Suplementação de noni na gestação e lactação: avaliação dos efeitos comportamentais em filhotes de ratas Wistar.

Abstract

The noni, the Morinda citrifolia fruit, has been widely consumed and some studies have shown its benefits due its vast phytochemical composition, characterizing it as a fruit that is capable to provide treatment for various diseases when consumed daily. However, studies are scarce and inconclusive, especially during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on the offspring behavior whose mothers had used the noni supplementation. Primipara Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: control, received distilled water, and Noni, received aqueous extract at a dose of 75 mg/kg of noni (both by gavage), while the offspring of both sexes were evaluated in behavioral tests such as Open Field and Elevated plus-maze. The results showed contradiction in some parameters in both tests, demonstrating either anxiolytic effects, or anxiogenic, and differed comparing the sexes of animals. Nevertheless, the noni showed no negative interference in the exploratory activity of the animals. In the open field test was not revealed no significant difference between males, but females showed an increase in ambulation and defecation, and decreased grooming. In the maze test in high cross was increased time spent in the central area and decreased time in the closed arms both for male and for female. The number of entries in the open arms was not significant for both sexes. It was observed in females an increase in the number of entries into the closed arms and decreased time spent in the open arms. We can conclude that further studies are needed involving noni and its anxiolytic capacity during pregnancy and lactation, as well as the relationship of the compounds present in this fruit and the interference in the hormones in this effect.