The effect of ascorbic acid and propranolol on normal sleep and open field locomotor activity in wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Knowledge about the actual central nervous system properties of propranolol or ascorbic acid remains poorly understood. Information on the neural mechanism of the interactions of these compounds in the central nervous system is still very hazy and presently a subject riddled with speculations. This study was designed to investigate the possible effects of ascorbic acid on open field locomotor activity and normal sleep in healthy adult rats and evaluate how these correlate with those of propranolol. MethodS: Eighty healthy adult Wistar rats of both sexes were divided into two groups of 40 animals each group. One group received ascorbic acid treatment while the other group received propranolol, both of which were prepared into different doses, respectively. Each of the various doses of these compounds was administered separately for a period of 21 days in each experimental group, while the control animals received 0.3ml normal saline for the same period. The results were subjected to statistical analysis, using MicroCal Origin Statistical Software version 8.0, and the Student’s T- test to compare the results and P values of  ≤ 0.05) were regarded as statistically significant. Results: Behavioral activation with increased locomotor activity and wakefulness were observed in doses of ascorbic acid while the animals appeared behaviorally-sedated with clear sleep promoting effects in the wistar rats in doses of propranolol. Conclusion: It is possible from present results that dopaminergic and cholinergic neural mechanisms account for the gross behavioral activation rats. It is clearly suggestive that the modulating influence on sleep