title: Anxiolytic-like effects of phytol: possible involvement of GABAergic transmission.
abstract: Phytol, a branched chain unsaturated alcohol, is particularly interesting because it is an isolated compound from essential oils of different medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effects of phytol in animal models to clarify their possible action mechanism. After acute intraperitoneal treatment with phytol at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg behavioral models of open-field, elevated-plus-maze, rota-rod, light-dark, marble-burying and pentobarbital sleeping time tests were utilized. In open field test, phytol (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) [p<0.01] increased the number of crossings and rearings. However, the number of groomings [p<0.01] was reduced. Likewise, the number of entries and the time spent in light space were increased [p<0.01] while the number of marble-burying was decreased [p<0.001], in elevated-plus-maze, light-dark and marble-burying tests, respectively. In motor activity test, phytol (75 mg/kg) impaired the rota-rod performance of mice [p<0.01]. In pentobarbital sleeping time test, phytol 75 mg/kg decreased for latency of sleeping and phytol (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) increased the sleep time when compared to negative control [p<0.05]. All these effects were reversed by pre-treatment with flumazenil (2.5mg/kg, i.p.), similarly to those observed with diazepam (2mg/kg, i.p.; positive control) suggesting that the phytol presents mechanism of action by interaction with the GABAergic system. These findings suggest that acute administration of phytol exerts an anxiolytic-like effect on mice. Furthermore, suppose that phytol interacts with GABAA receptor, probably at the receptor subtypes that mediate benzodiazepines effects, to produce sedative and anxiolytic activities.
authors: Laboratory of Research in Experimental Neurochemistry of Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutics Science, Federal University of Piauí, 64.049-550 Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
authors: Jéssica Pereira
authors: JP
authors: Costa
authors: Laboratory of Research in Experimental Neurochemistry of Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutics Science, Federal University of Piauí, 64.049-550 Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
authors: Guilherme Antônio L
authors: GA
authors: de Oliveira
authors: Laboratory of Research in Experimental Neurochemistry of Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutics Science, Federal University of Piauí, 64.049-550 Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
authors: Antônia Amanda C
authors: AA
authors: de Almeida
authors: Laboratory of Research in Experimental Neurochemistry of Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutics Science, Federal University of Piauí, 64.049-550 Teresina, Piauí, Brazil; Department of Pharmacy, Southern University Bangladesh, 22-Shahid Mirza Lane (E), Academic building-II, 739/A, Mehedibag Road, Mehedibag-4000, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
authors: Md Torequl
authors: MT
authors: Islam
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, 58.051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: Damião Pergentino
authors: DP
authors: de Sousa
authors: Laboratory of Research in Experimental Neurochemistry of Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutics Science, Federal University of Piauí, 64.049-550 Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. Electronic address: rivelilson@pq.cnpq.br.
authors: Rivelilson Mendes
authors: RM
authors: de Freitas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010836:Phytol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018757:GABA Modulators; D010836:Phytol; D005442:Flumazenil
keywords: Anxiolytic-like; Elevated-plus-maze; Light–dark; Marble-burying; Pentobarbital sleeping time; Phytol