Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose: Coriandrum sativum Linn. (Umbelliferae, C. sativum) is
cultivated throughout the world for its use as spice and as a folk
medicine. This study deals with the anti-stress and anti-amnestic
properties of C. sativum extract in rats. Methods: Urinary levels of
vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and ascorbic acid were used to evaluate
antistress activity in rats, while conditioned avoidance response test
in normal and scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was used to evaluate
anti-amnesic effects. C. sativum extract was also evaluated for its
antioxidant activities by inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain and
liver homogenates of the rats. Results: Daily administration of C.
sativum extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) 1 h prior to
induction of stress significantly decreased the stress-induced urinary
levels of VMA from 382.79 ± 10.70 to 350.66 ± 15.15, 291.21
± 16.53 and 248.86 ± 13.56 μg/kg/24 h and increased the
ascorbic acid excretion levels from 66.73 ± 9.25 to 69.99 ±
7.37, 105.28 ± 13.74 and 135.32 ± 12.54 μg/kg/24 h at
100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively, in a dose-dependent fashion
without affecting the normal levels in control groups. The amnesic
deficits (acquisition, retention and recovery) induced by scopolamine
(1mg/kg, i.p.) in rats was reversed by C. sativum dose dependently. The
extract also inhibited lipid peroxidation in both rat liver and brain
to a greater extent than the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid.
Conclusion: C. sativum may be useful remedy in the management of stress
and stress related disorders on account of its multiple actions such as
anti-stress, anti-amnestic and antioxidant effects
