Methanol extracts of Basella alba leaves alleviate stress in rats

Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times, there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ailments. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves on stress in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus).

A total of 35 male rats were used in this study. They were grouped into seven groups of five rats each. Group 1 (normal control) was received 10 mL/kg normal saline. Group 2 contained restraint stress rats only. Group 3 contained forced swim stress rats only. Group 4 and 5 were treated with 60 mg/kg of B. alba extract (BAE) thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Group 6 and 7 were treated with 120 mg/kg of BAE thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Stress procedures were carried out at the end of first and third weeks.

In the stressed rats, there were significant increases (P < 0.05) in fasting blood glucose and white blood cell count while there were significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration when compared to group 1. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in blood glucose and white blood cell count and significant increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione concentrations in BAE treated rats when compared to group 2 and 3. Some of the significant differences were either dose or duration dependent.

In conclusion, results from this research suggest that BAE alleviates hyperglycaemia, chronic activation of immune system and generation of free radicals due to stress in Wistar rats.