Role of Aqueous Extract of the Wood Ear Mushroom, Auricularia polytricha (Agaricomycetes), in Avoidance of Haloperidol-lnduced Catalepsy via Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Haloperidol-induced catalepsy is an animal model of a psychotic disorder that may be associated with neurodegeneration and free radical damage. Auricularia polytricha is effective in both prevention and treatment of numerous types of neurological disorders. In the present study, anticataleptic activity of aqueous extract of A polytricha (AEAP) at different doses (400 and 600 mg/kg, respectively, p.o.) was studied using haloperidol-induced (1 mg/ kg, i.p.) catalepsy in rats. Repeated treatment with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) on each other day for 15 days (days 5, 10, and 15) significantly induced catalepsy in rats. The effect of AEAP at different doses (400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) on levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase as well as inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the forebrain region was assessed. After 15 days of treatment, AEAP (400 and 600 mg/kg) significantly inhibited haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Treatment with AEAP (400 and 600 mg/kg) exhibited significant elevation in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase as well as lipid peroxidation in the forebrain region compared to the haloperidol-treated group. The study concludes that AEAP (400 and 600 mg/kg) significantly protects animals against haloperidol-induced catalepsy.