Validação farmacológica e toxicológica em Danio rerio (zebrafish) do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas de Spondias mombin (Linnaeus 1753) : atividades ansiolítica, antidepressiva e toxicidade aguda

Abstract

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants is common as an alternative therapy in the treatment of several diseases that affect the population. For example, the species Spondias mombin are commonly used for the treatment of various diseases, mainly neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the ethnomedical background of this species, there is scarce research to assess the security for its therapeutic use, as well the toxicity. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate acute toxic effects and to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activity of the hydroethanolic extract from Spondias mombin leaves in Danio rerio (zebrafish). Methodology: Toxicity was assessed by determining the lethal concentration (LC50) and the lethal dose (LD50). The anxiolytic activity was evaluated in the light / dark preference test and the antidepressant activity by the new tank dipping test. Results and discussion: In the evaluation of the anxiolytic activity, the results of the observed parameters showed that the extract presented similar activity to the positive control (buspirone) in the two administration routes (immersion and oral) at 25 mg/l and 25 mg/kg. In the evaluation of the antidepressant activity, the results obtained in the assessment of the parameters indicated that the extract showed activity similar to the positive control group (fluoxetine) in the two routes of administration used in the test. Exposure by immersion with the different concentrations of the extract (25, 50 and 75 mg/l) allowed the determination of LC50 which was 49.86 mg/l. Oral treatment with the different doses (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 g/kg) made it possible to determine the LD50 which was 4.515 g/kg in 48h. The results showed that the doses used in the tests of anxiety and depression were not toxic, presenting no histopathological alterations. Conclusions: From these results, it is possible to suggest that the use of Spondias mombin leaves in folk medicine for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders was evidenced in this study