Effect of Agaricus blazei Murill on exploratory behavior of mice-model

Increased anxiety and depressive symptoms have reported to be its association with long term illness. Because of having unwanted effects of newly available drugs, patients administering anxiolytic drugs usually discontinue the treatment before they are completely recovered. Therefore, there is a serious need to develop new anxiolytic drugs. The anxiolytic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei in animal models was assessed. 24 male mice (Mus musculus genus) were included in the study. Four groups were prepared and each group contained six animals. The groups were vehicle control, positive control (diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) as well as two treatment groups receiving Agaricus blazei hydro-alcoholic extract at a dose of 136.50 mg/kg and 273.0 mg/kg orally. The Marble burying test, Nestlet shredding test and Light and Dark box test used to assess anxiolytic activity. Mice administered with diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p. while hydro-alcoholic extract of AbM (136.50 and 273.0 mg/kg, respectively) was administered via oral route which exhibited marked reduction in number of marbles-burying as compared to vehicle control group. Mice administered with diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p. and Oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of AbM (136.50 and 273.0 mg/kg, respectively) exhibited significant decrease in nestlet shredding in comparison to vehicle control group. The oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract at a dose of 136.5mg/kg and 273mg/kg showed elevation in time spent in light box and was comparable to standard treated group while time spent by mice following oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei at a dose of 273.0 mg/kg also showed elevation and was found to be more near to standard treated group (diazepam 1 mg/kg, i.p.).

Impending Mental Health Issues During Coronavirus Disease 2019 – Time for Personalized Nutrition Based on the Gut Microbiota to Tide Over the Crisis?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major pandemic facing the world today caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has implications on our mental health as well. The uncertain future, fear of job loss, lockdown and negative news all around have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of individuals from across the world. Stress and anxiety can affect the COVID-19 patients even more. Recent study suggests COVID-19 infection may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Certain prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to have anxiolytic effect through gut microbiota modulation. Incidentally, preliminary report also suggests a differential microbial profile in COVID-19 patients as compared to healthy individuals. Gut microbiota’s role in anxiety and depression is well studied. The importance of the “gut-brain” axis has been implicated in overall mental health. It is known that diet, environmental factors and genetics play an important role in shaping gut microbiota. Trials may be initiated to study if personalized diet and supplementation based on individual’s gut microbiome profile may improve the general mental well-being of people prone to anxiety during this pandemic. Also, COVID-19 patients may be provided personalized nutritional therapy based on their gut microbiota profile to see if PTSD and anxiety symptoms can be alleviated.

Anxiolytic Effect and Improved Sleep Quality in Individuals Taking Lippia citriodora Extract

The current fast-moving, hectic lifestyle has increased the number of individuals worldwide with difficulties in managing stress, which in turn is also affecting their sleep quality. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess a natural plant-based dietary supplement comprised of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) extract, purified in phenylpropanoids, in alleviating stress and improving quality of sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Both validated questionnaires and functional tests were performed during the study, whereas questionnaires were used after the washout. As a result, the group taking the lemon verbena extract significantly reduced their perception of stress after 8 weeks, which was corroborated by a significant decrease in cortisol levels. After the washout period, the subjects reported to present even lower stress levels, due to the lasting effect of the ingredient. As for sleep quality, the subjects taking the supplement reported feeling better rested, with a stronger effect observed in women. Sleep tracking using a wearable device revealed that the supplement users improved their times in the deeper stages of sleep, specifically their percentage of time in deep sleep and REM. In conclusion, lemon verbena extract purified in phenylpropanoids is revealed as a natural solution to help individuals to improve their stress and sleep quality.

nxiolytic Effect of the Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Anethum Graveolens Seed in Adult Female Wistar Rats: Modulation of GABA Receptors

Background: Along with industrial development and the increasing social complexity of societies, anxiety is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders. Medicinal plants are considered as an enrichment source of ingredients with biological activity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of Anethum Graveolens seed (AGS) and the possible involvement of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)-ergic system in the AGS effect. Materials & Methods: In the present experimental study, 64 female Wistar rats were divided into eight groups and received various concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of AGS. To measure the level of anxiety, an elevated plus maze was used in a way that the animal’s head turned to an open arm. Prior to the injections of AGS extract, the GABA receptor antagonist was used. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance using IBM SPSS v. 16. Results: Dose-response experiments showed that the AGS extract significantly decreased the anxiety indices compared to the control group (P<0.05). To analyze locomotor activity, our data showed that AGS extract at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg could significantly increase locomotor activity compared to the control group (P<0.001). Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ (+extract significantly decreased the anxiolytic effect of AGS extract (P<0.01). Conclusion: Considering the anti-anxiety effects of AGS extract and a reduction in this effect caused by PTZ, part of the anti-anxiety effect of extract might be assumed via its interaction with GABA-ergic receptors. Further experimental trials; however, are required for the establishment of the anti-anxiety impact of AGS.

Medicinal plants possess sedative and anxiolytic effect with emphasis on their mechanisms of action

Insomnia and anxiety are worldwide medical problems. Plant extracts possessed sedative and anxiolytic effect via different mechanisms included interactions with Na+ channels, γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and chatecholamines. In the current review, Web Science, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct, were searched to investigate the plants with sedative and anxiolytic effects

Anxiolytic effect of the homeopathic complex Tepeex®

Aims: Homeopathic complex Tepeex® is a compound of Actaea racemosa 4cH, Natrum muriaticum 2cH, Pulsatilla nigricans 3cH, Chamomilla 3cH and Sepia succus5cH. This study evaluated the effect of Tepeex® in pre-clinical models of depression and anxiety. Methods: the following tests were performed: elevated plus maze test (EPM); forced swimming test (FST); open field test (OFT) and Rotarod test (RRT). Results: In EPM, animals treated with Tepeex® on days 20 and 30 stayed longer in the open arms of the maze than the control group (p < 0.05, Dunnett test). In FST, treatment with Tepeex® did not increase swimming time compared to the control group in any phase of treatment. In OFT, crossing increased significantly with treatment with amfepramone, and also with 30-day treatment with Tepeex® (p < 0.05, Dunnette test). In RRT, treatment with amfepramone significantly reduced latency time. 30-day treatment with Tepeex® did not affect motor coordination when compared to the control group. Conclusion: results suggest that homeopathic complex Tepeex® has anxiolytic properties without affecting motor coordination.

Behavioural and molecular effects of alcohol in the stress model of zebrafish

Objectives: Stress and anxiety disorders are common health problems that have been related to an increase in the likelihood of developing addictions, which have individual and social consequences. Although socially acceptable, alcohol is a substance that can generate dependence and abuse. Alcohol misuse, its relationship with stress and its consequences have been studied; however, multiple limitations are placed on clinical research in humans. In this exploratory work, we analysed the behavioural and molecular effects of joint exposure to ethanol and an unpredictable stress protocol (USP) in adult zebrafish. Materials and Methods: Adult zebrafish behaviour was studied employing unpredictable stress and behavioural tests. The tests were performed in stressed and nonstressed animals with and without exposure to known concentrations of alcohol. To evaluate the behaviour, tracking techniques were used on video recordings and parameters such as distance travelled, swimming speed and place preference as well as aggression patterns with mirror proximity tests were measured. In the control and 0.75% alcohol group, the expression of candidate stress-related genes (slc6a4a, slc6a3, comta and bdnf3) was analysed by RT-qPCR. Results: The results showed that concentrations of 0.75% alcohol reduced the locomotor activity of the fish, which can be interpreted as an increase in the anxiolytic effect of alcohol under nonstress conditions. Expression of comta, bdnf3 and slc6a3 was reduced in the stress and stress plus 0.75% ethanol groups and expression of slc6a4a was increased in the stress plus 0.75% alcohol group. Conclusion: Our exploratory work contributes novel insights about the molecular and behavioural effects of the combination of unpredicted stress and alcohol misuse. The USP and ethanol exposure increase anxiety behaviour and reduce the expression of genes involved in brain homeostasis. Future study of other pharmacological compounds and additional genes will be helpful for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the response to stress and alcohol use.

Rituals, rigidity and cognitive load: A competitive test of ritual benefits for stress

<p>A central hypothesis to account for the ubiquity of rituals across cultures is their supposed anxiolytic effects: rituals being maintained because they reduce existential anxiety and uncertainty. We aimed to test the anxiolytic effects of rituals by investigating two possible underlying mechanisms for it: cognitive load and repetitive movement. In our pre-registered experiment (osf.io/rsu9x), 180 undergraduates took part in either a stress or a control condition and were subsequently assigned to either control, cognitive load, undirected movement, a combination of undirected movement and cognitive load, or a ritualistic intervention. Using both repeated self-report measures and continuous physiological indicators of anxiety, we failed to find direct support for a cognitive suppression effect of anxiety trough ritualistic behavior. Nevertheless, we found that induced stress increased participants’ subsequent repetitive behavior, which in turn reduced physiological arousal. This study provides novel evidence for plausible underlying effects of the proposed anxiolytic effect of rituals: repetitive behavior but not cognitive load may decrease physiological stress responses during ritual.</p>

Adaptogenic Properties of a Phytoecdysteroid-Rich Extract from the Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.

Increasing the ability of the human body to adapt in conditions of physical or emotional stress is promising from the standpoint of the use of preventive nutrition containing functional food ingredients (FFI) with proven effectiveness in complex physiological in vivo studies. In this work, we developed FFI from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.) with a high content of polyphenols and adaptogens—phytoecdysteroids. Using in vivo models of increased physical activity and immobilization-induced emotional stress, we evaluated the nonspecific resistance of rats in response to the addition of the developed FFI to the diet. In the acute toxicity experiment, we found no signs of FFI toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. As a result of the daily 26-day consumption of FFI, we observed an anxiolytic effect in physiological studies. FFI prevented an increase in the content of biogenic amines in the blood, the main markers of the stress system, and had a positive effect on the lipid metabolism of the rats. The obtained results demonstrate a “smoothing” effect on the body’s reaction in response to induced stress conditions.