Anxiolytic-like activity of Aloysia virgatavar. platyphylla leaves extract in mice / Actividad ansiolítica del extracto de hojas de Aloysia virgatavar. platyphylla en ratones

Background: Medicinal plants are part of traditional medicine and should be considered a therapeutic alternative for mental diseases. Several plants belonging to the Verbenaceae family have proved useful in treating general anxiety disorders, the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Objective: This research aimed to verify the extract's safety, the effect on general behavior, and the effect on sleeping time, as well as to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of the methanol extract of Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla (Avp), in mice. Methodology: The toxicity test was done according to the OECD guide (mice groups n=5), and general behavior was observed during the assay. Sleeping time was assessed using the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis method (n=8). Male Swiss albino mice (n=6) were treated with 50 to 400 mg/kg of Avp extract and diazepam as a control. The anxiolytic-like effect was tested through the hole board and elevated plus-maze test. Results: The Avp extract has no side effects in tested doses, and no central nervous system depressant activity was noted. A. virgatavar. platyphyllaincreased exploration (number and time) in the hole board. In the elevated plus-maze, increased number and time into open arms were evidenced compared to the control group. Conclusion: With all these results, we concluded that the Avp extract is safe and has a potential anxiolytic-like activity in the animal model used

Antecedentes: Las plantas medicinales forman parte de la medicina tradicional y deben ser consideradas una alternativa terapéutica para las enfermedades mentales. Varias plantas pertenecientes a la familia Verbenaceae han demostrado su utilidad en el tratamiento de los trastornos de ansiedad, uno de los trastornos psiquiátricos más prevalentes. Objetivo: Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo verificar la seguridad del extracto, el efecto sobre el comportamiento general y el efecto sobre el tiempo de sueño, así como evaluar el efecto tipo ansiolítico del extracto metanólico de Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla(Avp), en ratones. Metodología: La prueba de toxicidad se realizó de acuerdo con la guía de la OCDE (grupos de ratones n=5), y se observó el comportamiento general durante el ensayo. El tiempo de sueño se evaluó mediante el método de hipnosis inducida por pentobarbital (n=8). Se trataron ratones albinos suizos macho (n=6) con 50 a 400 mg/kg de extracto de Avp y diazepam como control. El efecto ansiolítico se probó a través de la placa perforada y prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: El extracto de Avp no tiene efectos secundarios en las dosis probadas y no se observó actividad depresora del sistema nervioso central. A. virgata var. platyphylla aumentó la exploración (número y tiempo) en el tablero de agujeros. En el laberinto en cruz elevado, se evidenció un mayor número y tiempo en los brazos abiertos en comparación con el grupo de control. Conclusión: Con todos estos resultados, concluimos que el extracto de Avp es seguro y tiene una potencial actividad ansiolítica en el modelo animal utilizado

Avaliação neurocomportamental e níveis de acetilcolinesterase cerebral em ratos expostos subcronicamente ao fipronil / Neurobehavioral assessment and brain acetylcholinesterase levels in rats subchronically exposed to fipronil

O fipronil é um inseticida de toxicidade seletiva amplamente empregado na agricultura e na medicina veterinária. Porém, há relatos de efeitos neurotóxicos dessa substância, que geram prejuízos para vertebrados. Avaliou-se a atividade locomotora, a coordenação motora e a atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase cerebral em ratos expostos ao fipronil. Ratos Wistar machos adultos (n=15) receberam fipronil em dose de 30mg/kg, por via oral, durante 15 dias; o grupo controle (n=15) foi tratado com solução fisiológica, por via oral, no mesmo período. No 16° dia de experimentação, os animais foram submetidos aos testes de arena de campo aberto e hole board. No 17° dia, foram anestesiados e eutanasiados, procedendo-se à coleta de órgãos, e posteriormente foi feita a avaliação da AChE cerebral. A exposição ao fipronil não provocou alterações significativas sobre a coordenação motora e a atividade locomotora, porém gerou inibição significativa da atividade da acetilcolinesterase cerebral. Esses achados sugerem que o fipronil pode provocar efeitos neurotóxicos em curto prazo, os quais podem ser exacerbados caso a exposição seja prolongada.(AU)

Fipronil is a selective-toxicity insecticide widely used in agriculture and veterinary medicine. However, there are reports of neurotoxic effects of this substance, causing damages to vertebrates. We evaluated the locomotor activity, motor coordination and the activity of brain acetylcholinesterase in rats exposed to fipronil. Adult male Wistar rats (n= 15) received fipronil at a dose of 30mg/kg orally for 15 days; the Control group (n= 15) was treated with oral solution in the same period. On the 16th day of experimentation, the animals were submitted to the open field arena test and hole-board test. On the 17th day, they were anesthetized and euthanized, and organs were collected, and subsequently brain AChE was evaluated. Exposure to fipronil yielded no significant changes on motor coordination and locomotor activity but caused significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity. These findings suggest that fipronil may cause short-term neurotoxic effects, which may be exacerbated if exposure is prolonged.(AU)

Hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus promotes anxiolytic effects on rats

Abstract Tropaeolum majus L., Tropaeolaceae, popularly known in Brazil as 'capuchinha' is widely used due its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-hypertensive and anti-depressive properties. However, scientific investigations about its effects on the central nervous system are still scarce. This study investigated the central pharmacological actions of the prolonged treatment with a hydroethanolic extract of T. majus in male Wistar rats in the elevated plus maze and hole-board behavioral models. For this, rats were daily treated with distillated water (negative control); diazepam (1 mg/kg) or hydroethanolic extract of T. majus (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg), for 29 days (by gavage) and were submitted to elevated plus maze and hole-board. Animals treated with all hydroethanolic extract of T. majus or diazepam doses increased the percentage of entries in open arms when compared to control group. However, only treatment with diazepam increased the length of time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. No differences between all groups were observed regardless rearing, grooming, stretched-attend postures and defecation rates. In the HB test, in opposite to diazepam, treatment with hydroethanolic extract of T. majus did not interfere in the exploratory activity of rats. The hydroethanolic extract of T. majus promotes anxiolytic-like effects when orally administered in rats.

Atividade ansiolítica do extrato bruto da Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess (Pau Santo) em camundongos / Actividad ansiolítica del extracto crudo de la kielmeyera rubriflora (Pau Santo) en ratones / Anxiolytic activity of kielmeyera rubriflora (Pau Santo) crude extract on mice

Introdução: a Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertence à família Clusiaceae. É uma planta nativa da Região do Vale do Jequitinhonha em Minas Gerais no Brasil. É utilizada na medicina caseira, entretanto, até o momento não existem publicações de estudos farmacológicos a seu respeito. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos ansiolíticos do extrato da K. rubriflora sobre o sistema nervoso central de camundongos. Métodos: o extrato bruto das partes aéreas foi administrado de modo agudo por gavagem nas doses de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg e 500 mg/kg em camundongos albinos, suíços, machos, com idade entre 9 e 13 semanas, com peso entre 25 e 40 g. Foram utilizados os testes de movimentação espontânea, potencialização do tempo de sono induzido por barbitúrico, placa perfurada e labirinto em cruz elevado. Resultados: o tempo de duração do sono não foi significativamente alterado por nenhuma das doses do extrato. Na ambulação houve aumento significativo nas doses de 100 e 500 mg/kg sugerindo efeito ansiolítico e diminuição significativa na dose de 250 mg/kg sugerindo efeito sedativo. No teste do labirinto em cruz elevado, houve diminuição do tempo de permanência nos braços fechados com a dose de 100 mg/kg e aumento significativo de entradas no braço aberto na dose de 250mg/kg sugerindo atividade ansiolítica. No teste da placa perfurada houve diminuição significativa de mergulhos de cabeça nas doses de 250 mg/kg e 500 mg/kg sugerindo ação sedativa e aumento significativo de mergulhos de cabeça na dose de 100 mg/kg sugerindo ação ansiolítica. Conclusão: os dados sugerem ação sedativa e ansiolítica dose-dependente do extrato bruto da K. rubriflora(AU)

Introducción: la Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertenece a la familia Clusiaceae. Es una planta nativa de la región del Valle de Jequitinhonha en Minas Gerais en Brasil. Se utiliza en la medicina popular, sin embargo, hasta el momento no existen publicaciones de estudios farmacológicos sobre esta especie. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos del extracto de K. rubriflora sobre el sistema nervioso central (SNC) en ratones. Métodos: el extracto crudo de las partes aéreas se administró de forma aguda por sonda en dosis de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg en ratones albinos, suizos, varones, con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 13 semanas, con un peso entre 25 y 40 g. Se utilizaron las pruebas de movimiento espontáneo, potenciación de tiempo de sueño inducido por barbitúricos, placa perforada y laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: la duración del sueño no se alteró de manera significativo por ninguna de las dosis del extracto. La ambulación aumentó significativamente a dosis de 100 y 500 mg/kg, lo que sugiere un efecto ansiolítico y disminuyó significa a una dosis de 250 mg/kg que sugirió efecto sedante. En la prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado, hubo disminución del tiempo pasado en los brazos cerrados con la dosis de 100 mg/kg y aumento significativo de entradas en los brazos abiertos a una dosis de 250 mg/kg lo que sugere actividad ansiolítica. En la prueba de la placa perforada hubo una disminución significativa de inmersiones de cabeza en dosis de 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg, que sugirió una acción sedante y un aumento significativo en las inmersiones de cabeza a una dosis de 100 mg/kg lo que sugere una acción ansiolítica. Conclusión: los datos sugieren acción ansiolítica y sedante de manera dosis dependiente del extracto crudo de K. rubriflor(AU)

Introducción: la Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertenece a la familia Clusiaceae. Es una planta nativa de la región del Valle de Jequitinhonha en Minas Gerais en Brasil. Se utiliza en la medicina popular, sin embargo, hasta el momento no existen publicaciones de estudios farmacológicos sobre esta especie. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos del extracto de K. rubriflora sobre el sistema nervioso central (SNC) en ratones. Métodos: el extracto crudo de las partes aéreas se administró de forma aguda por sonda en dosis de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg en ratones albinos, suizos, varones, con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 13 semanas, con un peso entre 25 y 40 g. Se utilizaron las pruebas de movimiento espontáneo, potenciación de tiempo de sueño inducido por barbitúricos, placa perforada y laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: la duración del sueño no se alteró de manera significativo por ninguna de las dosis del extracto. La ambulación aumentó significativamente a dosis de 100 y 500 mg/kg, lo que sugiere un efecto ansiolítico y disminuyó significa a una dosis de 250 mg/kg que sugirió efecto sedante. En la prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado, hubo disminución del tiempo pasado en los brazos cerrados con la dosis de 100 mg/kg y aumento significativo de entradas en los brazos abiertos a una dosis de 250 mg/kg lo que sugere actividad ansiolítica. En la prueba de la placa perforada hubo una disminución significativa de inmersiones de cabeza en dosis de 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg, que sugirió una acción sedante y un aumento significativo en las inmersiones de cabeza a una dosis de 100 mg/kg lo que sugere una acción ansiolítica. Conclusión: los datos sugieren acción ansiolítica y sedante de manera dosis dependiente del extracto crudo de K. rubriflora(AU)

Phytochemical and Antidepressant Activities of Selaginella Bryopteris (L.) Baker on Albino Mice.

Selaginella bryopteris is a pteridophytic plant belongs to the family selaginellaceae. Its familiar name is sanjeevani booti. The present study emphasized on phytochemical screening and antidepressant activity of Selaginella bryopteris on Albino mice. Phytochemical analysis was carried with a view to asses the therapeutic values and safty of plant in ethnomedicine. The results of the phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and results of the quantitative estimations revealed that maximum amount of alkaloids are present in methanolic extract when compared to flavonoids, phenols and tannins. From the results of the phytochemical estimations methanolic extract is found to be efficient. The antidepressant activity of Selaginella bryopteris was tested on mice by Hole board test and Rotarod test. In both the tests Diazepam (depressant/ for inducing depressant) is used as standard. The results of the Hole board test showed significant motar performance (head dipping behavior) with the dose of 250mg/kg (48.66±4.05 at 120min) and 500mg/kg ( 69.33±6.36 at 120min) compared to standard of 10mg/kg (1.66±1.20 at 120min) and it was very interesting to note that retention time of mice has been significantly improved in Rotarod test with the dose of 250mg/kg (3.96±0.35) and 500mg/kg (7.23±0.46) of the methanolic extract of Selaginella bryopteris.

Investigation of antiparkinsonian effect of Aloe vera on haloperidol induced experimental animal model.

Background: Aloe vera (Family: Liliaceae) has been used for the treatment of diabetes, skin disorders and as an anti-inflammatory agent. There is increased concern about the side effects of conventional medicine in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). As A.vera has found to have antioxidative property, it may be a safer alternative. Methods: Parkinson’s disease was induced by administering haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p. daily x 1 week).The mice of either sex were divided into 06 groups (n =12). 1 st day group mice were given distilled water (orally), 2nd group were administered haloperidol (20 mg/kg i.p.).The 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were administered A.vera (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, orally) respectively, along with haloperidol. Group 6- received Levodopa (30mg/kg, i.p,) along with haloperidol. To evaluate anti-Parkinson effect, hanging wire test, tardive dyskinesia test and hole board test were performed on the1st day and 8th day. One way ANOVA was used to detect statistical significance followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Results: A.vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to increase the hanging time significantly (p <0.001) in hanging wire test and significantly decreased (p <0.001) the Vacuous Chewing Movements (VCMS) in tardive dyskinesia test as compared to haloperidol group. A.vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase (p <0.001) the number of dips and no. of line crossings in hole board test when compared to haloperidol group. Conclusion: The results of the present study conclusively showed that A.vera has beneficial effect in haloperidol induced experimental model of Parkinson’s disease.

Anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity of methanol extract of leaves of Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze (Amaranthaceae) in laboratory animals.

Anxiety related disorders are the most common mental illnesses and major cause of disability in man. Anxiolytic activity of methanol extract of leaves of A. brasiliana (L.) Kuntze (MEAB) was evaluated using hole board (HB), open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM) and light/dark exploration test (LDE) in mice. Its locomotor activity was studied using actophotometer and anticonvulsant effect was studied using maximal electroshock-induced seizures and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice. Single oral administration of MEAB at different doses (100, 300 and 600 mg/kg, ip) significantly increased the number and duration of head poking in the HB test; rearing, assisted rearing and number of square traveled in the OF test; entries and time spent in open arm in the EPM test; time spent in lighted box, and numbers of crossings and transfer latency time in the LDE test. There was significant reduction in the time spent in close arm in the EPM test and time spent in dark box in LDE test. In the actophotometer, the activity count was reduced in MEAB and diazepam treated group than control group. All the three doses of the extract significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (chemoshock convulsion). However, the extract did not show any appreciable effect in electroshock convulsion model. The results of the present study suggest promising anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity of MEAB which might be accredited to different phytoconstituents like alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes present in the methanol extract of A. brasiliana.

Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects of Kyllinga brevifolia in mice

Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb., Cyperaceae, rhizomes have been widely used in the Paraguayan folk medicine as digestive, diuretic, sedative, tonic, antispasmodic and sudorific. The purpose of this study is to characterize the putative sedative, anxiolytic effects of the crude hydro-ethanolic extract (CEKb) and fractions of the rhizome of K. brevifolia, in male mice. The behaviour of mice was assessed in the open field, hole board, rota-rod and elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Oral treatment with single doses of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of CEKb and 10 mg/kg of ethyl acetate fraction (KbF-ethyl-ac) increased the duration of the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital. Oral administration of 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg of CEKb and 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac also significantly increased the time-spent and arm entries into open arms of the elevated plus maze (EPM) versus control group. These findings indicate that K. brevifolia exerts a weak sedative and an interesting anxiolytic-like effect in mice and suggest its potential usefulness for the treatment of anxiety in humans.

Differential behavioral outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA-ecstasy) in anxiety-like responses in mice

Anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behavioral outcomes have been reported for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in rodents. In the present experiment, we attempted to identify behavioral, hormonal and neurochemical outcomes of MDMA treatment to clarify its effects on anxiety-related responses in 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g; N = 7-10 mice/group). The behavioral tests used were open field, elevated plus maze, hole board, and defensive behavior against predator odor. Moreover, we also determined striatal dopamine and dopamine turnover, and serum corticosterone levels. MDMA was injected ip at 0.2, 1.0, 5.0, 8.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg. MDMA at 10 mg/kg induced the following significant (P < 0.05) effects: a) a dose-dependent increase in the distance traveled and in the time spent moving in the open field; b) decreased exploratory activity in the hole board as measured by number of head dips and time spent in head dipping; c) increased number of open arm entries and increased time spent in open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze; d) increased time spent away from an aversive stimulus and decreased number of risk assessments in an aversive odor chamber; e) increased serum corticosterone levels, and f) increased striatal dopamine level and turnover. Taken together, these data suggest an anxiogenic-like effect of acute MDMA treatment, despite the fact that behavioral anxiety expression was impaired in some of the behavioral tests used as a consequence of the motor stimulating effects of MDMA.

Comparative evaluation of Bacopa monniera and Panax quniquefolium in experimental anxiety and depressive models in mice.

The present study was undertaken to compare medicinal plants against mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD) to evaluate their potency in combating MAD disorders. Previous studies from our lab have shown that Bacopa monniera (BM), and Panax quniquefolium (PQ) have significant adaptogenic properties. Hence, we have further confirmed their activity in stress related disorders like anxiety and depression in animal model, rodents and assessed their efficacy. In our experimental protocol, gross behaviour was observed through Digiscan animal activity monitor. Anxiety was studied through light dark test, elevated plus maze test and holeboard test. Depression experiments were conducted following tail suspension test and forced swim test. Further, rotarod test was also used to study any defects in motor in-coordination in mice. It was observed that BM at the dose of 80 mg/kg (po) and PQ at 100 mg/kg (po) were effective as an anti-anxiety as well anti-depressant activity and had no motor in-coordination in mice. Hence, these extracts can be used as a potent therapeutic agent in treating mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MAD).

Anxiolytic Effect of a Combination of Green Tea Extract and L-theanine / 한국실험동물학회지

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the combination of green tea extract (GTE) and L-theanine has an anxiolytic effect by oral administration through behavioral tests and neurtransmitters (or hormone) anaylses. Four week oral administration of GTE (24 mg/kg), L-theanine (4 mg/kg) or their combination showed anxiety-reducing effects determined by increasing numbers of head-dips in a hole board test and reducing retention time in a rota-rod test without changing spontaneous locomotor activity. Biochemical analyses indicated that the test materials decreased dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), corticosterone (CS) and increased serotonin (5-HT) levels in brain cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, which suggests a possible mechanism of previous behavioral tests. Although the synergistic effects of GTE and L-theanine combination were not observed on the behavioral test, its effects on neurotransmitters (NA, CS) were synergistic and comparable to diazepam (2 mg/kg i.p.) with much less muscle relaxation side effect. Therefore, a combination of GTE and L-theanine may be useful as a functional food ingredient having an anxiolytic effect.

Anxiolytic-like effect of Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd: ex Roem. & Schult., Apocynaceae, in the elevated plus-maze and hole-board tests / Avaliação do efeito ansiolítico de Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd: ex Roem. & Schult., Apocynaceae, nos testes do labirinto em cruz elevado e placa-perfurada

Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. (Apocynaceae), popularly known as "arrebenta-boi" and "paratudo". In behavioral screening ethanol extract of R. ligustrina roots demonstrated depressant effect on the CNS and anticonvulsant properties. The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanol extract of Rauvolfia ligustrina roots (EER) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the hole-board apparatus in rodents. This extract, administered intraperitoneally, in different doses (3.9, 7.8 and 15.6 mg/kg) was able to increase significantly the number of entries (p < 0.05), as well as the time spent in the open arms of the EPM, indicating an anxiolytic-like effect. Additionally, EER-treated (3.9 and 7.8 mg/kg) increased significantly the number of border visit and head-dipping. This data suggest an anxiolytic effect of EER in animal models of anxiety.

Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. (Apocynaceae) é conhecida popularmente como "arrebenta-boi" e "paratudo". Em triagem farmacológica comportamental o extrato etanólico das raízes de R. ligustrina (EER) mostrou efeito depressor do SNC e propriedades anticonvulsivantes. O presente estudo buscou avaliar o possível efeito ansiolítico do EER utilizando os testes do labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE) e o teste da placa perfurada ("hole-board") em roedores. A administração do EER, por via intraperitoneal (i.p.), em diferentes doses (3,9; 7,8 e 15,6 mg/kg) foi capaz de aumentar significativamente o número de entradas (p < 0,05), assim como o tempo despendido nos braços abertos do LCE. Além disso, nos animais tratados com o EER (3,9 e 7,8 mg/kg, i.p.) ocorreu aumento significativo no número de visitas à borda e mergulho com a cabeça no teste da placa perfurada em comparação com os animais do grupo controle. Estes dados sugerem um possível efeito ansiolítico do EER nos modelos animais testados.