Effects of the Alcoholic Extract of White Mulberry Leaves on Behavioral Performance of Rats

Abstract

White mulberry tree is a genus of Morus in the family Moraceae. The leaves and root of this tree have been traditionally medical applications as a laxative, analgesic, diuretic, antitussive, and sedative agent as well as for reducing blood pressure. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of white mulberry tree on the behavioral performance of rats. In this study, 24 male Wistar rats were kept under the condition of normal 12-12 h light-dark cycle for adaptation with the animal house environment and experiments location (23-27C0). All animals have access to food and water ad libitum and were weighed weekly to control their natural growth. These rats were divided into four groups of six rats. First, the open field behavioral test was performed on all rats and after 35 days the gavage feeding of the alcoholic extract of white mulberry leaves was performed. Group one received distilled water and groups two to four respectively received concentrations of 150, 300, and 600 mg per unit body weight of the alcoholic extract white mulberry leaves. Then, open field behavioral test was performed again. Results showed that regarding the number of visited zones there is a significant difference between the control group and the groups receiving the extract. Up to the sixth week that the condition of all rats was identical the rate of weight increase was the same and from the seventh week on that the gavage of the hydro-alcoholic extract of white mulberry leaves began, the trend of the weight increase of the control group was different than that of the other groups. due to the effect of the alcoholic extract of white mulberry leaves on the weight of the rats at concentrations above, it can be concluded that the extract is effective for weight loss. Findings of open field test showed that this extract has anti-anxiety effects while imposing no toxic effects.