Pentylenetetrazol

Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disease that is characterized by spontaneous seizures. It is commonly comorbid with behavioral and mood disorders. No studies have yet examined the behavioral or structural brain changes associated with coriaria lactone (CL)-induced and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindlings. This study examined whether the increased seizure susceptibility induced by CL/PTZ is accompanied by behavioral impairments and aimed to identify associated structural brain changes. Kindling models were induced using CL and PTZ, with 10 rats in each group. After successful kindling, rats were subjected to brain structural imaging using T2-weighted imaging and underwent behavioral tests, namely, the open field test, water maze tasks, and contextual fear conditioning. Voxel-based morphometry was then used to identify possible brain structural changes associated with kindling and/or behaviors. Support-vector machine learning was also applied for the integrative analysis of behavioral changes and structural brain imaging. In the open field test, both the CL (P = 0.04) and PTZ groups (P = 0.002) spent more time in the central area than the control group. Only the PTZ group (50.29 ± 29.56 s) showed a freezing time that was significantly less than that of the control group (94.8 ± 41.04 s; P = 0.024, Tukey's HSD-corrected) in contextual fear conditioning, which is suggestive of impaired fear-associated learning ability. Furthermore, brain imaging analysis revealed that the gray matter volume (GMV) of the hippocampus changed in both the CL and PTZ groups when compared to control. The support-vector machine learning model indicated that the retrosplenial dysgranular and primary somatosensory cortices were associated with both of the mentioned kindling models. Furthermore, the support-vector regression model results indicated that kindling-associated GMV changes can be used to predict general exploratory activity in the open field test. In conclusion, this is the first study to report greater general exploratory activity in a CL-induced kindling model. Moreover, the general exploratory activity in the open field test can be predicted by the GMV of brain regions associated with kindling.

Download Full-text

Toxicity and Neuropharmacological Effects of Elenine

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2011/312524 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Eduardo Navarro ◽

S. J. Alonso ◽

R. Navarro

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Chemical Structure ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Control Group ◽

General Behaviour ◽

Similar Chemical ◽

Sedative Effects ◽

Traction Test ◽

Central Depressant

Elenine is the aglycone of elenoside, a cytotoxic arylnaphthalene lignan (NSC 644013-W/1) derived fromJusticia hyssopifolia. (Family: Acanthaceae). Elenoside is a β-D-glucoside, with a similar chemical structure to etoposide, exhibiting central depressant activity. In the present study, elenine was given to mice and rats at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. Acute toxicity (24 h) and general behaviour in mice was studied as well as its effects on muscular relaxant activity, locomotor activity (Varimex test), and the open-field test and were compared with 10 mg/kg of chlorpromazine. Elenine produced a reduction in the permanence time in muscular relaxant activity (traction test). Spontaneous activity was lower in the Varimex test. The ambulation and rearing were lower compared with the control group, and an increase in boluses was observed in the open-field test. Thus, it can be concluded that elenine has central sedative effects at lower doses than those used with elenoside and has a possible application in conditions of anxiety.

Download Full-text

A comparative analysis of anxiolytic activity of Arnica montana and alprazolam in rats using open field test

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20181175 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 718

Author(s):

Puja Jha ◽

Seema Bhalerao ◽

Mrunal Dhole

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Physical Dependence ◽

Forced Swim Test ◽

Anxiolytic Activity ◽

Combination Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Arnica Montana ◽

Group I

Background: Anxiety affects around 7.3% of the total population worldwide. Benzodiazepines are preferred anxiolytic agents and are still frequently used in spite of the side effect profile including muscle relaxation, memory disturbances, sedation, physical dependence. Arnica montana, a traditional herb is known to possess significant anxiolytic effect at the dose of 100mg/kg. In this study, Arnica montana has been compared for the first time with alprazolam, a most commonly used anxiolytic drug.Methods: Forced swim test was used to induce anxiety. Anxiolytic action of study drugs which were given orally, was evaluated using Open field test (OFT) in healthy wistar rats of either sex. Behavior of rats, locomotion and number of squares crossed was recorded. Rats were divided into four groups with eight rats in each group. Study groups were Group I Control; Group II Alprazolam 0.08mg/kg; Group III Arnica montana extract (AME) 100mg/kg; Group IV AME + Alprazolam group 100mg/kg+0.08mg/kg. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (p<0.05).Results: Increase in frequency of rearing was significant (p<0.05) in AME group and highly significant (p<0.001) in Alprazolam and combination group in comparison to control. Decrease in frequency of grooming was highly significant (p<0.001) in Alprazolam and combination group. AME also showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in grooming activity.Conclusions: Arnica montana extract showed anxiolytic activity and can be used as an add on drug after further studies and validation in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Download Full-text

Neurological behaviour of albino rats treated separately and in combination with Cannabis sativa L. and Cannabis indica L.

Scientia Africana ◽

10.4314/sa.v20i2.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 37-50

Author(s):

Joseph S. Ashidi ◽

Irene. E. Emeya ◽

Folarin O. Owagboriaye ◽

Roseline T. Feyisola ◽

Olubukola I. Lawal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Cannabis Sativa ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Brain Cells ◽

Control Group ◽

Albino Rats ◽

Dopamine Level ◽

Cannabis Indica ◽

The Brain

There has been an increasing rate of cannabis consumption globally, especially among the youths. This study therefore evaluated the neurological behaviours and some brain marker hormones and enzymes of cannabis administered rats. Twenty six albino rats were divided into four groups based on oral cannabis administration (control, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and the combination of the two). At the end of seven days, open field test was conducted on the rats. Also, brain neuro-chemicals, activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation were evaluated using spectrophotometry. The results of the Open-Field Test showed an appreciable increase in the level of ambulation (line crossing), grooming, urination and stretched attend posture in the rats administered with Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa and the combination when compared with the control. Norepinephrine was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the rat groups administered with the combination of Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. The control group however had the lowest dopamine level. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the rats administered the combination of both Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. The brain level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly higher in the rats administered with Cannabis indica. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher in the rats administered with Cannabis sativa than the other rat groups. Histopathological evaluation of the brain also revealed various damages in the brain cells of rats administered with cannabis compared to the normal brain structure of the control rats. It is thus said that consumption of C. sativa or C. indica alone produced mild effect on the brain cells and physiology in rats. However, combination of C. sativa and C. indica produced a severe synergistic effect on the neurological function of the exposed rat.

Download Full-text

Effects of Paeonia lactiflora Extract on Estrogen Receptor β, TPH2, and SERT in Rats with PMS Anxiety

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/4690504 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jieqiong Wang ◽

Chunhong Song ◽

Dongmei Gao ◽

Sheng Wei ◽

Wenjun Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Estrogen Receptor ◽

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Estrus Cycle ◽

Paeonia Lactiflora ◽

Total Distance ◽

Significant Difference

This study is to investigate the effect of Paeonia lactiflora extract on PMS anxiety and on expression of estrogen receptor β (ERβ), tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2), and serotonin transporter (SERT) in the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) anxiety model rats. The vaginal smear and open field test were used to screen rats in nonreception phase of estrus cycle with similar macroscopic behaviors and regular estrus cycle. PMS anxiety model rats were prepared by electrical stimulation. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression of ERβ, TPH2, and SERT. Compared with normal rats, the total distance in the open field test of the model rats was significantly increased (P<0.05). The model rats showed nervous alertness, irritability, and sensitivity to external stimuli. After treatment with the Paeonia lactiflora extract, the total distance of rats was significantly reduced (P<0.05). In reception stage, there was no significant difference in the mRNA and protein expression of ERβ, TPH2, and SERT. In nonreception stage, the expression of ERβ and TPH2 in the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the control group, but not SERT. Abnormal changes of the above indicators were reversed after the administration of the Paeonia lactiflora extract. In conclusion, Paeonia lactiflora extract can increase the expression of ERβ and TPH2 and decrease SERT in PMS model rats, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the effect of Paeonia lactiflora extract on PMS.

Download Full-text

Therapeutic effects of an alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan supplemented diet on fear and anxiety in the cat

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x16669399 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 594-602 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gary Landsberg ◽

Bill Milgram ◽

Isabelle Mougeot ◽

Stephanie Kelly ◽

Christina de Rivera

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Diet Group ◽

Human Interaction ◽

Control Group ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Test Diet ◽

Fear And Anxiety ◽

Interaction Test

Objectives This study assessed the anxiolytic effectiveness of a test diet (Royal Canin Feline Calm diet) supplemented with L-tryptophan and alpha-casozepine. Methods Subjects were 24 cats that were classified as mildly or markedly fearful based on the presence of a person in their home room. Three different protocols were used to assess anxiety: (1) evaluation of the response to a human in the cat’s home room (home room test); (2) analysis of the response to placement in an empty test room (open-field test); and (3) analysis of the response to an unfamiliar human (human interaction test). All three protocols were first run at baseline, and the results were used to assign the animals to control and test diet groups that showed equivalent fear and anxiety. Both groups were retested on the three protocols after 2 weeks (test 1) and again after 4 weeks (test 2). Results The diet groups differed for two behavioral measures in the open-field test: inactivity duration and inactivity frequency. The control group showed statistically significant increases in inactivity duration between baseline and test 1 and baseline and test 2, while the group fed the test diet showed a marginally not significant decrease in inactivity duration between baseline and test 1 and a not significant decrease for test 2. There was also a significant increase in inactivity frequency between baseline and test 1 in the test diet group and marginally not significant decrease in the control group. There were no differences between groups in the approach of the cats toward people for the home room test and the human interaction test. Conclusions and relevance These results suggest that the test diet reduced the anxiety response to placement in an unfamiliar location, but that fear in the presence of an unfamiliar person was not counteracted by the diet.

Download Full-text

Antagonism of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine-induced inhibition of exploratory activity in an emergence procedure, the open field test, in rats

Behavioural Pharmacology ◽

10.1097/00008877-199708000-00008 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 353-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

T F Meert ◽

W Melis ◽

N Aerts ◽

G Clincke

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Exploratory Activity

Download Full-text

Garcinia camobogia extract alters anxiety, sociability, and dopamine turnover in male Swiss albino mice

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-021-04902-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael K. Ibrahim ◽

Marina Aboelsaad ◽

Fatma Tony ◽

Moustafa Sayed

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Control Group ◽

Dopamine Turnover ◽

Male Mice ◽

Garcinia Cambogia ◽

Swiss Albino Mice ◽

The Brain

Abstract Obesity is a global concern, closely allied with somatic and psychosomatic disorders. Herbal drugs are available in modern medicine to treat obesity. Garcinia camobogia being used by so many people trying to lose weight produces various systemic side effects. The study was conducted to assess its effect on anxiety, sociability, and dopamine turnover in male mice. Twenty-one male Swiss albino mice of either were divided into three groups with seven mice in each group. Control group was given distilled water (0.5 ml p.o.) and the other two groups received Garcinia cambogia extract at two different doses, a low and a higher dose (100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. p.o.) Each animal received a single oral dose daily, which was administered using an oral gavage for fourteen consecutive days. Effect of test drugs on anxiety was evaluated using open field test. Sociability and social novelty were evaluated using three chambers test. Results (mean ± SD) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s test. Garcinia cambogia extract significantly increased the time spent in the corners in the open field test, significantly reduced sociability and social novelty in the three-chamber test, significantly reduced dopamine turnover in the brain with a significant decrease in dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) and increased D2 receptor expression in ventral tegmental area. Garcinia cambogia extract have significant anxiogenic effect along with reduced sociability and social novelty in male mice. Moreover, these effects could be related to the altered dopamine turnover and D2 receptor expression in mice brain. Article Highlights Chronic used of alcoholic extract of Garcinia campbogia lead to a significant increase in anxiety that was manifested by the reduced time in the center zone and increased immobility in the open field test. Garcinia camobogia chronic administration has a profound impact on sociability and social novelty with a significant decrease in both behavioral patterns compared to the control group. These effects could be attributed to the noticed change in the dopamine turnover in the brain with a significant decrease in dopamine metabolite (HVA) and an upward expression of D2 receptors in return.

Download Full-text

Proposal of open field test as a model of varenicline pharmacokinetic study in rats

Revista Intertox de Toxicologia Risco Ambiental e Sociedade ◽

10.22280/revintervol11ed3.398 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Julia Zaccarelli-Magalhães ◽

Thaisa Meira Sandini ◽

André Rinaldi Fukushima ◽

Helenice De Souza Spinosa

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Single Dose ◽

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Male Rats ◽

Control Group ◽

Immobility Time ◽

The Central Nervous System

Varenicline is a medication used for smoking treatment that acts as a partial agonist for nicotinic cholinergic receptors α4β2 and α3β4 and as a total agonist of receptor α7 in the central nervous system. Pharmacokinetic is important information for medications that acts in the central nervous system. This kind of assay is commonly done by expensive and complex analytical techniques. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using the open field test as a pharmacokinetic model for varenicline in male rats exposed to a single dose of varenicline. Male rats received a single dose orally (gavage) of three different concentrations of varenicline: 0.03 (therapeutic dose for humans), 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg or water (control group). The open field observations were recorded 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 72 h and 7 days after the administration of varenicline or water. The results showed alterations in locomotion and rearing frequencies, as well as in immobility time observed in open field, which is consistent with this drug’s plasma peak. Consequently, this behavioral test apparently can be considerate as a model for pharmacokinetic evaluation of varenicline.

Download Full-text

Neurobehavioral alterations in rats exposed to acrylonitrile in drinking water

Human & Experimental Toxicology ◽

10.1177/0960327107070563 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 179-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L Rongzhu ◽

W Suhua ◽

X Guangwei ◽

H Fangan ◽

C Ziqiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Open Field ◽

Field Test ◽

Water Maze ◽

Open Field Test ◽

Oral Exposure ◽

Control Group ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Rotarod Test ◽

Spatial Water Maze

This study was carried out on rodents, to explore the neurobehavioral effects of acrylonitrile (AN) administered in drinking water. Thirty, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: two exposure groups (50 and 200 ppm AN), and one control group (tap water without AN). Three tests, including the open field test, rotarod test and spatial water maze, were applied to evaluate locomotor activities, motor co-ordination and learning and memory, respectively, prior to initiation of the treatment, and at Week 4, 8 and 12 postexposure. There were no consistent changes in the open field test, except for locomotion and grooming episodes. In the rotarod test, AN significantly decreased the latencies to fall in a dose and time-dependent manner. In the spatial water maze test, rats exposed to AN for 12 weeks had significantly more training times and longer escape latencies than control animals. These findings indicate that oral exposure to AN induces neurobehavioral alterations in rats.

Download Full-text