Protective effect of Mucuna pruriens ( L .) DC . on ethanol withdrawal-induced behavioral changes in rats

Global alcohol addiction is a significant societal concern, and staying away from long-term use of alcohol results in the emergence of behavioural abnormalities. This study assesses the role of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. extract on the effects of ethanol withdrawal. Animals freely accessed ethanol for 21 days through a liquid diet. Administered M. pruriens extract ( MPE ) at dosages of 200 and 400 mg/kg during the alcohol-dependent period (15-21 days) or 30 min before measuring ethanol abstinence. The study examined the withdrawal consequences by evaluating depressive behaviour, locomotion, and anxiety. The administration of treatment to rats 30 min before the 24 h postethanol withdrawal evaluation had no impact on the scores of somatic and behavioral markers. During days 15 to 21, the administration of M. pruriens extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg effectively decreased the heightened depressive behaviours, hyperlocomotion, and anxiety caused by ethanol withdrawal. M. pruriens extract lowered the high levels of corticosterone in their blood. M. pruriens extract may have helped ease ethanol withdrawal symptoms by lowering stress and stabilising the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical) axis activity.