β-caryophyllene has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Properties of theΒcaryophyllene in Swiss Mice: Involvement of Benzodiazepine-Gabaaergic, Serotonergic and Nitrergic Systems.
Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2020 05 9. Epub 2020 May 9. PMID: 32386503
George Laylson da Silva Oliveira
BACKGROUND: Central nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression and epilepsy are characterized by sharing several molecular mechanisms in common and the involvement of the L-arginine/NO pathway in neurobehavioral studies withβ-caryophyllene is still little discussed.
OBJECTIVES: One of the objectives of the present study was to demonstrate the anxiolytic behavioral effect ofβ-caryophyllene (β-CBP) in female Swiss mice, as well as to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the results obtained.
METHODS: This study evaluated the neurobehavioral effects ofβ-CBP using the open field test, rota-rod test, elevated plus maze test, novelty suppressed feeding test, tail suspension test and forced swim test, as well as pilocarpine, pentylenetetrazole and isoniazid-induced epileptic seizure models.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the neuropharmacological activities ofβ-CBP may involve benzodiazepine/GABAergic receptors, since the pre-treatment of β-CBP (200 mg/kg) associated with flumazenil (5 mg/kg, benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) and bicuculline (1 mg/kg, selective GABAA receptor antagonist) reestablished the anxiety parameters in the elevated plus-mazetest, as well as the results of reduced latency to consume food in the novelty suppressed feeding test. In addition to benzodiazepine/GABAergic receptors, the neuropharmacological properties of β-CBP may be related to inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, since pre-treatment with L-arginine (500- 750 mg/kg) reversed significantly the anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of β-CBP.
CONCLUSION: The results obtained provide additional support in understanding the neuromolecular mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsive properties ofβ-CBP in female Swiss mice.