Tea obtained from leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf is used for its anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties in Brazilian folk medicine. Essential oil (EO) from fresh leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation and orally administered to Swiss male mice 30 min before experimental procedures. EO at 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg was evaluated for sedative/hypnotic activity through pentobarbital s...

OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to evaluate the putative antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of the cinnamon essential oil when administered acute (for 3 doses) and sub-acute (for 14 days) to mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In an acute experimental study, forced swim test (FST) was conducted to evaluate the antidepressant-like behavior of animals treated with the intraperitoneal (IP) essen...

Preclinical studies have recently highlighted that bergamot essential oil (BEO) is endowed with remarkable neurobiolological effects. BEO can affect synaptic transmission, modulate electroencephalographic activity and it showed neuroprotective and analgesic properties. The phytocomplex, along with other essential oils, is also widely used in aromatherapy to minimize symptoms of stress-induced a...

Background & Aims: Iron is an essential element for correct brain function. Iron deficiency changes some behaviors such as anxiety and nociception. Recently, nano-iron, Ferric or ferro oxide (nano-Fe2O3 or Fe3O4), are used in various applications in agriculture, industry and medicine, but their effects on the heath and behavior is not clear. In this study, the effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on ...

Mice were fed a diet deficient in alpha-linolenic acid [18:3 (n-3)] or a control diet and the effect of this deficiency was assessed by behavioral and pharmacological measurements. Three weeks before mating female mice were fed a diet containing either peanut oil poor in alpha-linolenic acid (n-3)- or peanut+rapeseed oil rich in alpha-linolenic acid (n-3)+ = controls. Pups, aged 47 to 61 days, ...

Background and Objective: Lead entry into the body causes considerable damages to the brain in the long term. We aimed to investigate the effects of exercise (treadmill running) and flaxseed oil on lead acetate-induced behavioral deficits in male rats.  Materials and Methods: 60 rats were divided into 6 groups: Control (C), Exercise (Ex), Flaxseed oil (FO), Lead (L), Lead- Exercise (L-Ex), and...

   The aim of the present study was to synthesis a series of phthalimides based on our previous works and examine their anxiolytic properties. Using a three steps process, phthalimides were prepared from the corresponding di-methyl phthalate derivatives. Phthalic anhydride was nitrated to produce 3-nitrophthalic acid. Ring closer of either 3-nitrophthalic acid or di-methyl phthalate with urea w...