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ATTENUATION OF STRESS-INDUCED BEHAVIORAL DEFICITS BY AZADIRACHTA
INDICA (NEEM): ROLE OF SEROTONIN
NOREEN SAMAD*, TAHIRA PARVEEN, SAIDA HAIDER AND DARAKHSHAN JABEEN
HALEEM
Abstract:
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Azadirechta
indica (Neem) leaf extract on restraint-induced behavioral deficits
and changes in serotonin metabolism in rats. Exposure to a single stress
decreased food intake, growth rate and elicited anxiogenic-like behavior
on an elevated plus maze. Prior administration of neem leaf extract
@ 1 ml/kg for 5 days attenuated stress induced behavioral deficits of
food intake, growth rate and anxiogenic behavior but the level of anxiety
in unrestrained animals was not altered. Restraint-stress did not alter
brain tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels. 5-hydroxyindolacetic
acid (5-HIAA) concentration increased in saline but not in neem injected
rats. Administration of neem leaf extract increased brain tryptophan
and decreased brain 5-HT concentration in unrestrained animals. The
present study showed that neem extract could attenuate anxiogenic and
appetite suppressant effects of stress by decreasing brain 5-HT and
5-HIAA concentartion.
Department of Biochemistry, Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology
Research Unit,
University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
* Address for correspondence: E-mail: noreensamad_ku@yahoo.com
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