Preclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTrichilia catigua preparations have been popularly used in Brazil as a tonic for the treatment of fatigue, stress, impotence, and deficiency of memory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antidepressant, anxiolytic, motor and cognitive effects of the crude extract (CE) or ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of Trichilia catigua. Analyses of the total phenolics and total tannins content, as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of CE and EAF were also performed. Materials and methodsCE (200–800mg/kg) and EAF (100–400mg/kg) were orally administered to mice and 1h later the behavioral tests were performed. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. ResultsSingle administration of CE (200–400mg/kg) or EAF (100–400mg/kg) did not change the behavior of the animals submitted to the elevated plus maze or their locomotor activity in the open field test. An antidepressant-like effect was detected with EAF (400mg/kg) after acute administration. Both CE (800mg/kg) and EAF (200 and 400mg/kg), improve memory in mice as measured by an increased latency in the step-down inhibitory avoidance test. The EAF presented higher total phenolics and total tannins as compared to CE as well as it exhibited the best antioxidant activity. ConclusionsThe present results showed an in vitro antioxidant activity for EAF and suggested that it may be useful for cognitive improvement. It is possible that both functional and chemical activities are related.