Anticonvulsant, Anticholinesterase and Cytoprotective Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Lippia sidoides Cham

Abstract

(1) Background: Lippia sidoides Cham is a Brazilian aromatic plant rich in phenolic compounds. In traditional medicine, its leaves are used to treat diseases of the Central Nervous System such as stress and anxiety. This study evaluates the capacity of the aqueous extract of L. sidoides as an anticonvulsant, anticholinesterase and antihemolytic agent. (2) Methods: The extract was obtained from the leaves using water as a solvent, then dried in a spray dryer. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated in zebrafish models using the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) method. The anticholinesterase effect was determined using the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and physostigmine as a positive control. The antihemolytic action was evaluated by exposing erythrocytes to different concentrations of NaCl in the presence and absence of the extract. (3) Results: The anticonvulsant effect was observed at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, delaying convulsive crises. In the anticholinesterase assay, a dose-dependent action and variation in the effect over time were observed, demonstrating a reversible effect of the extract. For the osmotic fragility test, the extract showed satisfactory results, providing cellular protection across all variations of NaCl concentration. (4) Conclusions: These results demonstrate the promising potential of L. sidoides extract for the development of drugs that act in the treatment of diseases that affect the Central Nervous System.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; antihemolytic effect; aqueous extract; epilepsy.

Figure 1

Effect of L. sidoides extracts on PTZ-induced seizure in adult zebrafish. (a) Stage I extract, (b) Stage II extract, (c) Stage III extract. DZP—Diazepam (10 mg/kg; 20 µL; i.p.). Control: Vehicle—DMSO 3% (20 µL; i.p.). Values represent the mean ± standard error of the mean (S.E.M.) for 6 animals/group. ANOVA followed by Tukey (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs. DZP).

Figure 2

Inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase by the aqueous extract of L. sidoides.

Figure 3

Osmotic fragility of blood samples treated with 1000 μg/mL of the aqueous extract of Lippia sidoides at different NaCl concentrations.