title: Ursolic acid plays a role in Nepeta sibthorpii Bentham CNS depressing effects.
abstract: The sedative, anticonvulsant and analgesic activity of ursolic acid, a terpenoid bioassay-isolated from Nepeta sibthorpii Bentham, was evaluated in mice. The oral administration of ursolic acid (2.3 mg/kg) produced a significant depressant effect on CNS by reducing spontaneous motor activity and the number and lethality of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. Two models of nociception, the writhing test and the hot plate test, were also used to examine the analgesic effect of ursolic acid. At a dose of 2.3 mg/kg, ursolic acid caused an inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, but was inactive in the hot plate test. Treatment at a higher dose (20 mg/kg) significantly increased the reaction time in the hot plate test. This effect, reversed by naloxone, evidently involves opioid receptors, but the analgesic activity of ursolic acid may be related also to the antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties of this compound.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Vill. SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Taviano
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Monforte
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tzakou
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Galati
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D027521:Nepeta / Q000737:chemistry*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
chemical_list: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014315:Triterpenes; D000097245:Ursolic Acid