Behavioral effects resulting from sub-chronic treatment of rats with extract of fresh stabilized cola seeds.

The aim of our study was to compare the effects of a sub-chronic treatment with fresh cola seed extract and pure caffeine in the male rat. The activity tests (open-field) and reactivity (tail-tap, resistance to capture), show that fresh cola has an effect on behavior similar to that of caffeine. However, the effects of cola are more gradual than those of caffeine. Furthermore, cola administration leads to an increase in the fall latency observed during the grasping test. These results suggest that the fresh cola seed has both psychostimulating properties similar to those of caffeine, and an original effect on muscular tonus.