title: Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera Dunn. in hippocampal sub-regions of female albino rat.
abstract: The neuroprotective effects of W. somnifera were studied on stressed adult female Swiss albino rats. Experimental rats were subjected to immobilization stress for 14 h and were treated with a root powder extract of W. somnifera available as Stresscom capsules (Dabur India Ltd). Control rats were maintained in completely, non stressed conditions. Thionin stained serial coronal sections (7 microm) of brain passing through the hippocampal region of stressed rats (E(1) group) demonstrated 85% degenerating cells (dark cells and pyknotic cells) in the CA(2) and CA(3) sub-areas. Treatment with W. somnifera root powder extract significantly reduced (80%) the number of degenerating cells in both the areas. The study thus demonstrates the antistress neuroprotective effects of W. somnifera.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur 313001, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007103:Immobilization; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001205:Ascorbic Acid