title: Some effects of Salvia aegyptiaca L. on the central nervous system in mice.
abstract: Salvia aegyptiaca L. is used for treating various unrelated conditions that include nervous disorders, dizziness, trembling, diarrhoea and piles. This work examines some effects of the crude acetone and methanol extracts of the plant given at single oral doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 g/kg, on the central nervous system (CNS) in mice. The extracts were also tested for anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions. Several models of nociception have been used to examine the analgesic effect of the extract. In treated mice, the extracts caused dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, and significantly reduced formalin-induced pain. Treatment with the extracts at doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg significantly increased the reaction time in the hot-plate test. In treated mice both extracts caused significant and dose-related impairment of the sensorimotor control and motor activity. Treatment with both extracts did not significantly affect the rectal temperature of normothermic mice. The methanol extract (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) did not affect the rectal temperature of hyperthermic mice, but the acetone extract was effective in significantly reducing the rectal temperature of hyperthermic mice, 0.5 and 1 h after administration of the extract at doses of 0.25-2 g/kg. It is concluded that the crude methanol and acetone extracts of S. aegyptiaca have CNS depressant properties, manifested as antinociception and sedation. Both extracts have some anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions. On the whole, the acetone extract appeared to be slightly more effective than the methanol extract in this regard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Al-Yousuf
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: M O M
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Tanira
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blunden
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D027544:Salvia / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000096:Acetone; D000432:Methanol