Protective Effect of Vernonia Cinerea Against Sunset Yellow Induced Anxiogenic Behaviour in Mice Model: Counteract Oxidative Damage based Approach

Abstract

Background: Sunset Yellow is a commonly used synthetic food additive in various food beverages. Over usage of this colorant induce the anxiogenic behaviour in mice through oxidative stress. Vernonia cinerea reverses anxiogenic behaviour by counteracting oxidative stress. Objective: The study was designed to screen the protective effect of Vernonia cinerea extract against sunset yellow induced anxiogenic behaviour in mice through counteracting oxidative damage. Methods: The anxiogenic effect was induced by the administration of sunset yellow (20 mg/kg, p.o) for 30 days. Ethanol extract of Vernonia cinerea (EEVC) aerial parts (400 mg/kg, p.o) administered, after 1 hour of sunset yellow treatment. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o) was used as a reference drug for comparisons. Results: FT-IR studies of the extract were done by comparing with standards to determine the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Vernonia cinerea significantly improved the altered anxiogenic behaviour of sunset yellow treated animals. Significant increase in the brain antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level and decrease the lipid peroxidation and glutamate neurotransmitter was observed in Vernonia cinerea treated group and also this extract reversed the hippocampus CA3 region abnormalities such as perivascular oedema, haemorrhage and severe vocalisation in sunset yellow group. Conclusion: The Vernonia cinerea possesses significant antioxidant, antiradical and GABA enhancing effects against sunset yellow induced anxiogenic animals.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.: An Updated Review

“…When overused, sunset yellow, widely used in food and drink, can cause various negative effects on major organs, including the brain, liver, and urinary system [141]. According to a recent study, the extracts from the aerial parts of V. cinerea (400 mg/kg, taken orally) significantly enhances the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, as well as antiradical and antioxidant properties, thus effectively alleviating the anxiogenic behavior induced by sunset yellow in vivo [142].…”