PJB-2006-14
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.
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