Effects of Perinatal Cardamom Exposure on Social Behavior, Anxiety, Locomotor Activity, Blood Biochemical Parameters and Brain Acetylcholinesterase of Mice Offspring.

Abstract

Cardamom is the flavouring spices mainly cultivated all over the world. Apart from being used as the spice, it has many medicinal values. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential use of cardamom and its effects on the ability of learning, developmental, and various biochemical factors of Swiss-Webster mice offspring at different stages. In this method, Swiss-Webster mice offspring at different stages were used for the analysis of biochemical factors. After the administration of cardamom orally, the pups were subjected to various tests for determining social and defense behaviors of males and females, anxiety behavior; locomotor and neuromuscular activities, haemotological parameters, and hormonal factors of males and females. The present findings indicate that the cardamom induced reduction in the social and defense behaviors of males and females, respectively, and also anxiety behavior. Interestingly, locomotor and neuromuscular activities decreased significantly. In addition, the packed cell volume, red blood count, hemoglobin content, AChE in forebrain, the testosterone in males and progesterone in females were observed to increase significantly, whereas the blood platelets and total white blood count decreased non-significantly. Through perinatal exposure, cardamom can pass through the placenta or/and lactation and reaches the fetus. Care must be taken when using cardamom and especially during pregnancy and lactation. The administration of cardamom enhances the ability of social, developmental, and various biochemical factors of Swiss-Webster mice offspring at different stages.