Reserpine effects on neurotransmitters in chick heart during growth

Hepatoprotective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Garlic Against Reserpine Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Reserpine, a bioactive compound isolated from the roots of Rauwolfia serpentine, is known to deplete dopamine, a neurotransmitter. The clinical application of reserpine has been associated to manage hypertension, insanity, insomnia and schizophrenia. However, the usage of reserpine as a drug is restricted because of its ability of inducing excess free radicals production and oxidative stress resulting into damage to liver and other organs. Here, we have explored the antioxidative potential of extract of garlic prepared using ethanol (EEG) against reserpine-induced hepatic damage in the albino Wister rats.The animals were divided into four different groups containing 6 animals in each: (1) control + placebo, (2) control + EEG, (3) reserpine and (4) reserpine with EEG. The reserpine treatment resulted into sharp increase in the level of MDA and significant reduction in the activitiesof key antioxidative enzymes (SOD, GST, and CAT) in the rat liver. It also caused sharp perturbations in the levels of certain hepatic transaminases (ALT, AST) and glycolytic LDH. The histopathological results revealed hepatic necrosis, which could have occurred due to reserpine induced lipid peroxidation as well as reduction in the levels of antioxidant species.The administration of EEG, however, significantly ameliorated reserpine induced hepatotoxicity. These results reflected the ameliorative property of EEG, which was probably mediated via its antioxidant function as it contains several bioactive molecules with free radical quenching potential.This study suggestedthe prospective application of EEG as a supplement to combat the side effects of reserpine.

Green tea modulates reserpine toxicity in animal models

Reserpine, a natural product extracted from Rauwolfia serpintina or Rauwolfia vomitoria, is a known dopamine depleter that inhibits several neurotransmitters. Reserpine has been used clinically to control hypertension, schizophrenia, insomnia and insanity. The use of this drug, however, has been limited because of its side effects which include oxidative damage to organs, including the liver. Green tea catechins are potent antioxidants that have the potential to counteract reserpine induced oxidative stress. This study investigated the merits of administering green tea concurrently with reserpine to prevent oxidative hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawely (SD) rats. Reserpine was found to cause hepatic damage, with elevated levels of oxidative stress markers, such as Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), transaminases and cholesterol. Reserpine also induced hepatic ultra-structural damage in the cytoplasmic membrane, nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum (rER), ribosomal stripping and mitochondria. Electron microscopy examination showed revival of liver cells as a result of green tea extract administration to experimental rats.

Differential autonomic nervous system response in obese and anorexic chickens (Gallus gallus)

Effect of reserpine on body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), brain and plasma catecholamine and indoleamine concentrations in high- (HWS) and low- (LWS) weight selected lines of chickens was investigated. Chicks from each line were assigned to three treatment groups and injected intraperitoneally with 0, 1.25, or 2.50 mg/kg of reserpine at hatch, and again at 5 weeks-of-age. Chick BW and FI were determined weekly. At 7 weeks-of-age, 12 males and females from each group were sacrificed for neurotransmitter analysis. In the HWS line there was a dose-dependent decrease in BW through 7 weeks-of-age, whereas in the LWS line BW decreased only through the first 2 weeks-of-age. In the LWS line, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate concentrations decreased in the brain in a linear and quadratic manner in response to reserpine, but not in the HWS line. Both lines showed linear decreases in dopamine levels in response to reserpine; however, serotonin was not affected by reserpine. Chickens in the HWS line had greater plasma NE, and lower 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid than those in the LWS line. In conclusion, it appears that chickens from the HWS line were more sensitive to the BW reducing effects of reserpine than those from the LWS line, with the latter appearing to have greater sympathetic nervous system activity.