Chemical Composition and Therapeutic Effects of Ammodicus leucotricus Essential Oils on Neurobehavioral Changes in Wistar Rats after Experimental Scorpion Envenomation

Abstract

Background: Our study consists of a study of the chemical composition of the essential oil administered to a batch of rats undergoing a scorpion sting. Compared with control batches, the nervous state was evaluated by several neurobehavioral tests, namely open classified, dark and light and forced swimming. Materials and Methods: Determination of the composition of the essential oil the plant by GC/MS and its protective effect on the nervous system after exposure of rats to scorpions. Results: of GC/MS show that the chemical composition of this plant is characterized by the dominance of the natural monoterpenoid agent Perilla aldehyde, with a percentage of 70.12%, followed by Limonene (10.10%), Methyleugenol (5.69%), and alpha-Pinene (5.04%). Other compounds such as Perilla alcohol (1.90%), Beta-Pinene (0.61%), Delta-3-Carene (0.59%), Carvone (0.44%) and Camphene (0.33%) were identified only in a small proportion. The series of tests allowed us to see the onset of a depressive state, as well as a significant decrease in locomotor activity in the bitten rats compared to the controls and the treated batch. This hypolocomotor effect is accompanied by a decrease in the animal’s stereotyped behaviours (curiosity, sniffing, biting, and grooming) and muscular tone, which explains the animal’s inability to explore the environment. Conclusion: The neuroprotective power study confirmed the powerful properties of the plant to improve the symptoms caused by the scorpion sting, as proven by several neurobehavioral tests.