Protective Effect of Br-16a (Poly Herbal Preparation) on the Behavioural and Biochemical Alterations in Sleep Disturbed Mice (Grid Suspended over Water Method)

Abstract

Rationale: Sleep deprivation disrupts various vital biological and metabolic processes that are necessary for physical health of a human being. Benzodiazepines are the most frequently prescribed drugs for sleep related problems in spite of their side effects such as tolerance and dependence. Objective: The present study was performed to explore the protective effect of BR-16A in sleep-disturbed mice. Material and Method: Male Laca mice (n=6–9/group) were sleep deprived for 48 hour using grid suspended over water method. BR-16A was administered orally for five days (starting three days before sleep deprivation for 48 hours). All the behavioural parameters (locomotor and anxiety) and biochemical tests (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, nitrite and catalase) were performed on 5 th day. Results: 48 hours sleep deprivation significantly decreased body weight, locomotor activity and produced severe anxiogenic response in animals. Besides, significant oxidative stress was also observed in the brain tissues of the animals. Pre treatment of BR-16A (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) significantly protected reduction in body weight, locomotor activity and improved anxiogenic response. Biochemically, BR-16A (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) decreased lipid peroxidation level, nitrite levels and improve the antioxidants defences activity as indicated by catalase, reduced glutathione enzyme activities. However, co-administration of BR-16A (100 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) could not produce any significant effect on both behaviour as well as biochemical parameters. Conclusion: BR-16A has protective action against sleep deprivation induced behavioural and biochemical alterations. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2006.130401