Influence of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate [DDB] on social play behavior of young rats

ABSTRACT

Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate [DDB] is a synthetic analogue of schisandrin C, a component of Fructus schisandrae. It is a widely prescribed agent for the improvement of liver function of hepatitis patients and has been recently proved to possess immunomodulatory properties. In our earlier work, DDB was shown to interfere with behavior. The present work was to assess the possible effect of DDB on the play behavior. The study was carried out on young Sprague Dawley Rats. DDB was administered orally for seven consecutive days [100mg/kg/day]. Animals were isolated for about 28hr before the day of the experiment. Each pair was placed in an aquarium glass cage where the play behavior of a pair of animals was recorded by a special Infrared Video Camera allowing super night shots, for 25 min. Three major categories were assessed, namely "play social behavior", "non-play social behavior" and "non-social behavior". DDB was found to affect the play behavior of the partner rat where the "pounce on" and "pinning" were significantly increased. Parallel changes in brain NE were found. In conclusion, DDB was shown to change the play behavior of the partner rat