ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep on neural behavior and cerebral pathology of rats. Based on the observation and quantitative analysis of neural behavior, a new type of animal models with dystonia is expected to be demonstrated. Methods Twenty-four female SD rats, weighting 250 g, were equally randomized into control and experimental groups. The animals in the experimental group were treated with 1.5 ml Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep once daily for consecutive 10 d. For rats in the control group, the same volume of saline (0.9%) was delivered by the same method. Neurobehavioral changes were observed; and quantitative analysis of neurobehavior and balancing ability was performed by using Noldus and Rota Rod systems. After behavioral experiments, the rats were sacrificed and the brains were got for pathological observations,especially the striatum, midbrain and hippocampus. Results Three to 7 d after the treatment, rats in the experimental group presented different degrees of neurobehavioral changes, mainly manifested as hypokinesia, decreased balanced capacity and postural dystonic abnormalities of the neck and limbs.Behavioral analysis showed that the distance, mean velocity and value of activity index in rats of the experimental group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group (P＜0.05).The experimental group showed a more serious dysfunction of the coordinating movement in the tested by rotating rod, a significantly shorter time of staying in the rod as compared with the control group (P＜0.05). Pathological investigation clearly demonstrated that the experimental group had decreased neurons in the corpus striatum and midbrain, especially in the hippocampus, and some neural pathological findings were observed. Conclusion Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep can induce significant changes of neural behavior in rats, which is similar to the symptoms of patients with dystonia caused by Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep poisoning, mainly manifested as hypokinesia, dysfunction of the coordinating movement, indicating that rats in the experimental group maybe a new type of animal model of dystonia, which is important in the study of dystonia.