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DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987343
Behavioral and chemical characterisation of MeOH extracts of two Stachys taxa
In the quest for natural-based medicines, investigating the plant sources with putative psychotropic actions is a particularly challenging enterprise. Hereby, we report on the basic behavioral characterisation of the MeOH extracts of Stachys plumosa (SP) and S. alpina ssp. dinarica (SAD) (Lamiaceae). The behavioral activity of these extracts dosed in the range 50–400mg/kg was examined in the adult male Wistar rats, with diazepam used as a positive control. The extracts were suspended with the aid of sonication in a solvent containing 85% distilled water, 14% propylene glycol, and 1% Tween 80, and were administered i.p., 20min before behavioral testing. The spontaneous locomotor activity, elevated plus maze and grip strength tests, predictive of sedative, anxiolytic and myorelaxant actions, respectively, were employed [1,2,3]. The analysis of variance was used in statistical evaluation. In the spontaneous locomotor activity test, there was a significant overall influence of treatment (F(4,34)=4.37, p=0.006); extract of SAD was devoid of measurable influences, whereas extract of SP exerted a significant hypolocomotor effect at the dose of 400mg/kg (p=0.001 for Dunnett's test). In the elevated plus maze, both extracts lacked any hints of anxiolytic activity. Similarly, neither of two extracts affected the grip strength of rats. In that regard, SP extract could be helpful in common sleep ailments, but not in anxiety or spastic disorders.
HPLC analysis showed presence of verbascoside as the dominant compound in both investigated extracts. In SAD extract large amounts of 8-hydroxyflavone glycosides were detected, while their concentration in SP extract was very low. Chrysoeriol and apigenin glycosides were identified only in SP extract, comprising its major flavonoid fraction.
References: [1] Savić, M.M. et al. (2006) Pharmacol Biochem Behav 84: 35–42. [2] Savić, M.M. et al. (2004) Pharmacol Biochem Behav 79: 279–90. [3] Gitler, D. et al. (2004) J Neurosci 24: 11368–80.