Impact of the aqueous extract of Eclipta alba on maternal aggression in rats

• Published in: Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 138 - 142
• Main Authors: Banji, David, Banji, Otilia J F, Annamalai, A R, Shanthmurthy, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Agonistic Behavior - drug effects; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical - methods; Eclipta; Female; Male; Maternal Behavior - drug effects; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Postpartum Period - drug effects; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 1011-601X

Parturient females display impulsive behavior represented in the form of aggressive bouts when exposed to conspecifics. Prolonged aggression during the postpartum period could affect maternal care. Eclipta alba is traditionally known to induce neuropsychiatric alterations, however its ability to circumvent maternal aggression has not been elucidated. The present study was aimed to investigate the ability of the aqueous extract of Eclipta alba to suppress maternal aggression. In the single dose study, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of Eclipta alba was administered to parturient females 30 minutes prior to maternal aggression testing against intruder males. In the multiple dose study, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg of the extract were administered for 15 and 30 days and maternal aggression was quantified. Administration of the extract for 15 and 30 days in dose schedules of 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed agonistic encounters by the dams and therefore had beneficial anti-aggressive activity.