Physiological and ethological effects of an extract of four plants used as an anxiolytic: A study on ants as models.

Abstract

Working on ants as models, the most consumed anxiolytic, alprazolam, has been shown to have adverse effects. We presumed that plant extracts might be a safe alternative. A product made of an extract of Valeriana officinalis L., Humulus lupulus L., Passiflora incarnata L., and Ballota nigra L., easily available in any drugstore, was tested in the same way alprazolam had been. Contrary to alprazolam, this product did not significantly alter the ants" brood caring, cognition, behaviour in front of nestmates, tactile perception, learning and memory. It efficiently calmed the ants which often rested but not fully slept, avoided risky tasks and quietly reacted in a stressing situation. Adaptation occurred for the few adverse effects of this product (large sinuosity of movement, what had an effect on some behaviour).No habituation occurred as for its calming effect and it did not lead to dependence contrary to alprazolam. After its consumption ends, the calming effect of the plant extract slowly vanishes in 29 hours, step by step. In conclusion, this extract appears to be a safe product for reducing anxiousness and should be used preferentially to synthetized compounds which are known to have severe adverse effects.Keywords: aggressiveness, cognition, locomotion, memory, sleepiness. IntroductionThe most consumed potions in the world are antidepressants, anxiolytics, antibiotics and hormones. Drugs of the two first categories may impact patients" behaviour, nervous system functioning and general activity. Usingants as biological models, we examined the effects of antidepressants (e.g. Why using ants as biological models?Most biological processes are similar for all animals, including humans (i.e. genetics, metabolism, nervous cells functioning). Consequently, a lot of invertebrates and vertebrates are used as models for studying biological processes [3]. Invertebrates are more and more used due to their short life cycle, simple anatomy, and availability in large numbers [4]. Some species are largely used, for instance, the flatworm Dendrocelium lacteum, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the mollusk Aplysia californica, the beetle Tribolium castaneum, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the domestic bee Apis mellifera. Among invertebrates, insects, especially social hymenoptera and among them, bees, are advantageously used as models [5], but ants too can be used. Ants are among the most complex social invertebrates as for their morphology, physiology, social organization and behaviour. They are among the most morphologically evolved hymenoptera, having a unique resting position of their labium, mandibles and maxilla [6], as well as a lot of glands emitting numerous efficient pheromones [7]. Their societies are highly organized with a strong division of labor, an age-based polyethism and a social regulation [8]. Their behaviour is well developed: they care for their brood, build sophisticated nests, chemically mark the inside of their nest, their nest entrances, nest surroundings and foraging area ...

Physiological Impact of Statins Experimentally Revealed on Ants

“…Studying the effect of age, activity and diet on the learning ability of M. ruginodis led us to suppose that they could be used as models 5,15 . This was confirmed when studying the effects of several alkaloids, of nicotine, of morphine and quinine, buprenorphine and methadone, of fluoxetine, of anafranil and efexor, 3 of paroxetine, 4 of carbamazepine, 5 of alprazolam, and of sweeteners as well as food complements 16,17 on Myrmica species. Each time, we found effects like those observed on humans and brought precise information on these effects.…”

“…Most of the material and methods here used are similar to those previously used for examining the adverse effects of several products consumed by humans using ants as material 4,5,16,17 . Having already detailed them, we here summarize these protocols.…”

“…They were fed with an aqueous solution of sugar and cut Tenebrio molitor larvae (Linnaeus, 1758). Laboratory parameters were optimum for the species 17 . The ants are here often named 'nestmates' as usually done by persons working on social insects.…”

“…As previously 17 , the ants drinking the sugar water, eating the T. molitor larvae, and being in activity anywhere were counted six times per day, for six days. The daily mean Table 1.…”

Some Findings on Ants as Models, Which Should be Considered for Caring of Humans

“…13 All this incites us to recommend the use of sedinal plus®, a safe natural mixture of four adequately chosen plants. 14 Statins impact the health; a safe natural product should be used instead of them These substances are used for treating persons suffering from hypercholesterolemia. It appeared that simvastatin affected the ants' locomotion, larvae loading, sugar food consumption, cognition, conditioning ability and memory.…”