Abstract

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF HORSE CHESTNUT ON DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS INDUCED BY LEAD ACETATE IN RATS

Bassant M.M.Ibrahim*, Abeer A.A.Salama, Dina A.A. Labib, Afaf S.Osman, Reham Sh E. Esmail, Wesam Ismail

ABSTRACT

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Decreased cerebral levels of the monoamines: serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline, dopamine (DOPA) are associated with occurrence of depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for treatment of depression. Modern medicine recognizes herbalism as a form of alternative medicine. In this study the protective effect of Horse Chestnut on lead acetate induced depression model in rats is tested. In the present study rat groups were classified as follows; the 1st was negative control, the 2nd was positive control where animal model of depression was induced by using lead acetate in a dose of 60mg/kg for four successive weeks, the 3rd,4th and 5th were treated with Fluoxetine 1.8mg/kg, and Horse Chestnut in doses 8.91 and 17.82mg/kg. Pharmacological tests of motor activity by counting number of movements of rats /5 minutes in Grid floor activity cage and pain hypersensitivity by thermal test using Hot Plate apparatus were evaluated. Biochemical tests of cerebral levels of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline, dopamine (DOPA), using HPLC, and tests of the antioxidant effect of Horse Chestnut as reduced glutathione level(R-GSH) and amount of lipid peroxides (MDA) were determined in cerebral homogenates. Histopathology examination of cerebral hemispheres was performed. Lead acetate in that study produced significant deterioration in all tests and biochemical parameters while Fluoxetine and Horse Chestnut had a protective effect on rat brains as evident in all tests and biochemical parameters.

Keywords: Depression; Horse Chestnut; Lead acetate; Behaviour; Serotonin.