Chronic Administration of Bauhinia forficata Link Reduced Exploratory Activity Without Affecting Blood Glucose in Healthy Rats

This study provides information about the effect of chronic ingestion of a decoction of Bauhinia forficata on the behavior of rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the exploratory activity, anxiety level, and blood glucose of healthy rats submitted to prolonged treatment with a decoction of B.forficata. Twenty male rats, aged two months and weighing approximately 145g were randomly distributed into two groups. The Bauhinia group freely ingested a decoction of B.forficata for 4 weeks, while the control group received water. Body weight, food and fluid intake, and glycemic index were quantified. The open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests were applied at the end of the experiment. Data were analyzed by Student’s t test for unpaired samples, with a significance level of P<0.05. The results of the EPM test were analyzed by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and blood glucose by the Bonferroni test. There were no significant differences in body weight, food intake or glycemic index between the Bauhinia and control groups. Net liquid intake was higher in the Bauhinia group. EPM results did not differ between groups, but in the OF test, the frequencies of rearing and locomotion were lower and immobility time was increased for rats in the Bauhinia group. In conclusion, B.forficata reduced exploratory activity and did not alter blood glucose in healthy rats.