Sedative and anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense.
The hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense (HAE) tested at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant activity on the open-field, enhanced the number of falls in the rota-rod reducing the time of permanence in the bar and increased the sleeping time (46% and 74%) in the barbiturate-induced sleeping time. In the pentylenetetrazole-seizure, it increased the first convulsion latency, diminished the severity of convulsions, reduced the percentage of animals which developed convulsion (50% and 25%) and protected animals from death. On the contrary, in the elevated plus maze, the doses 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg did not affect the evaluated parameters. Thus, HAE presented anticonvulsant and sedative effects. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of tannins, saponins, sterols and flavonoids.
Dos Santos
J G
JG
Department of Psychobiology, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, 5 andar, 04023-900, São Paulo, Brazil. Guistos@lycos.com
Blanco
M M
MM
Do Monte
F H M
FH
Russi
M
M
Lanziotti
V M N B
VM
Leal
L K A M
LK
Cunha
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020829:Equisetum; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole