Efficacy of Scoparia dulcis on noise-evoked neural cytokines and neurotransmitter level in experimental rat model

Abstract

In this study, animals when subjected to 100 dBA broadband noise for 15 days (4 hours/day) showed dysregulated cytokine and neurotransmitter secretion in the brain. These dysregulated response is known to access the physiological and psychological functioning of the brain, often derived from impact caused by increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Thus, ultimately owing to the genesis of altered the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis. On exposure to noise, these altered inflammatory cytokines and free radicals can play an important role in neuronal integrity and this could have exerted a DNA smear pattern in brain discrete regions (Cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus). Nevertheless, increased mRNA expression of nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and Heat shock protein (Hsp70) indicates the brain protective response to cope up with noise stress, yet on prolonged exposure the problem still persist. The noise exposed treated with S. dulcis aqueous extract orally for 200 mg/kg.bw showed potent anti-inflammatory activity and anti-stressor activity. The efficacy of the plant extract could also be attributed to the presences of polyphenols in the plant. In addition, the antioxidants property of the plant may have also involved in inhibiting TNF-α induced NF-κB activation, attributing to its neuroprotective effects.