Stimulation of acetylcholinesterase activity with nyctanthes arbor‐tristis leaves extract in the malathion‐treated immunosuppressed mice

The central nervous system's immune interaction appears to play a role in the psychosocial influence on immunologically resisted and mediated disease. Malathion is a known inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase activity. The accumulation of acetylcholine in nerve tissue affects organs with consequent symptoms that mimic the central nervous system action of acetylcholine. Subchronic and sublethal doses of malathion also suppressed the immune response. Nyctanthes arbor‐tristis has a immunopotentiative and pesticidal property. The effects of Nyctanthes arbor‐tristis on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in the serum and brain was studied by treating the Swiss albino mice with an aqueous extract of N. arbor‐tristis [HL(aq)], as well as malathion‐immunosuppressed mice. The results revealed that the inhibition of AchE activity is reduced in malathion‐treated serum and brain tissue samples of mice, when they were given a HL(aq) extract treatment. Moreover, there was greater enhancement of AchE in serum than in brain tissue samples in HL(aq)‐treated mice. Thus the effect of malathion on AchE activity can be antagonised by HL(aq) treatment.

Keywords:

• Malathion
• Immunosuppressed mice
• AchE activity
• Nyctanthes arbor‐tristis