NEURO PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF HYPERICUM HOOKERIANUM IN HALOPERIDOL INDUCED SCHIZOPHRENIA IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Herbal drugs are playing an important role in health care all over the world, especially in developing countries because they are being cheap, locally available and consider being safe. Neuroleptic drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other affective disorders are known to produce extra pyramidal side effects. Hypericum hookerianum (Hh) is known to possess various therapeutic properties. We have earlier characterized its phytochemical and physic chemical properties. However, their role in modulating stress-induced central changes is unexplored. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the brain oxidative stress induced by haloperidol in swiss albino mice and evaluate the consequent changes in brain neurotransmitters levels such as Dopamine, serotonin, nor adrenaline and GABA. Results showed that Brain neurotransmitters in this study were decreased in schizophrenic mice which may be related to oxidative stress induced by haloperidol. This is reversed by the administration of ethanolic extract of Hypericum hookerianum (EEHh) which seems to be a highly promising herb in protecting the schizophrenicmice against oxidative damage and preventing brain complications such as reduction of neurotransmitters. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of this herb and active principle responsible for this neuroprotection.