Summary

Neuropharmacological Effect of Vitex trifolia L. on Ovariectomized Mice

Diminished estrogen influence at menopause is reported to be associated with cognitive deficit and anxiety. In fact, estrogen is as protective factor against anxiety and restore learning-memory function. Vitex trifolia L. (VT) has been used as a folk medicine for some diseases, especially headache, balance hormones, anti-depressants in menopausal women. Therefore, in the present study, we have evaluated effect the fruit of VT extract (1.6 and 3.2 g/kg) treatment on anxiety-like behavior, cognitive impairment and uterus-oviduct weights in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Five groups of female mice were used; sham group, OVX control, OVX + VT extracts (1.6 and 3.2 g/kg, p.o) and OVX + Progynova® (estradiol valerate, 0.5 mg/kg, p.o). Our results is the first showed that VT extract treatment or Progynova treatment to OVX mice significantly increased the uterus-oviduct weights compared to OVX control. VT extract also improved learning deficits on ovariectomized mice by using Morris water maze task. However, this extract did prevent anxiety on OVX mice by using open field test.

Keywords: Vitex trifolia L., Ovariectomized (OVX) mice, Anxiety, Cognitive deficit, Uterus-oviduct weights.