Effect of malt extract on the neuron-behavioral changes in clonidine-induced depressed rats

Depression is a serious disorder that represents a major public disease often associated with symptoms at the psychological and physiological levels. Herbs and herbs-derived products have attracted much attention in relation to prevention of many diseases including psychiatric illnesses. Their therapeutic potential has been assessed in a variety of animal models, and the mechanisms of action have been investigated through neurochemical approaches. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible antidepressant effects of malt extract using the open field and forced swimming tests and evaluation of brain neurotransmitters and oxidative stress biomarkers in the clonidine-induced depressed rats. Clonidine hydrochloride [0.8mg/kg] was injected intraperitoneally into rats daily for seven days in order to induce depression. Brain contents of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine as well as malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were estimated. Effect of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine was also studied. Malt extract normalized the clonidine-induced altered behavior in the open field and forced swimming tests. Malt extract as well as fluoxetine normalized the reduced brain serotonin and dopamine contents winle fluoxetine increased the brain content of norepinephrine in the clonidine-induced depressed rats. In addition, both malt extract and fluoxetine normalized the altered oxidative biomarkers. The behavioral and biochemical results revealed that malt extract may have antidepressant activity which may he mediated through changes in the brain neurotransmitters and oxidative stress biomarkers

Organochlorine, organophosphorus synthetic pyrethroid pesticides affecting food constitutents in cotton seeds and wheat grains during storage

The work has been carried out to evaluate the effects of studied pesticides on food constituents in cotton seeds and wheat grains The results are assessed using analytical data from trial applications of organochlorine organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides to the aforesaid food commodities The studied samples were stored after pesticide treatment at [30° +/- 3°C] for one month and analyzed for carbohydrates lipids phosphorus and trace metals in triplicate along with control samples The data presented herein shows adverse effects on carbohydrates in samples of cotton seeds and wheat grains with pesticidal treatment while SP pesticides caused more adverse effect than OC and OP. pesticides and reduced an appreciable amount of lipids in both commodities. It was also observed that imphorus content decreased in cotton seeds and wheat grains treated with OC and SP pesticides but it increased in of OP treatment. Lead [toxic element] was totally absent