Effects of DCM Leaf Extract of Gnidia glauca (Fresen) on Locomotor Activity, Anxiety, and Exploration-Like Behaviors in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats
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Date
2019
Authors
Arika, Wycliffe Makori
Kibiti, Cromwell Mwiti
Njagi, Joan Murugi
Ngugi, Mathew Piero
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi
Abstract
Obesity is the main component of metabolic syndromes involving distinct etiologies that target different underlying behavioral and
physiological functions within the brain structures and neuronal circuits. An alteration in the neuronal circuitry stemming from
abdominal or central obesity stimulates a cascade of changes in neurochemical signaling that directly or indirectly mediate
spontaneously emitted behaviors such as locomotor activity patterns, anxiety, and exploration. Pharmacological agents available
for the treatment of neurologic disorders have been associated with limited potency and intolerable adverse effects. These have
necessitated the upsurge in the utilization of herbal prescriptions due to their affordability and easy accessibility and are firmly
embedded within wider belief systems of many people. Gnidia glauca has been used in the management of many ailments
including obesity and associated symptomatic complications. However, its upsurge in use has not been accompanied by
empirical determination of these folkloric claims. The present study, therefore, is aimed at determining the modulatory effects of
dichloromethane leaf extract of Gnidia glauca on locomotor activity, exploration, and anxiety-like behaviors in high-fat dietinduced obese rats in an open-field arena. Obesity was experimentally induced by feeding the rats with prepared high-fat diet
and water ad libitum for 6 weeks. The in vivo antiobesity effects were determined by oral administration of G. glauca at dosage
levels of 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg body weight in high-fat diet-induced obese rats from the 6th to 12th week. Phytochemical
analysis was done using gas chromatography linked to mass spectroscopy. Results indicated that Gnidia glauca showed
anxiolytic effects and significantly increased spontaneous locomotor activity and exploration-like behaviors in HFD-induced
obese rats. The plant extract also contained phytocompounds that have been associated with amelioration of the main
neurodegenerative mediators, viz., inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings provide “qualified leads” for the synthesis
of new alternative therapeutic agents for the management of neurologic disorders. However, there is a need to conduct toxicity
studies of Gnidia glauca to establish its safety profiles.
Description
Research paper
Keywords
DCM Leaf Extract, Gnidia glauca (Fresen), Locomotor Activity, Obese Rats, Kenya
Citation
Behavioural Neurology, Volume 2019