Abstract

OVIEDO, Vivian et al. Anxiolytic-like effect of the extract and alkaloid fraction from Annona muricata in mice. Rev. colomb. cienc. quim. farm. [online]. 2009, vol.38, n.1, pp.105-120. ISSN 0034-7418.

The present study evaluated the neuropharmacological effect exerted by the hydroalcoholic extract (40%) obtained from leaves of Annona muricata (0.5 g/kg, po) in ICR albino mice using tests to detect anticonvulsant (electroshock-pentylenetetrazol), antidepressant (forced swimming test), hypnotic (barbiturate sleeping time) and anxiolytic activities (elevated plus maze). The putative binding of the extract to the benzodiazepine receptor by radioligand techniques was also studied. The phytochemical analysis of the extract led to the isolation of an alkaloid fraction that was evaluated in the elevated maze test (0.5 g/kg, po), in agreement with previous results obtained with the extract. Finally, it was assessed the toxicity of the extract (0.1-10 mg/ml) in cell lines k562 and ECV-304. The results suggest that alkaloid metabolites present in Annona muricata exert anxiolytic effects (53% and 58% of the time and frequency of access to open areas in the elevated plus maze), unrelated to the activation of benzodiazepine receptors and without cytotoxic effects in vitro. These data help support the ethnobotanical use of this plant specie.

Keywords : Annona muricata; anxiolytic; alkaloid; central nervous system; drug screening; mouse.

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