ABSTRACT:
Effects of Vitis vinifera and Cichorium intybus in stress induced albino rats was evaluated by determining their adaptogenic effect on adrenocortical activity. The ethanolic extracts of Vitis vinifera seed and Cichorium intybus roots, at the doses of 250 and 500mg/kg body weight for both the extracts were tested. Cold water swimming stress induced effect on adrenocortical activity in Wistar albino rats was evaluated by measuring their levels of plasma corticosterone and adrenal gland weight. In this study cold water swimming stress of rats exhibited elevation in the plasma corticosterone and adrenal gland weight. Pre-treatment with Vitis vinifera seed and Cichorium intybus roots extracts have significantly prevented elevation in plasma corticosterone level and adrenal gland weight at the tested dose. On the basis of results, it was concluded that Vitis vinifera and Chicorium intybus possess potential antistress activity. The observed antistress effect of Vitis vinifera and Cichorium intybus extracts was found to be through hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.