The current study was planned to assess the neuropharmacological benefits of the <i>Cucurbita maxima</i> seed. These seeds have been conventionally used for the nutritional as well as amelioration of various diseases. However, there was a need to provide a pharmacological basis for such use. Four central nervous system-related functions, that is, anxiety, depression, memory, and motor coordination, were evaluated, and the levels of brain biogenic amines were also assessed. Anxiety was evaluated through selected experimental models, such as light and dark apparatus, elevated plus maze, head dip, and open field test. The head dip test was mainly used to assess exploratory behavior. Depression was assessed by two animal models, that is, the forced swim test and tail suspension test. Memory and learning ability were assessed by the passive avoidance test, stationary rod apparatus, and Morris’s water maze test. Motor skilled learning was assessed by stationary rod and rotarod apparatus. Reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography was used to determine biogenic amine levels. Results reveal that <i>C. maxima</i> exhibited anxiolytic and antidepressant effects with memory improvement. There was a reduction in the weight of the animal following chronic administration. Furthermore, no remarkable effects were observed on motor coordination. Norepinephrine was found elevated, which may be linked to its antidepressant effects. These biological effects of <i>C. maxima</i> may be due to the presence of secondary metabolites, such as cucurbitacin, beta-sitosterol, polyphenolic compounds, citrulline, kaempferol, arginine, <i>β</i>-carotene, quercetin, and other antioxidants. The outcomes of the present study authenticate that the chronic use of <i>C. maxima</i> seeds reduces the intensity of neurological problems like anxiety and depression.

Shahana Wahid

Ali Alqahtani

Rafeeq Alam Khan

<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> Seeds Reduce Anxiety and Depression and Improve Memory

<i>Objective</i>. To analyse the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and routine treatment in improving dystonia in children with cerebral palsy. <i>Method</i>. The randomized controlled trials published from the establishment of the databases to August 2022 on acupuncture in the treatment of dystonia in children with cerebral palsy were collected and comprehensively searched in China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), weipu (VIP), Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Excerpta medica database (EMBASE), and Cochrane Library. The literature was selected according to the established standards, the quality of the included studies was evaluated, the heterogeneity of the included studies was evaluated with the <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> test, and the appropriate model was selected for analysis. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the reliability of the results, and a funnel plot was used to evaluate the publication bias. <i>Results</i>. Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. The control group was treated with routine treatment and acupuncture combined with routine treatment. The outcome index showed that the effect in the treatment group was better: Modified Ashworth Scale score: −0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−0.62 to −0.41), <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M1" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-113" d="M570 304C570 398 525 448 414 448C385 448 343 445 312 434L329 511L321 518C297 504 262 482 244 460L233 411C195 397 159 381 128 358L135 332C160 347 189 360 224 373L111 -147C97 -210 84 -218 17 -231L13 -257L254 -247L259 -218L233 -216C183 -212 177 -202 189 -142L218 -1C238 -10 266 -12 283 -12C351 3 429 48 483 105C543 168 570 242 570 304ZM482 289C482 161 380 33 304 33C278 33 248 51 233 69L303 396C326 400 352 403 369 403C428 403 482 380 482 289Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.921pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 21.921 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g></svg>.</span></span> The treatment group showed reduced muscle tension to a greater extent (integral eletromyographic (iEMG) score: standard mean square deviation = −2.97, 95% CI (−4.87 to −1.06), <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M2" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-113"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.921pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 21.921 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>).</span></span> The effective rate in the control group was 74.2% and that in the treatment group was 91.5%, odds ratio = 3.70, 95% CI (2.02–6.78), <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M3" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-113"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.921pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 21.921 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>.</span></span> The funnel plot showed publication bias. <i>Conclusion</i>. Acupuncture combined with routine training could improve muscle tension abnormalities and improve the efficiency of clinical treatment.

Yan Yuanjie

Xue Jianyi

Xu Jinyan

Huang Mao

Yan Siyang

Yin Zhenjin

Acupuncture in the Treatment of Abnormal Muscle Tone in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-Analysis

<i>Objective</i>. Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological illnesses defined by periodic seizures with or without loss of consciousness caused by aberrant neural activity. There are many allopathic medications available for the treatment of epilepsy such as phenytoin (PHY), but the side effects are a major concern. Therefore, the present study involved the evaluation of the pharmacological significance of <i>Amaranthus viridis</i> L. extract (EAV) in the management of strychnine (STR)-induced epilepsy. <i>Method</i>. STR (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into male rats 30 minutes after the pre-treatment of a standard drug (PHY: 20 mg/kg) and the two doses of EAV (EAV-200 and EAV-400 mg/kg, p.o.) to the respective groups to cause the convulsions. The anti-convulsant effect of EAV-200 and EAV-400 against STR-induced convulsion in rats was investigated in terms of convulsion onset, duration of convulsions, number of convulsions, and convulsion score. Furthermore, the mitochondrial function and integrity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex (PFC) were also estimated. <i>Results</i>. EAV-400 significantly increased the onset of convulsion from <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.463pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M1" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.463 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-55" d="M137 343C167 482 260 545 321 574C357 591 397 603 429 609L423 641C382 634 335 622 295 608C189 570 37 457 37 238C37 84 125 -12 242 -12C362 -12 447 89 447 209C447 311 374 393 267 393C247 393 226 386 204 376L137 343ZM227 337C318 337 361 256 361 173C361 105 336 22 258 22C176 22 126 120 126 240C126 266 127 291 132 310C155 323 189 337 227 337Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,12.48,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.444,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-55"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.684,0)"><path id="g113-56" d="M447 623H65C61 580 56 530 47 475H76C100 541 106 550 172 550H388C308 376 196 170 91 -1L98 -12L172 -2C268 204 360 408 455 611L447 623Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.832,0)"><path id="g117-37" d="M535 290V340H323V533H265V340H52V290H265V84H323V290H535ZM535 -22V28H52V-22H535Z"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.259pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.3191838 -8.34882 28.259 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.369,0)"><path id="g113-52" d="M285 378C315 398 338 416 353 432C373 451 384 474 384 503C384 579 325 635 236 635H235C182 635 136 610 108 579L65 516L85 496C110 533 150 575 205 575C258 575 300 543 300 481C300 407 232 369 141 339L147 310C163 315 188 321 211 321C268 321 338 284 338 192C338 94 288 40 217 40C160 40 119 68 93 91C85 98 77 97 69 91C60 84 47 71 46 58C44 46 48 35 62 22C75 10 116 -12 162 -12C234 -12 424 62 424 224C424 297 373 359 285 376V378Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.609,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.573,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.813,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.053,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg></span> to <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.462pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M2" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.462 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,12.48,0)"><path id="g113-58" d="M244 635C114 635 38 519 38 422C38 317 111 240 217 240C236 240 255 244 277 256L345 292C311 140 203 39 59 15L64 -15C89 -15 150 -5 204 17C339 72 440 202 440 386C440 521 368 635 244 635ZM228 602C326 602 352 479 352 390C352 370 351 347 348 324C327 308 293 296 258 296C174 296 124 369 124 458C124 517 152 602 228 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,18.721,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g 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transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.054,0)"><path id="g113-57" d="M249 635C141 635 70 555 70 471C70 401 114 353 179 316C143 294 106 267 90 252C68 231 45 202 45 157C45 50 130 -12 237 -12C322 -12 435 52 435 169C435 256 372 304 303 343C349 374 375 398 383 407C401 429 411 458 411 487C411 569 344 635 249 635ZM238 603C285 603 337 567 337 482C337 422 310 385 276 358C205 393 145 426 145 500C145 552 179 603 238 603ZM248 20C183 20 125 70 125 163C125 218 158 268 206 300C284 261 355 217 355 143C355 66 308 20 248 20Z"/></g></svg></span> and reduced the STR-induced duration of convulsions from <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.461pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M3" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.461 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><path id="g113-53" d="M456 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transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.811,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-57"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.051,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-51"/></g></svg></span> to <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.464pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M4" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.464 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-55"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-58"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,12.482,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.446,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.686,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-56"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.833,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-37"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.258pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.320183799999995 -8.34882 28.258 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.37,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.61,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.574,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-56"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.816,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.056,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-55"/></g></svg>,</span></span> number of convulsions from <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.461pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M5" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.461 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-53"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,9.204,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.444,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.684,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.83,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-37"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="34.525pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.3161838 -8.34882 34.525 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.366,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.606,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.57,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.81,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.05,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-58"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,69.292,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-51"/></g></svg></span> to <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.461pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M6" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.461 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,9.204,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.444,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.684,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.83,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-37"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="34.524pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.317183799999995 -8.34882 34.524 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.367,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.607,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.571,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.811,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.051,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-53"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,69.291,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-51"/></g></svg>,</span></span> and convulsion score from <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.461pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M7" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.461 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,9.204,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.444,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.684,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.83,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-37"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="34.525pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.3161838 -8.34882 34.525 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.366,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.606,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.57,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.81,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-55"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.051,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,69.291,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg></span> to <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="38.461pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M8" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 38.461 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-51"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,6.24,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,9.204,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-57"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,15.444,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.684,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,30.83,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-37"/></g></svg><span class="ibiop"/><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="34.525pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="8.69875pt" version="1.1" viewBox="41.3161838 -8.34882 34.525 8.69875"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,41.366,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,47.606,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,50.57,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,56.811,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,63.051,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-56"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,69.293,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g></svg></span> in rats. EAV-400 significantly attenuated the STR-induced decrease in the mitochondrial function and integrity of the rat PFC. In rats, EAV-400 significantly accelerated the onset of convulsions while decreasing the STR-induced duration, frequency, and score. <i>Conclusion</i>. Based on investigational findings, EAV-400 could be inferred to be a possible anti-epileptic option for the treatment of epilepsy of this plan in preclinical research.

Aashish Bharadwaj

Ashwani Sharma

Talever Singh

Devender Pathak

Tarun Virmani

Girish Kumar

Anjali Sharma

Abdulsalam Alhalmi

Attenuation of Strychnine-Induced Epilepsy Employing <i>Amaranthus viridis</i> L. Leaves Extract in Experimental Rats

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a significant social and economic burden. Estrogens can exert neuroprotective effects and may contribute to the prevention, attenuation, or even delay in the onset of AD; however, long-term estrogen therapy is associated with harmful side effects. Thus, estrogen alternatives are of interest for countering AD. Naringin, a phytoestrogen, is a key active ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine Drynaria. Naringin is known to protect against nerve injury induced by amyloid beta-protein (A<i>β</i>) <sub>25–35</sub>, but the underlying mechanisms of this protection are unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of naringin neuroprotection, we observed the protective effect on A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub>-injured C57BL/6J mice’s learning and memory ability and hippocampal neurons. Then, an A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub> injury model was established with adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells. We examined the effect of naringin treatment on A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub>-injured PC12 cells and its relationship with estrogen receptor (ER), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3<i>β</i> signaling pathways. Estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>) was used as a positive control for neuroprotection. Naringin treatment resulted in improved learning and memory ability, the morphology of hippocampal neurons, increased cell viability, and reduced apoptosis. We next examined the expression of ER<i>β</i>, p-AKT (Ser473, Thr308), AKT, p-GSK-3<i>β</i> (Ser9), GSK-3<i>β</i>, p-Tau (Thr231, Ser396), and Tau in PC12 cells treated with A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub> and either naringin or E<sub>2</sub>, with and without inhibitors of the ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3<i>β</i> pathways. Our results demonstrated that naringin inhibits A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub>-induced Tau hyperphosphorylation by modulating the ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3<i>β</i> signaling pathways. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of naringin were comparable to those of E<sub>2</sub> in all treatment groups. Thus, our results have furthered our understanding of naringin’s neuroprotective mechanisms and indicate that naringin may comprise a viable alternative to estrogen therapy.

Qi Qiu

Xia Lei

Yueying Wang

Hui Xiong

Yanming Xu

Huifeng Sun

Hongdan Xu

Ning Zhang

Naringin Protects against Tau Hyperphosphorylation in A<i>β</i><sub>25–35</sub>-Injured PC12 Cells through Modulation of ER, PI3K/AKT, and GSK-3<i>β</i> Signaling Pathways

It is widely known that COVID-19 has a number of prolonged effects on general health, wellbeing, and cognitive functioning. However, studies using differentiated performance measures of cognitive functions are still not widely spread making it hard to assess the exact functions that get impaired. Taking into account the similarities between post-COVID ‘brain fog’ and chemofog, we hypothesized that executive functions (EF) would be impaired. Literature search yielded six studies with 14 effect sizes of interest; pooled effect size was small to medium (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.478pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" id="M1" height="9.63826pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -9.28833 18.478 9.63826"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-101" d="M530 686C535 705 530 712 521 712C504 712 448 684 359 674L358 648H393C437 648 439 646 429 593L400 435C372 447 345 448 332 448C286 448 194 414 144 373C68 311 23 203 23 111C23 26 57 -12 91 -12C120 -12 147 3 188 29C227 54 290 102 341 170H343L322 71C308 6 320 -12 341 -12C373 -12 442 27 501 96L485 120C455 91 422 67 408 67C401 67 401 76 404 91C440 294 479 473 530 686ZM387 375L355 241C326 187 200 53 142 53C126 53 109 73 109 130C109 217 154 337 218 381C240 396 265 404 297 404S372 390 387 375Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,10.847,0)"><path id="g117-34" d="M535 323V373H52V323H535ZM535 138V188H52V138H535Z"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="29.58pt" style="vertical-align:-0.3499298pt" height="9.63826pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.0601838 -9.28833 29.58 9.63826"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.11,0)"><path id="g117-33" d="M535 230V280H52V230H535Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.741,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,35.981,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.945,0)"><path id="g113-52" d="M285 378C315 398 338 416 353 432C373 451 384 474 384 503C384 579 325 635 236 635H235C182 635 136 610 108 579L65 516L85 496C110 533 150 575 205 575C258 575 300 543 300 481C300 407 232 369 141 339L147 310C163 315 188 321 211 321C268 321 338 284 338 192C338 94 288 40 217 40C160 40 119 68 93 91C85 98 77 97 69 91C60 84 47 71 46 58C44 46 48 35 62 22C75 10 116 -12 162 -12C234 -12 424 62 424 224C424 297 373 359 285 376V378Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,45.185,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g></svg>).</span></span> Combined with a narrative synthesis of six studies without a comparison group, these results show that EF get impaired after COVID-19; although, in most cases the impairment is transient and does not seem to be severe. These results specify the picture of ‘brain fog’ and may help to discover its mechanisms and ways of helping people with long COVID.

Boris B. Velichkovsky

Anna Y. Razvaliaeva

Alena A. Khlebnikova

Piruza A. Manukyan

Vladimir N. Kasatkin

Artem V. Barmin

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinically Relevant Executive Functions Tests Performance after COVID-19

The early introduction of a low phenylalanine (Phe) diet has been demonstrated to be the most successful treatment in subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU), especially for preventing severe cognitive and neurological damages. However, it still concerns that even if treated in the first months of life with supplements and following a diet, they can show slight scores below people without PKU in neuropsychological assignments. We investigated 20 adults with classical PKU aged 19–48 years (mean age 29 years) and 20 heathy controls matched by age, gender, and years of education. Patients and controls were assessed with an extended neuropsychological battery, as well as psychological aspects and quality of life, also the last Phe level result was obtained. Results showed that the most affected cognitive domains are processing speed, executive functioning, memory, and also theory of mind, but very well-preserved verbal fluency, language, and visuospatial functioning. In quality of life, some significant results were seen specially in anxiety of Phe levels, anxiety of Phe levels during pregnancy, guilt if poor adherence to supplements, and if dietary protein restriction not followed. No significant results were obtained for the psychological variables. In conclusion, it has been shown that a combination of a low Phe diet, supplement intake, and keeping Phe levels in a low range seems appropriate to have the most normal and alike cognitive performance to persons without PKU.

P. M. Luna

J. F. López-Paz

M. García

I. Amayra

O. Martínez

M. Pérez

A. A. Rodríguez

P. Pérez-Núñez

I. Ceberio

N. Mansilla

C. Soria

Cognitive Functioning in Adults with Phenylketonuria in a Cohort of Spanish Patients

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant cancer, the prognosis of which is pretty poor. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs, which play important roles in carcinogenesis process of many cancers including GBM. In this study, we want to clarify the expression, biological function, and molecular mechanism of lncRNA KTN1 antisense RNA 1 (KTN1-AS1) in GBM tumor progression. We found that KTN1-AS1 expression was upregulated in GBM tissues and cell lines. KTN1-AS1 played oncogenic roles to facilitate proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells. Then, we revealed that miR-505 was a target of KTN1-AS1, and its expression was decreased in GBM. KTN1-AS1 contributed to GBM progression by mediating miR-505. Finally, we demonstrated that KTN1-AS1 upregulated some target oncogenes of miR-505 including ZEB2, HMGB1, and RUNX2 in GBM cells. All in all, we concluded that the highly expressed KTN1-AS1 in GBM played oncogenic roles to facilitate GBM progression by targeting miR-505.

Kai Guo

Lingling Fang

Mingjian Li

Aizheng Li

Na Liu

Long Non-coding RNA KTN1-AS1 Targets miR-505 to Promote Glioblastoma Progression

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<p><em>Behavioural Neurology</em> provides a platform for researchers and clinicians working in the areas of cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, and neuropsychiatry.</p>


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Behavioural Neurology - Table of contents 2023

title

Behavioural Neurology provides a platform for researchers and clinicians working in the areas of cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, and neuropsychiatry.

Behavioural Neurology