Effects of Nettle on Locomotor Activity and Anxiety Behavior in Male Wistar Rats After Pesticide Intoxication.

Background And Objective: The nettle is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family of Urticaceae that has been used for centuries against a variety of diseases. Thanks to its high content of nutriments and bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the curative effect of nettle decoction on dimethoate-induced changes in locomotors activity and anxiety reaction in male rats.

Materials And Methods: This experiment was conducted in two stages with 60 healthy male rats that were divided into three groups of 20 rats A, B and C. In the first phase, the treatment groups B and C received dimethoate dissolved in corn oil by gavage at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 b.wt., for 5 weeks. During the same period, the control group A received corn oil. Locomotors activity was controlled by the Open Field (OF), anxiogenic behavior was verified by the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). For the second phase the group A had kept its control position, the group B was maintained without any treatment to remind the extent of intoxication and was served as second control. Group C received a nettle decoction of 2 mL 100 mg-1 b.wt., for 30 days.

Results: The result showed that at the open field level, dimethoate decreased significantly both of the total number of squares crossed by intoxicated rats and the number of elevations. At the EPM level, dimethoate decreased both of the time spent in open arms and the number of entries into the open arms. These results reveal that dimethoate affects the anxiety and mobility of intoxicated rats. On the other hand, the use of nettle decoction as a treatment significantly improved the anxiety level and motor activity of poisoned rats.

Conclusion: Dimethoate has an anxiogenic effect on intoxicated rats, as well as a remarkable decrease in their locomotor activity. The use of nettle decoction as a treatment has significantly improved dimethoate induced behavioral and motor disorders.