title: Neurochemical and behavioral effects of Nigella sativa and Olea europaea oil in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the last few decades, therapeutic uses of medicinal compounds present in food as a normal constituent has risen substantially, largely because of their fewer side effects and adequate efficacy. This study is designed to investigate a role of brain serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in the potential nootropic, anxiolytic, and other beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (NS) and Olea europaea (OE) oil in rat models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were treated with NS and OE oil orally at doses of 0.1 ml/kg and 0.25 ml/kg for 5 weeks. Food intake and body weight change, anxiety-like effects in elevated plus maze and activity in a novel and familiar environment were monitored weekly. Effects on learning and memory after 5 weeks treatment were monitored using Morris water maze test. Neurochemical analysis was carried using HPLC-ECD method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NS and OE oil administration enhanced learning and memory in Morris water maze test and the effects were greater in NS than OE oil-treated animals. Low dose of OE oil increased exploration in an open field, higher dose of OE oil and both doses of NS oil produced no consistent effect on open field exploration. Effects of both oils on anxiety-like behavior, food and water intake, and activity in activity box were either not consistent or did not occur. The treatment increased homovanillic acid (HVA). 5-HT levels increased in high dose of NS oil and low dose of OE oil-treated groups. Low dose NS oil decreased 5-HT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that active components in NS and OE oil may prove useful in treating impaired cognition. OE oil may produce psychostimulant-like effect. Modulation of DA and serotonin neurotransmission seems important in the pharmacological effect of these oils.
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Lab, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: M Atif Raza
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0710-8554
authors.initials: MAR
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Lab, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shazia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nawaz
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Lab, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sumera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Lab, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Tabinda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.affiliation: b Pharmacology Section, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sabira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naqvi
authors.affiliation: b Pharmacology Section, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ahsana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dar
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Lab, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences , University of Karachi , Karachi 75270 , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Darakhshan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haleem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008568:Memory; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010154:Pakistan; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029974:Carum
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C104525:caraway oil; D006719:Homovanillic Acid
keywords: Anxiety; Dopamine; Learning; Memory; Motor activity; Nigella sativa; Olea europaea; Serotonin