Orally administered Panax notoginseng influence on rat spontaneous behaviour

Panax notoginseng root is highly prized in China for its supposed hemorheological properties. Its behavioural effects are still not scientifically investigated; therefore, our preliminary study aim is to evaluate the influence of this phyto-drug on rats spontaneous behaviour. High quality P. notoginseng root dry extract has been orally administered through gastric tube for 10 days in two doses (43 and 86 mg/kg in a volume of 5 ml/kg per day) and its effects on locomotion, emotional reactivity and nutrition have been evaluated in different groups of Wistar rats (ten per group) versus animals treated with 5 ml/kg per day of saline. Actimeter test, open field test and microstructural analysis of unconditioned behaviour were carried out. The data were processed by ANOVA-test followed by the Student's one-tail t-test and a 0.05 significance level was chosen for all statistical tests. A significant increase in spontaneous motility being not associated to an increase in grooming episodes duration and number was found in all tests (P<0.05). Feeding behaviour appeared not to be affected by the treatment. Observed effects did not seem dose-related. Reduction of grooming episodes duration and number and increase of inner crossings in open field suggested that notoginsenoides can modulate emotional responses in rats. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.