Development of Anxiolytic and Depression-like Behavior in Mice Infected with Mycobacterium lepraemurium.

Murine leprosy is a systemic infectious disease of mice caused by Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) in which the central nervous system (CNS) is not infected; nevertheless, diseased animals show measurable cognitive alterations. For this reason, in this study, we explored the neurobehavioral changes in mice chronically infected with MLM. BALB/c mice were infected with MLM, and 120 days later, the alterations in mice were evaluated based on immunologic, histologic, endocrine, neurochemical, and behavioral traits. We found increases in the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 associated with high bacillary loads. We also found increase in the serum levels of corticosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine in the adrenal gland, suggesting neuroendocrine deregulation. Mice exhibited depression-like behavior in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests and anxiolytic behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze tests. The neurobehavioral alterations of mice were correlated with the histologic damage in the prefrontal cortex, ventral hippocampus, and amygdala, as well as with a blood-brain barrier disruption in the hippocampus. These results reveal an interrelated response of the neuroimmune--endocrinological axis in unresolved chronic infections that result in neurocognitive deterioration.

Abutilon indicum Exhibits Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects in Mice Models.

Abutilon indicum Linn (A. indicum) is native to tropical and subtropical zones and traditionally used in ulcer, diabetes, piles, jaundice, gonorrhoea and leprosy. Erstwhile phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, gallic acid, ß-sitosterols, geraniol, and caryophyllene. The study identifies the antidepressant potential of the crude methanolic extract of A. indicum (Ai.Cr). Crude methanolic extract of leaves and bark was prepared using maceration and freeze-drying. Forty Swiss-albino mice were divided into five groups containing eight mice each. Designated groups were administered with normal saline, Ai.Cr (30, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and diazepam (1 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally. Light and Dark Exploration (LDE), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Hole Board (HB) test were used for anxiolytic activity testing, while forced swim and tail suspension model were used for the evaluation of antidepressant potential of Ai.Cr. Results showed that mice spent more time in light; passed more duration in open arms and raised number of head poking in respective anxiolytic LDE, EPM, and HB tests. Similarly, mobility time was raised in forced swim and tail suspension antidepressant testing. Ai.Cr has significant dose dependent antidepressant and anxiolytic potential, which peaks at highest dose (100 mg/kg) used in this study. A. indicum has significant pharmacological potential against anxiety and depression.

Herbal medicines in Hawaii from tradition to convention.

The stories of kava and chaulmoogra demonstrate the importance of herbal products in ancient and recent Hawaiian medicine. Kava is a psychoactive beverage that has been used ceremonially for millennia throughout the Pacific. It is a nonfermented depressant that causes tranquil intoxication in which thoughts and memory remain clear. Its broad pharmacologic activity led to use in Hawaii to treat skin disorders and later in Germany to treat gonorrhea. Kava is now available outside the Pacific basin as a relaxant, emerging as a popular, albeit deritualized, natural product. In the late 19th century, the main treatment for leprosy was chaulmoogra, extracted from Hydnocarpus seeds. Chaulmoogra had been a traditional treatment for skin diseases in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Chaulmoogra from Asian markets was expensive and usually adulterated so the USDA decided to plant Hydnocarpus in Hawaii. Joseph Rock, a botanist at University of Hawaii, trekked through southeast Asia collecting fresh seeds to plant on Oahu. Rock's trees provided chaulmoogra for leprosy patients on Molokai and elsewhere until it was replaced by dapsone. Chaulmoogra, once the treatment for leprosy worldwide, is now nearly forgotten; kava, once poorly known outside the Pacific, is now a widely-used alternative medicine. Hawaii will probably continue its role in the transition of plants from traditional use to conventional use.

Temas de farmacología

Recopilación de temas de la cátedra de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE

Temas de farmacología

Recopilación de temas de la cátedra de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNNE