Coumarins from Angelica archangelica Linn. and their effects on anxiety-like behavior

Detection of the Content of Two Coumarins, IM and ISOIM, and Their Mechanism of Action on Colitis Rats in Angelica albicans

Angelica albicans is being used in the cure of different, respiratory, neuromuscular, and cutaneous diseases in traditional eastern medicine. The pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of imperatorin (IM) and isoimperatorin (ISOIM), the main effective components in Angelica albicans, were investigated. The rapid, subtle, and measuring the PKs of a drug, a validated UPLC/MS/MS methodology was designed for a total of 2 furanocoumarins in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-stimulated and untreated mice. After that, blood samples were obtained. Angelica albicans (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) was given orally, taken regularly from the tail vein. The time it takes for colitis rats to achieve their maximal concentration (T_max) imperatorin and isoimperatorin was considerably postponed. In comparison to normal rats, all furanocoumarins had lesser peak plasma concentrations (C_max) and higher represent residence durations. The area below the C_max time-curve or clearance half-life did not differ significantly. In normal rats, all two furanocoumarins attained maximal plasma levels between 40 and 75 minutes, demonstrating fast oral absorption. The periods to attain T_max of the two furanocoumarins, on the other hand, were shorter than in earlier studies. Therefore, colitis-linked alterations in the drug-absorption stage may result in a late T_max and lowered C_max, which have no effect on its clearance in half-life. Hence, conclusively, as a result, more consideration should be given to the prescription and administration of Angelica albicans in colitis individuals, and more research is needed to determine whether the changed PK profile was clinically meaningful for medicinal dose.

Safety Profile of Nutraceuticals Rich in Coumarins: An Update

Coumarins are a family of benzopyrones largely distributed in the natural kingdom, being present in the seeds, fruits, flowers, or roots of various plant species. Natural coumarin compounds are found in significant concentrations in some herbs or spices used as nutraceuticals, but they are also present in cosmetics or household products, due to their pleasant odor. Therefore, an accidental exposure to high doses of coumarins, could lead to the development of harmful effects in some patients. This review summarizes the latest published data from preclinical and clinical studies with natural coumarins, focused on the investigation of general and specific toxicity, with the aim of a better understanding of the safety profile of these valuable compounds. Regulatory aspects concerning the use of natural coumarins in several world regions are also reviewed.

Prunin modulates the Expression of Cerebral Serotonin Induced by Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice

Anxiety is a state that becomesa disorder when a person experiences disproportionate levels of anxiety on a regular basis. This disproportion is also accompanied by excessive nervousness and fear. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of prunin using different anxiety models. Three preclinical anxiety models, elevated plus maze, light/dark, and social interaction, were employed in the study. Albino mice were selected and treated with pruninand other drugs for 7 days to determine their anti-anxiety effect. Thereafter, their behavior was examined using the plus maze, light-dark chamber, and other stimulatory parameters, such asimmobility, sniffing, and crawling during experimentation. Two doses (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) of prunin were administered to two separate mice groups. Further, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered to one of the mice groups for 7 days. Thereafter, the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA, in brain samples were determined. Based on the results, prunin significantly improved the behavior and mobility of animals in all three anxiety models. Further, prunin modulated the release of serotonin and GABA, demonstrating the mechanistic approach it employs to interact with cellular receptors to mimic neurotransmission. The mRNA expression levels of tph2 (5-HT synthesizing enzyme) and slc6a4 (5-HT transporter) were also found to be downregulated in both prunin- and fluoxetine-treated mice brains. Collectively, our findings suggest that prunin could be administered to treat anxiety in mice. However, further studies should be carried out to explore its potential for clinical application.

Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components

Plant-derived molecules have enduring usefulness in treating diseases, and herbal drugs have emerged as a vital component of global therapeutic demand. Angelica archangelica L. (A. archangelica), commonly known as garden angelica, is an aromatic food plant used in culinary procedures as a flavoring agent. In the traditional medicine system, it is regarded as an "Angel plant" due to its miraculous curative power. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the plant's taxonomic profile, ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities. Various in vivo and in vitro experiments have validated that the plant possesses broad pharmacological potential. The biological activities attributed to the plant include anti-anxiety activity, anti-convulsant activity, cognition enhancer, antiviral activity, cholinesterase inhibitory potential, antiinflammatory activity, gastroprotective activity, and radioprotective activity. The beneficial effects of the plant are credited to its bioactive components, that is, coumarins and volatile oils. The review summarizes the pharmacological activities of crude extract and its bioactive fractions and has also explored their target-oriented effects. This review will be of value in undertaking further investigations on the plant with regard to exploring mechanism-based pharmacological approaches on A. archangelica.

Coumarins from Seseli devenyense Simonk.: Isolation by Liquid-Liquid Chromatography and Potential Anxiolytic Activity Using an In Vivo Zebrafish Larvae Model

Different types of anxiety disorders have become the number one mental health issue in developed countries. The search for new, safer and effective drug-like molecules among naturally derived substances faces two difficulties: an efficient method of isolation compounds with a high-purity and high-throughput animal model for activity assay. Thus, the aim of the present study was to isolate by liquid–liquid chromatography high-purity rare coumarins from the fruits of Seseli devenyense Simonk. and evaluate their anxiolytic effect (defined as reversed thimotaxis) using a 5-days post-fertilization (dpf) Danio rerio larvae model. Liquid–liquid chromatography enabled the isolation of one simple hydroxycoumarin (devenyol) and four pyranocoumarins (cis-khellactone, d-laserpitin, isolaserpitin and octanoyllomatin). The anxiolytic effect was defined as a decrease in the time spent in the boundaries of the living space (also described as reversed thigmotaxis). Our results show that all isolated courmarins exerted a significant influence on the anxiety behavior (anxiolytic activity) in the zebrafish larvae model. According to our knowledge, this is the first report of anxiolytic activity of pyranocoumarins and devenyol.

Optimization of extraction conditions of Angelica archangelica extract and activity evaluation in experimental fibromyalgia

The plant Angelica archangelica, owing to its magnificent therapeutic effectiveness in folklore medicine system, has been regarded as an "angel plant." The current investigation was aimed to optimize extraction conditions of A. archangelica roots and to investigate in vivo role of optimized extract in fibromyalgia. Plant material (dried roots) was subjected to methanol extraction at variable temperature (40 to 60 °C) and time (12 to 36 hr) conditions as per two-factorial design strategy, and responses in terms of antioxidant activity were determined. The optimized extraction conditions were found to be temperature of 60 °C and time of 36 hr. HPLC fingerprinting indicated the presence of coumarins in extract. To induce fibromyalgia, the mice were administered reserpine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Mice were orally treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg extract, and magnitude of fibromyalgia was quantified. In comparison to reserpine group, the extract treatment attenuated pain as shown by significant increase in paw withdrawal threshold against mechanical stimuli (P < 0.05), improved motor ability indicated by increase in fall-off time in inclined plane test (P < 0.05), improved locomotion indicated by increased square crossings in open field test (P < 0.05), and improved cognition as shown by significant reduction in time to reach platform in Morris water maze test and passive avoidance task test (P < 0.05). Extract treatment significantly halted reserpine-induced rise in serum cytokine level (P < 0.05) and brain oxidative stress (P < 0.05). Angelica archangelica extract exerted its beneficial effects in fibromyalgia possibly through the attenuation of oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory cascade. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Leads from natural products have become an integral part of drug designing processes and have high acceptability due to their better tolerance. The optimization of extraction conditions of plant yields better results and could reduce the processing time, thus increasing its industrial value.

Imperatorin: A review of its pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics

As a naturally occurring furanocoumarin, the medicinal value of imperatorin has been studied more and more. We hope to provide useful information for the further development of imperatorin by analyzing the literature of imperatorin in recent years. By collating the literature on the pharmacology of imperatorin, we found that the pharmacological activity of imperatorin is wide and imperatorin can be used for anti-cancer, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertension and antibacterial. In addition, we found that some researchers confirmed the toxicity of imperatorin. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that oxidation metabolism is the main metabolic pathways of imperatorin. At present, the shortcomings of research on imperatorin mainly include: most pharmacological studies are concentrated in vitro, lacking enough in vivo experimental data; more and more studies showed that imperatorin has synergistic effect with other drugs in anticancer and other aspects, but lacking the detailed explanation of the mechanism of the synergistic effect; imperatorin has side effect, but it lacks enough experimental conclusions. Based on the above defects, we believe that more in vivo experiments of imperatorin should be carried out in the future; future research need to explore synergistic mechanisms of imperatorin with other drugs, especially in anticancer; the dose affects both the pharmacological activity and the side effect of imperatorin. The relationship between the dose and the two aspects need to be further studied in order to reduce the side effect. In addition, through structural modification of imperatorin, it is possible to improve the treatment effect and reduce side effect.

Effects of imperatorin in the cardiovascular system and cancer

Patients with cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD). Cardio-oncology has developed as a new discipline with the advances in cancer treatment. There are many new challenges for the clinician and a new frontier for research and investigation. There is an urgent need for further study on the prevention of cardiovascular toxicity. Imperatorin (IMP) is a natural form of coumarin and extract from several plants with diver's pharmacokinetic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focus on the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects of Imperatorin maybe provide potential cancer and cardiovascular protection that targets IMP. Further studies are required to elucidate the entire spectrum of cytotoxic activities of these compounds to validate and expand their preclinical and clinical applications and to clarify the potential role of IMP.

TCM-ADMEpred: A novel strategy for poly-pharmacokinetics prediction of traditional Chinese medicine based on single constituent pharmacokinetics, structural similarity, and mathematical modeling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yuanhu Zhitong prescription (YZP) is a commonly used and relatively simple clinical herb preparation recorded in the China Pharmacopoeia. It contains Corydalis yanhusuo (Chinese name, Yanhusuo [YH]) and Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) (Chinese name, Baizhi [BZ]), and has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of stomach pain, hypochondriac pain, headache, and dysmenorrhea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

A TCM-ADMEpred method is developed for novel strategy for poly-pharmacokinetics prediction of TCM. To predict the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the main YZP constituents in rat plasma using in silico models, based on the theory that structurally similar constituents show similar pharmacokinetic properties. This approach may facilitate in silico prediction of the pharmacokinetics of TCM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A robust platform using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of seven active YZP constituents in rat plasma. These seven compounds were divided into two structural classes, alkaloids and coumarins. The correlation between AUC profiles within a structural class was expressed as Γ⁺, and this variable was used to develop two novel in silico models to predict constituent AUC values. The pharmacokinetics of tetrahydropalmatine, tetrahydroberberine, and corydaline following YZP administration were predicted using the Γ⁺-values of α-allocryptopine observed following YH administration, while those of imperatorin and isoimperatorin following BZ administration were predicted using the Γ⁺-values of byakangelicin observed following YZP administration.

RESULTS

The UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was successfully used to evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters after oral YZP, YH, or BZ administration. Our findings showed that co-administration of YH and BZ increased the AUC of four alkaloid constituents and reduced the AUC of three coumarin constituents, which might provide a scientific rationale for co-administering these herbs clinically as a YZP preparation, thus increasing their efficacy and reducing toxicity. The AUC values of imperatorin and isoimperatorin were predicted 3 h after oral BZ administration, with the bias ratios between the theoretical values and the observed experimental values ranging from 0.61% to 11.4%, and average bias ratios of 5.8% and 8.0%, respectively. The AUC values of tetrahydropalmatine, tetrahydroberberine, and corydaline were predicted 3 h after oral YZP administration, with bias ratios ranging from 3.7% to 46.4%, and average bias ratios of 23.8%, 15.4%, and 25.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic evaluations after oral administration of YZP, YH, and BZ to rats. The Γ⁺ variable was used to express the correlation between the AUC profiles of structurally similar compounds. This facilitated the development of an in silico model that was used to predict the AUC of three alkaloids in YZP and of two coumarins in BZ. Calculation of the bias ratios between the predicted and experimental values suggested that this in silico model provided a viable approach for the prediction of TCM pharmacokinetics.

In vivo antianxiety and antidepressant activity of Murraya paniculata leaf extracts

OBJECTIVE

Different parts of Murraya paniculata have been used traditionally for treating several ailments including mental disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate the antianxiety and antidepressant potential of M. paniculata leaves using elevated plus maze model and forced swim test, respectively.

METHODS

Extracts of M. paniculata made with petroleum ether (60-80 °C), chloroform, ethanol and water were evaluated for antianxiety and antidepressant activity. The anxiolytic chloroform extract was subjected to column chromatography, yielding five fractions (F₁-F₅). Fraction F₅ (100 mg/kg), which showed notable anxiolytic activity, was further chromatographed to get four subfractions (F_5.1-F_5.4). Simultaneously, the ethanol extract was partitioned with ethyl acetate to obtain ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EASF) and ethyl acetate insoluble fraction. Phytochemical screening of bioactive extracts/fractions and detection of mahanimbine in M. paniculata leaf extract by thin-layer chromatography was also carried out.

RESULTS

Fraction F_5.3 (25 mg/kg) and EASF (20 mg/kg) showed significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activity, respectively. Thin-layer chromatography and phytochemical screening demonstrated the absence of mahanimbine in M. paniculata leaves. Coumarins were observed to be responsible for the anxiolytic activity.

CONCLUSION

The results validate the traditional use of M. paniculata leaves in the treatment of mental disorders.

Structure-Dependent Activity of Natural GABA(A) Receptor Modulators

GABA(A) receptors are ligand-gated ion channels consisting of five subunits from eight subfamilies, each assembled in four hydrophobic transmembrane domains. This pentameric structure not only allows different receptor binding sites, but also various types of ligands, such as orthosteric agonists and antagonists, positive and negative allosteric modulators, as well as second-order modulators and non-competitive channel blockers. A fact, that is also displayed by the variety of chemical structures found for both, synthetic as well as nature-derived GABA(A)-receptor modulators. This review covers the literature for natural GABA(A)-receptor modulators until the end of 2017 and discusses their structure-activity relationship.

Herbal fertility treatments used in North America from colonial times to 1900, and their potential for improving the success rate of assisted reproductive technology

This paper serves to fill a gap in the literature regarding evidence for the use of botanical remedies in the promotion of fertility. It examines the botanical remedies that were used in North America (1492-1900) for all stages of reproduction from preconception to birth, and discusses their potential for future use with present-day infertility treatments. Each medicinal plant discussed in this paper is assessed using an ethnomedicinal methodology that entails examining the published ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological data. A few clinical trials have shown that there is potential for medicinal plants to improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment if used in an integrated manner, similar to the integrated use of traditional Chinese medicine with ART treatment. For example, research has shown that older women who become pregnant have a high miscarriage rate, and this is one area that complementary and alternative medicines can address.

Screening of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Obtained by Two Conventional Methods and Supercritical CO₂ Extraction Targeted on Coumarin Content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging Capacity and Total Phenols Content

Six medicinal plants Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don, Angelica archangelica L., Lavandula officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Melilotus officinalis L., and Ruta graveolens L. were used. The aim of the study was to compare their extracts obtained by Soxhlet (hexane) extraction, maceration with ethanol (EtOH), and supercritical CO₂ extraction (SC-CO₂) targeted on coumarin content (by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, HPLC-UV), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging capacity, and total phenols (TPs) content (by Folin–Ciocalteu assay). The highest extraction yields were obtained by EtOH, followed by hexane and SC-CO₂. The highest coumarin content (316.37 mg/100 g) was found in M. officinalis EtOH extracts, but its SC-CO₂ extraction yield was very low for further investigation. Coumarin was also found in SC-CO₂ extracts of S. officinalis, R. graveolens, A. archangelica, and L. officinalis. EtOH extracts of all plants exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging capacity. SC-CO₂ extracts exhibited antiradical capacity similar to hexane extracts, while S. officinalis SC-CO₂ extracts were the most potent (95.7%). EtOH extracts contained the most TPs (up to 132.1 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g from H. italicum) in comparison to hexane or SC-CO₂ extracts. TPs content was highly correlated to the DPPH scavenging capacity of the extracts. The results indicate that for comprehensive screening of different medicinal plants, various extraction techniques should be used in order to get a better insight into their components content or antiradical capacity.

Implication of coumarins towards central nervous system disorders

Coumarins are widely distributed, plant-derived, 2H-1-benzopyran-2-one derivatives which have attracted intense interest in recent years as a result of their diverse and potent pharmacological properties. Particularly, their effects on the central nervous system (CNS) have been established. The present review discusses the most important pharmacological effects of natural and synthetic coumarins on the CNS, including their interactions with benzodiazepine receptors, their dopaminergic and serotonergic affinity, and their ability to inhibit cholinesterases and monoamine oxidases. The structure-activity relationships pertaining to these effects are also discussed. This review posits that natural or synthetic coumarins have the potential for development in the therapy of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, schizophrenia, anxiety, epilepsy, and depression.

Herbal Medicine for Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia

The prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and insomnia are very common. These well-known forms of psychiatric disorders have been affecting many people from all around the world. Herb alone, as well as herbal formula, is commonly prescribed for the therapies of mental illnesses. Since various adverse events of western medication exist, the number of people who use herbs to benefit their health is increasing. Over the past decades, the exploration in the area of herbal psychopharmacology has received much attention. Literatures showed a variety of herbal mechanisms of action used for the therapy of depression, anxiety and insomnia, involving reuptake of monoamines, affecting neuroreceptor binding and channel transporter activity, modulating neuronal communication or hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) etc. Nonetheless, a systematic review on herbal pharmacology in depression, anxiety and insomnia is still lacking. This review has been performed to further identify modes of action of different herbal medicine, and thus provides useful information for the application of herbal medicine.

Apigenin 7-glucoside from Stachys tibetica Vatke and its anxiolytic effect in rats

BACKGROUND

Stachys tibetica Vatke (Himalayan or mountain tea) grows abundantly in the tropical and subtropical locations of the world including India, Tibet and China. The traditional healers of Kargil and adjoining areas in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir in India use the drug to treat fever, cough, phobias and various mental disorders etc. in the form of a decoction or as a tea. Flavonoids are important components in most herbal teas and play an important role in the management of various brain disorders via mimicking the action of benzodiazepines or through benzodiazepine receptors.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to isolate flavonoids from S. tibetica and to evaluate their anxiolytic potential in comparison to reference synthetic (diazepam) and natural (apigenin) molecules.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

S. tibetica root powder was extracted with 95% methanol for about 72 h using a soxhlet apparatus and the resultant extract was subjected to isolation procedures, resulting in the isolation of apigenin 7-glucoside and characterisation by various physical and spectrometric analyses. Apigenin 7-glucoside was evaluated for anxiolytic activity in rats in comparison with the reference compounds diazepam and apigenin using the elevated plus maze (EPM) model.

RESULTS

Phytochemical investigations of S. tibetica revealed the presence of tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and carbohydrates. A flavonoid glucoside, apigenin 7-glucoside was isolated for the first time from the roots of S. tibetica Vatke. The percentage of time spent and arm entries in the open arms was increased while the arms entries and duration of time spent in closed arms were decreased in the groups treated with apigenin 7-glucoside (which dose). In a similar fashion, diazepam and apigenin also exhibited anxiolytic activity (*p<0.05, **p<0.01). Apigenin 7-glucoside significantly decreased the percentage of head dips in EPM. Apigenin 7-glucoside showed anxiolytic potential comparable to the reference drugs apigenin and diazepam.

CONCLUSION

Apigenin 7-glucoside could be an important molecule for the treatment of anxiety and further studies are required to elucidate its possible mechanism of action.

Vasodilation and radical-scavenging activity of imperatorin and selected coumarinic and flavonoid compounds from genus Casimiroa

Hypertension is a very widespread condition which is not strictly considered as an illness but if not countered, progressively causes damage to all tissues and loss in their functionality. For this reason the find of new antihypertensive agents is prominent and medicinal plants and their derivatives are valuable for the purpose. The genus Casimiroa (Rutaceae) includes plants from Central America and Mexico; among these, Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex. and Casimiroa pubescens Ramirez are the most relevant species, even for their medicinal uses. The decoction of leaves and seeds is traditionally taken as a tea mainly to lower blood pressure. The object of this research was the study of vascular activity of coumarinic and flavonoid compounds isolated from seeds of Casimiroa spp. in comparison with Casimiroa edulis and Casimiroa pubescens extracts. The phenolic compounds isolated from Casimiroa were herniarin (Her), imperatorin (Imp), 8-geranyloxypsoralen (GOP) and 5,6,2',3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF). All these compounds induced vasorelaxation on rat arterial tissues although with different effectiveness. To study the cellular mechanisms of the vasorelaxation exhibited by imperatorin, we used selective inhibitors of different receptors and enzymes, such as atropine, pyrilamine, nifedipine, L-NAME and DETC. In a further step of this research, we evaluated the radical-scavenging activity of Casimiroa extracts and isolated compounds by means of DPPH assay. In general, we observed that the scavenging activities increased in a concentration-dependent manner for all substances. The phenolic compounds highlight a synergism of vasodilation and antioxidant activity which may be very useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Among the evaluated compounds, imperatorin shows a significant vasorelaxant activity even higher than acetylcholine and similar to nitrite, and also useful antiradical capabilities. All these properties suggest its possible role against hypertension and vasculopathies, even if in vivo studies are needed to determine the actual applications.

Effect of Cissampelos Pareira Leaves on Anxiety-like Behavior in Experimental Animals

The present study was undertaken to evaluate anxiolytic effect of 70% hydroethanolic extract of leaves of Cissampelos pareira in murine models. C. pareira (Menispermaceae) is rich in alkaloids, and phytochemical results showed that it contains alkaloids, flavanoids, terpenoids, steroids, etc., Anxiolytic activity was evaluated by using elevated plus maze test (EPM), light dark (LandD) model, and forced swim test (FS) models in rats. The efficacy of extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) was compared with control as well as standard diazepam (DZ; 2 mg/kg, p.o.) in EPM, LandD model, and imipramine (IM; 2.5 mg/kg, p.o.) in FS model. The results showed that DZ and extract significantly increased the number of entries, time spent in open arm, head dip counts, and rearing time, while they decreased fecal count in EPM. DZ and extract also significantly increased the number of crossings and time spent in light compartment, while they decreased duration of immobility in LandD model. In case of FS model, IM and extract significantly increased mobility and swimming time. Thus, the results confirm that hydroethanolic extract of C. pareira has the potential to be used in the management of anxiety-like behavior in a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Further study is required to explore the plant and its parts for anxiolytic potential.

Coumarin compounds of Biebersteinia multifida roots show potential anxiolytic effects in mice

BACKGROUND

Traditional preparations of the root of Biebersteinia multifida DC (Geraniaceae), a native medicinal plant of Irano-Turanian floristic region, have been used for the treatment of phobias as anxiolytic herbal preparation.

METHODS

We utilized the phobic behavior of mice in an elevated plus-maze as a model to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of the plant extract and bio-guided fractionation was applied to isolate the active compounds. Total root extract, alkaline and ether fraction were administered to mice at different doses 30 and 90 min prior to the maze test. Saline and diazepam were administered as negative and positive controls, respectively. The time spent in open and closed arms, an index of anxiety behavior and entry time, was measured as an index of animal activity.

RESULTS

The total root extract exhibited anxiolytic effect which was comparable to diazepam but with longer duration. This sustained effect of the crude extract was sustained for 90 min and was even more after injection of 45 mg/kg while the effect of diazepam had been reduced by 90 min. The anxiolytic effect factor was only present in the alkaline fraction and displayed its effect at lower doses than diazepam while pure vasicinone as the previously known alkaloid did not shown anxiolytic effect. The effect of the alkaline fraction was in a dose dependent manner starting at 0.2 mg/kg with a maximum at 1.0 mg/kg. Bio-guided fractionation using a variety of chromatographic methods led to isolation and purification of three coumarin derivatives from the bioactive fraction, including umbelliferone, scopoletin, and ferulic acid.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, bio-guided fractionation of the root extract of B. multifida indicates significant sustained anxiolytic effects which led to isolation of three coumarin derivatives with well-known potent MAO inhibitory and anti-anxiety effects. These data contribute to evidence-based traditional use of B. multifida root for anxiety disorders.