Antidepressant-like Potentials of Buchholzia Coriacea Seed Extract: Involvement of Monoaminergic and Cholinergic Systems, and Neuronal Density in the Hippocampus of Adult Mice

Buchholzia coriacea, taken by elderly, has phytochemicals that have neuro-active metabolites, and the folkloredocumented its use in neuro-behavioral despairs. Previous study in our laboratory shows that methanol extracts of Buchholziacoriacea (MEBC) seeds possess antidepressant-like potentials in laboratory rodents. This present study was conducted toinvestigate the probable mechanism(s) of action by which MEBC potentiates its effects using laboratory rodents.Involvements of serotonergic, cholinergic and adrenergic systems were studied using Forced Swimming Test (FST) and TailSuspension Test (TST) models of behavioral despair. Antagonists which including: Prazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic receptorblocker (62.5 μg/kg, i.p.), metergoline, a 5HT2 receptor blocker (4 mg/kg, i.p.) and atropine, a -muscarinic cholinergicreceptor blocker (1mg/kg i.p.) were administered before effective dose of MEBC (50mg/kg). Also, the hippocampi of theanimals were studied for changes in neuronal density using Nissl Staining. Our findings showed that mobility was reversedin animals pre-treated with atropine, prazosin, and metergoline significantly (P˂0.05), showing a possible involvement ofthe corresponding systems. However, there was a significant reduction in immobility time (P<0.001) during FST afterchronic administration of the MEBC. The hippocampus showed no significant changes (P<0.05) in neuronal density. Inconclusion, MEBC probably potentiates its antidepressant-like potentials via the cholinergic, adrenergic and partly byserotonergic systems.

Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic and ulcer-healing activities of nevirapine in rats

BACKGROUND

Nevirapine is a very potent antiretroviral drug frequently used in the management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Opportunistic pathologies in HIV/AIDS patients include gastric ulcer and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Hence, the impact of nevirapine on induced gastric ulcer was studied using Wistar rats.

METHODS

Anti-ulcer activity of nevirapine was evaluated using cold restraint stress-induced, ethanol-induced and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer models for acute ulceration; and acetic acid-induced ulcer model for the chronic ulceration in Wistar rats.

RESULTS

Nevirapine (9 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg and 36 mg/kg) showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in ulcer severity score and ulcer index as compared to the control in the models,.with corresponding increase in percentage inhibition. Histopathological studies showed that nevirapine has a positive effect on the healing of gastric ulcer in the groups treated with the nevirapine compared with the control. The induced ulcers healed up in all the groups administered with nevirapine compared to what was found in the omeprazole group where manifestations of ulcer like inflammatory cells infiltration is still present.

CONCLUSION

Nevirapine may possess highly therapeutic effect in the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal complications that might come with the presence of HIV virus in patients.

Neuro-pharmacological potentials of Buchholzia coriacea (Engl.) seeds in laboratory rodents

BACKGROUND

Buchholzia coriacea, taken by elderly, has phytochemicals that have neuro-active metabolites, and the folklore documented its use in neuro-behavioural despairs.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate the neuro-pharmacological potentials of Buchholzia coriacea (MEBC) seed extract in the laboratory rodents.

METHODOLOGY

Methanol extract of the seeds on B. coriacea (MEBC) was evaluated for its antidepressant (Forced Swimming Test and Tail Suspension Test), anxiolytic (Light-Dark Test, Hole Board Test and Elevated Plus Maze), antinociceptive (Hot-Plate and Tail Flick test) and motor coordination (Rota Rod) functions in mice.

RESULTS

Our findings showed antidepressant activity (P < 0.05) of MEBC that is dose-dependent. Secondly, MEBC showed significant anxiolytic property that is comparable with the standard drug (diazepam). Furthermore, MEBC significantly prolonged the latency on hot-plate and tail flick responses when compared with the control (P < 0.05). Finally, MEBC significantly prolonged mice endurance time (P < 0.05) on a revolving Rota rod. The results suggest antidepressant, anxiolytic and analgesic potentials of MEBC.

CONCLUSION

Buchholzia coriacea may have a stabilizing effect on the motor activity and MEBC probably contains secondary metabolites with some therapeutic effects on neuro-physiological disorders like depression, anxiety and pain.