Psychopharmacological evaluation of herbal formulation an experimental condition

Abstract

Background: Tensnil syrup is a polyherbal formulation (PHF) containing ingredients such as, newlineextracts of garmarogor, devdaru, shankhavali, pitapapapdo, brahmi, jatamansi, nagarmoth, kadu, newlinetagar, himaj, draksha, ashwagandha. newlineObjective: The objectives for the study were to evaluate toxicity study for the polyherbal newlineformulation along with ED50 determination. We had also investigated long term effect of this newlineformulation on brain function by using various animal models such as chronic unpredictable newlinemild stress mice model, LPS induced neuroinflammation model and ketamine induced newlinepsychosis model. newlineMaterials and methods: For toxicity study the PHF were administered orally at a therapeutic newlinedose range (100 - 800 mg/kg/day), for 28 days. All animals were monitored daily for their health newlinestatus and signs of abnormalities. The body weight and food intake were measured once weekly. newlineAt the end of the experimental period, various haematological and biochemical parameters were newlineestimated. For acute study, forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus newlinemaze (EPM) and photoactometer tests were performed at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg. newlineFluoxetine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard. In CUMS model mice were subjected to a newlineseries of stressful events for a period of 28 days. Drug treatments were given for a period of 28 newlinedays after the induction of disease. Parameters studied included behavioural aspects, sucrose newlinepreference test, brain neurotransmitters (5-HT, nor-adrenaline and dopamine) levels, serum proinflammatory newlinecytokines (TNF-and#945;, IL-1and#946; and IL-1), corticosterone, quinolinic acid and oxidative newlinemarkers. In LPS model treatments (PHF (600 mg/kg; p.o.) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, p.o.)) were newlinedaily administered for 14 days, and challenged with saline or LPS (0.83 mg/kg, i.p.) on 14th day. newlineIn ketamine induced psychosis study, the effect of PHF on ketamine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced newlinebehavioral (locomotor activity, stereotype behaviour, memory retention and helplessness newlinebehaviour), biochemical (cytokines and anti oxidant