Central nervous system depressant outcomes of Artemisia monosperma Delile on male rat brain: Phytochemical analysis

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> The current study aimed to examine the neurobehavioral activity of<italic> Artemisia monosperma Delile </italic>(ARM) ethanolic extract in adult male rats. Phytochemicals was screened using GC˗MS and HPLC analysis. ARM’s acute oral toxicity was determined. The study included four equal groups (n=12): the 1^st Control, the 2^nd Diazepam (DIZ), the 3^rd ARM-high group (ARM-H), and the 4^th ARM-low group (ARM-L). The ARM extract effect on the CNS activity was evaluated via behavioral tests, brain neurotransmitters and <italic>GABA</italic>_{<italic>A</italic>}<italic> </italic>receptors (<italic>GABARAP)</italic>. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of coffeic acid, rutin, gallic acid, and querectin. In the open field test (OFT), ARM significantly <italic>(p &lt; 0.001) </italic>decreased immobility time and line crossings. ARM significantly <italic>(p &lt; 0.05)</italic> increased the brain γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). ARM significantly <italic>(p &lt; 0.05)</italic> up-regulated the brain mRNA expression levels of <italic>GABARAP</italic> and <italic>BDNF</italic>, meanwhile, <italic>MAOA</italic> levels were significantly <italic>(p &lt; 0.05)</italic> downregulated. For the first time, <italic>A. monosperma</italic> ethanolic extract might keep CNS depressant and antioxidative effects which could be attributable to its phytochemicals. Further toxicological and pharmacological studies are required for the semi-purified phytochemicals.