The ameliorating effect of Rosa roxburghii against ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ethanol (EtOH) is one of the oldest recreational substances known to man, primarily taken because it induces a sense of well-being (euphoric effects) and relaxation (anxiolytic effects). EtOH use entails various negative consequences. Of particular interest are EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations, because of its immediate manifestation and adverse consequences. Rosa roxburghii (RR), a wild plant of Southwest China, has gained attention on account of its numerous beneficial effects on the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study we assessed the effects of Rosa roxburghii (RR) on EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations in rats.

METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered distilled water (control group) or ethanol (4 g/kg BW) (EtOH-group) to induce psychomotor alterations. RR extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 30 min before EtOH treatment (RR-group). EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations were evaluated in the open-field, accelerating rotarod, hanging wire, and cold swimming tests. Behavioral evaluation and hematological analysis (EtOH and acetaldehyde concentration) were done at 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after EtOH administration.

RESULTS: The EtOH group showed psychomotor alterations as compared with the control group. These EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations were directly related to the rise in blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations. Pre-treatment of RR significantly improved EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations on open-field, accelerating rotarod, hanging wire, and cold swimming tests. These improvements in psychomotor performance coincided with the decreased blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels observed in the RR-treated group.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RR has ameliorating effects against EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations.