ABSTRACT
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) refers to fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy through placental barrier transfer from maternal blood. The postnatal outcomes of PAE differ among exposed individuals and range from overt (serious) alcohol-related behavioral and neurophysiological impairments to covert (silenced) symptoms. The aims of the present investigation were to assess the postnatal neurobehavioral disturbances, particularly, motor coordination and sensory-motor function in mice with PAE. Female mice with positive vaginal plugs were divided into three groups: group 1: Et + Pyr: received two i.p injections of ethanol (1 g/kg) followed by pyrazole (100 mg/kg). Group 2: Pyr: received an i.p injection of pyrazole (100 mg/kg). Group 3: C: of saline controls received, in equal volume, saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). After birth, mice pups were weighed and subjected to behavioral tests for motor function screening using the motor ambulation test, cliff aversion, surface righting, and negative geotaxis, while at the adult stage, mice were subjected to the open field, rotarod, parallel bars, and static rods tests. Our data show an obvious decrement of body weight from the first post-natal day (P1) and continues over the adult stage. This was accompanied by an obvious impaired sensory-motor function which was maintained even at the adult stage with alteration of the locomotor and coordination abilities. The current data demonstrate the powerful neurotoxic effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on the sensory-motor and coordination functions, leading to suppose possible structural and/or functional neuronal disturbances, particularly the locomotor network.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to determine for the first time the volatile constituents, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil (EO) of the endemic Moroccan Linaria ventricosa, alone or in combination with four known antibiotics. The major constituents were 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (17.4%), α-terpinene (13.64%) and 3,5-dimethylphenyl isocyanate (12.21%). The EO had moderate antioxidant potency, as measured by DPPH free radical scavenging (1.233 ± 0.031 mg/mL), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (0.373 ± 0.019 mg/mL) and ß-carotene/linoleic acid (0.922 ± 0.026 mg/mL). EO showed microbicidal activity against all microorganisms tested. The highest effectiveness was recorded against Candida albicans (IZ = 24 mm, MIC = 4.87 mg/mL and MMC = 9.75 mg/mL) and Candida glabrata (IZ = 22 mm, MIC = MMC = 4.87 mg/mL). Gram negative bacteria were the most resistant (MIC = MMC = 39 mg/mL). The combination of EO at sub-inhibitory concentrations with antibiotics showed a significant decrease in their individual MICs from 2 to 128 fold, being the best for ciprofloxacin and fluconazole against E. coli and C. albicans and C. glabrata, respectively.
