title: Effects of Himanthalia elongata on the central nervous system of mice.
abstract: The effects of a Himanthalia elongata extract were studied on the CNS of mice. A rich protein solution obtained from the seaweed was assayed for myorelaxant, anticonvulsant and analgesic activity and for its effects on spontaneous locomotor activity, amphetamine-induced hypermotility, exploratory behaviour, barbiturate-induced sleep, and body temperature. Very significant reductions in spontaneous motor activity, hypermotility and exploratory behaviour were found. The extract prolonged barbiturate-induced sleep and postponed pentylenetetrazol-induced death. Weak myorelaxant, hypothermic and analgesic effects were also observed, showing that H. elongata can depress the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamela
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cadavid
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Calleja
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D010424:Pentobarbital; D003913:Dextroamphetamine