Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, and Sedative Activities of Verbena officinalis

Abstract

We describe different neuropharmacological effects of Verbena officinalis crude extract (Vo.Cr). Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, elevated plus maze, light–dark box (LDB), open field and thiopental-induced sleeping test models were employed to evaluate Vo.Cr actions in mice. Vo.Cr dose-dependently (100–500 mg/Kg) delayed onset time of myoclonic jerks and tonic-clonic seizures, while decreased duration of tonic-clonic seizures (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 vs. saline group). Vo.Cr at 100 and 300–500 mg/Kg doses reduced animals’ mortality in PTZ-induced seizures test to 75 and 0%, respectively. Vo.Cr (50–300 mg/Kg) significantly increased time spent and number of entries into open arms, while decreased time spent and number of entries into closed arms (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001 vs. saline group), measured in elevated plus maze. Vo.Cr (50–300 mg/Kg) increased time spent in light compartment, while decreased time spent in dark compartment (P < 0.01, P < 0.001 vs. saline group) in LDB, like caused by diazepam. In open field test, Vo.Cr decreased number of ambulations and rearings frequencies, while increased the number of central squares crossings. In thiopental-induced sleeping test, Vo.Cr (50–300 mg/Kg) decreased onset time of sleep, while increased the duration of sleep (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001 vs. saline group). These results indicate that Verbena officinalis possess anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities, which provides scientific background for its medicinal application in various neurological ailments, such as epilepsy, anxiety, and insomnia.

In silico and in vivo investigation of ferrocene‐incorporated acyl ureas and homoleptic cadmium carboxylate derivatives for anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative potential

“…to PB1 treated mice. Each mouse was observed for onset times of myoclonic jerks, onset times and duration of tonic‐clonic seizures for 30 min (Khan, Khan, & Ahmed, ). Similar procedure was repeated with DPAA, but test compound was used at doses of 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg.…”

“…Similar procedure was repeated with DPAA, but test compound was used at doses of 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg. Diazepam at dose of 1 mg/kg (Khan et al, ) and valproic acid at dose of 200 mg/kg (Raza, Khan, & Nadeem, ) were used as reference drug for PB1 and DPAA, respectively.…”

In vivo pharmacological activities of methanolic extract of Tabernaemontana recurva Roxb.

“…The EPM and hole board method give consistent result for anxiolytic effect in this research work. Several study reported that the plants containing alkaloids, glycosides, phytosterols, flavonoids, saponins and tannins possess good anxiolytic activity [7,13,23]. The methanolic extract of T. recurva also contains alkaloids, glycosides, tannin (strongly), saponin and phytosterol.…”

“…The number of abdominal contraction was then counted at 5 min interval for 30 min. The percentage of analgesic activity was then calculated by using following formula [7]. Inhibition (%) = [Number of writhes (control) -number of writhes (test)]/Number of writhes (control) × 100…”

“…After 30 min, mice were individually placed in center square of the EPM facing either one of the open arms. The time spent in both the open and closed arms was recorded for 5 min [7].…”