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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Antidepressant-like effects of methanol extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus flowers in mice

Authors: Cláudia Vanzella, Paula Bianchetti, Sabrina Sbaraini, Samanta Inês Vanzin, Maria Inês Soares Melecchi, Elina Bastos Caramão, Ionara Rodrigues Siqueira

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Malvaceae) is used in postpartum disorders. Our purpose was to examine the antidepressant, anxiolytic and sedative actions of the methanol extract of H. tiliaceus flowers using animal models.

Methods

Adult male Swiss albino mice were treated with saline, standard drugs or methanol extract of H. tiliaceus and then subjected to behavioral tests. The forced swimming and tail suspension tests were used as predictive animal models of antidepressant activity, where the time of immobility was considered. The animals were submitted to the elevated plus-maze and ketamine-induced sleeping time to assess anxiolytic and sedative activities, respectively.

Results

Methanol extract of H. tiliaceus significantly decreased the duration of immobility in both animal models of antidepressant activity, forced swimming and tail suspension tests. This extract did not potentiate the effect of ketamine-induced hypnosis, as determined by the time to onset and duration of sleeping time.

Conclusion

Our results indicate an antidepressant-like profile of action for the extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus without sedative side effect.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Antidepressant-like effects of methanol extract of Hibiscus tiliaceus flowers in mice
Authors
Cláudia Vanzella
Paula Bianchetti
Sabrina Sbaraini
Samanta Inês Vanzin
Maria Inês Soares Melecchi
Elina Bastos Caramão
Ionara Rodrigues Siqueira
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-41

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