Premium
Anxiolytic activity of a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Souroubea sympetala (Marcgraviaceae)
Author(s) -
Mullally Martha,
Kramp Kari,
Cayer Chris,
Saleem Ammar,
Ahmed Fida,
McRae Calum,
Baker John,
Goulah Andrew,
Otorola Marco,
Sanchez Pablo,
Garcia Mario,
Poveda Luis,
Merali Zul,
Durst Tony,
Trudeau Vance L.,
Arnason John Thor
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3246
Subject(s) - betulinic acid , extraction (chemistry) , chromatography , chemistry , supercritical carbon dioxide , elevated plus maze , supercritical fluid extraction , solvent , anxiolytic , ethyl acetate , traditional medicine , high performance liquid chromatography , pharmacology , medicine , biochemistry , anxiety , biology , genetics , receptor , psychiatry
The purpose of this work was to develop an extraction technique to yield a betulinic acid‐(BA) enriched extract of the traditional anti‐anxiety plant Souroubea sympetala Gilg (Marcgraviaceae). Five extraction techniques were compared: supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE), conventional solvent extraction with ethyl acetate (EtOAc), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) and soxhlet extraction (Sox). The EtOAc and SCE extraction methods resulted in BA‐enriched extracts, with BA concentrations of 6.78 ± 0.2 and 5.54 ± 0.2 mg/g extract, respectively, as determined by HPLC‐APCI‐MS. The bioactivity of the BA‐enriched extracts was compared in the elevated plus maze (EPM), a validated rodent anxiety behaviour assay. Rats orally administered a 75 mg/kg dose of SCE extract exhibited anxiolysis as compared with vehicle controls, with a 50% increase in the percent time spent in the open arms, a 73% increase in unprotected head dips and a 42% decrease in percent time spent in the closed arms. No significant differences were observed between the SCE and EtOAc extracts for these measures, but the animals dosed with SCE extract had significantly more unprotected head dips than those dosed with the EtOAc extract. The SCE extract demonstrated a dose‐response in the EPM, with a trend toward decreased anxiety at 25 mg/kg, and significant anxiolysis was only observed at 75 mg/kg dose. This study demonstrates that SCE can be used to generate a betulinic acid‐enriched extract with significant anxiolysis in vivo . Further, the study provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical use of this traditional medicine and a promising lead for a natural health product to treat anxiety. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.