Effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult., Turneraceae, in tests for adaptogenic activity

Abstract

Abstract:The objective of the present study was to assess whether Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult., Turneraceae, (TD), plant known in popular medicine as tonic and aphrodisiac, has other effects that are characteristic of an adaptogen substance, such as improvement of the memory and reduction of the damage caused by stress. We carried out an initial screening to detect a possible toxicity of the plant. In that phase of the study we used tests of observational screening; evaluation of acute toxicity; measurement of motor activity and motor coordination, and sleeping time induced by pentobarbital, and observed that the extract presented low toxicity and no stimulant or depressant effect on the animals. We then performed specifi c tests for the evaluation of an adaptogen effect. TD did not protect the stomach of the animals from the formation of ulcers, neither did it alter the plasmatic levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone of the animals submitted to immobilization and cold. As regards the evaluation of memory in passive avoidance, TD did not inhibit scopolamine-induced amnesia. Additionally, the hydroalcoholic extract presented low antioxidant activity in vitro. In the models used, TD produced no changes in relation to a possible adaptogen effect.

Antinociceptive activity of the HPLC- and MS-standardized hydroethanolic extract of Pterodon emarginatus Vogel leaves

“…After one hour, the mice received sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and the latency to sleeping and time between the loss and the recovery of the rightening reflex were recorded (Bezerra et al 2011).…”

Gastroprotective activities of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. revisited: Role of arbutin

“…On the other hand, a great debate has been raised regarding the mechanism, effectiveness and extracts' polarity of Turnera diffusa as potential anti-ulcer treatment. Bezerra et al (2011) demonstrated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Turnera diffusa failed to suppress gastric ulceration induced by stress (immobilization and cold). While Gracioso et al (2002), observed a significant inhibition in the HCl/ethanol induced-gastric lesions of mice that received the hydroalcoholic and dichloromethanic extract of this plant (Gracioso et al, 2002;Piacente et al, 2002).…”

Pharmacological and Toxicological Study ofMaytenus ilicifoliaLeaf Extract. Part I - Preclinical Studies

“…The duration of the loss of the righting reflex (sleeping time) was recorded. Animals were judged to be awake when they could right themselves up to three times (Bezerra et al, 2011).…”