Effect of some medicinal plants extract on aggressive behaviour of laboratory mice

Abstract EN

The effect of the aqueous extracts of Anchusa affinis, Fu- maria parviflora and Peganum harmala on social aggression behaviour of laboratory male MFI albino mice was studied, using video camera.

Aqueous extracts of different concentrations were injected for 14 days intraperitoneally (i.p.) into the experimental animals.

Twenty minutes after the last dose, social aggression encountered was videotaped for 10 minutes for each animal.

All three plants produced a significant reduction in, at least, one of the elements of aggressiveness (latency to first bite and number of bitings) monitored.

A.

affinis was the most efficient in this respect.

The effect of P.

harmala appeared to be partially through its debilitating action on the mice.

In the present study the potential hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic effects of A.

affinis, F.

parviflora and P.

harmala on MFI mice were also investigated.

At the doses tested, aqueous extract of these plants exhibited potential hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic effects.

CNS stimulant effects were also demonstrated.

Further studies are required for proper evaluation of these effects.