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Background: Currently, no drug effectively curbs down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and thus early prevention is important. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of the aqueous extract of Vigna subterranea seed landrace on amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice. Materials and Methods: V. subterranea aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW) was administered by gavage for 9 consecutive days and memory impairment was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (1.5 mg/kg). The Y-maze (YM), Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition paradigm (NOR), and the T maze™ were used to assess learning, memory, and retention. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and acetyclcholine esterase activity were also evaluated in the mouse hippocampi homogenates. Results: V. subterranea aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of spontaneous alternation in the YM task and decreased escape latency in the MWM. Moreover, this dose brought about a significant improvement in the time spent in the preferred TM arm and discrimination index in the NOR tasks despite repeated scopolamine injection. Additionally, low acetylcholine esterase levels, reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA), but increased antioxidant enzyme (CAT and SOD) activity were observed in hippocampi homogenate of mice pretreated with the extract. A protective action against hippocampal cell damage was also evident. Conclusion: This finding suggests that the aqueous extract of V. subterranea seed landrace may improve learning and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is intensely involved in the hypertrophy of cardiac muscle cells. However, a potential role of ANG II in skeletal muscle hypertrophy has not been widely studied. The objective of the present review is to highlight the molecular mechanisms (if any) behind the role of ANG II in the regulation of the skeletal muscle growth. The available data (however limited) demonstrate that ANG II is necessary for an optimal overload-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Although the exact mechanisms by which ANG II mediates skeletal muscle growth under conditions of overload remain unclear, these effects may be partly mediated by the type 1 receptor (ATI). Moreover, ANG II may influence hypertrophy via its interaction with the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF 1). Furthermore, it appears that circulating ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) activity is directly associated with human muscle strength. These findings support the assertion that ANG II is likely to act as a growth factor in human skeletal muscle. Identifying the optimal local concentration of ANG II needed to contribute to measurable skeletal muscle hypertrophy is of great importance. Discovering how ANG II may influence muscle hypertrophy /atrophy may lead to the development of new pharmacological interventions designed to increase muscle mass in cases when resistance training cannot be prescribed. Furthermore, finding alternative therapies to increase/preserve muscle mass would have a major impact on geriatric medicine, rehabilitation and sports science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. or Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) or Eclipta erecta (Linn.) is an herbaceous plant well known in Asian as African traditional medicines. These extracts are used in traditional medicine for treatment of microbial diseases and certain metabolic disorders. This review aimed to investigate phytochemical profile and neuroprotective effects of E. alba (L.) Hassk. Several compounds belonging to the families of phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids and polysaccharides have been isolated, identified or characterized from E. alba extracts. This plant has a diverse neuropharmacological profile. Thus, its extract improves cognitive deficits and also attenuated epileptic seizures. Phytomolecules implicated in these potentials are Eclalbasaponin II and luteolin, respectively. This document updates isolated and identified organic compounds from the extracts of E. alba and reviews their neuropharmacological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the toxicological and psychotropic properties of Calotropis (C.) procera. Methods: C. procera leaves and root-bark aqueous extracts were evaluated for their toxic and behavioral effects using adult mice. Toxicity studies were carried out using Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines 423 and 407 for acute and subacute evaluation. Behavioral studies were performed using traction test, fireplace test, hole-board test and forced-swimming test to evaluate the sedative, anxiety and depressive-like activities of the extracts. Results: Very low acute toxicity was observed in mice that received both leaves and root-bark extracts. The subacute test showed some morphological, biochemical and hematological changes in the treated groups. Behavioral assessment demonstrated anxiety effects on mice for C. procera leaf extract (400 mg/kg of body weight). Conclusions: The acute use of C. procera (leaves and root-barks) aqueous extracts could be considered as low toxic. However, their repeated uses could have harmful effect on some organs. Likewise, a single dose up to 400 mg/kg body weight of these extracts produce no sedative or depressive-like effect, but they possess possible dose dependent anxiety effect. Yet, more studies are necessary to relate these results to the chemical profile of the plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of schizophrenia-affected individuals display deficiencies in multiple cognitive domains such as attention, working memory, long-term memory, and learning, deficiencies that are stable throughout the disease. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine the effect of antipsychotics on several cognitive domains affected by schizophrenia. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Elsevier, Scopus, and DOAJ databases for randomized controlled trials and other studies investigating the effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics on cognition in patients with schizophrenia in studies conducted in the last decade. Results: The majority of studies included in this review showed that antipsychotics (especially SGAs) have positive effects on both cognition and general psychopathology of schizophrenia. We mention that treatment with antipsychotic substances represents an ongoing effort of the researchers, who are constantly searching for the best approach to meet the mental health needs of schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: Even with those positive results, it should be noted that more studies are needed in order to fully observe the various effects of certain antipsychotic substances on cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are often caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt resulting in a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional temporary symptoms. Mild TBI diagnosis can be challenging and most commonly followed by post-concussion syndrome (PCS). When the symptoms are present for more than 3 months, prolonged post-concussive syndrome (PPCS) can be suspected. This review aims to identify and summarize the current status of the knowledge regarding the risk factors and predictors of the recovery from PCS and PPCS. A comprehensive search of the main scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) was performed using keywords, such as: ‘prolonged post-concussion syndrome’, combined with ‘risk factors’, ‘predictors’, and ‘outcomes’. Multiple studies reported more than one risk factor for PPCS development following mTBIs that were generally the results of sports-related concussions and car accidents. The most prevalent risk factor associated with PPCS was the female sex. Social factors/personality traits, anxiety, mental health disorders, or other health conditions from their past medical history, the occurrence of headache/migraines during TBI recovery, somatization, physical activity, and litigation were also reported to contribute to PPCS risk. An exhaustive approach is required to mitigate the risk of PPCS and to ensure optimal recovery after concussive events. However, larger prospective cohort studies evaluating patients that were examined and treated with standardized protocols could be needed to further validate these associations and mandate the highest risk factors for delayed recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term ameliorating effect of caffeine in adult male Wistar rats (Aluminum Chloride- AlCl3 induced AD Model). A total number 64 Wistar adult male rats, with average weight of 200 g were used and randomly assigned into 4 groups (n= 16), 4 replicates each. In control group (C), they had plain water ; in group two, Alzheimer-induced group (AD) rats had ad libitum supplied with AlCl3 in drinking water at 200 mg/kg/day ; in group three : Caffeine group (CF), the rats had Caffeine (80 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water ; and in group (4) (CF-AD, the rats were exposed to ad libitum supply of AlCl3 and caffeine alternatively in the drinking water. The treatment was continuous for 16 weeks using in a day after day regime of administration of AlCl3 and Caffeine and plain water. The measuring parameters were behavioral parameters using open field test and forced swim test. The determined oxidative stress parameters included Malondialdehyde and Glutathione. The obtained results revealed that there were significant effects of caffeine on the measured behavioral and biochemical variables. The treated rats were differently influenced by caffeine. The observations revealed that caffeine had a significant anxiolytic effect on the measured behavioral profile in the open field, and antidepressant influence in forced swim test. Furthermore, the measured biomarkers proved the antioxidant effect achieved by the long-term caffeine administration in the studied AD model. It was concluded that caffeine improves the behavioral profile of anxiety and depression in Alzheimer-induced rat models, and has an ameliorating effect. These results supported the new approaches of using caffeine in therapeutic potentials for Alzheimer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishes are the first group of vertebrates that respond when the environment is contaminated with pollutants resulted from anthropogenic activities. The development of the toxicity tests is bringing new evidence about the toxicological effects of the pollutants upon the life forms. Behavioural abnormalities in the swimming performance and cognitive processes were well associated with the response of organisms to pollutants from environment. The aim of the paper was to study the behavioural changes of zebrafish (memory, swimming performances and aggression) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde) during 32 h of acute exposure with methylmercury (II) chloride to measure its neurotoxicity effects upon fish community. The experiments from this study tested and measured the fish community response to methylmercury concentrations (1 μg L −1 and 15 μg L −1 ) in the first hours after it contamination based on zebrafish model. The changes of the behaviour in the case of a fish species may lead in the end to their population reduction based on less reproductive success, lower food resource exploitation and problems in the predator avoidance. The behavioural tests described in the present study can be applied to measure the neurotoxicity of other metals compounds, to do plans and protocols for avoiding future ecological disasters. The behavioural changes of zebrafish exposed to methylmercury (II) chloride were similar to mammal models and they will have applications in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]