Central inhibitory effect of Moringa oleifera root extract: possible role of neurotransmitters.
Effect of chronic treatment of standardized aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) root (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450 mg/kg; po) on penicillin (PCN) induced convulsion, locomotor behaviour, brain serotonin (5-HTT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) level was studied in Holtzman strain adult albino rats. The result revealed that pretreatment with MO inhibited PCN-induced seizure and markedly reduced locomotor activity. Chronic treatment with MO significantly increased the 5-HT and decreased the DA level in cerebral cortex (CC), midbrain (MB), caudate nucleus (CN) and cerebellum (CB). NE level was significantly decreased in CC but no appreciable change was observed in MB, CB and CN. Thus the central inhibitory effect of MO is discussed in the light of the disturbed balance between 5-HT, DA and NE.
Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, 92, A. P. C. Road, Kolkata 700 009, India.
Kausik
K
Ray
Rimi
R
Hazra
Debjani
D
Guha
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010406:Penicillins / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D010406:Penicillins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine