Uritica dioica improves brain dysfunctions in propionic acid autistic like rat model through brain monoamines and mitochondrial energy

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica plant parts and separately, known as stinging nettle, on propionic acid (PPA) induced autistic like rat model on the behavior, monoamines and bioenergetics changes in rats compared with the synthetic drug risperidone. Sixty male albino rats were divided into 5 equal groups (n=12) and treated for 17 days as follows: 1- control {received (0.1M, PBS as 1ml/kg b.wt ip) and (0.5/100 w/v as 5ml/kg b.wt p.o) of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), 2- PPA received (250 mg/kg as 1 ml/kg b.wt; i.p) + CMC p.o. as control, group, 3- PPA+ RISP (1mg/kg b. wt, p.o), 4- PPA+ nettle leaves (NL, 50mg/kg b. wt, p.o) and 5- PPA+ nettle roots (NR, 50mg/kg b. wt, p.o). The three-box chamber and Y maze tests were performed from 15th to the 17th day. In the 18th day, rats were sacrificed and homogenates of cortical, hippocampal and midbrain tissues were used for the estimation of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) contents along with the bioenergetics (ATP, ADP and AMP). The results showed that NR extract could attenuate behavior deficits together with the improvement of the monoaminergic system and bioenenrgetics. In contrast, NL extracts had a poor effect on behavioral improvement, monoamines levels and the bioenergetics. Therefore, it may be concluded that NR extract had a protective effect due to its impact on the behavioral, monoaminergic and bioenergetics systems.