Oxidative stress in brain and antioxidant activity of Ocimum sanctum in noise exposure.

Noise is a pervasive aspect of many modern communities, work environments and its damaging effects, particularly the production of free radicals are not limited to the auditory organ. The oxidative stress in three discrete brain regions, in wistar strain male albino rats subjected to three different durations of noise exposures (acute, sub-acute and chronic noise stress) and the in vivo as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of Ocimum sanctum has been analyzed. Broadband white noise (100dB) exposure significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.

Stress response in rat brain after different durations of noise exposure.

The alteration in the levels of plasma corticosterone, brain norepinephrine (NE), and expression of brain heat shock proteins (Hsp70) after different durations of noise exposure (acute, 1 day; sub-acute, 15 days; chronic, 30 days) has been studied to analyze their role in combating time-dependent stress effects of noise. Broadband white noise (100dB) exposure to male Wistar albino rats significantly increased the levels of plasma corticosterone and NE in all three durations of noise exposure. The sustained increase observed in their levels in the chronic group suggests that animals are not getting adapted to noise even after 30 days of exposure.

Noise-stress-induced brain neurotransmitter changes and the effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) treatment in albino rats.

In this modern world, stress and pollution are unavoidable phenomena affecting the body system at various levels. A large number of people are exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels in daily modern life, such as noise from work environments, urban traffic, and household appliances. A variety of studies have suggested an association between noise exposure and the occurrence of disorders involving extra-auditory organs such as disorders of the nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems.