Involvement of cholinergic-muscarinic receptor in <i>Anaphe venata</i>-induced stretching-ataxia behavioral effects in rats

Abstract

Anaphe venata entomophagy has previously been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of seasonal ataxia in humans and altered motor function in rodents. Thus, we investigated the effect of A. venata Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) extract on stretching, ataxia and the possible mechanism(s) of action. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 6-12 per group) and graded doses of extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) while the control group received saline. Behavioral scores were recorded for a period of 30 min immediately after the administration of saline or extract. The role of various receptors in the extract induced stretching and ataxia was evaluated using known receptor antagonists in other groups of rats. The in-vitro cholinesterase inhibition assay of the extract was also performed. The protein profile of the extract was evaluated using the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS)-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results showed that the extract induced significant (p<0.01) stretching and ataxia behavioural effects dose-dependently when compared to vehicle-treated rats. Pretreatment with the non-selective muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, significantly (p<0.05) reversed both stretching and ataxia-induced behaviour of PBS extract at all dose levels however both flumazenil and naloxone did not show any significant effects. Anticholinesterase assay also provided evidence that the extract has inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Electrophoresis assay suggested that the major proteins in the extract are probably of small molecular weight. In conclusion, the A. venata PBS extract induced-behaviours are probably mediated via the activation of cholinergic-muscarinic receptor systems.

Comparative study of some enzymes in different varieties of fruits

“…Most of the fruits studied contained little or no thiaminase activity when compared to the other enzymes. In Nigeria, there have been reports of outbreak of disease after consumption of larvae of Anaphe venata which serves as a supplemental protein nutrition (Bamitale et al, 2011). Similar case was reported in Côte d'Ivoire (Ahoua et al, 2007).…”