Anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla.
The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the aqueous extract of hooks with stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the hole-board apparatus in rats and mice. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of saline, and positive control rats with buspirone (1 mg/kg). Single or repeated treatments of the aqueous extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 7 days significantly increased the time-spent and entries into open arms of the EPM, and reduced the time-spent and entries into the closed arms versus saline controls (P<0.05). However, no changes in spontaneous locomotor activity or myorelaxant effects were observed versus saline controls. In the hole-board test, repeated treatment with the aqueous extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla (100 or 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly increased the number of head-dips (P<0.05). In addition, the anxiolytic-like effects of Uncaria rhynchophylla extract as assessed using the EPM test were abolished by WAY 100635 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist. These results suggest that Uncaria rhynchophylla is an effective anxiolytic agent, and acts via the serotonergic nervous system.
Jung
Ji Wook
JW
Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoeki-dong, Dongdeamoon-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Ahn
Nam Yoon
NY
Oh
Hye Rim
HR
Lee
Bo Kyung
BK
Lee
Kang Jin
KJ
Kim
Sun Yeou
SY
Cheong
Jae Hoon
JH
Ryu
Jong Hoon
JH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D058829:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Antagonists; D032070:Uncaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018757:GABA Modulators; D010879:Piperazines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011725:Pyridines; D058829:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Antagonists; D014867:Water; D005442:Flumazenil; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide; D002065:Buspirone