Protective Effects of Teucrium polium Leaves Ethanolic Extract against Eimeria papillata-Induced Behavioral Changes in Mice

Background: Medicinal plants that are abundant in physiologically active phytochemicals have long been used in traditional medicine. Due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, several of these can lower the chance of developing certain illnesses. Coccidiosis is a disease that affects many animals and results in large financial losses. Eimeria spp. strains that are resistant to drugs have emerged as a result of drug addiction and overuse. Therefore, Teucrium polium leaves ethanolic extract (TPLE) was assessed on behavioral performance for the animals injected with Eimeria papillata. Methods: T. polium leaves ethanolic extract (TPLE) was prepared. Also, the behavior of mice infected with the E. papillata parasite and treated with the plant extract was evaluated. In addition, eosin and hematoxylin-stained tissue sections of mice brains were made. Result: There was an improvement in the number of vertical and horizontal movements in the plant-treated group. In addition, there was an improvement in learning and memory through increased total latency time the number of crossings during the shock. Also declined the number of inertial crossings and several reinforced crossings during the shock. There were no changes in oxidative stress or brain histopathology. Our results showed that TPLE has improved the behavioral performance of mice, which promotes the conduct of numerous researches on the compounds found in plants and their effect on animal behavior and also in investigating the behavior of animals in response to infection and treatment.