Central nervous system effects and chemical composition of two subspecies of Agastache mexicana; an ethnomedicine of Mexico.
BACKGROUND
Agastache mexicana subspecies mexicana (Amm) and xolocotziana (Amx) are used in Mexican traditional medicine to relief cultural affiliation syndromes known as "susto" or "espanto", for "nervous" condition, and as a sleep aid. Despite its intensive use, neuropharmacological studies are scarce, and the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts has not been described. Aims of the study are: (1) To analyze the chemical composition of aqueous extracts from aerial parts of Amm and Amx. (2) To evaluate the anxiolytic-like, sedative, antidepressant-like effects. (3) Analyze the general toxic effects of different doses.


METHODS
Anxiolytic-like and sedative effects were measured in the avoidance exploratory behavior, burying behavior and the hole-board tests. The antidepressant-like actions were studied in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Finally, general activity and motor coordination disturbances were evaluated in the open field, inverted screen and rota-rod tests. The acute toxicity of Amm and Amx was determined by calculating their LD50 (mean lethal dose). The chemical analyses were performed employing chromatographic, photometric and HPLC-ESI-MS techniques.


RESULTS
Low doses of Amm and Amx (0.1σ1.0mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like actions; while higher doses (over 10mg/kg) induced sedation and reduced the locomotor activity, exerting a general inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS).


CONCLUSIONS
Results support the use of Amm and Amx in traditional medicine as tranquilizers and sleep inducers. Additionally, this paper contributes to the knowledge of the chemical composition of the aqueous extracts of these plants.
Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México Xochimilco 101, Sn. Lorenzo Huipulco, México, D.F. 14370, México.
Rosa
R
Estrada-Reyes
Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN. Calzada de los Tenorios 235, Col Granjas Coapa CP, 14330 México, D.F., Mexico.
C
C
López-Rubalcava
Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México Xochimilco 101, Sn. Lorenzo Huipulco, México, D.F. 14370, México.
Octavio Alberto
OA
Ferreyra-Cruz
Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México Xochimilco 101, Sn. Lorenzo Huipulco, México, D.F. 14370, México.
Ana María
AM
Dorantes-Barrón
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio F s/n, Circuito Interior y Cerro del Agua, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, D.F. 04510, Mexico.
G
G
Heinze
Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México Xochimilco 101, Sn. Lorenzo Huipulco, México, D.F. 14370, México.
Julia
J
Moreno Aguilar
Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F., Mexico.
Mariano
M
Martínez-Vázquez
D031327:Agastache / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods; D008800:Mexico; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts
Agastache mexicana spp. Mexicana; Agastache mexicana ssp. xolocotziana; Anxiety; Cultural affiliation syndromes; Toronjil blanco; Toronjil morado