Anxiolytic effect of anacardic acids from cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell in mice

Abstract

Antianxiety drugs currently in use are associated with a number of serious side effects. Present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of anacardic acids (AAs) isolated from cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) shell liquid (CNSL) to treat anxiety as well as its role in oxidative stress in mice model. Anxiolytic effect of AA was evaluated using rota-rod and a set of behavioral tests in male Swiss albino mice at the doses of 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg. Flumazenil was used to evaluate the possible involvement of GABAergic system in the mechanism of action of AA. The effect of AA on oxidative stress in mice was evaluated by determining the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, and catalase (CAT) activity. The detection of DNA damage of the treated animals was performed using alkaline comet test in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the animals. The results demonstrated that AA did not produce myorelaxant and sedative effects, nor did it cause a decrease in locomotor activity. The anxiolytic effect of AA was well-evident in all tests, especially at higher dose levels (25 and 50 mg/mg). Flumazenil reversed the anxiolytic effect of AA at all doses. In addition, AA reduced oxidative stress by decreasing the concentration of MDA and increasing the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and CAT activity. Statistical analysis by Pearson's correlation indicated a positive correlation between anxiolytic effect of AA to its antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Furthermore, increased CAT activity and GSH concentrations in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of mice was also complementary to the reduced genotoxic damage observed in the study. In comet assay, AA did not increase in DNA damage. In conclusion, the results supported that AA possesses GABA receptor mediated anxiolytic activity with the lack of myorelaxation and genotoxicity. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(5):420-431, 2018.

The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Anacardium occidentale L. Cashew Nuts in a Mouse Model of Colitis

“…Based on these findings, in this study we demonstrated that oral treatment with cashew nuts was able to significantly reduce lipid peroxidation by MDA levels, nitrotyrosine production, and PARP activation, INOS as well as increased antioxidant MnSOD expression. Previous studies also showed that anacardic acids from cashew nuts reduced oxidative stress by diminishing MDA concentration and increasing the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activity [45] as well as the treatment with cashew apple juice (from Anacardium occidentale L.) augmented antioxidants level inhibiting the inflammatory response exerted by ROS production in mouse models of wound excision and xylene-induced ear edema [46].…”

Toxicological and genotoxic evaluation of anacardic acid loaded-zein nanoparticles in mice

“…This compound has gained attention in the last years in view of its biological activities, such as: anti-inflammatory [ 9 , 10 ], larvicide [ 5 ], antinoceptive [ 11 ], GABA A receptor-mediated anxiolytic [ 12 ], antioxidant [ 5 , 7 ] and antimicrobial [ 6 ], comprising oral bacteria [ 4 , 13 ]. Nonetheless, its low pH, high viscosity, hydrophobia and anti-aesthetic color discouraged its clinical use in dentistry.…”

Cytogenotoxic and mutagenic profiling of cashew nut shell liquids and cardanol

“…The cashew nuts contain phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity [19,44] and can be used to treat the incidence of chronic and degenerative diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [39]. CNSLs have been also reported for many other diverse pharmacological effects such as insecticidal [13], larvicidal and antiacetylcholinesterase [7,34], anti-inflammatory [8], antioxidant [3], anxiolytic [14], antibacterial [27], and so on. In a recent study, it has been reported that the CNSLs may impart genotoxic effects in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems [24].…”