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Pharmacological evidence of neuro-pharmacological activity of Acacia tortilis leaves in mice

Metabolic Brain Disease volume 31, pages 881–885 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Acacia tortilis is abundantly present in Saudi Arabia but its neuro-pharmacological activity has not yet been evaluated. In this study, the antidepressant by Forced swim test, Anxiolytic (Light and Dark box) and sedative effects (by using Open Field) of Acacia leaves extract were evaluated in mice. Aqueous extracts of the Acacia tortilis leaves were prepared. Two different doses (400 and 800 mg/kg) of the extracts were administered to the mice orally (p.o.). In exploratory behavior, Acacia leave extract (800 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction (Veh, 91.00 ± 5.26; Acacia 800 mg/kg, 46.33 ± 3.24 p < 0.05) similar to the effect observed with chlorpromazine (CPZ) (Veh, 91.00 ± 5.26; CPZ 1.0 mg/kg, 24.20 ± 3.40 p < 0.05). A dose–dependent significant decrease in immobility time was also observed in mice and this effect was comparable to its positive control (Imipramine). However, In light–dark box test, mice treated with high dose (800 mg/kg/day) spent significant (p < 0.05) time on the light side of the light–dark box similar to positive control DZP. (Veh, 114.40 ± 6.30 s; Acacia 800 mg/kg, 162.2 ± 14.9; DZP 1.0 mg/kg, 184.20 ± 9.24 p < 0.05). The present research propounded that Acacia tortilis leave extract contains some active ingredients with potential anxiolytic activity at low doses and antidepressant and sedative activity at high doses.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Miss Moodi Saleh Al-lehibi, Miss Jawaher Abdulaziz Al-harthi, Miss Mashael Mohammad Al-masoudi, Miss Hatoon Abdulghani Al-ahdal, Miss Bashaer Zaki Al-nass and Miss Wafaa Ali Bayunus Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for providing their assistance in collecting data.

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  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

    Waheeb D. M. Alharbi & Aisha Azmat

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  1. Waheeb D. M. Alharbi
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  2. Aisha Azmat
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Correspondence to Aisha Azmat.

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Alharbi, W.D.M., Azmat, A. Pharmacological evidence of neuro-pharmacological activity of Acacia tortilis leaves in mice. Metab Brain Dis 31, 881–885 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-016-9821-2

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Keywords

  • Neuro-pharmacology
  • Acacia tortilis leaves
  • Antidepressant
  • Anxiolytic
  • Sedative
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)