Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects of Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae, extract in mice

AUTOR(ES)

Rocha, Fábio F., Almeida, Cláudio S., Santos, Rafael T. dos, Santana, Suely A., Costa, Elson A., Paula, José R. de, Vanderlinde, Frederico A.

FONTE

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

25/02/2011

RESUMO

The plant Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae (water pennywort), is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine to reduce anxiety. This work investigates the anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanol extract from H. umbellata subterraneous parts as well as the extract's other putative central nervous system effects that could justify its common use. Oral dosing of the extract (0.3 and 1 g/kg) clearly showed an anxiolytic-like profile in the elevated plus maze test where it increased the percentage of entries into and the time spent in the open arms of the maze. In the marble-burying test, the extract induced anxiolytic-like effects only at a dose of 1 g/kg, which also causes mild sedative properties in other models. The sedated state was characterized by a slight reduction in spontaneous exploratory activity during the open field test and a potentiating of pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. No signs of motor impairment were detected in the rota rod or chimney tests. The extract did not show antidepressant properties in mice as assessed by the forced swimming test. These results support the use of H. umbellata in Brazilian folk medicine as an anxiolytic and contribute to the scientific knowledge of this possible phytotherapeutic resource.

Documentos Relacionados

• Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects of Kyllinga brevifolia in mice
• Anxiolytic-like effect of the extract from Bowdichia virgilioides in mice
• Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae (acariçoba) in mice
• Chronic consumption of distilled sugarcane spirit induces anxiolytic-like effects in mice
• Chemical composition and anxiolytic-like effects of the Bauhinia platypetala