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Extracts of Cnestis ferruginea and Rauwolfia vomitoria affect blood chemistry and GABAergic neurotransmission in ketamine – induced psychotic rats
Author(s) -
Ebuehi Osaretin Albert Taiwo,
Aleshinlonye Olumuyiwa Obafemi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.764.4
Effects of aqueous fruit extract of Cnestis ferruginea and ethanolic root extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria on blood chemistry and GABAergic neurotransmission were studied using 20 Sprague Dawley rats. Psychosis was induced by administering 25mg/kg bodyweight ketamine hydrochloride for 14 days. At day15, groups B and C received 1 and 2 g/kg b.w. of C. ferruginea extract respectively, groups D and E received 2 and 4g/kg b. w. of R. vomitoria extract, while the control group A received 1ml saline daily for 7 days. Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet counts were determined. Serum aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, serum albumin, cholesterol and total protein were determined. Brain glutamate, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) concentrations and glutamate decarboxylase activity (GAD) were assayed. There was a significant increase (p<0.01) in serum ALP, ALT and serum albumin levels in R. vomitoria treated rats, with no significant change in C. ferruginea treated rats compared to control. Brain glutamate level decreased in R. vomitoria treated rats, GABA level and GAD activity increased in both C. ferruginea and R. vomitoria treated rats. Data of the study indicate that C. ferruginea and R. vomitoria extracts affected certain haematologic and blood chemistry indices and mediated the enhancement in GABAergic neurotransmission.