Effect of Withania Somnifera on the antioxidant and neurotransmitter status in sleep deprivation induced Wistar rats

摘要

Sleep is normally a period of relaxation and repair, important for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis and psychological balance. "Globally, millions of people experiencessleep deprivation daily". Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs cognitive functions, decreases anti-oxidative defense and induces neuronal changes. Withania somnifera (WS), commonly known asan "Indian Ginseng" has broad therapeutic applications, including anti-inflammatory activities, actions on immune system, circulatory system, central nervous system etc., The study isaimed to assess effect of Withania somnifera on antioxidant status and neurotransmitter level in sleep deprivation induced male Wistar albino rats. The study was done in the Departmentof Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Hospital, Enathur, Kanchipuram. 24 male adult Wistar rats weighing 120-150g were used for the study. They were divided into 4 groups with6 animals in each group. (Group I - cage control, Group II - large platform control, Group III - sleep deprived group and Group IV – WS treated SD group). Animals were deprived sleepfor one week using a modified multiple platform method. Oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes were measured using spectrophotometry. Neurotransmitters such as dopamineand serotonin concentration in the serum were measured by ELISA method. There was a marked (by one-way ANOVA test) decrease observed in the antioxidants enzymes in the cortex of bothlarge platform control and sleep deprivation induced group. The group treated with W. somnifera root extract significantly reduced the free radical production and lipid peroxidationwith simultaneous increase in the level of antioxidant enzymes compared to the untreated group. Also in our study the concentration of dopamine and serotonin was found to be significantlyreduced (p < 0.05) in sleep deprived (SD) and large platform control group when compared to cage control group. Whereas the group treated with W. somnifera (400mg/kg b.wt) increasedthe neurotransmitter levels significantly. Withania somnifera proved to be an effective therapeutic agent by maintaining the antioxidant status and neurotransmitter levels.