Conclusion
Vitexin should be examined in future studies to evaluate its potential for treating nicotine addiction in humans.
Discussion
Vitexin antagonized the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization in rats as the whole extract did in the previous study. Conclusion: Vitexin should be examined in future studies to evaluate its potential for treating nicotine addiction in humans.
Methods
Male Wistar rats were administered 0.4 mg/kg nicotine or vehicle (n = 16-18 per group) once a day for four consecutive days. Nicotine administration produces sensitization of locomotor activity. On the fifth day, locomotor activity was monitored as rats from each treatment group were administered either 30 or 60 mg/kg vitexin or its vehicle (n = 4-6 per group) 30 min before a challenge dose of 0.4 mg/kg nicotine.
Objective
This study examined the ability of vitexin, a flavonoid found in P. incarnata, to ameliorate the signs of nicotine sensitization in rats. Materials and
Results
The challenge dose of nicotine resulted in locomotor activity in rats sensitized to nicotine for 4 days that was approximately twice that measured in rats treated with vehicle during the sensitization phase. Rats sensitized to nicotine and then treated with 60 mg/kg vitexin prior to the nicotine challenge exhibited a level of locomotor activity equivalent to the vehicle-treated controls.