Central nervous system activity of the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction obtained from Croton celtidifolius in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible neurobehavioural effects in rats of the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (PRF) isolated from the bark of Croton celtidifolius (Euphorbiaceae).


METHODS
Adult Wistar rats were treated with the PRF (0.3-30 mg/kg) and evaluated in different behavioural paradigms classically used for the screening of drugs with psychoactive effects.


RESULTS
Acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of PRF decreased spontaneous locomotor activity (open field arena and activity cage), enhanced the duration of ethyl ether-induced hypnosis, increased the latency to the first convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and attenuated apomorphine-induced (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) stereotyped behaviour. In lower doses, PRF (0.3 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the frequency of open arm entries in the elevated plus-maze test.


CONCLUSIONS
The present findings suggest that the systemic administration of PRF induces a wide spectrum of behavioural alterations in rats, consistent with the putative existence of hypnosedative, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic compounds.
Moreira
Eduardo L G
EL
Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
Rial
Daniel
D
Duarte
Filipe S
FS
de Carvalho
Cristiane Ribeiro
CR
Horst
Heros
H
Pizzolatti
Moacir G
MG
Prediger
Rui D S
RD
Ribeiro-do-Valle
Rosa Maria
RM
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D029802:Croton / Q000737:chemistry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004986:Ether / Q000494:pharmacology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D004986:Ether; D001058:Apomorphine; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole