The antipsychotic potential of Salix Mucronata on ketamine-induced rats.
IBRO neuroscience reports December 1, 2024 Ntombifuthi P Ngubane, Musa V Mabandla, Brenda Z De Gama 3 citations
In a study using adult male Sprague Dawley rats, repeated ketamine administration (30 mg/kg for 5 days) induced social withdrawal and reduced social novelty and motivation, mimicking schizophrenia-like symptoms. Subsequent treatment with either the antipsychotic risperidone (6 mg/kg) or an extract of the herbal plant Salix mucronata (5 mg/kg) for 7 days successfully reversed the social deficits. Both treatments also increased brain dopamine and acetylcholine levels. However, the rats showed reduced sucrose preference (indicating anhedonia) and reduced weight gain after ketamine and mild stress, and reduced brain volume was noted in experimental groups. No differences in brain mass were found between controls and treated groups. The findings suggest that S. mucronata has antipsychotic potential similar to risperidone.