Neuropharmacological Activities of Ceiba aesculifolia (Kunth) Britten & Baker f (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Ceiba aesculifolia (Kunth) Britten & Baker f (Malvaceae) is used for the folk treatment of mood disorders. C. aesculifolia bark was extracted in ethanol, and the extract (CAE) was chemically standardized using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This study evaluated the effects of CAE (10–100 mg/kg p.o.) on anxiolytic-like activity, sedation, locomotor activity, depression-like activity, and spatial working memory using in vivo rodent models. A possible mechanism for the anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like actions induced by CAE was assessed using neurotransmission pathway inhibitors. Myristic acid was one of the compounds found in CAE using GC-MS. This study also evaluated the anxiolytic-like activity and the sedative actions of myristic acid and assessed a possible mechanism of action using neurotransmission pathway inhibitors and an in silico analysis. CAE elicited anxiolytic-like activity and antidepressant-like effects (ED50 = 57 mg/kg). CAE (10–100 mg/kg) did not affect locomotor coordination or induce sedation. The anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like actions of CAE were reverted by prazosin, suggesting a possible participation of the noradrenergic system. The anxiolytic-like activity of myristic acid was reverted by the co-administration of prazosin and partially reverted by ketanserin. The docking study revealed that myristic acid can form favorable interactions within 5-HT2A and α1A-adrenoreceptor binding pockets.

Perfil Fitoquímico de Extractos de Tallos de Ceiba aesculifolia1 y su Efecto Insecticida Contra Melanaphis sorghi1

“…Se han identificado compuestos químicos de baja polaridad en C. aesculifolia. Bustos-Gómez et al (2022) registraron 40 compuestos en el extracto etanólico como ácidos grasos, polialcoholes, alcanos y compuestos fenólicos. Franco et al (2016) identificaron en una fracción de n-hexano de frutos maduros de C. aesculifolia compuestos tipo esterol, como el γ-sitosterol, campesterol y ácido n-hexadecanoico, y compuestos tipo hidrocarburo como hexatriacontano, hentriacontano y tetratetracontano.…”

Special Issue “Ethnopharmacology in Latin America”

“…This Special Issue, “Ethnopharmacology in Latin America”, enriches scientific knowledge of the medicinal plants of Latin America. The scientific studies herein investigate traditional medicine for sources of compounds for treating the chronic diseases that affect Latin America, such as wounds in diabetic patients [ 8 ], anxiety and depression [ 9 ], gynecological disorders, such as vulvovaginitis and endometriosis [ 10 , 11 ], and metabolic syndrome [ 12 ]. The scientific works in this Special Issue focus on providing solutions for current chronic diseases in this region.…”

“…All these formulations, plant extracts, and compounds increased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and nitric oxide. Most studies used in vivo models [ 9 , 10 , 12 ] and two studies assessed the pharmacological actions using in vitro models [ 11 , 14 ]. Preventing chronic inflammation is a key pharmacological avenue for avoiding the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders [ 15 ].…”

“…In some studies [ 8 , 9 , 12 , 13 ], the extraction of medicinal plants was carried out through the use of solvents, like ethanol and water, used in traditional medicine, whereas other studies used organic solvents like acetone and dichloromethane [ 10 , 14 ]. This type of decision affects the type of compounds that can be obtained and identified.…”

“…This type of decision affects the type of compounds that can be obtained and identified. Medicinal plants were chemically standardized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [ 8 , 9 ] and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry [ 8 , 12 , 13 ]. The reported secondary metabolites were phytosterols and flavonols [ 8 ], fatty acid [ 9 ], flavonoid glycosides [ 12 , 13 ], caffeic acid derivates [ 12 ], and terpenes [ 14 ].…”