Avaliação do efeito do extrato etanólico da Egletes viscosa (L.) Less em modelos in vivo de depressão e ansiedade: envolvimento do potencial antioxidante

Abstract

The species Egletes viscosa, of the Asteraceae family, is a wild herb, native to Tropical America, including the Brazilian territory, frequent in the sertão and northeastern coast, known as ''macela'' or ''macela-da-terra''. The plant is mainly used to treat digestive and intestinal problems, colic, gas, heartburn, poor digestion, diarrhea and migraine. Previous studies relate possible central effects to this plant species. In an attempt to overcome the challenge to find effective pharmacotherapies for diseases that affect the Central Nervous System, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the neurobehavioral effects of Egletes viscosa ethanolic extract (EEEV) in a preclinical model, as well as its antioxidant potential. Adult Swiss mice weighing between 30 and 35g were used. The animals received doses of 50 and 500 mg/kg of EEEV, orally, after fasting for 2 hours, and were submitted to behavioral tests 60 minutes after the administrations. Three behavioral test models were used: Open Field, Plus Maze and Tail Suspension. Then, the antioxidant potential of EEEV was evaluated, through the dosage of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the quantification of superoxide anion accumulation (O2-). It was noted that, in males, there was anxiolytic activity at a dose of 50mg/kg, without the occurrence of antidepressant activity at the administered doses. Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects were not observed at the doses tested in females, however, the dose of 500 mg/kg increased locomotor activity, evaluated through the Open Field test. The study demonstrated that EEEV, in a single dose, is able to cause behavioral changes in mice, with different neurobehavioral effects observed in both males and females. As for the antioxidant potential, no significant results were observed. It is necessary, however, that new studies are carried out with the purpose of deepening the knowledge about the central effects and the antioxidant potential obtained with the administration of the Egletes viscosa ethanolic extract.