Effect of Sidr (Zizyphus spina-christi ) Fruit Extract on the Central Nervous System in Male Albino Rats

Sidr (Zizyphus spina-christiL ) is medicinal plant with many traditional uses. The aim of the present study is to investigate the chronic effect of Sidr (Zizyphus spina-christiL ) fruit extract on norepinephrin (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in different brain areas (cerebellum, brain stem, striatum, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus ) of male albino rat. The daily i.p. administration of Sidr fruit extract ( 50mg/kg body wt ) for 3 weeks caused a significant decrease in neurotransmitter content in all the tested brain areas at most of the time intervals studies. This may be to the presence of ascorbic acid which caused neurotransmitter release from presynaptic by enhanced Ca2+ influx and the content is decreased, also ascorbic acid increase in nitric oxide (NO) levels so the content of neurotransmitter is decreased. Key word: Sidr Zizuphus Ascorbic acid Brain Neurotransmitter INTRODUCTION Sidr is one of the important fruit crops in the dry parts Zizyphus spina-christi (L) locally known as sidr. is and rich in vitamin C. The dry fruit (i.e., per 100 g) a multipurpose tree species belonging to the botanical contains 314 calories, 9.3% H O, 4.8% protein, 0.9% fat, family Rhamnaceae. It is an important cultivated tree and 80.6% total carbohydrate, 4.4% ash, 140 mg Ca, 3 mg Fe, one of the few truly native tree species of Arabia that is 0.04 mg thiamin, 0.13 mg riboflavin, 3.7 mg niacin and still growing along with many newly introduced exotic 30 mg ascorbic acid [2]. It is consumed fresh, dried and plants [1]. candied [6]. Sidr has been used in folk medicine as demulcent, Mahran et al. [7] reported that the butanol depurative, anodyne, emollient, stomachic for toothaches, extract of Z. Spina-christi leaves contains four astringents and as a mouth wash [2]. The decoction of saponin glycosides: christanin A (jujubagenin), christanin bark and fresh fruits is used to promote the healing of B, C and D. It was shown to contain beutic acid and fresh wounds and also used as a body wash, while fruits ceanothic acid, cyclopeptides, as well as saponin are used for dysentery [3,4]. glycoside and flavonoids lipids, protein, free sugar and Sidr is cultivated mainly as a dry crop for its mucilage [8]. nutritious fruits, honey production and landscaping Since Zizyphus spina-christi (L) is a wild tree purposes. Flowering and fruiting occur in this species commonly available in Saudi Arabia and its fruits are during September-November. The flower are important for used in folk medicine for treatment, it is therefore deemed the production of wild bee honey [5]. The winter honey interesting to examine the effect of daily administration of (i.e. nabk honey) collected during November from the Zizyphus spina-christi (L) fruits extract on norepinephrine flowers of the sidr is in high demand by citizens for its (NE), dopamine (DA), Serotonin (5-HT) and gammamedicinal qualities in addition to its excellent taste and aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents in different brain fragrant smell. areas of male albino rats. of tropical Asia and Africa. Its fruit is highly nutritious