Abstract

Elizabeth. B. Umoren *, E. E. Osim and P. B. Udoh

The present study was designed to investigate the comparative effects of chronic consumption of kola nut (COLA NITIDA) and caffeine-diets on exploration, anxiety and fear related behaviours in Swiss white mice. The study was carried out on 30 adult Swiss white mice of both sexes weighing 15.0 to 30.0g using the open field apparatus, the light/dark transition box and the elevated plus-maze. The frequency of rearing for mice fed kola nut diet did not differ significantly compared to control, this was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the caffeine-fed mice compared to control. This trend was also similar for grooming. The kola nut and the caffeine-fed mice spent more time in the light portion of the light/dark transition box than in the dark portion of the box when compared to the control (P<0.01). The frequency of stretch-attend postures in both the light and dark portions of the light/dark transition box were significantly lower for both the kola nut-fed and caffeine-fed mice when compared to the control group (P<0.01). In the elevated plus-maze, the duration of entry into the open arm for the kola nut-fed (P<0.05) and caffeine-fed (P<0.01) were significantly higher when compared to the control. This was lower in the close arm for the kola nut-fed (P<0.05) and caffeine-fed (P<0.01) when compared to the control. These results indicate that chronic consumption of kola nut and caffeine decrease anxiety and fear related behaviours in Swiss white mice. However, caffeine diets-fed mice seemed to have a more potent effect in decreasing anxiety and fear while increasing exploration. Hence, the effect of kola nut on exploration, anxiety and fear may not be due to caffeine only.