Nogueira, E.Rosa, GJMVassilieff, V. S.2014-05-202014-05-201998-06-01Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Clare: Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd, v. 61, n. 2, p. 119-126, 1998.0378-8741http://hdl.handle.net/11449/12359To investigate the ability of hexanic ethanolic fraction of Rubus brasiliensis Martius (Roseceae), to induce anxiolytic effect and also the possible involvement of the GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex, male Wistar rats and Swiss mice behaviour were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM). All the doses of the extract, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, administered per gavage (vo), 30 min before the behavioural evaluation, induced an anxiolytic effect expressed by: increased number of entries in and time spent in the open arms and percentage of open arm entries: and decreased number of entries and time spent in the closed arms. The treatment of mice with flumazenil (Ro 15-1788), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15-min before the administration of hexanic fraction, 100 mg/kg, vo, blocked the hexanic fraction-induced anxiolytic effect. The LD50 for the hexanic fraction was 1512 mg/kg. In conclusion, it was shown that the hexanic fraction of R. brasiliensis induced an anxiolytic effect in rats and mice. This effect can be attributed to a liposoluble principle with low toxicity which may be acting as an agonist on GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.119-126engRubus brasiliensisanxiolytic effectelevated plus mazeGABA(A)-systembenzodiazepine receptorratsmiceArtigo10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00023-3WOS:000074385800004Acesso restrito