Neuropharmacological and anxiolytic effects of extracts of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima on mice

Abstract

Anxiety and depression cause alterations in the physiology of an organism. Extracts from the leaves of several Passiflora species are traditionally used Peru and in many countries as anxiolytic and in treatment for inflammatory problems. This study aimed to determine the neuropharmacological effect of the ethanolic extract of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P. Jørg. and its anxiolytic effect on mouse (Mus musculus var. albinus). Anxiety was evaluated with the marble burying test and the depressant effect with the Irwin test (locomotor activity, base of support, wobbly gait, immobility, escape, ease of handling, muscular strength, tight rope, inclined plane, catatonia, nociceptive reflex and death). Doses of 100 mg/Kg/body weight and 200 mg/kg/body weight by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) significantly decreased anxiety levels (p<0.05) in mice, and had a non-significant depressant effect in 11 of the 12 tests, showing a similar direction of correlation between diazepam and Passiflora extract effect. A greater anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in mice was observed with the extract dose of 200 mg/kg/body weight with neuropharmacological manifestations found where no death was observed at any dose used.