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Evaluation of the neuropharmacological effects of Gardenin A in mice
Author(s) -
AlonsoCastro Angel J.,
GascaMartínez Deisy,
CortezMendoza Laura V.,
AlbaBetancourt Clara,
RuizPadilla Alan J.,
ZapataMorales Juan R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.21659
Subject(s) - anxiolytic , open field , anticonvulsant , pharmacology , tail suspension test , bicuculline , behavioural despair test , motor coordination , flumazenil , elevated plus maze , chemistry , antidepressant , imipramine , diazepam , gabaa receptor , psychology , medicine , epilepsy , neuroscience , receptor , hippocampus , biochemistry , anxiety , alternative medicine , pathology , psychiatry
This work describes the neuropharmacological (sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant) actions of Gardenin A (GA) (0.1–25 mg/kg p.o.), a flavonoid found in medicinal plants. The sedative effects of GA were assessed with the pentobarbital‐induced sleep test. The anxiolytic actions of GA were evaluated with the elevated plus‐maze, the light–dark box test, the exploratory cylinder assay, and the open field test. Motor coordination was evaluated with the rotarod test and the open field test. The antidepressant‐like actions of GA were evaluated with the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. The mechanisms of the anxiolytic‐like and antidepressant‐like effects of GA were assessed using inhibitors of neurotransmission pathways. The anticonvulsant activity of GA was evaluated with the strychnine‐induced seizure test. The sedative effects of GA were evident only at a dose of 25 mg/kg, which increased the duration of sleep but did not alter sleep onset. GA showed anxiolytic‐like actions with activity comparable to that of clonazepam in all experimental tests. The GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline reversed the anxiolytic‐like effects of GA. Furthermore, GA showed significant antidepressant‐like actions in both models with activity comparable to that of fluoxetine. Yohimbine, an α2‐adrenoceptor blocker, inhibited the antidepressant‐like actions of GA. In addition, GA (1–10 mg/kg) did not affect locomotor coordination in mice and delayed the onset of convulsions. These findings suggest that GA induces anxiolytic‐like effects and has anticonvulsant actions by the possible involvement of the GABAergic system. The antidepressant‐like actions of GA may be mediated by noradrenergic neurotransmission.