Authors : S. Gholamzadeh , S. Zare and M. Ilkhanipoor
Abstract: Echium amoenum (Boraginaceae) is a very popular medicinal plant which is used as a tonic, tranquillizer, diaphoretic, cough remedy, sore throat and pneumonia in Iran`s traditional medicine. Preliminary phytochemical study of the plant, with standard procedures, showed that it contains saponins, flavonoids, unsaturated terpenoids and sterols. There was no evidence of tannins, alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides. In this study an aqueous extract from petals of this botanical was used in 125 mg kg 1 concentration as compared with diazepam 1 mg kg 1 intraperitonealy (i.p.), during 2 different treatment courses, 15 and 30 days. Anxiolytic effect of extract was investigated in Rat using the elevated plus maze model of anxiety. After finishing these courses and 30 min after last injections, the test performed. Results revealed that in 30 days treatment course, time spent in open arms was significantly higher than 15 days treatment in all groups and this effect is lower than diazepam. So we showed a significant time-dependent increase in time spent in open arm.
S. Gholamzadeh , S. Zare and M. Ilkhanipoor , 2008. Anxiolytic Effect of Echium amoenum During Different Treatment Courses . Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3: 176-178.