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This work studied the central behavioural effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from the stem bark of Erythrina velutina and Erythrina mulungu on the elevated plus maze, open field, and rota rod tests in mice. These medicinal plants belong to the Fabaceae family and are popularly used in Brazil for their effects on the central nervous system. Single doses of the extracts were administered orally (200, 400 or 800 mg kg(-1)) or intraperitoneally (200 or 400 mg kg(-1)) to female mice. A reduction of the locomotor activity was observed in the open field test with both hydroalcoholic extracts after intraperitoneal treatment with all doses, but only with the highest dose after oral administration. In addition, oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extracts decreased the incidence of rearing and grooming. Decreases in the number of entries in the open (NEOA) and closed (NECA) arms of the elevated plus maze were observed after the administration of the highest dose (800 mg kg(-1), p.o.) of both hydroalcoholic extracts, and this effect may be due to the decrease in locomotor activity. These hydroalcoholic extracts failed to affect the motor coordination in the rota rod test. In conclusion, we showed that the hydroalcoholic extracts of E. velutina and E. mulungu have depressant effects on the central nervous system, which, at least partially, corroborates the popular use of these species as tranquilizers in Brazilian popular medicine.

This work presents the behavioral effects of riparin I (methyl ether of N-benzoyl tyramine) from unripe fruit of Aniba riparia (Lauraceae) on the elevated plus maze, open field, rota rod and hole board tests in mice. Riparin I was administered acutely by intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral routes to male mice at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. The results showed that riparin I (25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p. and per os) increased the number of entries and the time of permanence in the open arms in the plus maze test. Similarly, in the hole board test, riparin I in both routes increased the number of head dips. Riparin I with both doses and routes had no effects on spontaneous motor activity in mice or in the rota rod test, but decreased the number of groomings. These results showed that riparin I by both administration routes has effects on the central nervous system with antianxiety effects on the plus maze and hole board tests. The substance is devoid of myorelaxant effects.