Heteropterys cotinifolia: a neuropharmacological and phytochemical approach with possible taxonomic implications.
Heteropterys cotinifolia (Malpighiaceae) has been used in traditional Mexican medicine mainly for the treatment of nervous disorders. However, the specific neuropharmacological activities responsible for this use remain to be defined. The present study evaluates the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects produced by the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia and the influence of such effects on motor activity in ICR mice. Our results show that the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia produces a dose-dependent antidepressant effect in the forced swimming test in mice at doses from 31 to 310 mg/kg, with no reduction of mice locomotion. However, no anxiolytic properties were observed. Our findings suggest that the main extract compounds identified as chlorogenic acid and rutin may be involved in the antidepressant effects. To our knowledge, the present study constitutes the first report of pharmacological and phytochemical data of Heteropterys cotinifolia. The presence of flavonoids in the methanolic extract of Heteropterys cotinifolia may also provide further data to characterize taxonomically this species in order to be distinguished from others species closely related and belonging to the same genus.
Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Argentina No. 1, Col. Centro, CP 62790 Xochitepec, MOR, Mexico ; Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Avenida Cuauhtémoc No. 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, CP 06720, DF, Mexico.
Maira
M
Huerta-Reyes
Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Argentina No. 1, Col. Centro, CP 62790 Xochitepec, MOR, Mexico.
Alejandro
A
Zamilpa
Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Del. Coyoacán 04510, DF, Mexico.
Rafael
R
Álvarez-Chimal
Universidad Tominaga Nakamoto, Luis Freg No. 6 y 12, Col. Lomas de Sotelo, CP 53390, Naucalpan de Juárez, Estado de México, Mexico.
José Ángel
JÁ
Luna-Manzanares
Herbario Nacional de México (MEXU), Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-367, Del. Coyoacán 04510, DF, Mexico.
María Esther
ME
León-Velasco
Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Argentina No. 1, Col. Centro, CP 62790 Xochitepec, MOR, Mexico ; Unidad de Investigación Médica en Medicina Reproductiva, UMAE en Ginecología y Obstetricia No. 4, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Avenida Río Magdalena No. 289, Col. Tizapán San Ángel, CP 01090, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, DF, Mexico.
Arturo
A
Aguilar-Rojas
Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Del. Coyoacán 04510, DF, Mexico.
Manuel
M
Jiménez-Estrada
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Avenida Cuauhtémoc No. 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, CP 06720, DF, Mexico.
María Guadalupe
MG
Campos-Lara
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D029581:Malpighiaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts