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Neuroprotective and Neurological Properties of Melissa officinalis

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Abstract

Melissa officinalis has traditionally been used due to its effects on nervous system. Both methanolic and aqueous extracts were tested for protective effects on the PC12 cell line, free radical scavenging properties and neurological activities (inhibition of MAO-A and acetylcholinesterase enzymes and affinity to the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor). The results suggest that the plant has a significant (P < 0.05) protective effect on hydrogen peroxide induced toxicity in PC12 cells. The radical scavenging properties were also investigated in cells and in cell free systems, where this plant was shown to be a good free radical scavenger. The MAO-A bioassay was also performed to detect possible antidepressant activities demonstrating that both extracts inhibited this enzyme, which has a key role in neurotransmitters metabolism. However, no activity was detected in the acetylcholinesterase and GABA assays. In general, the methanolic extract was more effective than the aqueous.

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Acknowledegments

University of Navarra Foundation and Alumni Navarrensis Association are thanked for finantial support and fellowships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Navarra, Irunlarrea sn, 31080, Pamplona, Spain

    Víctor López & Maria Isabel Calvo

  2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Víctor López, Sara Martín, Maria Pilar Gómez-Serranillos & Maria Emilia Carretero

  3. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

    Víctor López & Anna K. Jäger

Authors
  1. Víctor López
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  2. Sara Martín
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  3. Maria Pilar Gómez-Serranillos
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  4. Maria Emilia Carretero
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  5. Anna K. Jäger
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  6. Maria Isabel Calvo
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Correspondence to Víctor López.

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López, V., Martín, S., Gómez-Serranillos, M.P. et al. Neuroprotective and Neurological Properties of Melissa officinalis . Neurochem Res 34, 1955–1961 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-9981-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-9981-0

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