Chenopodium incisum Aerial Parts Extract Induces Anxiolytic-Like Effects in Mice

Chenopodium incisum Poir., Amaranthaceae, is employed as a remedy to alleviate susto, a culture-bound syndrome. This study evaluated the anxiolytic-like effect of a single oral dose of a hydroethanolic extract of C. incisum and two of its main constituents, pinostrobin and stigmasterol, in the elevated plus maze and hole-board test in mice. The nonspecific effects of the drugs on the ambulatory activity of mice were evaluated in the open field test. The acute toxicity of the extract was determined, and the extract composition was analyzed. The extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, as well as pinostrobin and stigmasterol (1 to 30 mg/kg), induced anxiolytic-like effects in both the elevated plus maze and in the hole-board tests, significantly increasing the exploratory behaviors. The anxiolytic actions of drugs were not associated with changes in the ambulatory activity of animals. No evidence of toxicity was observed in the animals treated with hydroethanolic extract of C. incisum. The mean lethal dose was higher than 2000 mg/kg. Chenopodium incisum elicited anxiolytic effects in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the anxiolytic effect of pinostrobin. Our results suggest that C. incisum is beneficial to patients with mood disorders. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].