"In vivo" Behavorial Characterization of Anxiolytic Botanicals

Abstract

This thesis studied three plants traditionally used for treating a variety of anxiety related conditions. The three species were Roseroot, Rhodiola rosea from Nunavik, Cordonsillo, Piper amalago from Belize and “Sin Susto”, Souroubea sympetala from Costa Rica. The main objective of this research project was to investigate effects on behavior of these traditionally used native plants. It was found that the crude ethanol extracts derived from these plants administered intragastrically had measurable anxiolytic effects in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats treated with extracts of these plants were then tested in several behavioral paradigms: elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction (SI), conditioned emotional response (CER) and fear potentiated startle FPS. “Sin susto” produced significant anti-anxiety effects in several paradigms. Its active principle, betulinic acid, was significantly active in the EPM and FPS at a dose of 0.5mg/kg. Cordonsillo had strong activity in the SI paradigm and Roseroot in the CER paradigm. The results suggest that traditional use is based on pharmacological activity of the plants.