Neuropharmacological effects of camel milk related to modulation of biogenic amines in experimental animals

Abstract

Camel milk is reported as anti-diabetic, hepato-protective, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral and neuroprotectant in numerous studies. Based on its neuroprotective profile, camel milk is investigated for its possible beneficial effect in treating anxiety and depression and its effect on brain biogenic amines in the present study. Head dip, cage crossing, stationary rod, elevated plus-maze, open field, light & dark box and forced swim tests were used to measure change in rodents’ behavior after camel milk administration. Any possible change in brain biogenic amines level after camel milk treatment was evaluated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique. Camel milk administration resulted in significant increase (p≤0.001) in exploratory and locomotor activity and showing anxiolytic behavior in rodents. In depression-like model, rats showed significant increase (p≤0.001) in struggling time after 30-days administration of camel milk. HPLC detection of brain biogenic amines revealed significant increase (p≤0.001) in norepinephrine, insignificant increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine and significant decrease (p≤0.001) in dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in camel milk treated group. Based on above findings, camel milk is suggested as anxiolytic and antidepressant in the administered doses. However, further experimental and clinical investigations are required to authenticate the same at different doses.