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The antidepressant-like effect of a supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) Valeriana glechomifolia extract enriched in valepotriates was investigated in a mice tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). The SCCO2 extract decreased mice immobility in the FST (0.5-20 mg/kg p.o.) and elicited a biphasic dose-response relationship in the TST (1-20 mg/kg p.o.) with no alterations in locomotor activity and motor coordination (assessed in the open-field and rota-rod tests, respectively). The anti-immobility effect of the SCCO2 extract (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by mice pre-treatment with yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2 adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH 23390 (15 μg/kg, s.c., D1 dopamine receptor antagonist) and sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., D2 dopamine receptor antagonist). However, mice pre-treatments with prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., α1 adrenoceptor antagonist) and p-chlorophenilalanine methyl ester (4×100 mg/kg/day, i.p., a serotonin synthesis inhibitor) were not able to block the anti-immobility effect of the SCCO2 extract. Administration (p.o.) of the SCCO2 extract (0.25 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg), desipramine (5 mg/kg) and bupropion (3 mg/kg) at sub-effective doses significantly reduced mice immobility time in the FST. These data provide the first evidence of the antidepressant-like activity of V. glechomifolia valepotriates, which is due to an interaction with dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission.

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-Schinus molle L., also known as pepper tree, has been reported to have antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antitumoural and cicatrizing properties. This work studies supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to obtain volatile and non-volatile compounds from the aerial parts of Schinus molle L. and the influence of the process on the composition of the extracts. Experiments were performed in a pilot-scale extractor with a capacity of 1 L at pressures of 9, 10, 12, 15 and 20 MPa at 323.15 K. The volatile compounds were obtained by CO 2 supercritical extraction with moderate pressure (9 MPa), whereas the non-volatile compounds were extracted at higher pressure (12 to 20 MPa). The analysis of the essential oil was carried out by GC-MS and the main compounds identified were sabinene, limonene, D-germacrene, bicyclogermacrene, and spathulenol. For the non-volatile extracts, the total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method. Moreover, one of the goals of this study was to compare the experimental data with the simulated yields predicted by a mathematical model based on mass transfer. The model used requires three adjustable parameters to predict the experimental extraction yield curves.

a b s t r a c tIn this work a study about extracts obtained from Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. leaves with supercritical CO 2 was carried out. Experiments were performed in a pilot-scale extractor with capacity of 1 L at pressure of 120, 150, 170 and 200 bar for four temperature conditions, 313.15, 323.15, 333.15 and 343.15 K. The experimental data were fitted using a mathematical model characterized by the existence of two distinct periods of extraction. Numerical results for the adjusted parameters correlated very well the supercritical extraction experimental data. The confidence of results obtained from mathematical model and experiments was assured through the chi-square test.

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