Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) induce neurogenesis and improve cognitive performances of male Sprague Dawley rats

Neurogenesis is influenced by various external factors such as enriched environments. Some researchers had postulated that neurogenesis has contributed to the hippocampal learning and memory. This project was designed to observe the effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) in cognitive performance that influenced by the neurogenesis. Different doses of ∆9-THC were used for observing the neurogenesis mechanism occurs in the hippocampus of rats. The brains were stained with antibodies, namely BrdU, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and class III β-tubulin (TuJ-1). The cognitive test was used novel-object discrimination test (NOD) while the proteins involved, DCX and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were measured. Throughout this study, ∆9-THC enhanced the markers involved in all stages of neurogenesis mechanism. Simultaneously, the cognitive behaviour of rat also showed improvement in learning and memory functions observed in behavioural test and molecular perspective. Administration of ∆9-THC was observed to enhance the neurogenesis in the brain, especially in hippocampus thus improved the cognitive function of rats

Establishment of human neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH) as an in vitro model of morphine addiction

The usage of morphine for analgesic purposes are widely known, usually for the post-operation procedure and as chronic pain management. However, addiction and overdose liabilities prior to morphine usage are also common. Morphine addiction is observed and studied from various perspectives; tolerance, dependence and withdrawal. With growing and expending research field, researches on addiction were done using in vivo and in vitro model. However, the scientific evidence of morphine addiction using human neuroblastoma cell lines is uncommon. Thus, the present study was designed and conducted to observe the liability of SK-N-SH, as a model for morphine addiction. The cells were administrated with morphine for 24 hours before being treated with methadone. The cytosolic fraction of the cell was collected and used for determining the addiction mechanism. Data showed the involvement of the µ-opioid receptor in expressing the addictive properties of morphine. Exposure to 24-hours morphine had increased the protein level responsible for addiction and reduce the protein levels expressing the endocytic machinery, desensitisation of receptor and cellular adaptation. The altered proteins level was normalised by the treatment of methadone. The study proposed the use of SK-N-SH as an addiction model, as it showed morphine addiction and methadone anti-addiction properties

In vivo toxicity study of Erythroxylum cuneatum leaves extract and its effects on working memory of rats

Erythroxylum cuneatum has been traditionally proven to possess beneficial properties in treating drug addiction and other illness. Due to less information on this plant, this elusive plant was investigated further to evaluate the in vivo toxicity profile of the plant and to investigate the effect of E. cuneatum on cognitive performance in rats. Two different extracts were produced from the leaves of E. cuneatum which were aqueous and alkaloid extracts. Acute in vivo toxicity test was evaluated in ICR mice to determine their medium lethal dose 50 value. In the in-vivo toxicity study, aqueous extract showed the almost similar toxic effect as alkaloid extract which was 416.86 mg/kg for alkaloid extract and 316.23 mg/kg for aqueous extract. These findings suggesting that aqueous and alkaloid extracts showed toxic effects at the high dose, thus safe at a low dose. Working memory task using novel object discrimination test (NOD) was performed for the determination of neurobehavioral profiles. In the NOD test, alkaloid-treated rats did not show any significant discrimination between the familiar and novel object (P > 0.05); thus it can be interpreted as not induce a memory defi cit. It can also be postulated that the extract has no effect on memory and learning neither improvises nor impairs the cognitive function. In conclusion, since E. cuneatum does not show any impairment on cognitive, its pharmacological properties could be further investigated without significant changes in cognitive performance

Sedative, cognitive impairment and anxiolytic effects of acute Mitragyna speciosa in rodents

Mitragyna speciosa, a plant from Rubiaceae family, was reported to have an opium-like effect and their coca-like stimulative ability to combat fatigue and enhance tolerance to hard work. There are lack of information regarding to the effect of Mitragyna speciosa on cognitive and behavioural performances. Therefore the project was conducted to observe the effect of Mitragyna speciosa on cognitive behavior of rats and mice. Mitragyna speciosa in methanol extract form and aqueous extract form with same dosage distributions were used; 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg. Four tests were conducted to observe the behavioural changes of the animal namely locomotor, cognitive performances, anxiety and rotarod performance. Results showed that all dosage of treatment reduced locomotor and impaired cognitive performance significantly. Study showed that Mitragyna speciosa induce sedative effect in dose dependant manner. Interestingly, Mitragyna speciosa increased the time spent in open arm of plus maze indicating low anxiety level of the rodent. As conclusion, Mitragyna speciosa caused sedative effect, impairment in working memory, and possess anxiolytic properties

Preliminary Study on Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC): Hemispheric Lateralization with Behavioural Changes

This study is designed inspired by the fact that there is an interhemisphere asymmetry of the brain region. A lot of researches studied in demonstrating the differences between right and left hemispheres of the brain. The objective of this preliminary study is to observe scientifically the effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) on the hemispheric lateralization with behavioural changes. Two regions of brain are selected, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Behavioural tests, namely heat stress test and novel-object discrimination test (NOD), were done on day seven. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain were preceded to Western Blot technique in detecting c-fos. As for behavioural tests, heat stress and NOD and c-fos on hippocampus did not show significant differences. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex shows significant difference with p < 0.01. With these findings, reasonable dosages of ∆9-THC should be used to have statistically significant differences effects on behavioural tests.&nbsp

Acute and subacute toxicity profile of (3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(5-methylfuran-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one, chalcone derivative in experimental animal model

Evaluation of toxicity induced in laboratory animals is paramount to the screening step in the assessment of the safety profile of all compounds. 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(5-methyl furan-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one (DMPF-1); synthetic chalcone derivative has been investigated due to its pharmacological properties, including its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory. However, the safety profile of this compound is yet to be determined. The present study seeks to highlight the toxicity effect of this compound using acute and subacute toxicity studies in the mice model. A single highest dose (1000 mg/kg) and repeated dose (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) of DMPF-1 supplementation were executed. All toxicity study performed was supported by behavioural and body weight changes, haematological, serum biochemical analysis, macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the vital organs. The present result simplifies that DMPF-1 compound supplementation for four weeks is non-toxic as it caused no significant alteration in mice body weight and behaviour. Besides, no significant changes in haematological and biochemical parameters were observed. Further evaluation of its safety profile was confirmed by the normal architecture of the tissues organs obtained. Collectively, this report showed that DMPF-1 was safe to be consumed

Establishment of human neuroblastoma cell-line (SK-N-SH) as an in vitro model of morphine addiction

The usage of morphine for analgesia purposes is widely known, usually for the post-operation procedure and as chronic pain management. However, addiction and overdose liabilities before morphine usage are also common. Morphine addiction is observed and studied from various perspectives; tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. With growing and expending research field, researches on addiction were done using in vivo and in vitro model. However, the scientific evidence of morphine addiction using human neuroblastoma cell lines is uncommon. Thus, the present study was designed and conducted to observe the liability of SK-N-SH, as a model for morphine addiction. The cells were administrated with morphine for 24 hr before being treated with methadone. The cytosolic fraction of the cell was collected and used for determining the addiction mechanism. Data showed the involvement of the μ-opioid receptor in expressing the addictive properties of morphine. Exposure to 24 hr morphine had increased the protein level responsible for addiction and reduce the protein levels expressing the endocytic machinery, desensitization of receptors, and cellular adaptation. The altered proteins level was normalized by the treatment of methadone. The study proposed the use of SK-N-SH as an addiction model, as it showed morphine addiction and methadone anti-addiction properties

Establishing Natural Nootropics: Recent Molecular Enhancement Influenced by Natural Nootropic

Nootropics or smart drugs are well-known compounds or supplements that enhance the cognitive performance. They work by increasing the mental function such as memory, creativity, motivation, and attention. Recent researches were focused on establishing a new potential nootropic derived from synthetic and natural products. The influence of nootropic in the brain has been studied widely. The nootropic affects the brain performances through number of mechanisms or pathways, for example, dopaminergic pathway. Previous researches have reported the influence of nootropics on treating memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. Those disorders are observed to impair the same pathways of the nootropics. Thus, recent established nootropics are designed sensitively and effectively towards the pathways. Natural nootropics such as Ginkgo biloba have been widely studied to support the beneficial effects of the compounds. Present review is concentrated on the main pathways, namely, dopaminergic and cholinergic system, and the involvement of amyloid precursor protein and secondary messenger in improving the cognitive performance

Morphine antidependence of Erythroxylum cuneatum (Miq.) kKurz in neurotransmission processes in vitro

Opiate abuse has been studied to cause adaptive changes observed in the presynaptic release and the mediated-synaptic plasticity proteins. The involvement of neuronal SNARE proteins reveals the role of the neurotransmitter release in expressing the opioid actions. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the alkaloid extract of Erythroxylum cuneatum (E. cuneatum) against chronic morphine and the influences of E. cuneatum on neurotransmission processes observed in vitro. The human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH, was treated with the morphine, methadone, or E. cuneatum. The cell lysates were collected and tested for α-synuclein, calmodulin, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP 2), and synaptotagmin 1. The extract of E. cuneatum was observed to upregulate the decreased expression of dependence proteins, namely, α-synuclein and calmodulin. The effects were comparable to methadone and control. The expressions of VAMP 2 and synaptotagmin 1 were normalised by the plant and methadone. The extract of E. cuneatum was postulated to treat dependence symptoms after chronic morphine and improve the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor activating protein receptor (SNARE) protein involved in synaptic vesicle after

Morphine Antidependence of Erythroxylum cuneatum (Miq.) Kurz in Neurotransmission Processes In Vitro

Opiate abuse has been studied to cause adaptive changes observed in the presynaptic release and the mediated-synaptic plasticity proteins. The involvement of neuronal SNARE proteins reveals the role of the neurotransmitter release in expressing the opioid actions. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the alkaloid extract of Erythroxylum cuneatum (E. cuneatum) against chronic morphine and the influences of E. cuneatum on neurotransmission processes observed in vitro. The human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH, was treated with the morphine, methadone, or E. cuneatum. The cell lysates were collected and tested for -synuclein, calmodulin, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP 2), and synaptotagmin 1. The extract of E. cuneatum was observed to upregulate the decreased expression of dependence proteins, namely, -synuclein and calmodulin. The effects were comparable to methadone and control. The expressions of VAMP 2 and synaptotagmin 1 were normalised by the plant and methadone. The extract of E. cuneatum was postulated to treat dependence symptoms after chronic morphine and improve the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor activating protein receptor (SNARE) protein involved in synaptic vesicle after