Neuroleptic-like properties of the chloroform extract of Maytenus obtusifolia MART. roots.
The effects of the chloroform extract of Maytenus obtufisolia MART. roots on locomotor activity, catalepsy test, amphetamine-induced toxicity and active-avoidance test were studied. The results revealed that the extract caused a decrease in spontaneous activity and induced catalepsy in mice up to 240 min. The extract significantly protected the mice against amphetamine-induced toxicity and decreased the conditioned response in rats, in a dose-related manner. The results suggest that the chloroform extract of Maytenus obtusifolia MART. possesses neuroleptic-like properties.
de Sousa
Damião Pergentino
DP
Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Caixa Postal 5009, CEP 58051-970 João, Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. damiao50@yahoo.com.br
de Almeida
Reinaldo Nóbrega
RN
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002725:Chloroform / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D029755:Maytenus; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002725:Chloroform