Planta Med 2010; 76 - P118
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264416

Adaptogenic and central nervous system effects of Potentilla alba L extract in mice

A Shikov 1, M Lazukina 1, M Makarova 1, O Pozharitskaya 1, D Demchenko 1, V Makarov 1, O Golubeva 2
  • 1St-Petersburg Institute of Pharmacy, 47/5, Piskarevsky prospect, 195067 St-Petersburg, Russian Federation
  • 2St-Petersburg State Medicinal Academy named after I.I. Mechnikov, 47/33, Piskarevsky prospect, 195067 St-Petersburg, Russian Federation

Potentilla alba L. (Rosaceae) rhizomes are used in Russian and Ukrainian folk medicine to reduce the thyroxin level in blood plasma as an important drug against thyroid gland diseases. The preparation shows anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and adaptogenic effect [1,2]. P. alba contains a significant amount of proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, polyphenolics, some flavonoids, polysaccharides etc. [3]. The data about adaptogenic and central nervous system (CNS) activities of P. alba are fragmentary. The adaptogenic and CNS effects of P. alba were examined in the swimming to exhaustion, light/dark exploration, and open field tests on mice. The treatment groups were orally administered dry extract of P. alba (in doses of 0.3, 0.9 and 1.8mg/kg), control group received distilled water. The swimming time after 7 days of treatment was increased by 3.3–5.5 fold. Minimal glycogen level was observed in the group treated by 0.9mg/kg P. alba. It was estimated that glycogen was hydrolyzed to glucose, glucose level was increased in the blood plasma, and lactic acidosis was prevented by aerobic oxidation of glucose (Table 1).

Table 1: Results of fswimming test in mice

Group

Swimming time,
s

Glucose,
mmol/L

Lactate, mmol/L

Glycogen in liver,
mg/g

Control

730±90

6.2±0.5

5.8±.0.5

0.61±.0.15

P. alba, 0.3mg/kg

2393±371*

2.5±0.4*

6.1±0.8

0.18±.0.05*

P. alba, 0.9mg/kg

4015±795*

4.9±0.8

4.9±.0.4

0.12.±0.06*

P. alba. 1.8mg/kg

2597±572*

2.8±.0.4*

5.6±0.6

0.20±.0.10*

A dose dependant tendency for increased time spent in the light compartment (light/dark exploration) in the treated groups was observed. However, no changes were found in the number of entries into each compartment. Statistical analysis revealed that in the open field test the extract at a dose of 0.3mg/kg induced a significant increase in locomotor activity but alterations in the anxiety of the treated mice were not marked.

References: 1. Smyk. K.G. (1982) Chimia I Zhizn 3: 15–17.

2. Tomczyk. M. Latte. K.P. (2009)J. Ethnopharmacol. 122: 184–204.

3. Shikov. A.N. et al. (2009) Book of abstracts of 57 GA Congress: A5.