Alteration of dopamine and serotonin contents in rat brain after barakol treatment

Abstract

Barakol is an active ingredient purified from fresh and young leaves Cassia siamea, Lamk. This substance has been shown to have depressive effects. Previous reports suggested that barakol may exert its effect in the central nervous system. There is no definite proof of the basic mechanism of barakol, but there is evidence suggesting that barakol may alter the effect of dopamine or serotonin in the brain. This study employed the high accuracy method of HPLCECD and punching technique to measure dopamine and serotonin contents in rat brain before and after treatment with barakol. The results reveal that serotonin concentration was not changed in any selective brain area of the rat. Although, the dopamine concentration was not changed in any selective brain area of the rat except in the caudate head 2. In this area dopamine content was decreased when compared with the control group. This evidence suggested that barakol acts on dopaminergic system in the central nervous system.