STUDY OF PSYCHOMODULATING PROPERTIES OF ASTRAGALUS VULPINUS WILLD EXTRACT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF INFORMATIONAL OVERLOAD

Abstract

One of the main tasks of modern pharmacology is the development of new methods for correcting various stress-induced states. An essential role in solving this problem can be played by herbal medicinal products. A special interest is represented by Astragalus vulpinus Willd - a plant of a large Astragalus genus of the legume family (Fabaceae),growing in the Astrakhan Region. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the Astragalus vulpinus Willd extract on the psychoemotional state of animals against the background of informational overload (IО). Materials and methods. The experiment was performed on nonlinear male rats. All the manipulations with the animals were carried out according to the rules and principles of work with laboratory animals. The animals were divided into groups: Group 1 - control rats; Group 2 – the animals exposed to IО for 20 days; Group 3 – the animals treated with intragastric liquid extract of Astragalus vulpinus Willd in the dose of 50 mg / kg /a day for 14 days and exposed to IО;Group 4 – the animals treated with the comparative drug of Phenibut in the dose of 25 mg / kg for 14 days against the background of informational overload. The IO model was a multi-alternative labyrinth in which food-producing skills were formed. The psychoemotional state of rats was studied in the “Suok-test” (ST), which is a complex of several classical behavioral models. Results and discussion. The study of laboratory animals’ behavior in the “Suok-test” against the background of informational overload showed the formation of the state of increased anxiety, which was manifested by a decrease in the motor and research activity of white rats. It was established that the Astragalus vulpinus Willd extract has an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect, eliminating manifestations of an anxiety-depressive state developing against the background of informational overload. Conclusion. Estimating the influence of the Astragalus vulpinus Willd extract in comparison with the activity of Phenibutum, it can be concluded that the investigated drugs eliminate the changes in the psychoemotional state of the anxiety-depressive character, demonstrating a practically comparable anxiolytic and antidepressant effect.

Keywords

• informational overload
• astragalus vulpinus willd
• extract
• behavior
• suok test
• anxiety-depressive disorders
• anxiolytic effect
• antidepressant effect