ABSTRACT
Prenatal ethanol exposure causes cognitive impairments in rats. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Centella Asiatica (CeA) in offspring of alcoholic rats. Pregnant rats in alcoholic group were orally fed with 30% alcohol at a dose of 5 g/kg body weight during their gestation period. Pregnant rats in control group were given water. Offspring from alcoholic group were divided into treated group and untreated group. Offspring in treated group were orally given whole plant aqueous extract of CeA at a dose of 20 ml/kg body weight. Offspring in control and untreated group were fed with water. Cognitive studies (Morris Water Maze, Passive avoidance test, Elevated Plus Maze) were started from 75th day of postnatal life. Treatment with CeA increases the learning capacity (P<0.05), spatial memory (P<0.05), memory retention (P<0.05) and decreases the anxiety (P<0.05) like behavior in offspring of alcoholic rats. The present study showed that treatment with CeA can improve cognitive functions in offspring of alcoholic mothers.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The present study evaluated the beneficial effects of omega 3 PUFA present in fish oil on neurosensorial impairments, namely learning, memory and anxiety in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The brain homogenate was analysed for oxidative status following Omega 3 PUFA treatment. Methods: Male, Wistar rats of 2-3 months old were divided into non diabetic controls, diabetic control, & fish oil treated diabetic rats (n=6). Diabetes was induced by injection of STZ (48 mg/kg, ip). Animals were treated orally for 30 days with a dose in each group of 0.5 g/kg/day of fish oil. All experiments were conducted after ethical committee clearance was obtained. Results: Memory and exploratory behavior were improved (p<0.01) in fish oil treated rats as compared with diabetic rats. A significant (p<0.001) decrease in MDA and a significant increase (p<0.001) in total antioxidant level (TAO) were observed in fish oil treated rats. Conclusion : Omega 3 PUFA present in fish oil could be used an adjuvant therapy for treatment and prevention of neurosensorial impairment in diabetes mellitus.
ABSTRACT
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can affect both prenatal and postnatal neurogenesis in the developing brain and impair brain function in their early life. Aim: Our study was aimed to assess the effect of prenatal alcoholic exposure on memory retention and exploratory behavior in young adult rats. We also studied the effect of maternal alcohol intake on pup quality, mortality rate and post natal weight gain of the pups during their weaning period. Methods: Female rats were divided into control and alcohol fed group. Rats in alcoholic group were orally fed (force feeding) with 30% alcohol at a dose of 5g/kg /day. Treatment was started 14 days before mating, continued throughout their gestation period and weaning period. Control group was administrated with equivalent volume of water. Offspring from each group were divided into male and female group. Birth weight, crown-rump length, litter size were taken from the day of delivery, whereas cognitive function test were done from 75th day of post natal life. Statistics: Data obtained from the tests were analyzed by applying independent T test. Results: Single dose of 5g/kg/day maternal ethanol treatment decreased the memory retention (p=0.003), decreased the weight gain during weaning period (p=0.000), increased the locomotor activities (p=0.05) and increased the mortality rate of pups during weaning period. No significant change was observed in the pup quality between control mother and alcoholic mother. Conclusion: The present study showed that maternal alcohol consumption could affect mortality rate of the pups and their post natal weight gain during weaning period. It also affects their cognitive behaviour and locomotor activities in their later life.