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The therapeutic potency of plants has been known for ages and the ability to divulge their biological activity is an area of great interest. Citrus lemon is traditionally used as an antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. This study intended to determine the potential role of lemon peel oil in neurobehavioral function and oxidative stress. Rats were treated with lemon peel oil at a dose of 0.7, 1.4, 2.1, 2.7, 3.5 g/kg for 14 days. Results showed that lemon peel oil at low doses has antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. Muscular strength was also improved at low doses. The brain antioxidant defense enzymes were also enhanced whereas plasma corticosterone levels were significantly decreased following the administration of a low dose of lemon peel oil. However, rats administered with higher doses of lemon peel oil that act as prooxidants showed depression and anxiety-like effects, and impaired muscular strength. Altered brain antioxidant enzyme activity and elevated corticosterone in plasma were also observed in rats treated with a high dose of lemon peel oil. The present study demonstrates that a low dose of lemon peel oil has a potential therapeutic effect on psychological functions following 14 days of oral administration in rats. Lemon peel oil could be considered for therapeutic use against deleterious effects of oxidative stress, which a low dose of lemon peel oil dramatically reduced in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated episodes of stress results in the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with severe depression. Synthetic antipsychotic medication helps people experiencing the stress induced behavioral problems . These medications have serious side effects. A variety of natural herbs and their extracts are frequently used to treat neurological disorders. Camellia oleifera Abel. oil is used for treatment of metabolic and endocrine problems. Moclobemide is monoamine oxidase inhibitor, widely prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety. This study evaluate the neuroprotective effects of camellia oil and moclobemide in animal model of learned helplessness. Stress produced behavioral deficits, increases plasma corticosterone levels, brain lipid peroxidation and decreases the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Camellia oil pre-treated rats improved behavioral activities, as well as significant reduction in plasma corticosterone and lipid peroxidation, along with rise in activity of antioxidant enzymes. Enhanced level of brain dopamine, dihydroxyphenlyacetic acid and decreased dopamine turnover was also observed in stressed rats. These stress induced changes can be prevented in rats pre-treatment with camellia oil. However, when compared with synthetic antidepressant moclobemide, the rats treated with camellia oil exhibited more promising result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For centuries, herbs and herbal oils are used for pharmacological purpose. Aloe vera is well-known as silent healer and flax seed oil is known to contain rich amount of omega-3 fatty acids, both are having effects on central nervous system. Valproic acid is anticonvulsant drug with some side effects and has shown effects on behaviors. This study was designed to monitor the effects of valproic acid, aloe vera and flax seed oil on cognitive and anxiolytic behaviors in rats. Animals were categorized into four groups: Control, valproic acid, aloe vera and flax seed oil which were respectively treated with water, valproic acid (300mg/kg), aloe vera (0.4ml/kg) and flax seed oil (1.8ml/kg). The treatment was continued 2 weeks for drug and 3 weeks for aloe vera and flax seed oil. Anxiolytic effect as well as increased GABA levels were observed following drug and oil treatments. Improvement in cognitive function with decrease in acetylcholine esterase activity in aloe vera and flax seed oil while impairment in learning memory with increase acetylcholine esterase activity was observed in rats treated with valproic acid. Results showed substantial decrease in acetylcholinesterase level in aloe vera and flax seed oil supporting the cognitive impact of oils in contrary to drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils are natural products having several important chemical constituents. Traditionally used worldwide as natural alternatives for treating various pathological conditions due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidants properties. Citral is one of the mono terpene present in lemon peel oil. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of citral at low (0.1 mg/kg) and high (1 mg/kg) doses. In this study rats were subjected to different behavioral parameters such as tail suspension test (TST) to monitor depressive behavior, open field test (OFT) for locomotor activity, light/dark transition test (LDT) for the assessment of level of anxiety and the strength of muscles were monitored by Kondziela's inverted screen test. Plasma corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. The results from the present study showed that citral at 0.1mg/kg dose significantly increased the mobility time in TST, increased number of square crossed in OFT, increased time spent in LDT and showed muscles strengthen activity in Kondziela's inverted screen test. Lipid per oxidation (LPO) was decreased and antioxidant profile was improved along with the decrease in plasma corticosterone following the administration of 0.1mg/kg dose of citral in rats. However, at a high dose of 1 mg/kg of citral, behavioral alterations were observed along with the increased plasma corticosterone and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes in rats. Therefore present findings suggested that citral at low dose has therapeutic potential as compared to high dose. It can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of various ailments in humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress has become an integral feature of everyday living. Each individual that lives encounters some manifestation of stress in life. Stress causes certain alterations in the structure and functions of the body and is considered to be a major factor in many health problems. Many synthetic and natural compounds are used for the attenuation of stress induced changes in the body. Medicinal plants are used since ancient times to prevent from neurological disorders. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is very efficacious and possesses the ability to improve several neurological disorders. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used against pain and inflammation. However, effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of various psychiatric ailments is also reported. The present study investigated the effects of ibuprofen and lavender oil on stress induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats. The rats were subjected to restraint stress and behavioral parameters like open field test (OFT), light/dark transition box activity (LDT) and forced swim test (FST) were used to assess exploratory, anxiolytic and anti-depressant activity, respectively. Corticosterone, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities were also estimated. Results of OFT, LDT and FST showed substantial effects of lavender oil and standard drug ibuprofen. A significant decrease in plasma corticosterone and LPO levels with increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in the study. However, the effects of lavender oil were more as compared to standard drug ibuprofen in diminution of stress induced behavioral and biochemical changes in rats. This study demonstrates that lavender oil is more remedial than ibuprofen in stress related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]