Menthacarin treatment attenuates nociception in models of visceral hypersensitivity.

Background: Chronic visceral hypersensitivity is closely associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a very common disorder which significantly impairs quality of life, characterized by abdominal pain, and distension. Imaging studies have found that IBS patients show higher metabolic activities and functional differences from normal controls in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), in response to visceral pain stimulation. Non-clinical data and clinical data suggest that medicinal products containing essential oils such as peppermint or caraway oil exert beneficial effects on IBS symptoms.

Toxicological evaluation of hydroethanol leaf extract of (Linn.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) in rodents.

Objectives: Several studies have established the ethnobotanical benefits of (PL) in laboratory animals without extensive toxicological evaluation of its safety profiles. Thus, an extensive toxicological investigation of sub-chronic oral administration of the hydroethanol leaf extract of in rodents was carried out in this study.

Methods: Different groups of rats were treated orally with the extract (10, 50 and 250 mg/kg) daily for 90 consecutive days.

abrogates depression- and anxiety-like disorders in mice: possible involvement of monoaminergic pathways in its antidepressant activity.

Objectives: Ethno-botanical surveys uncovered the use of in the management of mental health abnormalities. Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities of hydroethanol leaf extract of (HLDS) in mice and its possible mechanism of action were investigated in this study.

Methods: The hole-board test (HBT), open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and social interaction test (SIT) were used to investigate the anxiolytic-like activity while forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were employed for the antidepressant effect.

Toxicological evaluation of hydroethanol leaf extract of (Linn.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) in rodents.

Objectives: Several studies have established the ethnobotanical benefits of (PL) in laboratory animals without extensive toxicological evaluation of its safety profiles. Thus, an extensive toxicological investigation of sub-chronic oral administration of the hydroethanol leaf extract of in rodents was carried out in this study.

Methods: Different groups of rats were treated orally with the extract (10, 50 and 250 mg/kg) daily for 90 consecutive days.

Characterisation of methylphenidate-induced excitation in midbrain dopamine neurons, an electrophysiological study in the rat brain.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a drug routinely used for patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerns arise about psychostimulant use, with dramatic increases in prescriptions. Besides, antipsychotic drugs are often administered in combination with MPH.

Chronic methylphenidate treatment during adolescence has long-term effects on monoaminergic function.

Background: Psychostimulants like methylphenidate or D-amphetamine are often prescribed for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders in children. Whether such drugs can be administered into a developing brain without consequences in adulthood is still an open question.

Methods: Here, using in vivo extracellular electrophysiology in anesthetised preparations, combined with behavioural assays, we have examined the long-term consequences in adulthood of a chronic methylphenidate oral administration (5 mg/kg/day, 15 days) in early adolescent (post-natal day 28) and late adolescent (post-natal day 42) rats, by evaluating body weight change, sucrose preference (indicator of anhedonia), locomotor sensitivity to D-amphetamine and electrical activities of ventral tegmental area dopamine and dorsal raphe nucleus serotonin neurons.