الفهرس 
Autism pathologyOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 173 |  |  |
| | | from | 173 | | |
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a huge public health problem in children all over the world. Autism is characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction, limited interests in activities, repetitive behaviors, and a diminished ability to perform in school, the workplace, and other aspects of life. In recent years, the estimated prevalence of autism spectrum diseases has risen considerably. The condition necessitates long-term therapy and is typically regarded as incurable. Pharmacological intervention, which includes psychiatric medicines to treat behavioral issues, is accompanied with considerable side effects. Behavioral therapy, education, and nutritional therapies are the basis of traditional management. It has been reported that using natural compounds along with the pharmacological medications have a positive effect in treating ASD youngsters, as well as diminishing the adverse effects of chemical medications. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of data on the efficacy of natural remedies in ASD. Achillea fragrantissima (A. fragrantissima) is one of the most popular and important herbs of traditional Arabic medicine, it exhibits a wide range of biological functions including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities.
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Achillea fragrantissima plant extract (AF) (500 mg/kg) on propionic acid (PPA) induced behavioral and biochemical changes in rats compared with the Risperidone drug (RIS) (1mg/kg) and iron (FER) (250 mg/kg) were orally administered for 17 successive days. Autistic like model was induced by daily injection of PPA (250 mg/kg; ip) through the experiment duration. Fifty male albino rats were divided into 5 equal groups (n=10) as bellow: 1- CON {received carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) (0.5 g /100 ml) as (5 ml /kg) orally + phosphate buffer saline 0.1 M intraperitoneal}, 2- PPA group, 3- AF, 4- RIS and 5- FER. Three box chamber was performed at 15th day, Open field was performed at 16th day, Y maze test was conducted at 17th day after drug receives. In the 18th day, rats were sacrificed and homogenates of cortical, hippocampus and midbrain tissues were used for the estimation of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) contents along with the proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers. Serum ferritin and complete blood picture were assessed.
The result showed that Achillea fragrantissima extract could attenuate behavior deficits together with the improvement of the monoaminergic system and acetylcholine. Improved the animal performance in three-chambers box, open field and Y maze test. A. fragrantissima extract also revealed antioxidant potentials against oxidative stress induced by PPA. A. fragrantissima extract showed an appropriate effect on maintaining proinflammatory cytokines. A. fragrantissima extract increases ferritin, Hb and RBCs levels that had been decreased by PPA. Also, the extract diminished the elevated WBCs and its differential types count that was increased due to PPA treatment.
Iron have improving effect on dopamine level in hippocampus, reducing effect on proinflammatory cytokines in defined brain areas. It has no favorable effect in the oxidative stress status, slightly improved the social behavior of the treated rats. Iron supplementation elevated the ferritin, Hb and RBCs levels.
Therefore, it may be concluded that A. fragrantissima extract had a protective effect due to its impact on the monoaminergic system. A. fragrantissima extract also protects against neuro-inflammation by decreasing cytokines. It may be suggested also that A. fragrantissima had a neuroprotective effect due to antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. A. fragrantissima also improves the behavior performance through different used mazes.