title: Neuropharmacological profile of an ethanol extract of Ruta chalepensis L. in mice.
abstract: The effects of an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Ruta chalepensis on the central nervous system (CNS) and LD(50) determination were studied in mice. A crude extract was given systemically and its effects were tested on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis, exploratory activity, anxiety and nociception. Results from the experimental models tested showed: (1) a delay in the onset of seizures and a dose-dependent suppression in the tonic phase and mortality induced by PTZ; (2) a prolongation of the time of sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis; (3) a significant attenuation in the anxiety-response and (4) a reduction in the licking time and shaking behavior in the formalin-induced nociception test. The sedative-hypnotic potentiation, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and antinociceptive effects suggest that Ruta chalepensis induces a depressant activity on the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Direccion de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de la Fuente, Calz. Mexico-Xochimilco 101, Col. Sn Lorenzo Huipulco, 14370 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. evag@imp.edu.mx
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Trujano
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ventura-Martinez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cedillo-Portugal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarrete
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000633:toxicity; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000633:toxicity; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032105:Ruta / Q000737:chemistry*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D010424:Pentobarbital; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole