Abstract
Background: The use of herbal products is increased among people wordwide. Regarding lacking evidence on the use of herbal medication in children, this study was aimed to determine the effects of Echinacea Purpurea extract on anxiety-like behavior in neonatal rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wister strain pups in four groups received i.p injections of E. Purpurea extract (40, 80, and 250 mg/kg) or saline on 5th to 9th postnatal days. All pups were examined for anxiety test on the 22nd postnatal day in the elevated plus-maze test. During the test, parameters include percentage of open arm time (%OAT), percentage of open arm entry (%OAE), head dipping, rearing and locomotor activity have been measured. Results: In the present study, administration of 40, 80 and 250mg/kg doses of the E. Purpurea extract revealed a significant decrease in the %OAT compared to saline group (P<0.01). The E. Purpurea extract decreased head dipping parameters (P<0.01) and increased rearing parameters (P<0.01). E. Purpurea did not significantly change the locomotor activity. Conclusions: The results of present study showed that postnatal administration of E. Purpurea extract increases anxiety in neonatal rats comparing to control group. [GMJ.2017;6(1):52-60]
Highlights
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has noticeably increased among people
Using an animal model is an appropriate way of evaluating possible side effects, such as anxiety, of Echinacea’s oral administration in neonates
The numbers and results gained through the elevated plus maze (EPM) will significantly change under the influence of anxiogenic and anxiolytic drugs [16]
Summary
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has noticeably increased among people. The potential risk of using common medicine, and individual beliefs about leading a healthy lifestyle have led to the use of CAM among both physicians and patients [1, 2] These types of alternative therapies will continue to be used if their safety and efficacy are proved. Echinacea Purpurea Extract and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Neonatal Rats extracts of E. Neonatal rats were used to evaluate the anxiety-related effects of E. purpurea. Regarding lacking evidence on the use of herbal medication in children, this study was aimed to determine the effects of Echinacea Purpurea extract on anxiety-like behavior in neonatal rats. E. Purpurea did not significantly change the locomotor activity.Conclusions: The results of present study showed that postnatal administration of E. Purpurea extract increases anxiety in neonatal rats comparing to control group. Purpurea extract increases anxiety in neonatal rats comparing to control group. [GMJ.2017;6(1):52-60]
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