The Effect of Gonadectomy and Sex - Related Differences in Response to Matricaria Chamomilla Extract on Locomotor Activity Behavior in Mice

Background and

Former studies showed that the Matricaria chamomilla hedroalcholic extract affects pain and anxiety of male and female mice sex-dependently. In this research we examined the effect of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) hydroalcholic extract on locomotor activity behavior in presence and absence of sex glands in adult male and female NMRI mice.

Animals were divided into groups of seven including intact, sham, gonadectomized and receiving hydroalcholic extract of chamomile (30 and 50 mg/kg i.p). Motor activity monitor system was used to evaluate locomotor activity parameters (number of line crossing movments, stereotype movments and number of rearing movments) in open field test on all groups.

1) Hydroalcholic extract of chamomile (50 mg/kg dos) decreased motor activity parameters in presence and absence of sex glands in male mice. 2) Hydroalcholic extract of chamomile (50 mg/kg dose) increased motor activity parameters in presence and absence of sex glands in female mice.3) Gonadectomy did not have any effect on locomotor activity parameters on male mice.4) Gonadectomy decreased motor activity parameters on female mice.

It seems that chamomile extract influences motor activity parameters via some sex related factors like neurochemical systems in male and female mice. This effect may in part depend on sex hormones receptors in female mice.