Preclinical evaluation of Trichilia catigua extracts on the central nervous system of mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Trichilia catigua preparations have been popularly used in Brazil as a tonic for the treatment of fatigue, stress, impotence, and deficiency of memory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antidepressant, anxiolytic, motor and cognitive effects of the crude extract (CE) or ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of Trichilia catigua. Analyses of the total phenolics and total tannins content, as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of CE and EAF were also performed.

Materials and methods

CE (200-800 mg/kg) and EAF (100-400 mg/kg) were orally administered to mice and 1 h later the behavioral tests were performed. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method.

Results

Single administration of CE (200-400 mg/kg) or EAF (100-400 mg/kg) did not change the behavior of the animals submitted to the elevated plus maze or their locomotor activity in the open field test. An antidepressant-like effect was detected with EAF (400 mg/kg) after acute administration. Both CE (800 mg/kg) and EAF (200 and 400 mg/kg), improve memory in mice as measured by an increased latency in the step-down inhibitory avoidance test. The EAF presented higher total phenolics and total tannins as compared to CE as well as it exhibited the best antioxidant activity.

Conclusions

The present results showed an in vitro antioxidant activity for EAF and suggested that it may be useful for cognitive improvement. It is possible that both functional and chemical activities are related.