Quercetin exhibits potent antioxidant activity, restores motor and non-motor deficits induced by rotenone toxicity.

The rotenone-induced animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been used to investigate the pathogenesis of PD. Oxidative stress is one of the main contributors of neurodegeneration in PD. Flavonoids have the potential to modulate neuronal function and combat various neurodegenerative diseases. The pre- and post-supplementation of quercetin (50 mg/kg, p.o) was done in rats injected with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg, s.c). After the treatment, behavioral activities were monitored for motor activity, depression-like behavior, and cognitive changes. Rats were decapitated after behavioral analysis and the brain samples were dissected out for neurochemical and biochemical estimation. Results showed that supplementation of quercetin significantly (p<0.01) restored rotenone-induced motor and non-motor deficits (depression and cognitive impairments), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.01), and attenuated neurotransmitter alterations (p<0.01). It is suggested that quercetin supplementation improves neurotransmitter levels by mitigating oxidative stress via increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and hence improves motor activity, cognitive functions, and reduces depressive behavior. The results of the present study showed that quercetin pre-supplementation produced more significant results as compared to post-supplementation. These findings show that quercetin can be a potential therapeutic agent to reduce the risk and progression of PD.

Anxiolytic and memory enhancing potential of aloe vera and flax seed oil in rats: A comparative study with valproic acid.

For centuries, herbs and herbal oils are used for pharmacological purpose. Aloe vera is well-known as silent healer and flax seed oil is known to contain rich amount of omega-3 fatty acids, both are having effects on central nervous system. Valproic acid is anticonvulsant drug with some side effects and has shown effects on behaviors. This study was designed to monitor the effects of valproic acid, aloe vera and flax seed oil on cognitive and anxiolytic behaviors in rats. Animals were categorized into four groups: Control, valproic acid, aloe vera and flax seed oil which were respectively treated with water, valproic acid (300mg/kg), aloe vera (0.4ml/kg) and flax seed oil (1.8ml/kg). The treatment was continued 2 weeks for drug and 3 weeks for aloe vera and flax seed oil. Anxiolytic effect as well as increased GABA levels were observed following drug and oil treatments. Improvement in cognitive function with decrease in acetylcholine esterase activity in aloe vera and flax seed oil while impairment in learning memory with increase acetylcholine esterase activity was observed in rats treated with valproic acid. Results showed substantial decrease in acetylcholinesterase level in aloe vera and flax seed oil supporting the cognitive impact of oils in contrary to drug.

Alteration in redox profile and behavioral effects following repeated administration of citral in rats.

Essential oils are natural products having several important chemical constituents. Traditionally used worldwide as natural alternatives for treating various pathological conditions due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidants properties. Citral is one of the mono terpene present in lemon peel oil. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of citral at low (0.1 mg/kg) and high (1 mg/kg) doses. In this study rats were subjected to different behavioral parameters such as tail suspension test (TST) to monitor depressive behavior, open field test (OFT) for locomotor activity, light/dark transition test (LDT) for the assessment of level of anxiety and the strength of muscles were monitored by Kondziela's inverted screen test. Plasma corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. The results from the present study showed that citral at 0.1mg/kg dose significantly increased the mobility time in TST, increased number of square crossed in OFT, increased time spent in LDT and showed muscles strengthen activity in Kondziela's inverted screen test. Lipid per oxidation (LPO) was decreased and antioxidant profile was improved along with the decrease in plasma corticosterone following the administration of 0.1mg/kg dose of citral in rats. However, at a high dose of 1 mg/kg of citral, behavioral alterations were observed along with the increased plasma corticosterone and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in rats. Therefore present findings suggested that citral at low dose has therapeutic potential as compared to high dose. It can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of various ailments in humans and animals.

Role of ibuprofen and lavender oil to alter the stress induced psychological disorders: A comparative study.

Stress has become an integral feature of everyday living. Each individual that lives encounters some manifestation of stress in life. Stress causes certain alterations in the structure and functions of the body and is considered to be a major factor in many health problems. Many synthetic and natural compounds are used for the attenuation of stress induced changes in the body. Medicinal plants are used since ancient times to prevent from neurological disorders. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is very efficacious and possesses the ability to improve several neurological disorders. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used against pain and inflammation. However, effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of various psychiatric ailments is also reported. The present study investigated the effects of ibuprofen and lavender oil on stress induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. The rats were subjected to restraint stress and behavioral parameters like open field test (OFT), light/dark transition box activity (LDT) and forced swim test (FST) were used to assess exploratory, anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity, respectively. Corticosterone, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. Results of OFT, LDT and FST showed substantial effects of lavender oil and standard drug ibuprofen. A significant decrease in plasma corticosterone and LPO levels with increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in the study. However, the effects of lavender oil were more as compared to standard drug ibuprofen in diminution of stress induced behavioral and biochemical changes in rats. This study demonstrates that lavender oil is more remedial than ibuprofen in stress related disorders.

Enhancement of memory function by antioxidant potential of Nigella sativa L. oil in restrained rats.

Stress is a vulnerable state to cellular homeostasis which leads to oxidative damage via free radical generation. The acute stress induces alteration in antioxidant enzyme activities to an extent which produce oxidative stress and causes certain pathological conditions. The use of Nigella sativa L. oil (NSO) in folk medicine has increased throughout the world for the prevention or treatment of various ailments because of potent antioxidant properties. In the present study, potential therapeutic effects of NSO on memory in both unrestrained and 2h restrained rats were observed. Shortterm memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) were assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) respectively. The present study also demonstrated the effect of NSO on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) along with the activity of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE). The results obtained from the present study showed that 2h restraint stress significantly enhanced both short-term memory (p<0.01) and long-term memory (p<0.05) in rats. Pretreatment with NSO at a dose of 0.2ml/kg/day also significantly improved STM (p<0.05) in restrained rats and LTM (p<0.01) in unrestrained rats. This study also showed significantly decreased (p<0.01) LPO and significantly increased (p<0.01) endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity in NSO treated restrained rats. Similarly significant decreased (p<0.01) AChE activity was also observed in NSO treated unrestrained and 2h restrained rats. Therefore, current findings suggested that repeated administration of NSO may exert memory enhancing effects against restrained stress and it can be used for therapeutic purpose because of having fewer side effects.