Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of an aqueous extract of Tanacetum parthenium L. Schultz-Bip (Asteraceae) in mice

En la medicina tradicional Danesa y del sur de África, Tanacetum parthenium se utiliza para el tratamiento de la epilepsia y convulsiones (Risa et al., 2004; Jäger et al., 2006). Sin embargo, aún no se sabe con certeza los componentes responsables de la actividad biológica, ni el mecanismo a través del cual actúan. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la capacidad ansiolítica y antidepresiva del extracto acuoso comparándolo con fármacos de referencia para estas enfermedades mediante pruebas de comportamiento ansiolítico como BBT y PMT, mientras que para el efecto antidepresivo se evaluaron con FST y la actividad ambulatoria por OFT. Se realizó la caracterización química del extracto acuoso de T. parthenium L. Schultz-Bip, en donde se identificaron los compuestos mayoritarios por análisis de HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. De la caracterización química del extracto se aislaron dos compuestos mayoritarios: santina y santamarina. De acuerdo a los resultados, se pudo identificar los dos principales compuestos activos que pudieran ser los responsables de la actividad ansiolitíca y antidepresiva.Tanacetum parthenium L. Schultz-Bip (Asteraceae) is widely used worldwide in traditional medicine for the treatment of convulsions and culture-bound syndromes as susto (fear). The aim of this work was to evaluate the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of an aqueous extract of T. parthenium in behavioral paradigms in mice. The effects of T. parthenium were compared with those produced by anxyolitic- and antidepressant drugs. We carried out the chemical characterization of the main constituents of T. parthenium. The involvement with the GABAergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitter systems were explored be means of synergic and antagonist experiments. Material and Methods: The anxiolytic-like effect was evaluated using the Burying Behavior Test (BBT) and the Elevated Plus-Maze Test (PMT). The antidepressant-like effect was evaluated in the Forced Swimming Test (FST), and ambulatory activity was assessed in the Open Field Test (OFT). Employing the behavioral tests, synergism and antagonism experiments with alprazolam, Muscimol, and Picrotoxin were carried out in the PMT. In a series independent experiments, concomitant administration of T. parthenium and Alprazolam, Fluoxetine, or p-chlorophenylalanine were conducted in the FST. For the chemical characterization, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electro Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analysis was performance. Results: T. parthenium exerts clears anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in mice, without affectting the ambulatory activity of the experimental subjects. Conclusions: Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like T. parthenium effects result, at least in part of the involvement of the GABAergic system. Our results support the use of Tanacetum parthenium in traditional medicine and suggest its therapeutic potential in the comorbid anxiety and depression