Involvement of GABAergic non-benzodiazepine sites in the anxiolytic-like and sedative effects of the flavonoid baicalein in mice.

摘要: Abstract Baicalein (BA), one of the main flavonoids obtained from Chinese medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis, usually exerts several pharmacological effects. In central nervous system (CNS), BA a protective effect on neurons against neuronal insults among other effects, but it is not clear if this due to its metabolite, baicalin. The purpose present study was assess anxiolytic-like and related properties following administration (i.c.v.) in mice. (0.02, 0.2 pmol) exerted an at low doses, increasing time spent open arms head-dipping whereas reducing stretched-attend postures elevated plus-maze. also increased duration ether-induced sleep without affecting pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions. addition, pretreatment with flumazenil (FMZ), PTZ, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dl-p-chlorophenilalanine ethyl ester (PCPA) were conducted order investigate mechanism action. PTZ DHEAS, FMZ or PCPA, antagonized BA's effect. Taken together our results showed that BA, when directly injected into CNS, promotes sedative activities dependent GABAergic non-benzodiazepine sites 5-HT system.