Abstract
Patients with alcohol use disorder experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to the sudden cessation of alcohol. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Ashwagandha and Brahmi on alcohol withdrawal in rats. Thirty rats of either sex were taken and randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 5). Their normal diet was replaced by a modified liquid diet (MLD). Ethanol was added gradually except in the MLD group for a period of 21 days and withdrawn suddenly. Four treatment groups were administered Ashwagandha (3.75 mg of withanolide glycosides per kg body weight), Brahmi (10 mg of bacosides per kg body weight), Ashwagandha + Brahmi (3.75 mg withanolide glycosides + 10 mg bacosides per kg body weight) orally and diazepam (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) 45 min before alcohol withdrawal. Rats were assessed for behavioural changes (agitation score and stereotypic behaviour), anxiety and locomotor activity at 2nd and 6th hours of alcohol withdrawal. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling seizures were assessed at 6th hour of alcohol withdrawal. Ashwagandha and Brahmi alone and in combination significantly reduced the behavioural changes in alcohol withdrawal rats at 2nd hour and their combination in 6th hour. Ashwagandha and Brahmi suppressed PTZ kindling seizures effectively and improved locomotory activity at 2nd hour and 6th hour of alcohol withdrawal. Reduction in anxiety was significant among Ashwagandha at 2nd hour and the combination group at 2nd and 6th hour. The results were comparable to diazepam. Ashwagandha and Brahmi have beneficial effects in controlling the behavioural changes, anxiety and seizures in alcohol withdrawal symptoms in rats and improved locomotory activity.
Highlights
Alcohol is a commonly used psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties
Mean agitation score in Brahmi treated group were low at 2nd and 6th hours of alcohol withdrawal and when compared to modified liquid diet (MLD) + Ethanol group, the low agitation score was statistically significant at 2nd hour (p = 0.046) but not at 6th hour
In the group administered with Ashwagandha + Brahmi stereotypic behaviour score was significantly low when compared with MLD + Ethanol group at 2nd hour (p = 0.003) and 6th hour (p = 0.043)
Summary
Alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is a commonly used psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health problem and is associated with social, mental, physical and legal consequences. It is generally associated with cravings, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation [1]. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a well-known condition occurring after intentional or unintentional abrupt cessation of heavy or chronic drinking and it occurs in about 8%. Of hospitalized AUD inpatients [2]. AWS is characterized by tremors, anxiety, sweating, nausea and tachycardia and in severe cases, may involve hallucinations, seizures and delirium tremens. AWS can be fatal [1]
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