Neuropharmacological profile of an ethanol extract of Ruta chalepensis L. in mice

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 106; no. 1; pp. 129 - 135
• Main Authors: Gonzalez-Trujano, M.E., Carrera, D., Ventura-Martinez, R., Cedillo-Portugal, E., Navarrete, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 15.06.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Anticonvulsant; anticonvulsants; Anticonvulsants - pharmacology; Antinociceptive; anxiety; Anxiety - chemically induced; Anxiety - drug therapy; Anxiolytic; bioassays; Biological and medical sciences; Central nervous system; Central Nervous System Depressants - pharmacology; chemical constituents of plants; depression; Ethanol - pharmacology; Exploratory Behavior - drug effects; General pharmacology; Hypnotics and Sedatives - pharmacology; Male; Medical sciences; medicinal plants; medicinal properties; Mice; Pain Measurement; Pentobarbital - toxicity; Pentylenetetrazole - toxicity; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phytotherapy; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Ruta - chemistry; Ruta chalepensis; Sedative-hypnotic; seizures; Seizures - chemically induced; Seizures - drug therapy; Central nervous system; CNS; i.p; Anticonvulsant; Ruta chalepensis; LD 50; Anxiolytic; S.E.M; p.o; ANOVA; PTZ; Antinociceptive; Sedative-hypnotic; Ethanol; Pharmacognosy; Rodentia; Rutaceae; Hypnotic; Extract; Medicinal plant; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Analgesic; Tranquillizer; Mouse; Dicotyledones; Animal; Angiospermae; Plant origin; Spermatophyta; Sedative
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.12.014

The effects of an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Ruta chalepensis on the central nervous system (CNS) and LD 50 determination were studied in mice. A crude extract was given systemically and its effects were tested on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis, exploratory activity, anxiety and nociception. Results from the experimental models tested showed: (1) a delay in the onset of seizures and a dose-dependent suppression in the tonic phase and mortality induced by PTZ; (2) a prolongation of the time of sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis; (3) a significant attenuation in the anxiety-response and (4) a reduction in the licking time and shaking behavior in the formalin-induced nociception test. The sedative-hypnotic potentiation, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and antinociceptive effects suggest that Ruta chalepensis induces a depressant activity on the CNS.