Luffa operculata (L.) Cogn. Gestational Exposition Induces Anxiety-like Behavior and Interferes with Melatonin and Inflammation in Young Female Rats

Background: Luffa operculata (L.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae; EBN) dried fruits are abortifacient and showed undesirable effects over male and female adult Wistar rats. Objectives: The present study aimed at accessing how the gestational exposition of F1 female Wistar rats (FF1) to EBN interfered with behavior after challenge with stress or Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and Methods: Wistar rat female fetuses were gestationally exposed to a sub-abortifacient dose of EBN, and received stress or LPS challenge at a young adult age. The alterations in behavior, serum hormone levels, cytokines, and liver and kidney histological and biochemical indices were evaluated. Results: The gestational administration of EBN and NYM/LPS exposition at a young adult age induced anxiety-like behavior in the FF1, accompanied by an increase in the serum corticosterone, ACTH and melatonin levels. A diminish in the pro-inflammatory cytokines was also observed. No histochemical or biochemical alterations were seen in the liver or kidneys. Conclusion: The gestational exposition of EBN led the FF1 to reveal an anxiety-like behavior after being submitted to a stress challenge or LPS exposition at a young adult age and was accompanied by an increase of serum corticosterone and ACTH. A melatonin serum level increase has also been implicated in diminishing the pro-inflammatory cytokines.