The Comparative Effects Of Chronic Consumption Of Kola Nut ( Cola nitida ) And Caffeine Diets On Locomotor Behaviour And Body Weights In Mice

The comparative effects of chronic (28 days) consumption of kola nut and its active constituent, caffeine diets on locomotor behaviour and body weights in mice were investigated. 30 adult Swiss white mice (15-30g body weight), were used for the study. The open field-maze was employed for the evaluation of locomotor behaviour. Mice in the control group (n = 10) were fed normal rodent chow, mice in the kola nut-fed group (n = 10) were fed kola diet (25% wt/wt of rodent chow) while those in the caffeine-fed group (n = 10) were fed caffeine diet (0.66% wt/wt of rodent chow) for 4 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water. Daily food intake, water intake and body weight change were also measured. Daily food intake in the kola nut and caffeine-fed group of mice was significantly (P<0.001 respectively) lower than the control. There was also a significant (P<0.001) decrease in daily water intake in the caffeine-fed group compared to the control whereas, the apparent decrease of water intake in the kola nut-fed group was not significantly different from the control. Body weight change was also significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively) lower in the kola nut and caffeine-fed groups of mice when compared to the control. The frequency of rearing in the open field was significantly (P<0.01) lower in the caffeine-fed group of mice when compared to the control. The frequency of grooming was also significantly (P<0.05) lower in the caffeine-fed group of mice when compared to the control. There was also a significant (P