title: Effect of quercetin on lipopolysaccharide induced-sickness behavior and oxidative stress in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gram-negative infections and control infusion of recombinant cytokines in human have been shown to induce sickness behavior characterized by fever, prolong sleep, decreased food and water intake, reduced mobility, depression, and anxiety. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of bioflavonoid quercetin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sickness behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups (n=6). Three groups received vehicle and two doses of quercetin (2 and 25 mg/kg, i.p.) respectively for 2 weeks before being challenged with LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p). One group received vehicle for 2 weeks and was challenged with saline on day 15. The per se effect of quercetin (2 and 25 mg/kg, i.p.) was also seen after 2 weeks of dosing. LPS-induced sickness behavior in rats was quantified by measuring time in social exploration, anxiety, food and water consumption, and weight loss. Levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and oxidative stress in rat brain were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quercetin (2 and 25 mg/kg) administration significantly (P<0.05) attenuated LPS-induced sickness behavior by modulating cytokines production as well inhibiting LPS-induced oxidative stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adequate intake of dietary flavonoids (like quercetin) may help promote recovery from sickness behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Sangeeta Pilkhwal
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tirkey
authors.forename: Anurag
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuhad
authors.forename: Kanwaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chopra