Neurological behaviour of albino rats treated separately and in combination with <i>Cannabis sativa L.</i> and <i>Cannabis indica L.</i>

Abstract

There has been an increasing rate of cannabis consumption globally, especially among the youths. This study therefore evaluated the neurological behaviours and some brain marker hormones and enzymes of cannabis administered rats. Twenty six albino rats were divided into four groups based on oral cannabis administration (control, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and the combination of the two). At the end of seven days, open field test was conducted on the rats. Also, brain neuro-chemicals, activities of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation were evaluated using spectrophotometry. The results of the Open-Field Test showed an appreciable increase in the level of ambulation (line crossing), grooming, urination and stretched attend posture in the rats administered with Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa and the combination when compared with the control. Norepinephrine was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the rat groups administered with the combination of Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. The control group however had the lowest dopamine level. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the rats administered the combination of both Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. The brain level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly higher in the rats administered with Cannabis indica. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher in the rats administered with Cannabis sativa than the other rat groups. Histopathological evaluation of the brain also revealed various damages in the brain cells of rats administered with cannabis compared to the normal brain structure of the control rats. It is thus said that consumption of C. sativa or C. indica alone produced mild effect on the brain cells and physiology in rats. However, combination of C. sativa and C. indica produced a severe synergistic effect on the neurological function of the exposed rat.