The effects of embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera on the central nervous system were Studied in mice. MeOH extracts of embryos of Nelumbo nucifera seeds significantly inhibited locomotor activity in mice. The MeOH extract was successively partitioned between H(2)O and n-hexane, between H(2)O and CHCl(3), and between H(2)O and n-BUOH. CHCl(3) extracts strongly inhibited locomotor activity in mice, although other extracts had no effect on locomotor activity. The main alkaloid of CHCl(3) extracts, neferine, dose-dependently inhibited locomotor activity in mice. Neferine induced hypothermia in mice and apparently potentiated thiopental-induced sleeping time. An anxiolytic, diazepam, decreased locomotor activity, rectal temperature and enhanced sleep elicited by thiopental, similar to neferine. In addition, neferine and diazepam showed anti-anxiety effects in the elevated Plus maze test. Neferine did not affect Muscle coordination by the rota-rod test. Neferine did not affect strychnine- nor picrotoxin-induced seizure. In contrast, diazepam had apparent muscle relaxant and anti-convulsant effects. These results suggest that neferine has several central effects and that neferine may participate in the efficacy of the sedative effects of embryos of the seeds of Nelumbo nucifera. The mechanisms of the sedative effects of neferine are not similar to those of diazepam. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
[1]Yokohama Coll Pharm, Dept Clin Pharm, Pharmacol Lab, Totsuka Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2450066, Japan.
[2]Kobe Pharmaceut Univ, Dept Pharmacol, Higashinada Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6588558, Japan.
[3]Kobe Pharmaceut Univ, Dept Organ Chem, Higashinada Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6588558, Japan.
[4]Osaka City Univ, Res Ctr Ind Innovat, Sumiyoshi Ku, Osaka 5588585, Japan.
[5]Shanghai Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Kita Ku, Osaka, Japan.
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