Anxiogenic properties of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (Marapuama).
Alcohol infusions of roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (PO), known as Marapuama or Muirapuama, are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic'. Over the years PO has been found increasingly in phytoformulations and regarded as a stimulant, claimed to enhance physical and mental performances. This study determined that a P. olacoides ethanol extract (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) decreased exploratory behaviour in the hole-board test, without interfering with locomotion or motor coordination (rota-rod test). The data are comparable to that obtained with pentylenetetrazol (40 mg/kg), suggesting an anxiogenic effect of P. olacoides.
da Silva
A L
AL
Curso de Pós Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Bioquímica, Universidade Federaldo Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Bardini
S
S
Nunes
D S
DS
Elisabetsky
E
E
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D031656:Olacaceae; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole