title: Differential effects of three species of Hypericum in an open field test.
abstract: The effects of three species of Hypericum (H.) on mice motor activity were compared in an automated open field test. Methanol extracts of H. perforatum L., H. hircinum L. and H. perfoliatum L. were tested at doses ranging from 2.5 to 200 mg i.p. H. hircinum decreased locomotion at most dose levels. Moreover, a dose of 200 mg/kg of all three herbal species sharply decreased motor activity. Ten mg/kg of H. perforatum, a dose that is comparable to that endowed with antidepressant effects in humans, tended to increase exploration and stereotypic activity and to decrease immobility. The study suggests that there are differences in the neuropharmacological actions of the three plant extracts. However, common constituents might explain the reduced motor activity observed at high dose levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Feo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020902:Hypericum; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts