Effect of crude extracts of Erythrina americana Mill. on aggressive behavior in rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Feb;69(2):189-96. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00121-x.

Abstract

Three alkaloid fractions were obtained from seeds of Erythrina americana: free alkaloids in hexane, free alkaloids in methanol and liberated alkaloids. The pharmacological evaluation of these fractions on rats showed that, administered in a dose of 3 mg/kg, the three fractions diminished the aggressive behavior. This is comparable when diazepam is used as a control. An interaction between the cholinergic and GABAergic system could be suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Aggression / drug effects*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Diazepam / pharmacology
  • Erythrina / chemistry*
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Solubility
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Diazepam