Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects Hydrocotyle umbellata extract in mice
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Data
2011-02
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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.
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Anxiolytic, Elevated plus maze, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Araliaceae, Marble burying test, Mice
Citação
ROCHA, Fábio F. et al. Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects of Hydrocotyle umbellata extract in mice. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, Curitiba, v. 21, n. 1, p. 115-120, Jan./Feb. 2011.