Protective effects of camellia oil in unpredictable stress induced behavioral and neurochemical changes in rats

Repeated episodes of stress results in the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with severe depression. Synthetic antipsychotic medication helps people experiencing the stress induced behavioral problems. These medications have serious side effects. A variety of natural herbs and their extracts are frequently used to treat neurological disorders. Camellia oleifera Abel. oil is used for treatment of metabolic and endocrine problems. Moclobemide is monoamine oxidase inhibitor, widely prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety. This study evaluate the neuroprotective effects of camellia oil and moclobemide in animal model of learned helplessness. Stress produced behavioral deficits, increases plasma corticosterone levels, brain lipid peroxidation and decreases the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Camellia oil pre-treated rats improved behavioral activities, as well as significant reduction in plasma corticosterone and lipid peroxidation, along with rise in activity of antioxidant enzymes. Enhanced level of brain dopamine, dihydroxyphenlyacetic acid and decreased dopamine turnover was also observed in stressed rats. These stress induced changes can be prevented in rats pre-treatment with camellia oil. However, when compared with synthetic antidepressant moclobemide, the rats treated with camellia oil exhibited more promising result.