Fenugreek seed extract alleviates hippocampal dendritic atrophy in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats / El extracto de semillas fenugreek alivia la atrofía dendrítica del hipocampo en ratas diabéticas inducidas por estreptozotocina

SUMMARY: Herbal extracts used for treatment of diabetes has focused mostly on the hypoglycaemic and anti-oxidant property.There are no studies which focused on its effect on dendritic architecture of pyramidal neurons of hippocampus caused by diabetes. This study was taken up to explore the effect of administration of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed extract on diabetes induced dendritic atrophy in hippocampus. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats by administering single dose of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg)intraperitoneally.Treatment groups of rats were orally administeredfenugreek seed extract of 1 g/kg body weight for 6 weeks. Followingly they were sacrificed and the brains were removed, processed for the Golgi-Cox stain method.The number of dendritic branching points and intersections were counted in successive radial segments of 20 µm up to a radial distance of 100 micron from soma and analysed by the Sholl's method. The rats with diabetes showed a significant decrease in the dendritic length and branching points in most of the apical and basal dendrites of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons.Treatment with fenugreek seed extract were able to significantly alleviate the dendritic atrophy in most of the segments except in the apical branching points of the CA1 neuron. The present study demonstrates that fenugreek seed extract having a proven hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic property also possess protection to the hippocampal pyramidal neurons form diabetes associated neuronal atrophy.

RESUMEN: Los extractos de hierbas para el tratamiento de la diabetes se han basado principalmente en las propiedades hipoglucémicas y antioxidantes. En la literatura no hay estudios basados en su efecto sobre la arquitectura dendrítica de las neuronas piramidales del hipocampo, causadas por la diabetes. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto de la administración de extracto de semilla de Trigonella foenum graecum (fenogreco) sobre la atrofia dendrítica inducida por la diabetes en el hipocampo. Se indujo diabetes experimental en ratas mediante la administración de una dosis única de estreptozotocina (60 mg / kg) por vía intraperitoneal. Se administró a grupos de ratas extracto de semilla de fenogreco a razón de 1 g / kg de peso corporal durante 6 semanas. Las ratas fueron sacrificadas posteriormente y se procesaron los cerebros mediante método de tinción de Golgi-Cox. El número de puntos de ramificación dendrítica e intersecciones se contaron en segmentos radiales sucesivos de 20 µm hasta una distancia radial de 100 micras del soma y se analizaron mediante el método de Sholl. Las ratas con diabetes mostraron una disminución significativa en la longitud dendrítica y los puntos de ramificación en la mayoría de las dendritas apicales y basales de las neuronas piramidales CA1 y CA3. El tratamiento con extracto de semilla de fenogreco alivió significativamente la atrofia dendrítica en la mayoría de los casos, excepto en los puntos de ramificación apical de la neurona CA1. El estudio demuestra que el extracto de semilla de fenogreco además de tener propiedades hipoglucémicas y antidiabéticas, también protege las neuronas piramidales del hipocampo contra la atrofia neuronal asociada a la diabetes.

Glial pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders: a brief review.

Neurons have been considered the major functional entities of the nervous system that are responsible for most of the functions even though glial cells largely outnumber them. However, recent reports have proved that glial cells do not function just like glue in the nervous system but also substantially affect neuronal function and activities, and are significantly involved in the underlying pathobiology of various psychiatric disorders. Dysfunctional astrocytes and degeneration of glial cells are postulated to be critical factors contributing to the aggravation of depressive-like symptoms in humans, which was proved using animal models. Alteration in glial cell function predominantly targets three main brain regions - the prefrontal cortex, limbic areas including the hippocampus, and the amygdala, which have been extensively studied by various researchers across the globe. These studies have postulated that failure in adopting to the changing neurophysiology due to stress will lead to regressive plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, but to progressive plasticity in the amygdala. In this present review, an effort has been made to understand the different alterations in chronic stress models in correlation with clinical conditions, providing evidence on the defective maintenance of glial function and its potential role in the precipitation of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Fenugreek seed extract ameliorates cognitive deficits in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background Natural medicinal plants have been the focus of current research for developing neuroprotective agents to be used in the diabetes-linked cognitive dysfunction. Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds (known as fenugreek, methi in Hindi), is a well-known traditional medicinal herb and possesses anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Purpose This study was undertaken to explore the ameliorative effects of T. foenum-graecum seed extract on diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction. Methods Experimental diabetes was induced by administering a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal dose. Cognitive function was assessed using a T-maze and the Morris water maze. Lipid peroxidation levels and oxidative stress in the hippocampus was measured. Quantification of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions was done using cresyl violet stain. Results Diabetic rats demonstrated learning and memory impairment, which was evident from poor performance in behavioral tasks, i.e. T-maze and Morris water maze tasks. Learning and memory impairment in diabetic animals is associated with increased blood glucose levels, increased oxidative stress in the hippocampus and decreased number of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. The diabetic rats administered with T. foenum-graecum showed improved performance in behavioral tasks, and these changes were associated with decreased blood glucose levels, decreased oxidative stress in the hippocampus, and decreased neuronal loss from the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Conclusion In conclusion, administration of T. foenum-graecum seed extract ameliorates diabetes-linked cognitive dysfunction in rats by decreasing blood glucose levels, reducing lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus, and preventing neuronal loss from the hippocampus.

Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress among university students in South India.

BACKGROUND: Excessive internet use, psychological distress, and its inter-relationship among university students can impact their academic progress, scholastic competence, career goals, and extracurricular interests. Thus, a need exists to evaluate the addictive internet use among university students. OBJECTIVES: This study was set up to examine the internet use behaviors, internet addiction (IA), and its association with psychological distress primarily depression among a large group of university students from South India. METHODS: Totally 2776 university students aged 18-21 years; pursuing undergraduate studies from a recognized university in South India participated in the study. The patterns of internet use and socioeducational data were collected through the internet use behaviors and demographic data sheet, IA test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA and psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms were evaluated with Self-Report Questionnaire-20. RESULTS: Among the total n = 2776, 29.9% (n = 831) of university students met criterion on IAT for mild IA, 16.4% (n = 455) for moderate addictive use, and 0.5% (n = 13) for severe IA. IA was higher among university students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on the Internet and had psychological distress. Male gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA. CONCLUSIONS: IA was present among a substantial proportion of university students which can inhibit their academic progress and impact their psychological health. Early identification of risk factors of IA can facilitate the effective prevention and timely initiation of treatment strategies for IA and psychological distress among university students.

Internet Use Patterns, Internet Addiction, and Psychological Distress Among Engineering University Students: A Study from India.

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) among university engineering students and its association with psychological distress can impact their educational progress, academic competence, and long-term career goals. Thus, there is a need to investigate the IA among engineering students. OBJECTIVES: This study was a first such attempt to explore internet use behaviors, IA, among a large group of engineering students from India, and its association with psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms. METHODS: One thousand eighty six engineering students aged 18-21 years pursuing bachelors in engineering from the south Indian city of Mangalore participated in the study. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA, and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) assessed psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among the total N = 1086, 27.1% of engineering students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 9.7% for moderate addictive internet use, and 0.4% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among engineering students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet, and had psychological distress. Gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of engineering students have IA which can be detrimental for their educational progress in university studies and long-term career goals. Early identification and management of IA and psychological distress among engineering students is crucial.

Internet use behaviors, internet addiction and psychological distress among medical college students: A multi centre study from South India.

BACKGROUND: Internet Addiction (IA) among medical students and its association with psychological distress can impact their academic progress and long term career goals. IA would also indirectly impact community of health care professionals and the society. Thus, there is a need to investigate the IA among medical students. OBJECTIVES: This study was a first such attempt to explore internet use behavior's, IA, among a large group of medical students across multiple centers and its association with psychological distress primarily depression. METHODS & MATERIALS: 1763 medical students aged 18 to 21 years, pursuing Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from three south Indian cities of Bangalore, Mangalore and Trissur participated in the study. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, IA Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) assessed psychological distress primarily depression. RESULTS: Among the total N = 1763, 27% of medical students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 10.4% for moderate addictive internet use, and 0.8% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among medical students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet and had psychological distress. Age, gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use and psychological distress (depression) predicted IA. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of medical students have IA which can be detrimental for their medical education progress and long term career goals. Early identification and management of IA and psychological distress among medical students is crucial.