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Background: Medicinal plants are part of traditional medicine and should be considered a therapeutic alternative for mental diseases. Several plants belonging to the Verbenaceae family have proved useful in treating general anxiety disorders, the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Objective: This research aimed to verify the extract's safety, the effect on general behavior, and the effect on sleeping time, as well as to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of the methanol extract of Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla (Avp), in mice. Methodology: The toxicity test was done according to the OECD guide (mice groups n=5), and general behavior was observed during the assay. Sleeping time was assessed using the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis method (n=8). Male Swiss albino mice (n=6) were treated with 50 to 400 mg/kg of Avp extract and diazepam as a control. The anxiolytic-like effect was tested through the hole board and elevated plus-maze test. Results: The Avp extract has no side effects in tested doses, and no central nervous system depressant activity was noted. A. virgatavar. platyphyllaincreased exploration (number and time) in the hole board. In the elevated plus-maze, increased number and time into open arms were evidenced compared to the control group. Conclusion: With all these results, we concluded that the Avp extract is safe and has a potential anxiolytic-like activity in the animal model used

Antecedentes: Las plantas medicinales forman parte de la medicina tradicional y deben ser consideradas una alternativa terapéutica para las enfermedades mentales. Varias plantas pertenecientes a la familia Verbenaceae han demostrado su utilidad en el tratamiento de los trastornos de ansiedad, uno de los trastornos psiquiátricos más prevalentes. Objetivo: Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo verificar la seguridad del extracto, el efecto sobre el comportamiento general y el efecto sobre el tiempo de sueño, así como evaluar el efecto tipo ansiolítico del extracto metanólico de Aloysia virgata var. platyphylla(Avp), en ratones. Metodología: La prueba de toxicidad se realizó de acuerdo con la guía de la OCDE (grupos de ratones n=5), y se observó el comportamiento general durante el ensayo. El tiempo de sueño se evaluó mediante el método de hipnosis inducida por pentobarbital (n=8). Se trataron ratones albinos suizos macho (n=6) con 50 a 400 mg/kg de extracto de Avp y diazepam como control. El efecto ansiolítico se probó a través de la placa perforada y prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: El extracto de Avp no tiene efectos secundarios en las dosis probadas y no se observó actividad depresora del sistema nervioso central. A. virgata var. platyphylla aumentó la exploración (número y tiempo) en el tablero de agujeros. En el laberinto en cruz elevado, se evidenció un mayor número y tiempo en los brazos abiertos en comparación con el grupo de control. Conclusión: Con todos estos resultados, concluimos que el extracto de Avp es seguro y tiene una potencial actividad ansiolítica en el modelo animal utilizado

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BACKGROUND: There are over 500 species in the Passiflora genus, and while some of them are very well known in folk medicine for their anxiolytic effects, very little is known for the other genus representants, which could also present medicinal effects. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we performed an interspecific pharmacological comparison of five investigated Passiflora species, all native to Brazil, namely P. bahiensis, P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, P. sidaefolia, and P. vitifolia. METHODS: Extracts were administered to mice before behavioral testing, including a general pharmacological screening and anxiolytic-like effect investigation. RESULTS: Three of the species (P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia) induced a decrease in locomotor activity of mice; P. coccinea also reduced the latency to sleep. Importantly, none of the species interfered with motor coordination. Oral administration evoked no severe signs of toxicity, even at higher doses. Regarding the anxiolytic-like profile, P. sidaefolia reduced the anxious-like behavior in the Holeboard test in a similar way to the positive control, Passiflora incarnata, while not affecting total motricity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia reduced the general activity of mice and conferred a calmative/sedative potential to these three species, which must be further elucidated by future investigations.

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In the search for the reduction of the side effects caused by allopathy, phytotherapeutic products are already on the veterinary market. This study aimed was to evaluate Elevated Plus-Maze and Hole Board test as an analytical methodology for quality control of anxiolytic medicines based on Passiflora incarnata. The efficacy of three brands commercial differents of Passiflora incarnata extracts was tested in the Elevated Plus-maze (for anxiolytic effect) and the Hole Board test (for locomotor and neophilia activity) in Wistar rats. Treatment with the P. incarnata brands revealed a significant 3-fold increase in the length of stay in the open arms in the LCE. In the ambulation, animals from bands 1 and 3 presented a significant increase, being brand 2 the only one that did not present this relevance. In the neophilia, Passiflora brand 1 presented a significant increase of 3 times and groups 2 and 3 an increase of approximately 2 times. The results showed that different brands of Passiflora have a satisfactory quality standard related to biological activity and showed that the use of Elevated plus-maze/Hole board test can be an effective tool in the quality control of herbal medicines with anxiolytic activity associated with the phytochemical analysis.

Na busca pela redução dos efeitos colaterais causados pela alopatia, os fitoterápicos já se encontram disponíveis no mercado veterinário. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os testes neurocomportamentais Labirinto em Cruz Elevado e Campo Vazado como metodologias analíticas para o controle de qualidade de medicamentos ansiolíticos a base de Passiflora incarnata. A eficácia de três diferentes marcas comerciais de extrato de Passiflora incarnata foi testada no Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (para efeitos ansiolíticos) e no Campo Vazado (para atividade locomotora e busca por novidade) em ratos Wistar. O tratamento com as marcas de P. incarnata demonstrou aumento significativo de 3 vezes no tempo de permanência nos braços abertos no Labirinto em Cruz Elevado. Na deambulação, animais das marcas 1 e 3 apresentaram aumento significativo, sendo a marca 2 a única que não apresentou relevância para este parâmetro. Na neofilia, a marca 1 de Passiflora apresentou aumento significativo de 3 vezes e as marcas 2 e 3 aumento de aproximadamente 2 vezes. Os resultados mostraram que diferentes marcas de Passiflora apresentam um padrão de qualidade satisfatório relacionado à atividade biológica e mostraram que a utilização dos testes Labirinto em Cruz Elevado e Campo Vazado podem ser ferramentas eficazes no controle de qualidade de fitoterápicos com atividade ansiolítica associadas à análises fitoquímicas.

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In the search for the reduction of the side effects caused by allopathy, phytotherapeutic products are already on the veterinary market. This study aimed was to evaluate Elevated Plus-Maze and Hole Board test as an analytical methodology for quality control of anxiolytic medicines based on Passiflora incarnata. The efficacy of three brands commercial differents of Passiflora incarnata extracts was tested in the Elevated Plus-maze (for anxiolytic effect) and the Hole Board test (for locomotor and neophilia activity) in Wistar rats. Treatment with the P. incarnata brands revealed a significant 3-fold increase in the length of stay in the open arms in the LCE. In the ambulation, animals from bands 1 and 3 presented a significant increase, being brand 2 the only one that did not present this relevance. In the neophilia, Passiflora brand 1 presented a significant increase of 3 times and groups 2 and 3 an increase of approximately 2 times. The results showed that different brands of Passiflora have a satisfactory quality standard related to biological activity and showed that the use of Elevated plus-maze/Hole board test can be an effective tool in the quality control of herbal medicines with anxiolytic activity associated with the phytochemical analysis.(AU)

Na busca pela redução dos efeitos colaterais causados pela alopatia, os fitoterápicos já se encontram disponíveis no mercado veterinário. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os testes neurocomportamentais Labirinto em Cruz Elevado e Campo Vazado como metodologias analíticas para o controle de qualidade de medicamentos ansiolíticos a base de Passiflora incarnata. A eficácia de três diferentes marcas comerciais de extrato de Passiflora incarnata foi testada no Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (para efeitos ansiolíticos) e no Campo Vazado (para atividade locomotora e busca por novidade) em ratos Wistar. O tratamento com as marcas de P. incarnata demonstrou aumento significativo de 3 vezes no tempo de permanência nos braços abertos no Labirinto em Cruz Elevado. Na deambulação, animais das marcas 1 e 3 apresentaram aumento significativo, sendo a marca 2 a única que não apresentou relevância para este parâmetro. Na neofilia, a marca 1 de Passiflora apresentou aumento significativo de 3 vezes e as marcas 2 e 3 aumento de aproximadamente 2 vezes. Os resultados mostraram que diferentes marcas de Passiflora apresentam um padrão de qualidade satisfatório relacionado à atividade biológica e mostraram que a utilização dos testes Labirinto em Cruz Elevado e Campo Vazado podem ser ferramentas eficazes no controle de qualidade de fitoterápicos com atividade ansiolítica associadas à análises fitoquímicas.(AU)

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O fipronil é um inseticida de toxicidade seletiva amplamente empregado na agricultura e na medicina veterinária. Porém, há relatos de efeitos neurotóxicos dessa substância, que geram prejuízos para vertebrados. Avaliou-se a atividade locomotora, a coordenação motora e a atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase cerebral em ratos expostos ao fipronil. Ratos Wistar machos adultos (n=15) receberam fipronil em dose de 30mg/kg, por via oral, durante 15 dias; o grupo controle (n=15) foi tratado com solução fisiológica, por via oral, no mesmo período. No 16° dia de experimentação, os animais foram submetidos aos testes de arena de campo aberto e hole board. No 17° dia, foram anestesiados e eutanasiados, procedendo-se à coleta de órgãos, e posteriormente foi feita a avaliação da AChE cerebral. A exposição ao fipronil não provocou alterações significativas sobre a coordenação motora e a atividade locomotora, porém gerou inibição significativa da atividade da acetilcolinesterase cerebral. Esses achados sugerem que o fipronil pode provocar efeitos neurotóxicos em curto prazo, os quais podem ser exacerbados caso a exposição seja prolongada.(AU)

Fipronil is a selective-toxicity insecticide widely used in agriculture and veterinary medicine. However, there are reports of neurotoxic effects of this substance, causing damages to vertebrates. We evaluated the locomotor activity, motor coordination and the activity of brain acetylcholinesterase in rats exposed to fipronil. Adult male Wistar rats (n= 15) received fipronil at a dose of 30mg/kg orally for 15 days; the Control group (n= 15) was treated with oral solution in the same period. On the 16th day of experimentation, the animals were submitted to the open field arena test and hole-board test. On the 17th day, they were anesthetized and euthanized, and organs were collected, and subsequently brain AChE was evaluated. Exposure to fipronil yielded no significant changes on motor coordination and locomotor activity but caused significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity. These findings suggest that fipronil may cause short-term neurotoxic effects, which may be exacerbated if exposure is prolonged.(AU)

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O fipronil é um inseticida de toxicidade seletiva amplamente empregado na agricultura e na medicina veterinária. Porém, há relatos de efeitos neurotóxicos dessa substância, que geram prejuízos para vertebrados. Avaliou-se a atividade locomotora, a coordenação motora e a atividade da enzima acetilcolinesterase cerebral em ratos expostos ao fipronil. Ratos Wistar machos adultos (n=15) receberam fipronil em dose de 30mg/kg, por via oral, durante 15 dias; o grupo controle (n=15) foi tratado com solução fisiológica, por via oral, no mesmo período. No 16° dia de experimentação, os animais foram submetidos aos testes de arena de campo aberto e hole board. No 17° dia, foram anestesiados e eutanasiados, procedendo-se à coleta de órgãos, e posteriormente foi feita a avaliação da AChE cerebral. A exposição ao fipronil não provocou alterações significativas sobre a coordenação motora e a atividade locomotora, porém gerou inibição significativa da atividade da acetilcolinesterase cerebral. Esses achados sugerem que o fipronil pode provocar efeitos neurotóxicos em curto prazo, os quais podem ser exacerbados caso a exposição seja prolongada.(AU)

Fipronil is a selective-toxicity insecticide widely used in agriculture and veterinary medicine. However, there are reports of neurotoxic effects of this substance, causing damages to vertebrates. We evaluated the locomotor activity, motor coordination and the activity of brain acetylcholinesterase in rats exposed to fipronil. Adult male Wistar rats (n= 15) received fipronil at a dose of 30mg/kg orally for 15 days; the Control group (n= 15) was treated with oral solution in the same period. On the 16th day of experimentation, the animals were submitted to the open field arena test and hole-board test. On the 17th day, they were anesthetized and euthanized, and organs were collected, and subsequently brain AChE was evaluated. Exposure to fipronil yielded no significant changes on motor coordination and locomotor activity but caused significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity. These findings suggest that fipronil may cause short-term neurotoxic effects, which may be exacerbated if exposure is prolonged.(AU)

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Abstract Tropaeolum majus L., Tropaeolaceae, popularly known in Brazil as 'capuchinha' is widely used due its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-hypertensive and anti-depressive properties. However, scientific investigations about its effects on the central nervous system are still scarce. This study investigated the central pharmacological actions of the prolonged treatment with a hydroethanolic extract of T. majus in male Wistar rats in the elevated plus maze and hole-board behavioral models. For this, rats were daily treated with distillated water (negative control); diazepam (1 mg/kg) or hydroethanolic extract of T. majus (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg), for 29 days (by gavage) and were submitted to elevated plus maze and hole-board. Animals treated with all hydroethanolic extract of T. majus or diazepam doses increased the percentage of entries in open arms when compared to control group. However, only treatment with diazepam increased the length of time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. No differences between all groups were observed regardless rearing, grooming, stretched-attend postures and defecation rates. In the HB test, in opposite to diazepam, treatment with hydroethanolic extract of T. majus did not interfere in the exploratory activity of rats. The hydroethanolic extract of T. majus promotes anxiolytic-like effects when orally administered in rats.

RESUMO

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and often result in poor quality of life. Available anxiolytics show significant adverse effects as well as partial efficacy in a sizable part of patients. Innovative treatments with more favorable risk-benefit ratio are sorely needed. A growing body of clinical data indicates the benefits of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in psychiatric conditions. NAC modulates antioxidant, glutamatergic, inflammatory and neurotrophic pathways in the central nervous system, all of which are relevant to anxiety pathology. We evaluated the effects of NAC in mice models commonly used to characterize anxiolytic compounds. Male adult CF1 or BALB/c mice were treated (i.p.) acutely or subacutely (4 consecutive days) with NAC (60-150mg/kg) 60min before open field, light/dark, hole-board, social interaction, elevated T-maze or stress-induced hyperthermia tests. Diazepam (2mg/kg) was used as positive control. We found that NAC presents anxiolytic effects in all models, except for the elevated T-maze. Subacute treatments resulted in lower effective doses in comparison to acute treatment. The anxiolytic effects of NAC were comparable to diazepam. NAC is a safe and low cost medicine with suggested benefits in psychiatric conditions often presenting co-morbidity with anxiety. This study contributes evidence to support the validity of clinical trials with NAC in the context of anxiety disorders, especially considering the safety profile in comparison to the limitations of diazepam for long term treatment.

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Introdução: a Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertence à família Clusiaceae. É uma planta nativa da Região do Vale do Jequitinhonha em Minas Gerais no Brasil. É utilizada na medicina caseira, entretanto, até o momento não existem publicações de estudos farmacológicos a seu respeito. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos ansiolíticos do extrato da K. rubriflora sobre o sistema nervoso central de camundongos. Métodos: o extrato bruto das partes aéreas foi administrado de modo agudo por gavagem nas doses de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg e 500 mg/kg em camundongos albinos, suíços, machos, com idade entre 9 e 13 semanas, com peso entre 25 e 40 g. Foram utilizados os testes de movimentação espontânea, potencialização do tempo de sono induzido por barbitúrico, placa perfurada e labirinto em cruz elevado. Resultados: o tempo de duração do sono não foi significativamente alterado por nenhuma das doses do extrato. Na ambulação houve aumento significativo nas doses de 100 e 500 mg/kg sugerindo efeito ansiolítico e diminuição significativa na dose de 250 mg/kg sugerindo efeito sedativo. No teste do labirinto em cruz elevado, houve diminuição do tempo de permanência nos braços fechados com a dose de 100 mg/kg e aumento significativo de entradas no braço aberto na dose de 250mg/kg sugerindo atividade ansiolítica. No teste da placa perfurada houve diminuição significativa de mergulhos de cabeça nas doses de 250 mg/kg e 500 mg/kg sugerindo ação sedativa e aumento significativo de mergulhos de cabeça na dose de 100 mg/kg sugerindo ação ansiolítica. Conclusão: os dados sugerem ação sedativa e ansiolítica dose-dependente do extrato bruto da K. rubriflora(AU)

Introducción: la Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertenece a la familia Clusiaceae. Es una planta nativa de la región del Valle de Jequitinhonha en Minas Gerais en Brasil. Se utiliza en la medicina popular, sin embargo, hasta el momento no existen publicaciones de estudios farmacológicos sobre esta especie. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos del extracto de K. rubriflora sobre el sistema nervioso central (SNC) en ratones. Métodos: el extracto crudo de las partes aéreas se administró de forma aguda por sonda en dosis de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg en ratones albinos, suizos, varones, con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 13 semanas, con un peso entre 25 y 40 g. Se utilizaron las pruebas de movimiento espontáneo, potenciación de tiempo de sueño inducido por barbitúricos, placa perforada y laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: la duración del sueño no se alteró de manera significativo por ninguna de las dosis del extracto. La ambulación aumentó significativamente a dosis de 100 y 500 mg/kg, lo que sugiere un efecto ansiolítico y disminuyó significa a una dosis de 250 mg/kg que sugirió efecto sedante. En la prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado, hubo disminución del tiempo pasado en los brazos cerrados con la dosis de 100 mg/kg y aumento significativo de entradas en los brazos abiertos a una dosis de 250 mg/kg lo que sugere actividad ansiolítica. En la prueba de la placa perforada hubo una disminución significativa de inmersiones de cabeza en dosis de 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg, que sugirió una acción sedante y un aumento significativo en las inmersiones de cabeza a una dosis de 100 mg/kg lo que sugere una acción ansiolítica. Conclusión: los datos sugieren acción ansiolítica y sedante de manera dosis dependiente del extracto crudo de K. rubriflor(AU)

Introducción: la Kielmeyera rubriflora Cambess, pertenece a la familia Clusiaceae. Es una planta nativa de la región del Valle de Jequitinhonha en Minas Gerais en Brasil. Se utiliza en la medicina popular, sin embargo, hasta el momento no existen publicaciones de estudios farmacológicos sobre esta especie. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos ansiolíticos del extracto de K. rubriflora sobre el sistema nervioso central (SNC) en ratones. Métodos: el extracto crudo de las partes aéreas se administró de forma aguda por sonda en dosis de 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg en ratones albinos, suizos, varones, con edades comprendidas entre 9 y 13 semanas, con un peso entre 25 y 40 g. Se utilizaron las pruebas de movimiento espontáneo, potenciación de tiempo de sueño inducido por barbitúricos, placa perforada y laberinto en cruz elevado. Resultados: la duración del sueño no se alteró de manera significativo por ninguna de las dosis del extracto. La ambulación aumentó significativamente a dosis de 100 y 500 mg/kg, lo que sugiere un efecto ansiolítico y disminuyó significa a una dosis de 250 mg/kg que sugirió efecto sedante. En la prueba del laberinto en cruz elevado, hubo disminución del tiempo pasado en los brazos cerrados con la dosis de 100 mg/kg y aumento significativo de entradas en los brazos abiertos a una dosis de 250 mg/kg lo que sugere actividad ansiolítica. En la prueba de la placa perforada hubo una disminución significativa de inmersiones de cabeza en dosis de 250 mg/kg y 500 mg/kg, que sugirió una acción sedante y un aumento significativo en las inmersiones de cabeza a una dosis de 100 mg/kg lo que sugere una acción ansiolítica. Conclusión: los datos sugieren acción ansiolítica y sedante de manera dosis dependiente del extracto crudo de K. rubriflora(AU)

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UNLABELLED: The sensation/novelty seeking behavioral trait refers to the exploration/preference for a novel environment. Novelty seeking increases during late adolescence and it has been associated with several neurobehavioral disorders. In this experiment, we asked whether inbred Roman high- and low-avoidance (RHA-I, RLA-I) rats (1) differ in novelty seeking in late adolescence and (2) whether late adolescent novelty seeking predicts this trait in adulthood. Thirty six male RHA-I and 36 RLA-I rats were exposed to a novel object exploration (NOE) test during late adolescence (pnd: 52-59; DEPENDENT VARIABLES: contact latency, contact time, contact frequency). Head-dipping (hole-board, HB), time and visits to a novel-arm (Y-maze), and latency-in and emergence latency (emergence test) were registered in adulthood (pnd: 83-105). The results showed strain differences in all these tests (RHA-I>RLA-I). Factor analysis (RHA-I+RLA-I) revealed two clusters. The first one grouped HB and emergence test measures. The second one grouped NOE and Y-maze variables. Time exploring a novel object (NOE) was a significant predictor of novel arm time (RHA-I+RLA, RHA-I); contact latency was a significant predictor of novel arm frequency (RLA-I). Present results show consistent behavioral associations across four novelty-seeking tests and suggest that late adolescent novelty seeking predicts this genetically-influenced temperamental trait in adult Roman rats.

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Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb., Cyperaceae, rhizomes have been widely used in the Paraguayan folk medicine as digestive, diuretic, sedative, tonic, antispasmodic and sudorific. The purpose of this study is to characterize the putative sedative, anxiolytic effects of the crude hydro-ethanolic extract (CEKb) and fractions of the rhizome of K. brevifolia, in male mice. The behaviour of mice was assessed in the open field, hole board, rota-rod and elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Oral treatment with single doses of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of CEKb and 10 mg/kg of ethyl acetate fraction (KbF-ethyl-ac) increased the duration of the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital. Oral administration of 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg of CEKb and 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac also significantly increased the time-spent and arm entries into open arms of the elevated plus maze (EPM) versus control group. These findings indicate that K. brevifolia exerts a weak sedative and an interesting anxiolytic-like effect in mice and suggest its potential usefulness for the treatment of anxiety in humans.

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Anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behavioral outcomes have been reported for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in rodents. In the present experiment, we attempted to identify behavioral, hormonal and neurochemical outcomes of MDMA treatment to clarify its effects on anxiety-related responses in 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g; N = 7-10 mice/group). The behavioral tests used were open field, elevated plus maze, hole board, and defensive behavior against predator odor. Moreover, we also determined striatal dopamine and dopamine turnover, and serum corticosterone levels. MDMA was injected ip at 0.2, 1.0, 5.0, 8.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg. MDMA at 10 mg/kg induced the following significant (P < 0.05) effects: a) a dose-dependent increase in the distance traveled and in the time spent moving in the open field; b) decreased exploratory activity in the hole board as measured by number of head dips and time spent in head dipping; c) increased number of open arm entries and increased time spent in open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze; d) increased time spent away from an aversive stimulus and decreased number of risk assessments in an aversive odor chamber; e) increased serum corticosterone levels, and f) increased striatal dopamine level and turnover. Taken together, these data suggest an anxiogenic-like effect of acute MDMA treatment, despite the fact that behavioral anxiety expression was impaired in some of the behavioral tests used as a consequence of the motor stimulating effects of MDMA.

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Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. (Apocynaceae), popularly known as "arrebenta-boi" and "paratudo". In behavioral screening ethanol extract of R. ligustrina roots demonstrated depressant effect on the CNS and anticonvulsant properties. The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanol extract of Rauvolfia ligustrina roots (EER) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the hole-board apparatus in rodents. This extract, administered intraperitoneally, in different doses (3.9, 7.8 and 15.6 mg/kg) was able to increase significantly the number of entries (p < 0.05), as well as the time spent in the open arms of the EPM, indicating an anxiolytic-like effect. Additionally, EER-treated (3.9 and 7.8 mg/kg) increased significantly the number of border visit and head-dipping. This data suggest an anxiolytic effect of EER in animal models of anxiety.

Rauvolfia ligustrina Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. (Apocynaceae) é conhecida popularmente como "arrebenta-boi" e "paratudo". Em triagem farmacológica comportamental o extrato etanólico das raízes de R. ligustrina (EER) mostrou efeito depressor do SNC e propriedades anticonvulsivantes. O presente estudo buscou avaliar o possível efeito ansiolítico do EER utilizando os testes do labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE) e o teste da placa perfurada ("hole-board") em roedores. A administração do EER, por via intraperitoneal (i.p.), em diferentes doses (3,9; 7,8 e 15,6 mg/kg) foi capaz de aumentar significativamente o número de entradas (p < 0,05), assim como o tempo despendido nos braços abertos do LCE. Além disso, nos animais tratados com o EER (3,9 e 7,8 mg/kg, i.p.) ocorreu aumento significativo no número de visitas à borda e mergulho com a cabeça no teste da placa perfurada em comparação com os animais do grupo controle. Estes dados sugerem um possível efeito ansiolítico do EER nos modelos animais testados.