Polyherbal Therapy Restores Sensorimotor Function in Chronic Stress-induced Oxidative Damage

Stress is a mental strain resulting from adverse circumstances. One of the main predictors of the onset of a major depressive episode is chronic, mild stress. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to remove them through antioxidant defenses. This imbalance in sensorimotor function may have a substantial effect on both motor output and sensory processing. This study evaluates the impact of polyherbal formulation (PHF) on sensorimotor function under unpredicted mild chronic stress (UCMS).

A total of 25 adult Wistar rats (120-150 g) were divided at random into five groups consisting of five animals each. Rats in group 1 received 1 mL of distilled water each; group 2 was exposed to UCMS; group 3 was exposed to UCMS and treated with imipramine (25 mg/kg); groups 4 and 5 were exposed to UCMS and received PHF extract (250 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg), respectively. All groups received oral treatment once daily for 21 days. Animals were subjected to a beam-walking task to assess sensorimotor function following 21 days of treatment. Following behavioral tests, the animals' cervical dislocation was followed by histological examination of the cerebellum and biochemical estimation of the activities of corticosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT).

Using Lorke's method, the LD₅₀ of PHF was determined to be 2500 mg/kg. A significant improvement in motor deficits was suggested by the treatment groups' significantly lower beam-walking time (P<0.05), significantly lower levels of corticosterone and MDA (P<0.05), and significantly higher levels of CAT (P<0.05). Furthermore, moderate healing with active Purkinje cells and mild degeneration of granular cells in the histological section of the treated groups was observed.

Conclusively, treatment with PHF enhanced sensorimotor functions and mitigated oxidative damage due to stress.