Effects of parasitism on antipredatory responses and defensive behaviors in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum.

Predation represents an important evolutionary force shaping specific adaptations. Prey organisms present behavioral adaptations that allow them to recognize, avoid and defend themselves from their predators. In addition to predation, there is a growing consensus about the role of parasitism in the structuring of biological communities. In vertebrates, the effects on hosts include changes in daily activity, feeding, mate selection, reproduction, and modifications in responses to environmental stimuli. These behavioral variations can benefit the parasite (parasitic manipulation), benefit the host, or appear as a side effect of the infection. We evaluated the influence of parasitism on the behavioral and physiological response of Ctenomys talarum (Thomas 1898) to predator cues. We found that individuals exposed to cat odors and immobilization entered less often and stayed less time in the transparent arms of elevated maze, exhibiting a preference for protected areas (anxiogenic response). Additionally, we evaluated if the presence of parasites affected antipredatory behaviors in tuco-tucos (naturally parasitized, deparasitized or inoculated with Eimeria sp.). We did not find differences among the groups as regards responses to predator cues. Therefore, while exposure to predator cues triggered a stress response, the manipulation of parasite loads did not modify homeostasis under these experimental conditions.

Antistress action of Fornicium uniflorum extract in chronic stress

The anti-stress effect of the Fornicium uniflorum extract was studied in Wistar rats in model of chronic unpredictable stress. Stress disorders in rats were determined using methods open field, plus elevated maze, forced swimming test, tail suspension model, sucrose test, as well as changes in the weight indicators of stress target organs. The course administration of F. uniflorum extract to rats under conditions of chronic stress prevented the development of behavioral disorders: the indicators of horizontal, vertical motor activities and mink reflex in the open field were, respectively, 1.5, 4 and 2.5 times higher than those of control rats (without treatment) (p 0.05); the time spent in the open arms of the plus elevated maze and the number of entries into them were respectively 3 and 8.5 times greater than the indices of control rats (p 0.05); the time of immobility of rats in the forced swimming test and the model of hanging by the tail were 2 and 3 times less than in the control; the volume of consumption of sucrose solution in the sucrose test by rats was 1.4 times higher than that of control rats (p 0.05), which indicated the antidepressant activity. In the rats treated with F. uniflorum, no changes in the relative mass of stress target organs were noted, in contrast to the control (p 0.05). Therefore, the course administration of F. uniflorum has an anti-stress and antidepressant effect in chronic unpredictable stress.

Comparative Study on the Psychoactive Effects of Nicotine and Cotinine

Nicotine and its main metabolite cotinine have been suggested to have psychoactive properties in humans and animals. The present study aims to investigate comparatively the psychoactive profile, as antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, of cotinine and nicotine in NMRI mice. The animalswere orally treated with nicotine (0.5mg/kg) and cotinine (5 mg/kg) for 14 days. Pharmacological tests (forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) for the antidepressant activity, as well as elevated maze test for the anxiolytic activity) were performed after 1, 7 and 14 days. Imipramine (25 mg/kg) was used as a control for the antidepressant activity. Imipramine and cotinine bothexerted comparable and statistically significant antidepressant effectsafter 7 days of treatment, while no effect was observedin the animals treated with nicotine. An important anxiogenic effect was revealed for imipramine after 14 days treatment. Nicotine was shown to have an axiolytic effect after 14 days treatment. The study highlighted some psychotropic effects of nicotine and cotinine in mice, depending on the treatment regimen.

NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DERIVATIVES OF LUPEOL IN RATS

Objective: The neuropharmacological activities of ethanolic extract derivatives of lupeol are being screened on rats. Prepared derivatives are evaluated for their locomotor, anxiolytic and stereotype activities. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of semisynthetic derivatives of lupeol using rat models of elevated maze model and apomorphine-induced stereotype behavior.Methods: Lupeol was extracted from Crataeva nurvala bark using ethano. After chemical modification, we made different derivatives using aldol condensation. Different derivatives were obtained from a series of reaction previously published LAH-3, LAP-3, LAPEA-3, LAMP-3, LATS-3, and LAS-3. Neuropharmacological effects, including anxiolytic, central nervous inhibitory, and stereotype antipsychotic effects were evaluated in the different derivatives of lupeol at a dose of 250 mg/kg using standard methods.Results: The absolute derivatives of LAH3 and LAPEA3 showed a significant reduction in the activity score in actophotometer test. Reduction in the locomotor activity indicates central nervous system (CNS) depressant property of the drug. LAMP3 and LAS3 show a significant anxiolytic effect. From the result of elevated plus maze, it was evident that derivatives of lupeol treated animals exhibit an increased number of entries into open arm when compared to normal control, which shows the anxiolytic activity of the lupeol derivatives. Sniffing, rearing and licking activities for lupeol derivatives LAH3 and LAPEA3 were found to be 35%, 33%, and 40% and 40.33%, 38%, and 33.33% respectively when it compared with standard and control groups. This model is suggestive of the absence of negative symptoms alleviating property of all the treatment groups.Conclusions: The lupeol and its semisynthetic derivatives possess anxiolytic, CNS inhibitory, and antipsychotic effects to varying degree.

NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DERIVATIVES OF LUPEOL IN RATS

Objective: The neuropharmacological activities of ethanolic extract derivatives of lupeol are being screened on rats. Prepared derivatives are evaluated for their locomotor, anxiolytic and stereotype activities. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of semisynthetic derivatives of lupeol using rat models of elevated maze model and apomorphine-induced stereotype behavior.Methods: Lupeol was extracted from Crataeva nurvala bark using ethano. After chemical modification, we made different derivatives using aldol condensation. Different derivatives were obtained from a series of reaction previously published LAH-3, LAP-3, LAPEA-3, LAMP-3, LATS-3, and LAS-3. Neuropharmacological effects, including anxiolytic, central nervous inhibitory, and stereotype antipsychotic effects were evaluated in the different derivatives of lupeol at a dose of 250 mg/kg using standard methods.Results: The absolute derivatives of LAH3 and LAPEA3 showed a significant reduction in the activity score in actophotometer test. Reduction in the locomotor activity indicates central nervous system (CNS) depressant property of the drug. LAMP3 and LAS3 show a significant anxiolytic effect. From the result of elevated plus maze, it was evident that derivatives of lupeol treated animals exhibit an increased number of entries into open arm when compared to normal control, which shows the anxiolytic activity of the lupeol derivatives. Sniffing, rearing and licking activities for lupeol derivatives LAH3 and LAPEA3 were found to be 35%, 33%, and 40% and 40.33%, 38%, and 33.33% respectively when it compared with standard and control groups. This model is suggestive of the absence of negative symptoms alleviating property of all the treatment groups.Conclusions: The lupeol and its semisynthetic derivatives possess anxiolytic, CNS inhibitory, and antipsychotic effects to varying degree.

Simple shelter-style environmental enrichment alters behavior in mice

Environmental enrichment aims to improve the well-being of laboratory animals and provides an opportunity to improve experimental reliability and validity. Animals raised in more stimulating environments have improved learning and memory as well as more complex brain architecture. However, the effects of environmental enrichment on motor performance, anxiety and emotional development have been poorly studied. Moreover, most investigators studying the effects of enrichment provide extremely large and complex housing conditions to maximize the likelihood of finding effects. These situations are difficult to replicate across animal facilities and are not operationally practical. In this experiment, we investigated how simple, inexpensive disposable shelterstyle enrichment items alter behavior in C57Bl/6 and 129S6 mice. Breeding pairs were established in the presence of a Ketchum “Refuge”, Shepherd Shack “Dome”, or no enrichment. Offspring were assessed neurobehaviorally, either just after weaning (pre-adolescent, P22–P25), or as young adults (P60–P90). Major strain differences were observed in open field activity, elevated maze exploration, and Y-maze activity levels. The presence of the Refuge and/or Dome enrichment shelters significantly altered motor activity, coordination and some measures of anxiety. Mice housed in the presence of shelters were also less dominant than control mice in a tube test assay. Our experiments provide a detailed analysis of the effects of inexpensive and practical methods of housing enrichment on biobehavioral phenotypes in these two commonly used strains of laboratory mice, and suggest that the effects of these shelters on mouse neurobiology and behavior need to be rigorously analyzed before being adopted within vivariums.