George L. da Silva Oliveira
◽
José C. Correia L. da Silva
◽
Ana P. dos Santos C. L da Silva
◽
Chistiane M. Feitosa
◽
Fernanda R. de Castro Almeida
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 with β-caryophyllene is
still little discussed.
Objectives:
One of the objectives of the present study was to demonstrate the anxiolytic behavioral effect of β-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 of β-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 of β-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-maze test, 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 of β-CBP in female Swiss mice.