Antistress action of Fornicium uniflorum extract in chronic stress

Abstract

The anti-stress effect of the Fornicium uniflorum extract was studied in Wistar rats in model of chronic unpredictable stress. Stress disorders in rats were determined using methods open field, plus elevated maze, forced swimming test, tail suspension model, sucrose test, as well as changes in the weight indicators of stress target organs. The course administration of F. uniflorum extract to rats under conditions of chronic stress prevented the development of behavioral disorders: the indicators of horizontal, vertical motor activities and mink reflex in the open field were, respectively, 1.5, 4 and 2.5 times higher than those of control rats (without treatment) (p 0.05); the time spent in the open arms of the plus elevated maze and the number of entries into them were respectively 3 and 8.5 times greater than the indices of control rats (p 0.05); the time of immobility of rats in the forced swimming test and the model of hanging by the tail were 2 and 3 times less than in the control; the volume of consumption of sucrose solution in the sucrose test by rats was 1.4 times higher than that of control rats (p 0.05), which indicated the antidepressant activity. In the rats treated with F. uniflorum, no changes in the relative mass of stress target organs were noted, in contrast to the control (p 0.05). Therefore, the course administration of F. uniflorum has an anti-stress and antidepressant effect in chronic unpredictable stress.