1.      Introduction

When homeostasis is threatened by stressful experience, the body undergoes myriad changes. The brain is the central target to stress, where hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex are the primary areas that undergo stress-induced structural remodeling which can ultimately alter the physiological and behavioral response. The stress can acts on the brain via multiple interacting pathways mediatedby glucocorticoids, excitatory amino acids, and ROS(reactive oxygen species) production. The result of this stressorcan lead to structural remodeling of neuronal architecture and thus, affectcognitive dysfunction, behavioralalteration, learning and memory impairment[1] and other neurological problems. 

The stressful responseshas been regulated by two major hormonal system Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary (SAM) axis.Further,elevated circulating glucocorticoidsactivates the release of excitatory amino acid glutamate, resulting in increased cellular Ca²⁺ concentration, the excess level of Ca²⁺is toxic to the cell and causes structural and functional changes and also shrinkage of thehippocampal neuron[2] and leads tomany pathological conditions such as cognitive decline, neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal death[3]. 

The earlier studies reported stress can induce behavioral alteration, depression, cognitive decline and may risk for many other neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.Hence, it is important to develop ananimal model of human diseases for understanding pathophysiology and developing new therapeutic strategy against stress induced cognitive dysfunction and anxiety behavior. In the present study, spatial learning and memory was tested by eight arm radial maze [4], novel object recognition test [5]. 

Elevated plus maze activityconsidered as a valid animal behavioral study to detect anxiety by using natural stimuli like fear of a novel open space and fear of balancing on a relatively narrow, raised platform [6].Open field behavior is another method to test theexploratory, locomotor and anxiety or increased fear condition in rodents[7]. The light/dark test is based on the innate aversion of rodents to brightly illuminate areas and on the spontaneous exploratory behavior of rodents in responses to mild stressors that is novel environment and light[8]. 

There is a lack of effective drug delivery or therapeutic treatment for Central Nervous System (CNS) related diseases and disorders. There are many potentially active polar soluble drugs are unable to access to the brain. The biggest obstacle for achieving effective therapeutic treatment for the CNS related problem is the presence of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). There are many studies on neuroprotective and radical scavenging activity of polyphenols due to theantioxidantcapacities. Accumulating studies shows that polyphenols markedly reduce the risk of dementia [9]and improves the cognitive performances[10]. 

Myricetin is the drug in the present study,among many other flavonoids it hasmorea number of replaceable numbers of ahydrogen atom in its chemical structure[11]. Thehydrogen atom isresponsible for the free radical scavenging activity of the compound and other health promising activity of myricetin.Myricetin is present in many plant-derived foodstuffs, notably in grapes, berries, onions, walnuts, herbs, wines, vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants and is classified as a flavonoid with strong antioxidant effects [12]. In recent years, it has been reported that myricetin exhibits a variety of beneficial effects on hypoglycemic [13], antioxidant [14], anticancer effect, neuroprotective activity, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral actions in humans [15], it received great attention because of its varied biological activities. Myricetin is a partial water-solublecompound, which limits its curative effect of the drug due to the presence of BBB[16]. Myricetin has the biologically diverse actions though, it is inaccessible to the braindue to polar soluble nature[17]. Hence, we need an alternative effective method for drug delivery techniques or drug formulation methods to reachpolar soluble compounds into thebrain. Hence, we have developed MYR-ME delivery system to enhance bioavailability polar soluble drugs into the brain, this was achieved by technique described in this article. 

The microemulsion can be prepared by oil-in-water (o/w) or of water-in-oil (w/o), microemulsion producing a transparent product that has a particle size of 10 to 100 nm and does not have the tendency to coalesce. The particle size determines the rate of drug release as well absorption. It is composed of the oil phase, surfactant, co-surfactant and an aqueous phase at appropriate ratios [18]. The earlier studies have  reported that myricetin in the oil are  phase protected from the microemulsion and thus avoiding the gastrointestinal and liver metabolism, thereby, it could increase the drug bioavailability by the microemulsion delivery system, microemulsion increase the bioavailability of drug (16.05 fold) when compared to a myricetin suspension by the oral administration [16]. 

Based on the earlier literatures we developed a hypothesis that, myricetin in the form of microemulsion may enhance the drug delivery to the brain and thereby it can protect or prevent psychological stress induced cognitive dysfunction and anxiety behavior the Wistar albino rats. 

2.      Materials and Methods 

2.1.  Chemicals and Agents 

Myricetin was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and all other chemicals used are of an analytical grade, purchased from Sisco Research Laboratories (SRL), India. 

2.2.  Animals and Maintenance 

Adult male Wistar Albino rats weighing 200-220g were randomly divided into four groups used for the study. All animal procedures were approved by the institutional animal ethical committee and CPCSEA (IAEC No: 01/26/2014). Animals were housed in a group of three rats per cage and animals were maintained at controlled room temperature 23 ± 2^ºC with 12:12 hour light: dark cycle and allowed to free access to food and water. The animals were fed ad libitum with a standard rat pellet diet and drinking water. 

2.3.  Experimental Design 

Animals were divided into four groups, each group consists ofsixanimals:Group I- Non-stress control animals, Group II- Non stress control animal with vehicle administrated, Group III- Restraint stressexposed and Group IV- restraint stress with MYR-MEtreated group. 

2.4.  Psychological Stress Model

According to thepreviously described method, psychological stress was developed by restraint the animals for 6 hours daily for twenty-one days[19]. The restrainers were designed by wire mesh, containsthesteel base, and steel mesh, a padlock and latch will help to secure the rat in the restrainer. Wire mesh is designed tightly to fit and restrict the movement of theanimal, without any discomfort, not restricting breathing, interfering with thermoregulation, or causing pain. Animals were subjected to chronic restraint stress 6h/day for21days; the time period was randomly changed in ordered to avoid the habituation. Each group contains six animals.

 2.5.  Preparation and treatment of myricetin microemulsion (MYR-ME) 

The microemulsion was introduced by Hoar and Schulman,MYR-ME(O/W) was prepared by the previously described method by Wang, et al.[16]. The microemulsion was prepared by dissolving Tween 80 and Tween 20 in 1:2 ratio (surfactant) in ethanol (co-surfactant), then mixed well with oleic acid (oil phase),subsequently theappropriate amount of myricetin was added into the mixture. The formulations were formed spontaneously at room temperature when the appropriate amount of phosphate buffer(pH p6.5) was added by gently vibrating. MYR-ME (10mg/kg BW) dosage as described in the previous study [17] was administrated orally for 21 days,before an hour of stress exposure. 

2.6.  Behavior Analysis 

2.6.1.         Open Field Test 

Open Field Test (OFT), is used to measure the exploratory and anxiety-related behavior in the novel place. The test was performed accordingly by apreviously described method with slight modification [20], the apparatus made up of (40 cm × 40 cm × 49 cm) black arena with wooden floor consists of equally divided (5 × 5) square. The apparatus is illuminated with white light in the center. Rats were placed in the center or one of the four corners of the open field and allowed to explore the apparatus for 5 minutes. After the 5-minute test, rats were returned to their home cages.The test provides a unique opportunity to assess three independent behavioral dimensions relating to the locomotor activity, exploration, and emotional activity, by placing the animal in the corner of brightly lighted a large rectangular box. Thetested area was cleaned after every entry of an animal with 70% alcohol. Emotional status of the animal and locomotor activity of the rat was assessed by the parameters like peripheral ambulation, central ambulation, rearing, grooming, immobilization, and defecation. 

2.6.2.         Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) 

The Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test is used to assess anxiety-related behavior in a rodent model. The elevated plus maze was made of wooden Perspex, with two opposite open arms and two opposite closed arms of the same size, the entire apparatus was elevated 50 cm above the floor. The apparatus was situated in a darkened room, illuminated by a single 60 W white light bulb located approximately 100cm above from the center of the maze. Rats were placed in the central square of the maze, facing one of the open arms. Each animal tested to elevated plus maze test only once, rats were randomly removed from their home cages and tested for 5 min in an elevated plus maze to ensure anxiety levels. The number of entries into open, closed arms and time spent in each arm were scored for the first 5 min. The tested area was cleaned with 70% alcohol prior to the introduction of each animal. Animals falling off the maze were eliminated from the analysis. The parameters include the number of open, closed arm entries and the number of head dips (dipping the head below the open arm of the EPM, with all four paws on an open arm) (Walf & Cheryl, 2007). 

2.6.3.         Light and Dark box test (Place preference task) 

The light/dark box also was used to assess the anxiety-like behavior of rodents. The box was divided into two compartments, 18 × 15 × 15 inches(long, wide and high) light compartment with open at the top and 12 × 15 × 15 inches (long, wide and high) the dark compartment that was fully enclosed. The divider between the two compartments and contained a 3 × 4 inch (wide, high) opening at floor level. This allows the animal entries between compartments. At the beginning of testing, each animal was placed in the center of the light compartment. Behavior subsequently was videotaped for 5 min. Behaviors were scored by an observer who was blind to the treatment conditions. The measures scored were (1) initial latency to enter the dark compartment, (2) time spent in the bright area and (3) time spent in a dark compartment [22]. 

2.6.4.         Radial arm maze (RAM) 

Spatial learning and memory were tested by using an eight-arm radial maze apparatus as described before with slight modification in the experimental procedure [23].The next day after the end of 21 days of restraint stress animals and restraint stress treated with MYR-ME animals were tested in the eight-arm radial maze for testing memory after stress and treatment. The eight-arm radial maze made of steel material, had an octagonal central platform, 33.5 cm wide, around which were arranged 60 cm long by 12 cm wide arms. The whole apparatus was elevated 40 cm from the floor in a sound proof chamber. Before the training session, the animals were 80% food deprived, during behavioral training the sucrose pellet is kept as its reward so that they could become habituated to the apparatus. Initially, animals were allowed to freely explore the maze for 2 days with all arms baited with sucrose pellets for 10 min. By the third day of training on the spatial task, only four arms (fixed for that animal) were always baited and food rewards placed at the end of the arms. Two training session were performed for eight days between 09:30-11:00am and 4:30-6:00 pm every day. Each individual rat had its own set of four rewarded arms. The room contained several visual reference cues on the wall. Each trial began with the placement of the animal on central platform facing arm number one and ended when the rat had visited the four baited. The following parameters were measured on ninth day based on the Olton’s definition, i) Number of reference memory errors(i.e. each entry into a non-baited arms), ii) Number of working memory errors(i.e. re-entries into already visited baited arms were noted) and iii) Time is taken to visit all the baited arms. 

2.6.5.         Spontaneous alteration T-maze 

Spontaneous alteration T-maze wasused to assess cognitive ability and memory retention ability of rodents. The test is based on the left and right arm discrimination, in this test, therathas to discriminate either left or right arm of the T-maze to get the food reward. The T-maze consisted of a start box (12x12 cm), stem (35x12 cm), two arms (35x12 cm) and each arm had a goal area of (15x12 cm) and the side walls were off 40 cm height. The first day animals were habituated to apparatus and allow to explore in theT-maze for 10 minutes in both the arms were baited with sucrose pellets. Followed by ten trials with inter-trial intervals of 2 minutes, rats were trained to reach either right or left arm and when they reached to the goal area pellets were provided. The rats were trained till reach 80%corrected response and noted a number of days taken for reaching 80%. Followed the80%corrected response, the rats were tested for memory retention after two days as described before [24]. 

2.6.6.         Novel object recognition test 

The novel object recognition test is used to analyze recognition memory. Behavioral activity and neuronal activity were recorded first in the open field(40 cm × 40 cm × 49 cm), during the initial exposure and subsequent familiarization to two identical objects with same size and different shapes were used for the experiment. During habituation, animals were placed in the open field apparatus for 10 mins and the next day the identical object was placed and the rats were allowed to explore on objects for 5 mins after two hours of interval one old object is replaced with novel object and animals were allowed to explore for 5 mins. The objects and box were wiped by 70% ethanol after each trial to remove the odor of the previous rat. The positions of the objects were similar during training and test. Percentage of time spent was calculated as T_Novel/(T_Novel × T_Familiar) ×100 where T_Novel is time spent with anovel object and T_Familiar is time spent with a familiar object.The experiment involved a three session, one habituation to open field apparatus and session two is for familiarization to identical objects. During the third session, the first test of novelty was performed as described before [25]. 

2.7.  Statistical analysis 

Data were analyzed by using (SPSS 20) version software and presented in the form of the bar diagram and expressed as mean ± SEM. One-way ANOVA, followed by the multiple comparisons by Tukey post hoc multiple comparisonswasperformed eight-arm radial maze, T-maze,novel object recognition, open fieldbehavior,elevated plus maze, and light and dark test. p<0.05 was considered as significant. The “a” represent control group, “b” represents a vehicle group,“c” represent the stress group and “d” represent stress with MYR-ME treated group. 

3.       RESULTS

 3.1.  Open field behavior 

3.1.1.         Number of central square entries 

The stress group animals demonstrated anxiety related behavior as tested by number of central squire entries which were significantly reduced (3.67 ± 0.42, 0.003), whereas those animals were treated with MYR-ME the entries were recorded at the same frequency as the non-stressed group (7.83 ± 0.60, p = 0.004). The parameters studied in the open field behavior are summarized inTable 1.

3.1.2.         Number of peripheral square entries 

The number of peripheral square entries were significantlyincreased (53.16 ± 4.35, p = 0.004) in the restraint stress exposed group. Whereas, the number of peripheral square entries were significantly decreased (29.33 ± 3.14, p = 0.001) in stress with MYR-ME treated group, as similar to that of control group. 

3.1.3.         Number of grooming 

Therestraint stress exposed group showed increased number of grooming (14.66 ± 1.20, p = 0.005), this was significantly reduced (7.83 ± 0.60, p = 0.001) in restraint stress with MYR-ME treated, almost similar pattern of grooming was observed as non-stressed group. 

3.1.4.         Number of rearing 

There was markedly increased rearing(16.16 ± 1.57, p = 0.001)was observed in restraint stress exposed group, while this was reduced in MYR-ME treated group (8.66 ± 0.96, p = 0.003), this was restored almost as like that of control group. 

3.1.5.         Number of fecal pellets 

The stress exposed group showed increased number of fecal pellets (4.33 ± 0.42, p = 0.001) whereas, MYR-ME treated group showed reduced number of fecal pellets at similar frequency as that of non-stressed group (2 ± 0.36, p = 0,003). 

3.2.  Elevated plus maze (EPM) 

3.2.1.         Number of entries in open arm 

The one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey posthoc test revealed stress exposed group animals were showed high anxiety levels as assessed by of open arms entries, which were decreased in stress group (1.67 ± 0.33, P = 0.001), whereasMYR-ME treated group showed significantly increased as similar that of non-stressed animals (5.33 ± 0.67, p = 0.006).The results of parameters studied were shown in Table 2.

3.2.2.         Number of entries in closed arm 

The increased number of closed arm entries (8.33 ± 1.75, p = 0.001) were observed in restraint stress exposed group, whereas it was significantlyreduced in MYR-ME treated group, as close to that of non-stressed group (5 ± 0.89, p = 0.001). 

3.2.3.         Time spent in open arm                                                                              

Stress group animals showed less time spent in the open arm (29.67 ± 2.18, p = 0.005), this was significantlyincreased in MYR-ME administrated group,assimilartothat of non-stressed animals (95.8 ± 1.92, p 0. 006). 

3.2.4.         Time spends in closed arm 

The time spent in the closed arm was higher in stress exposed group (269 ± 3.74, p = 0.005), whereas it was significantlydecreased (197.83 ± 1.79, p = 0.004) in restraint stress with MYR-ME treated group.

3.2.5.         Number of head dips 

The restraint stress exposed group showed significantly less (10.33 ± 0.67, p = 0.005) head dips whereas, it was almost restored in MYR-ME treated group, as like that of control animals(24.5 ± 1.17, p = 0.001). 

3.3.  Light and dark test(Place-preference task) 

3.3.1.         Initial latency to enter into dark area 

The anxiety related behavior also tested by evaluating initial latency to enter into dark area, restraint stress exposed group has taken less time (15 ± 1.80, p = 0.003) to enter into dark area, whereas those who treated with MYR-ME animals showed significantly increased time was taken (29.16 ± 1.57, p = 0.001) to enter the dark area, as that of non-stressed animals, this isshown in Figure 1A.

3.3.2.         Time spent in bright area 

The decreased time spent in bright area was observed in restraint stress exposed group (29.16 ± 2.49, p= 0.001), while this was significantly increased in MYR-ME treated group, the time spent in bright area was as similar to that of non-stressed animals (87.16 ± 5.21, p = 0.02),the results are described in Figure 1B.

3.3.3.         Time spent in dark area 

The stress exposed group animals showed increased time spent (233.5 ± 2.83 sec, p = 0.01) in dark area,however this was significantly decreased when treated with MYR-ME, as same that of non-stressed animals (176 ± 5.4sec, p = 0.001). Time spent in the dark area of all groups is shown in Figure 1C.

3.4.  Spatial memory assessment in eight-arm radial maze 

3.4.1.         Working memory error                        

The stress exposed animals showed deficits in the spatial memory, this was tested by assessing working memory error,the resulats aresummarized in Figure 2A. Tukey posthoc test revealed that the working memory error was significantly increased (1.67 ± 0.12, p = 0.02) in restraint stress induced group, whereas MYR-ME treated group showed significantly decreased (0.5 ± 0.12, p = 0.006), the similar trend was recorded as like non-stressed animals.

. Reference memory error 

The number of reference memory error was more in restraint stress exposed (3.83 ± .30, p = .003) group, whereas MYR-ME treated group showed asignificantlyless number of reference memory error (1.83 ± .30, p = .004), as same kindthat of non-stressed animals, the results summarized in Figure 2B.

5.4.3.         Time is taken to visit the entire baited arm 

The restraint stress exposed animalswere showed significantly increased (153. 16 ± 2.77, p = .003) time taken to visit all baited arms. However, MYR-ME treated group showed significantly less time taken (47.17 ± 3.26, p = .009) to visit all baited arms, alike non-stressed animals, the results are described in Figure 2C. 

5.4.4.         Novel object recognition test 

The restraint stress exposed group showed significantlyless exploration to novel object (33.71 ± 3.43, p = 0.01), whereas MYR-ME treated group showed significantly increased novel exploration (74.58 ± 2.68, p = 0.003), this was restored almost as that of control animals. The results are shown in Figure 3.

5.4.5.         Spontaneous alterationT-maze 

Spontaneous alteration T-maze was used toassessthecognitive ability of rodents. The parameters obtained arethe number of days taken to attain 80% corrected response, spontaneous alteration scoring, theaverage time taken to each entry, memory retention scoring andtheaverage time taken for memory retention scoring. The results described in Table 3.

5.4.6.         Number of days taken for 80%correct choice 

Restraint stress exposed group showed impaired cognitive function, this was tested by number of days taken to attain 80% correct choice (3.166 ± 0.30, p = .001), whereas,those who treated with MYR-ME group showed similar days was observed as non-stressed animals(1.33 ± 0.21, p = 0.001). 

5.4.7.         Spontaneous alteration scoring 

Spontaneous alteration scoring was less (81.67 ± 1.67, p = 0.683) in restraint stress exposed group animals,although, this was restored in MYR-ME treated group,as like non-stressed animals(85 ± 2.16). 

5.4.8.         Average time is taken to each entry 

Restraint stress exposed animals demonstrated impaired decision-making ability was tested by average time to visit each arm entry (24.51 ± 1.99 sec, p = 0.01), however animals those were treated with MYR-ME the average time taken wasnoted at the same frequency as the non-stressed group (14.73 ± 1.53sec, p = 0.001). 

5.4.9.         Memory retention scoring 

Impaired memory retention ability was observed in restraint stress exposed (61.67± 3.07, p = 0.004), while MYR-ME treated group showed significantly (p<0.05) increased memory retention scoring as that of non-stressed animals (81.66 ± 3.07, p = 0.002). 

5.4.10.      Average time is taken in memory retention scoring 

Average time taken for each entry during memory retention scoring significantly was more in rrestraint stress exposed group (44.11 ± 2.25sec, p = 0.004), whereas MYR-ME administrated group animals were taken significantly less time, as similar result observed in non-stressed animals (13.26 ± 051sec, p = 0.006). 

6.         Discussion 

Stress has become an integral part of human life, stressful experiencedisturbs the imbalance in the body’s physiological function by elevated secretions of stress hormones, which damages the brain and it leads to impairment in cognitive function, learning and memory and also alters the behavior[26]. 

Restraint stress causes a wide range of anxiety behavior which leads to an alteration inlearning and memory [27]. In the present study, twenty-one days of chronic restraint stress exposed animals showed increased anxiety levelin the open field test, which is characterized by increasedperipheral squares entries and increase grooming and rearing.However, MYR-ME treated group showed significantly reduced peripheral squares entries, grooming, rearing and increased central square entries. The similar result was found in chronic restraint stress exposed group [19].Further, it was confirmed by elevated plus maze test, restraint stress exposed animals showed less open arm entries, more closed arm entries and also the time spent was more in the closed when compared to open arm, theanexiety level was significantly decreased in MYR-ME treated group. Our result is consistent with earlier findings, six days of restraint stress significantly increased anxiety behavior in the elevated plus maze behavior this was improved by treatemet with ocium santum and camellia sinensis.Further, Mohan et al, [28] reported that myricetin treated group significantly decreased anxiety behavior by altering 5-HT levels. 

In addition, the restraint stress group animal spent more time in the dark areawhereas, less time was spent in the bright area in the light and dark test, this was reduced in MYR-ME treated group,the anxiety-likebehaviors as the time spent in the lighter area was increased and latency for entering the dark area was significantly reduced in MYR-ME treated group. 

From thepresentstudy,it is observed thatMYR-ME effectively protects fromdeteriorating effects of in the rat model. MYR-ME treated animals showed significantly increased spatial learning and memory.It reduces working memory error, reference memory error and timetaken to visit the baited arms compare to restraint stress exposed animals. The present study supports the previous study that 21 days of restraint stress can impair spatial learning [29]. 

Chronic restraint stress exposed animals showed impaired object recognition memory by changing the dendritic morphology of limbic areas of the rat brain, such as hippocampus, amygdaloid complex, and prefrontal cortex [30], this alteration increases anxiety and impair both memory and spatial learning [31].

Restraintstress exposed group showed an average 3 days taken to attain 80% corrected response in the spontaneous alteration T-maze. In the 1^st day, time taken for each entry to the baited arm was increased when compared to that of control, after two days ofT-maze training stress group showed average memory retention scoring 60%and increased time has taken to reach the baited arm (i.e. average time taken for each entry) was more in the restraint group, this indicates the impaired decision-making ability in the restraint stress groups. WhereasMYR-MEtreated group showed increased memory retention ability and less time taken for visiting arms, this indicates that MYR-ME treatment improved or protect the deleterious effect caused by restraint stress, the reason would be increased bioavailability, controlled drug delivery and longer half-life (t1/2) of MYR-ME when compare to myricetin [32].Twenty-one days of restraint stress exposure leads to adeficit in both acquisition and retentions in the T-maze [5].Chronic stress impairs the maintenance of novel short-term memory, i.e. working memory, which is the term applied to the aspect of memory responsible for the recall of information immediatelyafter it has been presented. These results may support that chronic psychosocial stress exaggerates the acquisition of spatial information/object recognition [33]. This memoryimpairment was reduced by MYR-ME treatment. 

Myricetin in the form of microemulsion showed (16.05) fold increased bioavailability, increased half-life and controlled delivery system thesewould be reason for the increased activity of myricetin as anxiolytic and nootropic compound [16]. Mohan et al. have reported that myricetin acted as an anxiolytic compound [28], this was further confirmed by the present study MYR-ME was acted as anxiolytic as a compound. Myricetin as such or in the form of microemulsion it acts as antioxidants and it provides the protection against oxidative stress[34-36], this would be a possible protective mechanism of action of myricetin against restraint stress. 

The characteristic features of the study are, microemulsion formulation is one of the suitable alternative drug delivery methods for polar soluble or partially polar soluble compounds to enhance the drug delivery to the brain. The present study extensively validated the anxiety related behavior by appropriate and three different behavioral techniques and spontaneous alteration T - maze test to assess cognitive functions such as decision making, memory retention ability. However, the study also has limitations, the study doesn’t includesbiochemical, neurochemical and also molecular mechanism behind the ameliorative effect MYR-ME. Hence, it is necessary to carry out neurotransmitter estimation, genomic and proteomic expressions to identify the clear mechanism behind the ameliorative effect of MYR-ME, this will be carried out in future research. 

7.         Conclusion 

Restraint stress havedeleterious effect on cognitive function and spatial memory, and anxiety-related behavior. The compound of our interest, myricetin in the oil phase protected from the microemulsion and avoiding the gastrointestinal and liver metabolism thereby it could increase the drug bioavailability and controlled drug delivery by microemulsion delivery system. So, thereby myricetin enter the hepaticenteral circulation and extend drug release, results in longer residence time in rats.Restraint stressexposed animalswere showeddecreased memory retention ability, decision-making capacity,increased memory retention ability, spatial learning and increased anxiety relatedbehaviour, this was effectively protected by oral administration of (10 mg/kg) MYR-ME.The microemulsion form of the myricetinmayhave protective effect against restraint stress-induced cognitive dysfunction, spatial memory impairment, and other behavioral alterations. 

Declarations of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement

Thefinancial assistance from University of Madras and ICMR -SRF fellowships are greatly acknowledged. 

Figure 1:Light and dark box test, initial latency to enter into a dark area (1A), time spent in bright areas (1B) and time spent in a dark area (1C). The data were expressed as mean ± SEM. “a” represents compared to control, “b” represents compared to Vehicle, “c” compared to stress group and “d” represents compared to stress with myricetin microemulsion treated and the value p<0.05 are considered as significant.

Figure 2:Eight-arm radial maze, working memory error (2A), reference memory (2B) and time was taken (2C). The data were expressed as mean ± SEM. “a” represents compared to control, “b” represents compared to Vehicle, “c” compared to stress group and “d” represents compared to stress with myricetin microemulsion treated and the value p<0.05 are considered as significant.

Figure 3:Novel object recognition test-Novel object recognition test, the data were expressed as mean ± SEM. The data were expressed as mean ± SEM. “a” represents compared to control, “b” represents compared to Vehicle, “c” compared to stress group and “d” represents compared to stress with myricetin microemulsion treated and the value p<0.05 are considered as significant. 

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