Effects of Erythrinian Alkaloids Isolated from Erythrina mulungu (Papilionaceae) in Mice Submitted to Animal Models of Anxiety (original) (raw)
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Anxiolytic-like effects of erythrinian alkaloids from erythrina suberosa
2011
Recebido em 14/7/10; aceito em 25/11/10; publicado na web em 25/2/11 Two alkaloids, erysodine (1) and erysothrine (2) were isolated from the flowers of a Pakistani medicinal plant, Erythrina suberosa. These compounds were investigated for anxiolytic properties, and the results showed significant effect, in an acute oral treatment with 1-2, which were suspended in saline (NaCl 0.9%) plus DMSO 1%, and evaluated in 122 Swiss male mice exposed to two tests of anxiety -the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the light/dark transition model (LDTM).
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2003
There are more than 100 known species of Erythrina in the tropics. From those, approximately half have been studied. 1) Erythrina plants are known to produce alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes. 1-3) Several species of Erythrina are used in folk medicine due to their tranquilizer effects. 4) Alkaloid fractions from Erythrina americana have been shown to possess anticonvulsant, hypotensive, hypnotic, and analgesic effects. 5) The tranquilizer effects of crude alkaloid fractions from Erythrina americana were investigated in a model that provokes aggressiveness by visual isolation. 4) The alkaloids diminished aggressive behavior in a way similar to the benzodiazepine (BZD) diazepam (DZP), used as a control. Potential therapeutic activity has also been reported for other species of Erythrina. Thus antiviral and antibacterial activity has been shown for Erythrina glauca 3) and Erythrina lysistemon 6) and analgesic and antiinflammatory effects were reported for an aqueous extract from Erythrina senegalensis. Erythrina mulungu (EM) (Leguminosae-Papilionaceae), popularly known as mulungu, is a medium-sized wellbranched tree native to Southern Brazil. 8) It produces a profusion of reddish flowers at the end of its branches. Since its flowers are the same color as coral, the plant is sometimes also called "coral tree." In herbal medicine, a leaf or bark decoction or tincture from mulungu is considered to calm agitation and other disorders of the nervous system, including insomnia and depression. 9) As with other species of Erythrina, alkaloids appear to be one of the main constituents of EM. Recently, the supposed therapeutic properties of EM have begun to be evaluated in preclinical studies. Thus, in a previous study performed in our laboratory, 10) the effects of acute treatment with a water-alcohol extract from the inflorescence of EM were investigated in rats submitted to models specifically related to different types of anxiety disorder: the ele- 1538 We investigated the effects of chronic oral treatment with a water-alcohol extract from the inflorescence of Erythrina mulungu (Leguminosae-Papilionaceae) (EM, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg) in rats submitted to different anxiety models: the elevated T-maze (ETM, for inhibitory avoidance and escape measurements), the light/dark transition, and the cat odor test. These models were selected for their capacity to elicit specific subtypes of anxiety disorders as recognized in clinical practice. Treatment with EM impaired inhibitory avoidance latencies in a way similar to the reference drug, diazepam (DZP). Additionally, both EM and DZP increased the number of transitions and the time spent in the lighted compartment of the light/dark transition model. Furthermore, neither EM nor DZP altered behavioral responses of rats to a cloth impregnated with cat odor. In contrast to DZP, however, EM also altered ETM one-way escape. These results were not due to motor alterations since no significant effects were detected in the number of crossings or rearings in the arena. The present observations suggest that chronic EM exerts anxiolytic-like effects in defensive behaviors related to generalized anxiety and panic disorder. Although alkaloids appear to be one of the main constituents of EM, the possible mechanisms through which the extract exerts its anxiolytic action should be further investigated.
Epilepsy & Behavior, 2012
In this study, we isolated the alkaloid erysothrine from the hydroalcoholic extract of flowers from E. mulungu and screened for its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic actions based on neuroethological and neurochemical experiments. Our results showed that the administration of erysothrine inhibited seizures evoked by bicuculline, PTZ, NMDA and most remarkably, kainic acid. Also, erysothrine induced an increase in the number of entries but not in the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. However, we did not notice any alterations in the light-dark choice or in the open-field tests. In preliminary neurochemistry tests, we also showed that erysothrine (0.001-10 μg/mL) did not alter the GABA or glutamate synaptossomal uptake and binding. Altogether, our results describe an alkaloid with anticonvulsant activity and mild anxiolytic activity that might be considered well tolerated as it does not alter the general behavior of the animals in the used doses.
CIBB-ESPOL
The traditional use of medicinal plants and its link with pharmacological studies is essential in order to corroborate the effect scientifically. The present work was an experimental study designed to investigate the sedative and anxiolytic effect of the methanol extract of the leaves of Erythrina edulis. The extract was prepared by percolation. Different concentrations: 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg of the extract and diazepam as a controlled drug were administered intraperitoneally to Swiss CD1 mice for both, sedation and anxiety tests. The sleep enhancement test with pentobarbital and the traction test were used for the sedative activity. Results showed that the extract did not possess sedative activity in any of the administered doses. However, the possibility of an opposite effect was observed as an activation of the central nervous system probably. The anxiolytic activity was evaluated by the open field test and the elevated plus maze test, where a behavior with a low level of anxiet...
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2008
Introduction: In Brazil, Erythrina velutina (Fabaceae) is widely used as a tranquilizer and/or sedative, and its extract exerts an anxiolytic-like effect profile in animal models, although these results may be caused by its sedative or amnesic effects. Aims, materials and methods: Thus, this study evaluated the effect of acute and chronic (23-26 days) administrations of the hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of Erythrina velutina (orally) in mice submitted to the following tests: elevated plus-maze, forced swim, spontaneous locomotor activity, and habituation to active chamber. Chlordiazepoxide and imipramine were used as standard drugs. Results: In the elevated plus-maze test, chronic, but not acute, Erythrina velutina (100 mg/kg) administration increased the percentage of open arm entries, an effect also seen in both acute and chronic treatments with chlordiazepoxide (7.5 mg/kg). In the forced swim test, only imipramine (25 mg/kg) decreased immobility time. Impairment of habituation was seen only with acute imipramine administration and with the lowest doses of Erythrina velutina extract tested in acute (10 mg/kg) and chronic (50 mg/kg) administrations. Conclusions: These results suggest that chronic administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of Erythrina velutina exerts an anxiolytic-like effect on mice, and it could serve as a new approach for the treatment anxiety, although it may have an amnesic effect at low doses.
Anxiolytic activity of methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata Linn. leaves in Wistar rats
Research in Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2020
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Erythrina variegata (Fabaceae) is widely used as a tranquilizer and/or sedative in Traditional system of medicine. Aim of study: The present study was aimed to investigate anxiolytic effects of methanolic extract of leaves of Erythrina variegata. Materials and methods: The anxiolytic activity of methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata leaves at doses (100 and 200 mg/kg; p.o) was studied by elevated plus maze model and Rota rod test in rats. Results: In elevated plus maze test, methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata produced significant reduction in onset of anxiety and the effect was comparable to that produced by diazepam. In the Rota rod test in rats, Erythrina variegata (200 mg/kg) showed significant muscle relaxant property. The effect of the extract was comparable to that of the standard drug diazepam (1 mg/kg). The results of the present study specified that the methanolic extract of Erythrina variegata leaves keeps significant anxiolytic like activity. Conclusion: The results recommended that chronic administration of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Erythrina variegata exerts an anxiolytic-like effect on rats, and it may serve as a new approach for the treatment of anxiety.
Central activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu in mice
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2004
This work studied the central behavioural effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from the stem bark of Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu on the elevated plus maze, open field, and rota rod tests in mice. These medicinal plants belong to the Fabaceae family and are popularly used in Brazil for their effects on the central nervous system. Single doses of the extracts were administered orally (200, 400 or 800 mg kg ¡1 ) or intraperitoneally (200 or 400 mg kg ¡1 ) to female mice. A reduction of the locomotor activity was observed in the open field test with both hydroalcoholic extracts after intraperitoneal treatment with all doses, but only with the highest dose after oral administration. In addition, oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extracts decreased the incidence of rearing and grooming. Decreases in the number of entries in the open (NEOA) and closed (NECA) arms of the elevated plus maze were observed after the administration of the highest dose (800 mg kg ¡1 , p.o.) of both hydroalcoholic extracts, and this effect may be due to the decrease in locomotor activity. These hydroalcoholic extracts failed to affect the motor coordination in the rota rod test. In conclusion, we showed that the hydroalcoholic extracts of E. velutina and E. mulungu have depressant effects on the central nervous system, which, at least partially, corroborates the popular use of these species as tranquilizers in Brazilian popular medicine.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas Sociedade Brasileira De Biofisica Et Al, 2006
Erythrina mulungu (EM), popularly used in Brazil as tranquilizing agents, were studied. The effects of acute and chronic oral treatment with a water:alcohol extract of EV (7:3, plant grounded stem bark; acute = 100, 200, 400 mg/kg; chronic = 50, 100, 200 mg/kg) were evaluated in rats (N = 11-12) submitted to the elevated T-maze (for avoidance and escape measurements) model of anxiety. This model was selected for its presumed capacity to elicit specific subtypes of anxiety disorders recognized in clinical practice: avoidance has been related to generalized anxiety and escape to panic. Additionally, animals were treated with the same doses of EV and EM (water:alcohol 7:3, inflorescence extract) and submitted to the forced swim test for the evaluation of antidepressant activity (N = 7-10). Both treatment regimens with EV impaired elevated T-maze avoidance latencies, without altering escape, in a way similar to the reference drug diazepam (avoidance 1, mean ± SEM, acute study: 131.1 ± 45.5 (control), 9.0 ± 3.3 (diazepam), 12.7 ± 2.9 (200 mg/kg), 28.8 ± 15.3 (400 mg/kg); chronic study: 131.7 ± 46.9 (control), 35.8 ± 29.7 (diazepam), 24.4 ± 10.4 (50 mg/kg), 29.7 ± 11.5 (200 mg/kg)). Neither EV nor EM altered measurements performed in the forced swim test, in contrast to the reference drug imipramine that significantly decreased immobility time after chronic treatment. These results were not due to motor alterations since no significant effects were detected in an open field. These observations suggest that EV exerts anxiolytic-like effects on a specific subset of defensive behaviors which have been associated with generalized anxiety disorder.
Alkaloids of genus Erythrina: An updated review
Natural Product Research, 2019
Genus Erythrina (Fabaceae) comprises several species, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The plants of this genus exhibited significant role in traditional medicine targeting different diseases. Alkaloids and flavonoids were reported as the chief bioactive constituents of this genus with a wide range of biological activities. About 143 alkaloids were isolated from Erythrina sp. Anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, curarelike activity, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities were reported for Erythrina sp. alkaloids. The present work is an overview of the isolated alkaloids from Erythrina sp. with their reported biological activities.