Anti-psychotropic Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Nymphaea Lotus in Mice Models

Abstract

Psychosis is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide, significantly impairing their quality of life and productivity. Nymphaea lotus is a plant traditionally used to manage anxiety-related disorders. This study investigates the antipsychotic effects of the ethanol leaf extract of Nymphaea lotus in a mouse model of ketamine-induced psychosis. The acute toxicity of the ethanol leaf extract of Nymphaea lotus (ELENL) was determined using Lorke’s method. Psychosis was induced in Swiss albino mice through the administration of ketamine (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for seven days. The effects of ELENL (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were evaluated against psychotic-like behaviors induced by ketamine. These behaviors included locomotor activity and stereotypy, measured in an open field test; immobility duration assessed in a forced swim test; and memory impairment evaluated using the Y-maze test. The apomorphine climbing test was also conducted to determine the acute antipsychotic effects of ELENL, while the woodblock test was performed to assess any extrapyramidal side effects. The LD50 of ELENL was determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, indicating that it is considered safe. ELENL (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) demonstrated significant antipsychotic effects, reducing ketamine-induced hyperactivity, immobility, and memory deficits in the mice. Additionally, ELENL suppressed stereotypic climbing behavior induced by apomorphine. Importantly, the antipsychotic activity of ELENL was not associated with extrapyramidal side effects, as evidenced by the absence of catalepsy. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ELENL reduced psychotic-like symptoms in mice without inducing extrapyramidal side effects, underscoring its potential antipsychotic properties. Antipsychotic, Nymphaea lotus, Apormophine, Ketamine, Haloperidol.