title: Antidepressant-like and toxicological effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Chrysactinia mexicana A. Gray (Asteraceae) in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  C. mexicana A. Gray (Asteraceae) is a native of North America plant. In Mexico׳s folk medicine it is used for the fever, rheumatism and as a diuretic, antispasmodic, general tonic or adaptogenic herb, and as a stimulant agent. The aim of the study was to examine the antidepressant-like properties of an aqueous extract of C. mexicana (Cm), in order to scientifically describe its potential value in the management of depressive disorders. To evaluate the acute and subacute toxic effects of Cm and effects on hepatic and biochemical functions in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antidepressant-like effects of Cm were evaluated in the Forced swimming and suspension tail tests (FST and TST), the ambulatory activity was measure in the Open Field Test (OFT), motor coordination was evaluated in the inverted screen and gyratory roller (IST and Rota-rod), the biochemical and histopathological analysis were carried out. Phytochemical studies of organic and aqueous extracts of Cm were thoroughly conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cm produced a significant reduction of the immobility time both FST and in TST, without affect the ambulatory activity of experimental mice. Cm did not produce any damage in the hepatic functions, nor produce any significant change in the morphological tissue of organs examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chrysactinia mexicana induces a clear antidepressant-like effect in mice, without affect any basic functions. The consumption of this medicinal plant does not represent risk for health. The chemical analysis showed the flavonoids free and glycosides mainly.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico D.F. 04960, Mexico.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cassani
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada Mexico-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico D.F. 14370, Mexico.
authors.forename: Octavio Alberto
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ferreyra-Cruz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada Mexico-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico D.F. 14370, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dorantes-Barrón
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Sur 3700-C, Insurgentes Cuicuilc o, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rosa María Vigueras
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Villaseñor
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional Luis Enrique Erro s/n Unidad Prof. Adolfo López Mateos Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico D.F. 07738, Mexico.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arrieta-Baez
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada Mexico-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Delegación Tlalpan, Mexico D.F. 14370, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estrada-Reyes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D019659:Asteraceae; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Chrysactinia Mexicana; Damiana false; Damianita; Depression; Toxicity