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The stress response is attached to psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is important to comprehend the underlying mechanisms influencing this relationship. Moreover, men and women respond differently to stress–both psychologically and biologically. These differences should be studied to have an enhanced understanding of the gender difference. However, researches shedding light on sex dimorphism implication have historically been insufficient. Based on observations that advocate the inclusion of sex as a biological variable in stress response, the present study was designed to explore sex differences in (i) depressive-like, (ii) anxiety-like behaviors, (iii) cognitive-like performances, and (iv) voluntary ethanol intake (VEI) in Wistar rat submitted to dexamethasone (DEX)-stress simulation. Rats were administered daily with DEX (1.5 mg/kg, s.c., 21 days) or vehicle. Behavior, cognitive, and VEI states of rats were evaluated in the following paradigms: forced swimming test (FST); saccharin preference test (SPT); open field test (OFT); elevated plus-maze test (EPMT); novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT); spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze test (MWMT); VEI in two-bottle choice paradigm. DEX-treated rats showed a set of depression-like behaviors: increased time of immobility; reduced preference for saccharin consumption; increased anxiety-like behavior; cognitive impairments; and enhanced VEI. Sexual dimorphism was recorded in this study. Females were more impaired in FST, SPT, EPMT, NSFT, and VEI. Results demonstrate that DEX-treatment induced a behavioral alterations related to anxiety-depressive-like state with learning and memory impairments; confirm the facilitatory role of glucocorticoids on VEI and reveal sexual dimorphism in stress response.

Adolescence is a critical period when the effects of ethanol and stress exposure are particularly pronounced. Argan oil (AO), a natural vegetable oil known for its diverse pharmacological benefits, was investigated for its potential to mitigate addictive-like behaviors and brain damage induced by adolescent intermittent ethanol intoxication (IEI) and unpredictable mild stress (UMS). From P30 to P43, IEI rats received a daily ip ethanol (3 g/kg) on a two-day on/two-day off schedule. On alternate days, the rats were submitted to UMS protocol. Next, a two-bottle free access paradigm was performed over 10 weeks to assess intermittent 20% ethanol voluntary consumption. During the same period, the rats were gavaged daily with AO (15 mL/kg). Our results show that IEI/UMS significantly increased voluntary alcohol consumption (from 3.9 g/kg/24 h to 5.8 g/kg/24 h) and exacerbated withdrawal signs and relapse-like drinking in adulthood. Although AO treatment slightly reduced ethanol intake, it notably alleviated withdrawal signs during abstinence and relapse-like drinking in adulthood. AO's effects were associated with its modulation of the HPA axis (elevated serum corticosterone), restoration of amygdala oxidative balance, BDNF levels, and attenuation of neurodegeneration. These findings suggest that AO's neuroprotective properties could offer a potential therapeutic avenue for reducing ethanol/stress-induced brain damage and addiction. Further research is needed to explore its mechanisms and therapeutic potential in alcohol use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olea europea.L (olive tree) is a plant widely used in the world. Its leaves have an extensive use in traditional herbal medicine to prevent and/or treat several diseases especially in Mediterranean regions. Despite this, research into the study of its toxicity is very limited in the literature. For this, this study aims to study the acute and subacute toxicity of methanolic extract olive leaves in Wistar rats. To study acute toxicity, four dose levels (50,300,2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight) were tested by single oral administration to Wistar rats. The subacute toxicity for 28 days was conducted by daily oral administration of methanolic extract of olive leaves at doses 1000,2000 and 3000 mg/kg in rats Wistar. After fourteen days of the administration of escalating doses, no deaths were recorded in the animals and no clinically detectable signs were observed. The results of subacute toxicity showed that the body weight of rats was not significantly changed by administration of methanolic extract of olive leaves. Monitoring of the behavior of the rats during the study showed the appearance of some manifestations of tremor, agitation and diarrhea in rats treated with the dose of 3000mg/kg. Grosse examination of the kidneys and liver revealed no changes in those organs and histopathological examination showed congestion and inflammation of the fat in rats treated with the dose of 3000mg/kg. the hematological profile showed no significant changes of the measured hematological parameters. Olive leaves should be used with care and caution since its methanolic extract caused some signs of toxicity and may affect the liver at repeated dose. however, more studies are needed to verify and clarify the toxic aspect of olea europea.L leaves.

Fenugreek (Trigonella-foenum-graecum.L) seeds are commonly utilized in cuisine as spices, in the traditional treatment and in the prevention of various troubles. This study attempts to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of its extract in wistar rats. In the acute toxicity, single oral administration of four doses (0,05 g, 0,3 g, 2 g and 5 g /kg.bw) to wistar rats was tested and to test subacute toxicity, quotidian oral administration of fenugreek seed extract at dosages of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg.bw was used for 28 days. The results of acute toxicity did not show any deaths and no indication of intoxication was observed in the rats for 14 days following receipt of the various doses of the extract. The subacute toxicity results demonstrated that repeated administration of the extract led to a significant weight gain (p<0.05) in treated rats in comparison to control rats. Treatment of rats with fenugreek seed extract did not cause any signs of intoxication and did not affect the hematological parameters of the rats compared to control rats (p>0.05). Gross examination revealed that the appearance of vital organs was not altered and histological examination revealed steatosis and an increase in the nuclei of hepatocytes in rats given a repeated dose of 3 g /kg of fenugreek seed extract. Fenugreek seeds extract is generally tolerated by rats even at high doses but more care should be taken at chronic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In traditional herbal medicine, the Coriandrum sativum (CS) seeds are widely used to prevent and/or treat several diseases. Despite this, research into studying their toxicity is very limited., Objective: This study aims at studying the acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract of coriander seeds (AECS) in Wistar rats., Methods: For acute toxicity, five dose levels (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000 mgkg -1 bw ) were tested per single oral administration. Subacute toxicity for 28 days was achieved by daily oral administration of AECS at doses of 1000, 2000, and 3000 mgkg -1 bw ., Results: No deaths or signs were recorded or observed in rats in the five groups and the control group was after 14 days of acute toxicity study. The results of subacute toxicity revealed that the administration of AECS caused a significant difference in the body weight of rats at doses of 2000 and 3000mgkg -1 bw , and in the development of movement disturbances, hypoactivity, drowsiness, weakness, and diarrhea, while histopathological examination showed vascular congestion and inflammation of the kidneys as well as hepatic necrosis. The haematological profile showed a significant increase in the number of red and white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and a nonsignificant decrease is noticed in neutrophils at a dose of 3000 mgkg -1 bw ., Conclusion: AECS should be used with caution as it has caused some signs of toxicity and may affect the liver and kidneys if doses are repeated. However, further studies are needed to verify and clarify the toxic aspect of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)