title: Effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pimpinella anisum L. is considered one of the first plants used for medicinal purposes. Pharmacological actions of the plant on the central nervous system have been proven but previous analyses have focused on anticonvulsant and neuroprotective actions. In traditional medicine worldwide, the use of Pimpinella is commonly recommended as a tranquilizer, although no scientific information supporting this use is available. Therefore, it was decided to investigate the central actions of the plant to observe behavioral responses, with an emphasis on the emotional component.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seeds of Pimpinella were extracted with distilled water, concentrated and freeze-dried yielding the aqueous extract(AE). Rats were divided into four groups: control(water 5 mL/kg, p.o.) and AE 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. Individual observations were performed in an open field and the parameters locomotor activity, rearing, grooming and defecation were recorded. In elevated plus maze test, rats were divided into four groups: control(water 5 mL/kg, p.o.) and AE 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. The parameters arm entries, total time spent in open and closed arms; and total number of arrivals at the end of an open or closed arm were recorded for each rat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the parameters assessed with the open field test, only rearing was reduced in the AE 0.5 g/kg group. When AE 1.0 g/kg was administered, only the initiation of exploratory activity was delayed, without impairing the animals' general activity. The highest dose of AE (2.0 g/kg) induced a reduction in the animals' habituation during the open field test within the same session, as evidenced by the maintenance of high levels of peripheral locomotion and rearing throughout the test. On the elevated plus maze test, no alterations were observed in the responses of the animals relative to controls for all doses tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results failed to support anxiety-related central action of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella seeds, invalidating popular beliefs regarding a tranquilizing effect. However, a habituation-related central action of the extract was demonstrated, suggesting action of bioactive compounds on central learning-related areas. The characterization of effects that may interfere with cognitive processes reinforces caution regarding indiscriminate consumption of the plant, especially in individuals with deficits, such as Alzheimer's Disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences of the Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, Vila Buarque, ‎São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: maria.gamberini@fcmsantacasasp.edu.br.
authors.forename: Maria Thereza
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Gamberini
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo, Centro de Pesquisa Jardim Botânico e Reservas, ‎Av. Miguel Estefano, 3031, Vila Água Funda, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Domingos Sávio
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 61, Vila Buarque, ‎São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, Liberdade, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victoria Bottino
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Pontes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D018782:Maze Learning; D028042:Pimpinella; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Anxiety; Elevated plus maze; Habituation; Open field; Pimpinella anisum L.; Rats