Oral Supplementation of Bauhinia variegata affects the Behavior of Albino Mice in a Gender Specific Manner

Abstract

Present study was designed to investigate the effects of 300 mg/ml solvent/Kg of body weight of Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract on selective aspects of albino mice behavior in a gender specific manner. Seven week old female and male albino mice were used as experimental animals. Mice were orally supplemented either with 300 mg/ml solvent/Kg of body weight Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract or with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) for 17 days. Behavioral observations were made by applying a series of neurological tests (Rota rod, Elevated plus maze, Light and dark box, Open field, Novel object and Morris water maze test). It was observed that Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract supplementation improved neuromuscular co-ordination in female albino mice during rota rod test (P = 0.002), had more rotations (P = 0.02) and clockwise rotations (P = 0.01) during plus maze test and had more stretch attend reflex (P = 0.005) than control group. During the second trial of novel object test, Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract treated male albino mice approached old object A (P = 0.04) and spend more time with object A (P = 0.05) as compared to control group. Open filed, light dark test and probe trial of Morris water maze test performances remain unaffected in both genders (P > 0.05) when compared between 300 mg/ml solvent/Kg body weight of Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract treated and untreated albino mice of both genders. We concluded that applied dose of Bauhinia variegata’s leaf extract has the potential to improve neuromuscular co-ordination in female albino and should be explored further as potential treatment for neuromuscular problems.