Nootropic and Anti-Stress Effects of Allium Cepa Bulb and Quercetin in Male Mice

Allium cepa L (A.cepa; onion) is a traditional nutraceutical and medicinal plant that contains phenolics and flavonoids that have potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects. The present study is aimed to investigate the anti-stress and nootropic effects of A.cepa bulb and quercetin in mice. Animals were divided into control and 2 test groups. Control mice were received drinking water while test groups were treated with suspension of grinded onion bulb in water (200 mg/kg; test group 1) and intraperitoneal injection of quercetin dissolved in ethanol (20mg/kg/ ml; test group 2) daily for 14 days. Behavioral activities of animals were monitored 14 days post administration of A.cepa and quercetin. Antidepressant effects were measured by forced swimming test (FST). Anxiolytic effects were monitored by using light dark activity (LDA) test and elevated plus maze (EPM) test and memory functions were assessed by morris water maze (MWM) test. Results showed that both A.cepa bulb and quercetin increased time spent in light box and open arm of LDA and EPM, exhibited anxiolytic effect than control group. A significant increase in immobility time was observed in FST in test groups than control suggesting antidepressant like effects. Moreover, nootropic effect were assessed by MWM showed significant increased in latency escape while observing short and long term memory for both test groups than control. It is suggested that both A.cepa and quercetin have anti-stress and nootropic effects.