ABSTRACT
Stress has become an integral feature of everyday living. Each individual that lives encounters some manifestation of stress in life. Stress causes certain alterations in the structure and functions of the body and is considered to be a major factor in many health problems. Many synthetic and natural compounds are used for the attenuation of stress induced changes in the body. Medicinal plants are used since ancient times to prevent from neurological disorders. Lavender [Lavandula angustifolia] is very efficacious and possesses the ability to improve several neurological disorders. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] are commonly used against pain and inflammation. However, effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of various psychiatric ailments is also reported. The present study investigated the effects of ibuprofen and lavender oil on stress induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. The rats were subjected to restraint stress and behavioral parameters like open field test [OFT], light/dark transition box activity [LDT] and forced swim test [FST] were used to assess exploratory, anxiolytic and antidepressant activity, respectively. Corticosterone, lipid peroxidation [LPO] and endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. Results of OFT, LDT and FST showed substantial effects of lavender oil and standard drug ibuprofen. A significant decrease in plasma corticosterone and LPO levels with increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in the study. However, the effects of lavender oil were more as compared to standard drug ibuprofen in diminution of stress induced behavioral and biochemical changes in rats. This study demonstrates that lavender oil is more remedial than ibuprofen in stress related disorders
ABSTRACT
Essential oils are natural products having several important chemical constituents. Traditionally used worldwide as natural alternatives for treating various pathological conditions due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidants properties. Citral is one of the mono terpene present in lemon peel oil. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of citral at low [0.1 mg/kg] and high [1 mg/kg] doses. In this study rats were subjected to different behavioral parameters such as tail suspension test [TST] to monitor depressive behavior, open field test [OFT] for locomotor activity, light/dark transition test [LDT] for the assessment of level of anxiety and the strength of muscles were monitored by Kondziela's inverted screen test. Plasma corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. The results from the present study showed that citral at 0.1mg/kg dose significantly increased the mobility time in TST, increased number of square crossed in OFT, increased time spent in LDT and showed muscles strengthen activity in Kondziela's inverted screen test. Lipid per oxidation [LPO] was decreased and antioxidant profile was improved along with the decrease in plasma corticosterone following the administration of 0.1mg/kg dose of citral in rats. However, at a high dose of 1 mg/kg of citral, behavioral alterations were observed along with the increased plasma corticosterone and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in rats. Therefore present findings suggested that citral at low dose has therapeutic potential as compared to high dose. It can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of various ailments in humans and animals
ABSTRACT
Stress is a vulnerable state to cellular homeostasis which leads to oxidative damage via free radical generation. The acute stress induces alteration in antioxidant enzyme activities to an extent which produce oxidative stress and causes certain pathological conditions. The use of Nigella sativa L. oil [NSO] in folk medicine has increased throughout the world for the prevention or treatment of various ailments because of potent antioxidant properties. In the present study, potential therapeutic effects of NSO on memory in both unrestrained and 2h restrained rats were observed. Shortterm memory [STM] and long-term memory [LTM] were assessed by elevated plus maze [EPM] and Morris water maze [MWM] respectively. The present study also demonstrated the effect of NSO on lipid peroxidation [LPO] and activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase] along with the activity of acetyl cholinesterase [AChE]. The results obtained from the present study showed that 2h restraint stress significantly enhanced both short-term memory [p<0.01] and long-term memory [p<0.05] in rats. Pretreatment with NSO at a dose of 0.2ml/kg/day also significantly improved STM [p<0.05] in restrained rats and LTM [p<0.01] in unrestrained rats. This study also showed significantly decreased [p<0.01] LPO and significantly increased [p<0.01] endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity in NSO treated restrained rats. Similarly significant decreased [p<0.01] AChE activity was also observed in NSO treated unrestrained and 2h restrained rats. Therefore, current findings suggested that repeated administration of NSO may exert memory enhancing effects against restrained stress and it can be used for therapeutic purpose because of having fewer side effects